Food Fun Family

5 Tips to Get Your Car Ready for the Summer #DrivenBySummer

Lolli — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 20:50:57 +0000

I am excited to work with Autotrader to bring you these great tips. Autotrader is sponsoring the giveaway kit as a part of the promotion, and I also received a kit as part of the promotion. #drivenbysummer

Today is the first official day of summer, and now – FINALLY! – my kids are done with the school year. It had started to feel like the kids would be in school forever, after our friends on the other side of the country started their summer vacations a month ago. Yes, we had a little bit of summer envy going on!

We’ve already been enjoying daily swim team practice and weekend swim meets since Memorial Day (and let me tell you – it’s tough to live in both worlds. School during the day and summer swim team in the evenings). I am excited to jump in to our full-fledged summer break starting this week, with scout camps and swim parties and other outdoor adventures.

I’m also excited since summer means that we can finally head on those road trips we’ve been planning. This year, we’re skipping the cross country road trips and planning some shorter trips that are a little closer to home.

5 Tips to Get Your Car Ready for the Summer

Keep it running smooth – check out Autotrader’s top 10 tips for getting your car ready for summer travel. They know exactly what you need to check up and tune up to keep your car on the road and out of the shop while you’re enjoying your summer.

Keep it clean – Before and after road trips, I like to do a thorough cleaning inside and out. Having a recently-vacuumed and clutter-free car may not make the car perform any better, but it sure does make the driver perform better (at least that’s my personal experience!).

Keep it cool – A simple sunshade (Amazon affiliate link) to place in your windshield while the car is parked. Window shades like this one for the back seat passengers not only keep the kids cooler while they ride, but also protect their little arms from harsh UV rays.

Keep it stocked – I would love to keep my car stocked with a supply of water, snacks, and sunscreen (because we need those all the time on our summer outings) but the fact is, the interior of the car gets way too hot here during the summer to keep anything perishable or sensitive to heat inside for any extended period of time. Instead, I keep a bag in the house by the door so I can grab it before I leave. In that bag, I keep water bottles, a few snacks that aren’t messy, a bottle of sunscreen, and anything else that we frequently need when we’re on the road. Inside the car, I always have an emergency bag with things I might need – a flashlight, a tire gauge, ponchos, bandages, etc.

See my post from last year on what to keep in the car!

Keep everyone entertained – My mom and I were just discussing the difference between what in-car “entertainment” meant for me when I was a kid versus what it means for the average kid today. I’m still of the mind set that kids don’t need to watch a movie unless we’re on the road for multiple hours. Luckily, there are several other ways to keep passengers entertained while in the car, whether it’s a 15 minute drive around town or a 15 hour drive to Grandma’s house.

One of my favorite things to do for the summer, when we tend to spend more time driving to activities around town as well as out-of-town trips, is to keep a supply of books, notebooks, colored pencils (NOT crayons….they’ll melt!), and puzzle books for the kids to enjoy while on the road. We just stash those extras in the seat back pockets and they’ve always got something to do (that doesn’t include arguing with their siblings!).

What are some of your best tips for getting your car (and your family!) ready for summer time travel? Share them in the comments below (and check the widget!) for a chance to win an awesome prize package from Autotrader!

Connect with Autotrader

Be sure to check out Autotrader’s summer safety and car care tips
Hashtag: #DrivenBySummer
Twitter: @AutoTrader_com
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Enter to WIN a fun Summer Car Readiness Giveaway Package

One (1) winner will receive a package from Autotrader which includes the following ($122 Value):

Autotrader branded charger ($15)
Tire Pressure Gauge ($11)
Roadside Safety Kit ($26)
Sunscreen ($18)
Poncho 4 pack ($7)
Safety Tool – Seatbelt Cutter, Hammer ($10)
Emergency Wind Up Flashlight ($10)
Visa Gift Card ($25)

This giveaway will end on July 11, 2016 at 11:59 PM ET, after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Open to US residents only, 18+. Good luck!

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7 Tips for a Successful Staycation

Lolli — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 21:00:41 +0000

There is nothing quite like a relaxing vacation – especially after a cold, long winter. What is it about being cooped up inside during the cold months that makes me itch to get out of the house and travel? Spring break is already done for the year here, but with the return of some spring-time cold weather (boo!) I’m eager for a getaway.

