How to Family Vacation in Scottsdale

It usually starts with an argument over where to eat, something that was an enjoyable discussion when it was just my wife and me. The 14-year-old knows everything he doesn’t want, but won’t tell us what he does want. The 11-year-old usually wants the complete opposite of whatever the 14-year-old eventually decides upon. And the seven-year-old will often provide one of two options: rice or pasta with butter.

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Mandy Balak
The Mythical Mayan: Mayakoba

The players’ assistant pulled up beside me as I was standing in the middle of the fairway on the first hole of the El Cameleon Golf Course. I was only one shot into my round, so I knew he wasn’t coming over to tell our foursome that we had already fallen behind the group ahead of us. No, it was my inquisitive look at the obstruction in front of me that brought him over.

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Mandy Balak
72 hours in Chicago

Nearly 20 years ago my wife and I had only been together for a couple of years when we decided to take our first trip together to San Francisco. We were young, in our mid-20s, had little to no money, but had an amazing time exploring the funky shops and restaurants that are a must for any trip to the Bay Area.

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Mandy Balak