Transcript

Family Feuds, Crotch Gate, and Travel Wish List Destinations

From Always Here · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 1 h 27 min · 20,279 words · 514 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Family Feuds, Crotch Gate, and Travel Wish List Destinations", an episode of Always Here published February 20, 2026 (1 h 27 min, about 20,279 words). It mentions 21 people, works and ideas, including Abby Howard, Always Here, Crotchgate, Matt Howard, hyaluronic acid.

What this episode is about

A light, candid discussion about personal conflicts, family dynamics, and upcoming travel plans, highlighting how daily life, parenting, and relationships shape everyday conversations and expectations.

Key takeaways

  • Granny trip energy dominates planning chatter; bizarrely, life milestones become social currencies and memes in the same breath.
  • Six-month baby shifts redefine routines; long wake windows are the new budgeting, altering sleep, food, and sanity economics.
  • Habachi nights double as social experiments: interactive dining reveals group dynamics, not just sizzling onion volcanos.
  • Truth bomb: 'tea' culture and conflict talk surface amid chaotic, cozy candidness—humor masks real fragility.
  • Confessional humor beats perfection: flubs, farts, and faux pas become bonding glue in imperfect, relatable storytelling.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 10:00: Abby Howard, Paw Patrol Live, Super Bowl, Hawi
  2. – 20:00: Caleb Howard, John Deloney
  3. – 30:00: Crotchgate, hyaluronic acid, Abby Howard, Khloe Kardashian
  4. – 40:00: Whitefish Mountain, Terrence Howard
  5. – 50:00: Florida, Lake Michigan, California, Grand Rapids
  6. – 1:00:00: California, Las Vegas
  7. – 1:27:08: Always Here

Notable quotes from "Family Feuds, Crotch Gate, and Travel Wish List Destinations"

  • Welcome back to Always Here. We are Abby Howard and Abby Howard and we are here to share the hope in the heart with heart and humor.
    about Abby Howard · at
  • Really like Paw Patrol at the time. This year we were kind of going back and forth because Paw Patrol Live has gotten a little out of touch with what?
    about Paw Patrol Live · at
  • No, it's also not like I mean I had to apologize to Caleb a lot last week.
    about Caleb Howard · at
  • Like have one-on-one time, but you also feel like productive like but this one we're also going to a marriage conference. So like I think that's also a really good thing to add…
    about John Deloney · at
  • That's crazy that it's you're kidding me. They're injecting that straight in there into their wingies. Yeah.
    about Crotchgate · at
  • Two kids right and we had gone to Whitefish mountain the year before with the family. And I will say I it didn't make it on my list, but I would say that is a great travel option.
    about Whitefish Mountain · at
  • I Okay, when I think of family trip, I just think of Florida, right?
    about Florida · at
  • There's exactly a reason. what was Oh, mine was Lake Michigan. We actually went this past summer with my family. It was really, really great for a family vacation. Similar vibes where the it feels like you're on the ocean.
    about Lake Michigan · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Abby Howard — Person · Host / primary speaker · 4 mentions · first at
    Co-host of the episode; drives the conversation through life updates, the 'Crotchgate' segment, and travel recommendations.
  • Matt Howard — Person · Referenced spouse; off-mic influencer of topics · 1 mention · first at
    Abby Howard references Matt Howard frequently (hosting events, travel, marriage conference) and credits him with recommending the 'Crotchgate' topic.
    I love granny culture. I'm actually so excited to be a grandma. I literally told Matt the other day I was I'm gonna be Lollie and you're gonna be popped.
  • Caleb Howard — Person · Referenced spouse; participant in off-mic discussions · 2 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as a spouse involved in conflicts, travel experiences (Hawaii), and as someone discussing 'Crotchgate' with others.
  • John Deloney — Person · Referenced expert / conference leader · 2 mentions · first at
    Named as the leader of a marriage conference Abby Howard and Matt Howard plan to attend; Abby cites liking his podcast and advice.
  • Terrence Howard — Person · Referenced child in family anecdotes · 3 mentions · first at
    Appears in stories about Paw Patrol Live readiness and a sweet moment at a gathering.
    I feel like the only people that were Okay, I'm comfortable. Cuz some people don't know each other. Like no one's going to be like Blake when he would take a socket.
  • Khloe Kardashian — Person · Celebrity referenced in gossip segment · 2 mentions · first at
    Mentioned in a rumor about 'hard launching' a relationship during Super Bowl chatter.
    The one that recommended this. Well, there's kind of two. We were talking about the Super Bowl and did you see that Kim Kardashian and Louis Hamilton hard launched their relationship?
  • Lewis Hamilton — Person · Celebrity referenced in gossip segment · 1 mention · first at
    Identified as a highly successful Formula One driver in the discussion of a rumored relationship with Kim Kardashian.
    There's kind of two. We were talking about the Super Bowl and did you see that Kim Kardashian and Louis Hamilton hard launched their relationship?