With kids in school and busy jobs that keep us tied to home most of the time, planning a decent vacation can sometimes seem a daunting task. Not to mention the COST of traveling with a family of seven! We’re fans of summer-time road trips to far-away destinations, but we can’t afford to spend that much time on our vacations most of the time. And who wants to wait ALL year for the next vacation?

According to Dictionary.com, a STAYCATION is “a vacation spent at home or near home, doing enjoyable activities or visiting local attractions.” It’s a relatively new term, but the idea is timeless!

Staycations can be a great way to save money on family travel. You also “save” on post-vacation recuperation time when you can avoid the wear and tear of travel. Staycations are also great because you can plan a ton or nothing at all and still have a blast.

That’s why we’re such fans of staycations!

7 Tips for planning a successful staycation

Treat your staycation like a “real” vacation. And it IS a real vacation…just without the cost and time of traveling somewhere. Make sure that you put yourself in full vacation mode. In other words, put your feet up and relax…or do whatever it takes to unwind. You’ll feel the difference when you do.

Act like a tourist. There’s something so enjoyable about sightseeing in your own hometown. Look at sites and attractions from an outsider’s eyes. Not only will you have fun while you’re doing it, but you might just discover something new!

Take advantage of the extra time. Since staycations are vacations without the travel time, put that extra time to good use. You can check in to your hotel early to take a nap before heading out for some night-time fun on the town or use that time to explore a new museum or see a show. (I’m not the only person out there who loves napping on vacation, am I?)

Enjoy the off-season. When you take a staycation, you can pick the perfect time and avoid the typical tourist crowds. Not only will venues be less crowded, but you can often get better prices when you’re there on the off-season.

Unplug! That’s right. This is nothing new for anyone, but it’s worth repeating. Make your staycation even more powerful by unplugging and making real face-to-face connections. Yes, Instagram and Facebook and even email will be there when you get back (you can even post “latergrams” if you’re eager to share pictures of your fun staycation. It’s ok to delay!

Try something new. Eat out at a restaurant you’ve never been to before. Try a new show. You might just find a few new favorites that you can visit for a future date night or family activity.

Plan ahead and search for deals. Sign up for a few of the local deal sites (like Groupon or CityDeals) and take advantage of coupons and specials (especially for off-season times).

Have I convinced you that it’s time for a staycation? Well, you’re in luck, because Radisson Hotels want to get you started on the perfect getaway! Bonus: as great as staycations are, heading out of town is pretty amazing too. Where would YOU go if you won Radisson’s #TakeMeThereSweepstakes 5-day trip for two?

I chose the Radisson Hotel in Melbourne so that I can dip my toes in the water and enjoy a peaceful day or two in the sand.

When you tweet a postcard of a location you’d like to visit, you’re entered to win a prizes from Radisson (details here) but you ALSO receive a 10% off e-certificate just for sharing. So basically, EVERY tweet is a winner.

Speaking of winning, I’m going to make this #TakeMeThereSweepstakes even more fun. When you tweet your entry from the sweepstakes page, you can come back here, share your postcard and be entered to win $40 paypal or Amazon cash from me! This giveaway will end 4/22/2016 at 11:59 pm ET and a winner will be chosen at random and notified via email. Good luck!

Please note: this giveaway requires that you have a social media account (Twitter, Facebook, or Pinterest) to enter. I apologize in advance for my readers that do not use social media.

Tip: to grab the url of a social share on twitter or facebook, just click on the timestamp and copy the link in the search bar at the top of your page. It should look like this: https://twitter.com/foodfunfamily/status/718835951489937408

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PS – although this post is sponsored by Radisson Hotels, this giveaway is self-funded by me.

Road Trip Tips for Traveling with Teens #MomHacks

Lolli — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 17:06:07 +0000

Do you love to travel by car? We do! Be sure to scroll down to read my best road trip tips for traveling with teens.

Unless you live down the street from your entire extended family, then most likely the holidays include some sort of travel plans – either you’re traveling to see family or family is traveling to see you. If those travel plans include extended time in the car, then chances are you need some tips for traveling by car with kids (or if you’re like me, then tips for traveling with teens. Eek!).

Autotrader provided the Happy Kids, Happy Ride Kit giveaway below, and the winner will be chosen at random by me. All thoughts are my own.

Are you heading on a road trip with your family this holiday season? We love taking family road trips, and I’ve been very fortunate that my kids have almost always been very good travelers. But hours upon end in a car is tough for anyone – even the most seasoned traveler. Even I need a few reminders every once in a while.

Autotrader, the leading authority in car buying, has put together an amazing list of #MomHacks for driving in the car with kids. I love their idea of putting colored pencils and paper inside old DVD cases for coloring in the car. Now, that’s portable entertainment!

Also worth reading is this article by Autotrader about holiday road trips.

“Holiday travel doesn’t just have to be about getting to where you’re going,” said Tara Trompeter, managing editor at Autotrader. “Family time in the car can be a great opportunity for making memories — or a recipe for grunts and grumbles. A little bit of planning ahead before you get on the road will go a long way toward filling the experience with more fun and laughter for everyone involved.”

Getting ready for a road trip with your family?

You need these tips!

I think my favorite tip of all is #1…Which tip resonates with you?

Four Corners Monument: What You Need To Know Before Visiting #PSF

Lolli — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 01:58:33 +0000

One of the most anticipated stops on our road trip from the East Coast to the West was the Four Corners Monument, but there are definitely a few things I would have liked to know about visiting before we made the trek out there.

Four Corners is the only place in the United States where you can stand in four states at the same time (or if you’re like me, pretend you’re Spider Man in four states…). The Four Corners Monument is located on the Navajo Nation land (also home to the Utes) where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah intersect.

You’ll wait in line to get your picture taken. Plan out your photos and poses before your turn comes so you aren’t the annoying family that takes 10 minutes. And there will be people in your picture. Just go with it. While we were there, there was a lady calling ALL of her friends and family, walking in a circle saying over and over, “Guess where I am now? Hellooooo from Colorado! Wait. Guess where I am now? I’m in Utah! Wait. Wait. Helloooo from Arizona!” And over and over and over. I actually love that we caught her in our family picture above because it makes us laugh every time we think of Four Corners.

There is a $5 per person entrance fee (not a per car fee) and they only accept cash. Be prepared.

The parking lot is rough. If it has rained recently, cover your shoes with plastic bags before getting out of the car. Or just expect muddy shoes.

Four Corners is in the middle of nowhere. Make sure you fill up your gas tank when you have a chance (Teec Nos Pos is about 6 miles away and has a small gas station, but Teec Nos Pos is in the middle of nowhere, too).

Bring water and snacks. There is no running water at Four Corners (they do have portable pottys and snacks available for purchase).

Plan time to browse the vendors. At first I was a little turned off when I saw that the monument was literally surrounded by vendors selling their goods….until I started looking at them and talking to the vendors. The best part of our visit was chatting with a Navajo man who taught my boys how to make arrow heads and arrows. He even graciously let me take some pictures of him working and teaching my boys. THAT was worth the entrance fee for us. Funny side note: this guy worked in our area last winter!

Address: 4 Corners Road, Teec Nos Pos, NM 86514 (There will be signs directing you from Teec Nos Pos) Note: our GPS “found” Teec Nos Pos in Arizona. We had a tough time finding on GPS at first.

Hours: I couldn’t find a definitive answer about the hours (lots of conflicting info). Check before you go that these times are current (or go in the middle of the day to be safe): Open 7 am – 8 pm (June – Sept) and 8 am – 5 pm (Oct – May) – Phone: (928) 206-2540

Is it worth the visit? We were glad we stopped…but we were also glad that we hadn’t gone out of our way to get there. We were fortunate that Four Corners was a pretty convenient stop on our road trip. We all decided that Four Corners is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity. It is SO cool to be there, but it’s definitely something you only need to do once.