Concepts & topics

  • Crotchgate — Concept · Core topic / viral rumor discussed · 4 mentions · first at
    A rumored Olympic ski-jumping doping/cheating scandal involving genital enhancement; used to discuss performance margins and ethics.
  • hyaluronic acid — Concept · Key mechanism in Crotchgate rumor · 3 mentions · first at
    Named as the alleged injectable substance used to increase size and affect drag/lift in ski jumping.
    But also hyaluronic acid. This guy was saying he's a the doctor. you know that's what they put in like filler in your face. They put it in your joints.
  • Hawi — Concept · Referenced social event (hibachi night) · 2 mentions · first at
    Used as shorthand for their hibachi gathering; part of the episode's life-update recap.
    Okay. Well, last night we all had the habachi night and I think insert video, insert picture.

Places & events

  • Florida — Place · Recommended family-trip destination · 3 mentions · first at
    Presented as a budget-friendly, kid-friendly beach vacation option with warm water and rentable large houses.
  • Lake Michigan — Place · Recommended family-trip destination · 3 mentions · first at
    Promoted as a calmer, budget-friendly beach-like family vacation with warm summer water and slower towns.
  • Whitefish Mountain — Place · Referenced travel destination (horror story setting) · 2 mentions · first at
    The site of a family ski trip that turned into a norovirus outbreak; also recommended as a good winter travel option.
  • Super Bowl — Event · Referenced social event context · 3 mentions · first at
    Serves as a backdrop for their party recap and as the segue into celebrity relationship gossip.
    Same. We had three TV so we no one could miss the game and I wasn't% of the game.
  • California — Place · Referenced travel region · 2 mentions · first at
    Mentioned in the context of flying to California (Phoenix-LA) and discussing Southern California family trips.
    You're going to California. she sits next to me. She is like visibly anxious and she's she's like a little worked up. She falls asleep immediately. She's got the.
  • Arizona Financial — Place · Venue/location for Paw Patrol Live · 1 mention · first at
    Named as the place where they attended Paw Patrol Live; discussed in context of venue size and pricing.
    So, it was a little bit of a smaller theater.
  • Grand Rapids — Place · Travel logistics location · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as the airport/city they flew into for a Lake Michigan family vacation.
    No, we flew into Grand Rapids. Okay.
  • Las Vegas — Place · Example girls-trip destination (contrasted) · 1 mention · first at
    Used as a contrast to the 'granny trip' concept—an example of a more high-energy girls trip.
    Now, I do think there's a time and place to go all out, go crazy. I feel like you could take a really fun girls trip to Vegas and do some fun stuff or what we're planning is a granny trip.