In the area…

We had stayed the night before in Farmington, New Mexico and our route to Four Corners took us through Shiprock. The rock formation that gave the area its name was quite a sight! This shot was taken through the window:

We drove to Arches National Park after stopping at Four Corners, and our route took us by an incredible rock formation sitting alone by the side of the road. We found out later that it is called Church Rock, and it can be found along Route 191 between Monticello and Moab, Utah. There was a nice place to pull off the road for pictures (there were at least 4 or 5 other families there at the same time) but you can’t get close to Church Rock. It’s on private land, so you’ll have to make do with a road-side view.

Have you ever been to Four Corners?

What have you been up to lately? Feel free to link up your photo posts below.

An InLinkz Link-up

10 Summer Essentials Every Girl Needs In Her Bag

Lolli — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 13:38:34 +0000

I’m sharing 10 summer essentials that every girl needs to carry in her bag as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars and Playtex® Sport® #PlaytexSportSquad. See my previous tips for staying active as a family and 7 ways to build strong mother-daughter relationships with your teenage girls.

Today is the first day of summer for us. I stayed in bed until the luxurious hour of 6:45. Trust me – as the summer progresses, I will make sure that my wake up time increases. Today begins 7:30 am swim team practices for my middle school daughter – in fact, I just dropped her off at the pool.

We spend a lot of time at the pool, the water park or the beach in the summer (in the next 4 weeks, we’ll have heavy doses of all three, and we couldn’t be more excited). The teens also spend a lot of time hanging out with friends, and since summer-time hang outs tend to last most of the day and into the night, whether they’re heading to a park, a pool, or the beach, it’s a good idea to be prepared.

Here are some of the summer essentials that we always keep packed in our park-pool-beach bag (ie, the all-purpose summer-time bag!).

10 Summer Essentials Every Girl Needs In Her Bag

Sunscreen: This is a no-brainer. Although many teens desire a nice golden tan, my experience with skin cancer has led me to always push the value of sunscreen. Luckily, my kids seem to enjoy their pale skin. We won’t go anywhere without sunscreen during the summer! Remember – Don’t neglect your lips! It’s important to keep your lips protected from the sun and hydrated, so always carry a lip balm with sunscreen to protect your lips from drying out or getting burned.

Cute sunglasses: Perhaps the best accessory of summer time – sunglasses can be both functional AND cute. Make your sunglasses part of your summer accessorizing and change them up to reflect your mood or to go with your outfit.

Emergency essentials: I never leave home without a small and discreet just-in-case bag. Inside, I carry period essentials like Playtex® Sport® tampons and pads. Even if my girls and I are not ready to start, there is most likely someone in the group that is. Being prepared means that you might be someone’s hero and you will never be caught unawares. I love this Playtex® Sport® purse pak because it is both functional and cute (no one would guess what it’s for!).

Reusable water bottle: I drink water all year long, but it’s especially important to stay hydrated during the hot summer months, especially when you’ve been out in the sun. I prefer to use a reusable water bottle like this that keeps my water cold for longer.

Towel: If you’re heading to the beach, then a towel is a must-have. But if you’ve got to bring a towel, why not make it a statement piece? Get a towel to represent some of your favorite things, like a Doctor Who TARDIS towel for my Whovian girls!

Cute hat: Hats play multiple purposes in the summer – they shade eyes from the sun, keep the face sheltered from getting burned, and add to your fun, summer look. Wear them big, wear them funky! Wear a different hat every day.

Hair essentials: I always keep hair ties and headbands on hand in case I need to put my hair up (especially handy when you’re swimming). I also like to pack a brush and some sea salt spray for my hair (this is my favorite) for a pick-me-up after a long day of being outside.

Reading materials: Because you never know when you’ll have a spare minute of lounging around (even when you’re surrounded by friends) it’s nice to have a book or a magazine on hand. Having something to read can be as simple as having the Kindle app on your phone and loading it with a few books.

Snacks: Who knows when hunger will strike? I like to be prepared with a few non-perishable snacks just in case. This is especially important for those of us with dietary needs, food allergies, etc. You never want to rely on what other people are going to bring to eat or when you’ll be able to find a restaurant.

Camera: Yes, it’s totally fine to take pictures on your phone (see my mobile travel photo tips)…but don’t forget that the camera is there! Capture all of the memories of summer and share them with your friends. Don’t forget to get in a few of those memory pics yourself!

Are You “Fit To Play”?

What is your perfect fit? The “Fit to Play” quiz takes you through a series of questions to determine what your perfect sport fit is. The quiz also suggests a femcare product as your perfect product fit. You can then sign up for free samples within the quiz experience, too. Take the quiz HERE.

Connect with Playtex® Sport®

Website: PlaytexPlayOn.com
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Travel Photography: 10 Mobile Travel Photo Tips

Lolli — Wed, 10 Jun 2015 10:00:55 +0000

Motorola sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine.

I was out at a rare photo shoot yesterday morning (I don’t “officially” do photography for clients anymore, but every once in a while I make an exception), and we got on the topic of cameras, travel, and capturing the best shot to preserve your memories.

As much as I love my big camera, more often than not I find myself leaving it at home and capturing our family outings on my phone. And you know what? That’s absolutely ok.

It used to be that the quality of a cell phone camera was not good enough for viewing anywhere but on the phone itself. Not anymore. I was recently introduced to the DROID Turbo by Motorola in Gray Ballistic Nylon….and Oh. My. Goodness. I want this phone and all of its 21 megapixels.

I am convinced that the DROID Turbo is the perfect device for capturing those special memories this summer. It has so many features that correlate seamlessly with my summer travel photography tips.

Speaking of which…

10 Tips For Taking Great Photos On The Go

These ten tips can be implemented regardless of the equipment or skills you possess (or don’t). Now…what will YOU be photographing this summer?

Ditch the big camera and stick with your phone camera. There’s something to be said for convenience and size. I’ve always got my phone on me, so I know I can always capture the moments that I don’t want to forget. The DROID Turbo not only has 21 MP, but it also has an impressive f2.0 aperture and dual LED flash, which delivers incredible photos.
Change your point of view. Take vertical, horizontal, and panoramic shots. Get up on a chair and take a picture from a higher perspective, or get down on the ground with the grass, flowers, and little kids. You might be amazed at what you see. Did you know that the DROID Turbo is 5.65in x 2.89in and weighs only 6.2 ounces?

Be sure you’re charged up. Before you head out for a day of adventure, be sure that you have plenty of battery power to get you through the day. Remember that photos, video, and sharing your adventures on social media will eat up more battery than normal use, and you don’t want to miss that shot because your phone is dead. The DROID Turbo has you covered. With a battery lasting up to 48 hours on a single charge (mixed usage), ability to charge quickly with the TurboPower 15 charger, plus up to 8 hours of mixed usage battery in just 15 minutes of charging….you won’t have to stress about missing a shot with the DROID Turbo because of battery.
People or no people. That’s the question. I recommend mixing it up. Take a variety of shots – some with family and friends and others concentrating on the scenery. I used to recommend always including a person in your photos, but I’ve come to appreciate the images of nature and architecture too much to leave those out.

Don’t pose every shot. Go for some candid captures of people in action. The candid images are almost always my favorites. They reveal my family’s true personalities, for better or for worse. Speaking of personalities, I love that the DROID Turbo can be customized – you can choose from one of three accent colors (blue, orange, violet). I’d choose violet. Which one would you choose?
Don’t forget your most important subject. You! I used to rarely get in photos myself because I was always the one behind the camera. Now, I take selfies with my kids or hand my camera over to someone else to catch a quick shot with me in it. My big camera always intimidates people (and the pictures taken by other well-meaning volunteers often don’t turn out) so I love using my phone for these shots. The DROID Turbo allows you to take a selfie with a voice command – such a great idea!
Take an info shot. I love to take a picture of the welcome sign, an information pamphlet, or even a street sign so that I know where we were and what we were doing during a group of photos. When we’re traveling a lot during the summer, like we did on last year’s road trip, and like we’re planning to do again during this year’s road trip in (gasp!) 2 1/2 weeks, it’s hard to keep track of what happened where. Sometimes, instead of an info shot, I post to Instagram and describe where we are and what we’re doing. That image helps keep me organized.
Take more photos than you think you need. My rule, now that everything is digital, is Shoot Now. Delete Later. Some of the pictures I didn’t think I “needed” end up being my favorites of the whole trip. It helps that the DROID Turbo has 32 GB on all models and 64 GB on the Black Ballistic Nylon model. That’s LOTS of space for my pictures!