Media & podcasts

  • Always Here — Podcast · Primary podcast / show · 2 mentions · first at
    The show being recorded; hosts introduce it and structure the episode around 'hope and hard' plus travel ideas.
    Howard and Abby Howard and we are here to share the hope in the heart with heart and humor.
  • Paw Patrol Live — Media · Referenced family entertainment outing · 2 mentions · first at
    A major family activity discussed, mainly around high ticket pricing and whether it’s worth repeating.
  • Disney on Ice — Media · Comparison point for pricing/value · 1 mention · first at
    Used to contrast affordability versus Paw Patrol Live.
    Like my dad when we were kids growing up, we'd go to Disney live and Disney on Ice, but we would always go through his radio.

Full transcript with timestamps

Have you heard of crotchgate? Ski jumpers in the Olympics have been enhancing their members to give them a better jump.

Messing it crosses first. That does not even make sense. I was wondering if you ever get mad at each other.

Maryanne, she's like, I want the tea. I want the tea. We just had our first conflict a couple weeks ago.

What we're planning is a granny trip. Granny trip. I love granny culture. I'm actually so excited to be a grandma. I literally told Matt the other day I was like, "I'm gonna be Lollie and you're gonna be popped."

Morning flights with babies is always the way to go. You told me that and then I was like, "She's so right about that.

I did it wrong." Water. Well, you walked so we could run. I tripped and fell. Welcome back to Always Here. We are Abby Howard

and Abby Howard and we are here to share the hope in the heart with heart and humor.

I feel like everyone's had kind of a lot going on recently. Yeah. How we feel. Addie's burnt out. Add's back.

Burnt out. Addie's back. I'm back and burnt out. She's back and she's burnt out. She's back from her vacation and you tired.

Yeah. Just a great time. No. Yes. I'm glad to be back. But was it a good trip? It was really good. It was the first time I feel like we are building a team with everything. So, it was really good for me to be able to step away for like actually just like log off which was really fun. So, yeah, it was good to be away. But now we're getting into like

almost six month territory for Bel, which means food. Oh, yeah. Which means longer wake windows, which means longer I don't know. Just a new transition. I feel like we had everything ready with her and now it's like six months. Big shift.

Everything changes. Totally. So, yeah. Six months is a big shift. It is. It's fun, though.

Yeah. So, I'm excited to spend time with her and learn more about her. Learn what food she likes.

She's going to love everything. She loves to eat that girl. She's so cute. Yeah.

Chunky girl. Yeah. We were It was like when you were talking to me about that this morning, I was like, "Wow, there's two different types of people." Because I feel like we both have had a lot of plans. We were like that I just need an afternoon where I don't have plans or like an evening. And I think that's actually my worst fear at this point in time. No big deal.

I'm like looking to Wednesday. I'm like Wednesday's our first day in like 14 days of nothing to do tonight.

Wow. Yeah. So we're I'm ready to do nothing. Should we work backwards from what's going on?

Sure. Okay. Well, last night we all had the habachi night and I think insert video, insert picture.

Seriously, guys, it was actually way more fun than Matt and I were both expecting. And I would say it was like if you're wanting to host something that is actually pretty handsoff

and interactive at the same time and interactive like it I was like wow as a host it was like very easy to set up and then um but it was like very fun and like silly. You have to have a good group of people. So, I will say, let me brag on our friends for a little bit, but like everyone was a good fun lively group. Otherwise, it could have been awkward if you have like maybe more like up

if it's a corporate setting, it's probably not No, it's probably uncomfortable. Don't do that.

But, um, we use Let's Habachi and they h they have like a chain all over the US and um I would definitely rebook with them. I'm already like, we need this for your birthday, Matt. Like, we got the big tables now, so we need to do this more and more. It was just so funny though because you guys I open the door and I'm like trying to get things settled and then they're just at the door with like their little jackets on and he's like I'm Chef AB and this is Keith and we're here for Habachi and I was like

they already were there. Sounds like a bit like a bit. I love it. They say we're in character all night. So great.