Use a cloud service. Uploading photos to the cloud simply brings piece of mind, knowing that your photos won’t be lost if, heaven forbid, your phone is lost or falls into the lake or down the canyon view-point. Special note: the rear cover on the DROID Turbo is reinforced with a layer of Kevlar® fiber. It also has a water-repellent nanocoating that protects the phone from the inside out against an unexpected downpour or everyday spills.
Turn on video. Every once in a while, flip the switch on your camera and capture some video. Those videos will be precious in later years (the sounds and movements of children are so easily forgotten when they grow up!). The DROID Turbo can capture 4K videos and replay them on your phone or a 4K TV.

Have I forgotten any tips? What would you add? Now…where do you want to take the DROID Turbo?

Find out more: Buy the DROID Turbo by Motorola NOW from Verizon. Be sure to follow DROID Turbo on Twitter: @DROIDbyMotorola

Get your DROID Turbo by Motorola in Gray Ballistic Nylon with your choice of metallic orange, violet and blue accent colors at Verizon.com.

Motorola sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine.

What To See and Do in Washington DC #marriottvacay

Lolli — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 13:58:58 +0000

As a Washington DC local now for 15 years, I have become accustomed to friends and family members from other states calling to ask my advice about what to see, what to do, and where to stay while traveling in the DC area. While I have a few personal favorites, I am both a creature of habit and (can I admit this?) lazy when it comes to being a tourist in my own hometown area, and I struggle every time friends ask for travel advice.

Then, after the few moments of guilt, I realize that regardless of what we see and do on a regular basis (or rather, what we don’t do in our historically rich hometown) the importance lies in the memories that we make. And memories can be made anywhere.

What To See and Do in Washington DC

Some of our personal family favorites include walking the National Mall to see the multitude of monuments (and I totally recommend the climb up to the top of the Washington Monument….as long as you don’t have little kids that will want to be carried), a tour of Mount Vernon, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum as well as the Natural History Museum (granted, ALL of the Smithsonian museums are worth a visit. Not only are they FULL of fascinating things to see, but they are completely free), the National Zoo (technically another Smithsonian….but how often do you get to visit an enormous zoo for free?).

There are several quirky locals-only kinds of activities that we love to do, like watching the planes land overhead at a park just outside of National Airport or grabbing lunch at our new favorite DC restaurant.

The fact remains, whether I’m acting like a tourist at home or trying to make myself at home in a distant area, I stink at planning vacations. I’m much more of a “tell me what to do and print me off a schedule and map” kind of traveler.

Washington, DC Trip Creator

Luckily, there are incredible resources available for everyone visiting the DC area, whether they are locals who need touristy help or travelers from across the world. I am completely smitten by this new interactive Washington, DC Trip Creator from Marriott International – a leading hospitality company with over 3,800 properties in over 74 countries and territories around the world.

With the Washington, DC Trip Creator, anyone visiting the DC area (for a day trip or a family vacation) can see a traveler-friendly interactive map of attractions with the related costs and websites for more information. No longer do I need to feel like a friend giving bad advice when I recommend what to see and do in the DC area.

Have you traveled to Washington DC before? What were your favorite sites, or where do you hope to go someday?

I was selected for this opportunity by Clever Girls Collective, however all content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Food Fun Family

5 Tips to Get Your Car Ready for the Summer #DrivenBySummer

5 Tips to Get Your Car Ready for the Summer

Connect with Autotrader

Enter to WIN a fun Summer Car Readiness Giveaway Package

7 Tips for a Successful Staycation

7 Tips for planning a successful staycation

Road Trip Tips for Traveling with Teens #MomHacks

Four Corners Monument: What You Need To Know Before Visiting #PSF

10 Summer Essentials Every Girl Needs In Her Bag

10 Summer Essentials Every Girl Needs In Her Bag

Featured product: Tampons & Liners Combo Pack

Are You “Fit To Play”?

Connect with Playtex® Sport®

Travel Photography: 10 Mobile Travel Photo Tips

10 Tips For Taking Great Photos On The Go

What To See and Do in Washington DC #marriottvacay

What To See and Do in Washington DC

Washington, DC Trip Creator