They were fun. I love Keith. It's not just food you guys. There's like a whole They have like little games and they were trying to do throw some conversation starters out there. sake everywhere. Even though we had like a total of like four people

drink, we were all Caleb and Matt. Poor Caleb. He's like a one drink total guy and everyone's just like he'll take it him. I feel like him and Matt were both just like getting each other on.

I feel like the only people that were like, "Okay, I'm comfortable." Cuz some people don't know each other. Like no one's going to be like Blake when he would take a socket. like we were talking about before afterwards I was a little bit experienced in some

the gas was unbelievable gas there was a lot of salt I think a lot of happening it was very good every time I have teriyak it's just game over for the night

you describe as bubble gum it's bubble gut I just turning and churning and I'm like

last night so good I went to bed Matt's like playing with my hair which he does like most nights as I'm falling asleep and I'm just literally like about to fall asleep and then he goes, "Did you just fart?"

And you're like, "I'm not I forgot I did, but I did. You forgot you did." And I was like, "Please say, "I'm asleep."

The worst when it's in We were growing up cuz it was just We were all sisters. My mom goes, "Girls don't fart, they fluff." And I hate that it's a fluff. Yeah. And I remember one time my uncle looked at me, he goes, "Abby, you farted when I was little." And I ran to my mom crying and I go, "I'm a boy. Fluff. I've literally never heard that.

It's not Yeah, it was It's not a term. It's not a thing. You said it often though. Like it was

She would only let us call it a fluff. Never. The minute I grow grew up, I was like, "I'm not calling it that." I called it a toot.

A toot. I was like, "I'm so sorry." Yeah. Very dainty toot. Yeah. No, it's the worst.

No, I don't toot. I'll fart. I was like, you do, Abby. Honestly, sorry for the potty talk, but I'm not embarrassed by that. I'm not embarrassed. No, it was good food. That was a really fun time and so great and very unexpected. Also crazy for the Monday night.

It was a crazy Monday night. Crazy Monday night to kick off Valentine's week and it started at 7:00. We were like, "Wow, we're we're going to be up late on a Monday."

Yeah. No, it was cool. Um, they did at one point put the hat on Abby and she looked exactly like her picture.

This is the shot. This is the shot. That was so funny. Yep. today if I talk like this is because mom spent we had our Super Bowl party on Sunday and then Hawi on Monday. The Super Bowl party was super fun too. I thought personally.

Very fun. Thanks. It was good time. Great party. Thanks. It I wasn't I didn't feel stressed about it because everyone brought food so I didn't feel like I was in charge of anything except just providing a clean home and some sliders. I made these hamburger sliders. I missed out.

I know. I almost set up on your DM and said if you have any more bring them. I did, but we bashed them yesterday for our lunch. Sorry, I should have saved one. They were really good and really easy to make. They're on the Hawaiian rolls, so anything on a Hawaiian roll is going to slap, but it this it was such an easy recipe.

Butter on those. Yeah, you mix the butter, like the glaze on top with brown sugar and dijon mustard

and so it kind of caramelized on the top and it was a little bit of sweet and then inside the hamburger meat was barbecue sauce and a little bit of mayo.

Would have never guessed there was barbecue sauce in there. A little bit cuz I don't really like barbecue sauce that much. I don't either. That was so good. It was like the perfect balance of sweet and savory.

So, that was good. It was really good. I have it saved on my highlights on Instagram if you guys want to go find it.

It was a fun party. I watched 0% of the game. Same. We had three TV so we no one could miss the game and I wasn't% of the game.

I kind of got the vibes that was a little boring. Yeah, it kind of seemed the last few years have kind of been boring.

I didn't even watch the halftime show. There was just so many children. There were a lot of children. So, we kind of had it set up our TV room. You know, there were people in there and then we had a TV in their dining room where all the food was and then outside we had a TV with all the moms and the kids and there were a lot of kids and they were all just like herded in the back like she

It was fun. It was the best. That's the way to just let them go outside. We were like get out go totally do your thing.

Our house isn't that big and I didn't really take that into account when I invite I was just like invite everybody which I'm never going to invite less. Like it was packed.

Yeah. When I was I had Vivian in the back nursing when people were getting there and I just kept hearing the door open and close and the volume raising and I just sat thinking to myself go how many people did we invite to this party.

There's a lot of people. A lot of people. It was fun. It was great. Super fun. And Sunday morning we went to Paw Patrol Live.

Oh my gosh. Kicked off the day with going to Paw Patrol Live. We went I took Griffin last year because Auggie was like a little too little for it and he didn't even really like Paw Patrol at the time. This year we were kind of going back and forth because Paw Patrol Live has gotten a little out of touch

with what? Their pricing. Really? It's outrageous. What was it? You don't have to say. You don't have to say.

I I'll say I want to know. I We We got like the cheapest seats on SeatGeek. Yeah.

And for our family to go it was almost $500. Can you imagine sitting in the front?

No. Oh, who was sitting in the front? No. No. They have a VIP experience. We were walking up and Matt goes, "Why didn't we do that?" I was like, "Matt.

Matt. What do you want? Do you know what this cost us? He had no idea. And I was like well

I would have guessed like $30. For all four of us to go, it was first of all, each ticket was over $100. We were in the back essentially

and we we got no souvenirs and we got no snacks. I packed my own snacks. I was like, "This is crazy."

That is crazy. Was it at the arena? It was at No, it was at the Arizona Financial.

So, it was a little bit of a smaller theater. I mean, it's pretty big. It's It's not super small. Is that where they sell out the tickets? Because who's paying for their family to go to that? You have to buy a ticket as soon as they're two.

Yeah. I wonder if it's a lot of corporate. Like my dad when we were kids growing up, we'd go to Disney live and Disney on Ice, but we would always go through his radio.

Disney on Ice is so cheap though. Oh, it's like $30 max. Like you can go cheap for Disney on Ice.

Paw Patrol ranking. It is. It's a good show. It has impressive costumes. It has like good set and special effects and like their their cast is talented but I was like wow is that

wow is that I was I literally kept looking at them I was like you guys are HAVING A GREAT TIME.

YOU GUYS ARE GETTING paid well. Yeah. No, I was talking to the kid. I was like but they really they were sat for it. They were very and they were very excited about it. But I don't know. I'm not sold that we'll do it again next year.

Well, we'll we'll touch back. We'll probably be back. We'll be back. Um maybe that theater was just more expensive too. That's where it was the year before, too.

Oh, well, I don't know. There there was a jump in prices, I felt. I mean, gosh, comment down below. But that was crazy.

Um, yeah, but that's they they enjoyed it. They did enjoy it. They did enjoy it. It was a good time.

Good. Um, also was Saturday. Trust me, Saturday we went to the spa. Really cool.

Oh my gosh. We had a packed weekend. We had a packed Oh, Saturday I also had a dance class. back to that thing where you're doing something every day in February.

Yeah. I also made breakfast for the campers in our backyard Saturday morning. This was my Saturday. Made breakfast for the campers in the dark because if I turn on the light, it was in their campground cuz they were camping in our backyard.

Um and that was fun. That you're going to see a YouTube video of that if you check out our YouTube channel. But Matt and some of his dad friends and their kids all set up tents in our

small turfed area of our backyard and camped overnight. And I had so much confidence in my kids. I was like, they're going to be the best camp or the best tent.

Worst tent by far. Worst tent by far. I could hear them cackling at 11:00 p.m. from our bedroom upstairs.

I didn't think they were going to make it. They made it all night. They did. Spoiler alert.

And Matt made it all night. Matt made it all night. He was beat the next morning. I was like, "Hey, by the way, you chose to do this."

And you chose to also book me a spa day today. So, thank you. So, we uh had I got like several hours like just to recharge and relax, which was really good.

And um came back, which also when my massage ended, I thought I was going to cry cuz I was like,

"Was that good?" I was like, "Please don't be wrapping up right now, right? What do I have to do?"

I know. And I actually felt like I was going to fall asleep during that massage. And I never feel that way. Like I feel like my thoughts are always like

kind of racing a little. Not racing, but like I'm I'm usually not that relaxed. I was so relaxed. I was literally about to fall asleep.

He was like, "What did you guys do all day?" And I go, "We literally just sat by the pool and talked for hours."

It was needed. It was And then we moved to this room and then we talked and we went to this room and then we talked to him.

I thought I was read like two books and I was like, "You know what? This is better. This is better to like fill my cup. I literally felt like so refreshed after that."

Even though I didn't like sleep or anything. I just felt so so charged up. And then I went home did a dance class with Matt and it was actually so fun. We all need to do it. You need to force Blake somehow. I'm actually going to try to force my dad, too, because my mom really wants to do it.

If they both I know that would be the way. It's set up for beginners. Like they It's very simple.

No recordings, no socials for them. We'll work on that. Well, those are the I think those would be their requirements for

the teacher was recording. So, I don't know if you could really tell her. She maybe could tell her.

Was it at the wave? It was at the wave, but she also This lady does it in her own house, too.

Or she can come to anyone's house. She's and she also charges just based on the hour. She's like you can have as many couples as you want. So I was like that would be fun to host like have friends come over to dance. Um it was really really a great way to connect because I feel like a lot of times like

it's easy to just like go to dinner but this was like we were like interacting a lot and we're like it's new and fun and also we like to dance so it was fun. It was very different and a great time. We're like we already can't wait to do it again. It was a great time.

So what was the consensus? What kind of dance was it? There were several different types. She showed us like a intro to like country swing. Um the bacata.

What's the one that starts with an R? Rumba. Maybe that. I don't know. We did like three or four different types.

Cool. It was really fun. Was it Mel? No, she brought in an instructor. Sweet. Okay. I was like, Mel is such a sweetie. It would be fun if

I also had a Gallentine's on Thursday night, which neither one of you came to. We have Bible study Thursday, SO I COULDN'T WAS THERE.

I left early. Oh, that's That's what I learned about myself this week when we were talking about like what type of person you are. I will leave early. I will go home at a certain time. That's my thing.

Abby will be the last to leave. Yeah. I'm like usually the last one to get there and the last one to

Me too though actually. I'm first to get there. First to leave. So if that makes sense. But Valentine's was fun.

I was bummed. I missed. I'm so candy salad. I think I was just literally I don't know why I had it in my head cuz the next morning I was like

both my sister-in-laws and then I just got it stuck in my head. Literally sat next to you and I We tried to like with Augie play with the puppy wanted to marry you. A

yeah, he told me he wanted to marry me. I was his best buddy. That's so sweet. He loves you so much.

That was so sweet. Anyway, so that was fun. You guys did the chickflick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick chick flicksick and chicklet theme was the movie had some mocktails. No one watched the movie.

I watched the time that I was there. I watched it. It I was actually down to watch it.

I was down to watch it too. We'll have to finish it. Couldn't really hear it to watch it.

Sure. Obs chit chat. A lot of chatter which is good. Which is good. It is so good. So fun. I love our girls nights. That was everything.

Yeah, we've had a packed a packed couple weeks. I've been talking to my mom because she's been babysitting a lot and I was like, "Sorry, it's just been so popular." Cuz I think we even did a date night last week. So, we've really been out and about. My mom's like, "Yeah, I'm exhausted." My mom said to me yesterday, she goes, "Something I learned about you is that you don't need downtime." And I was like, "Is that true?" And I was like,

"It's true. I don't I think I get recharged from things like that." So, when you were saying you were like burnt out from it, I was like, I do think that like kind of recharges me.

Also, if we're going to go into the hope and the hard, that's kind of like for me like the quiet gaps I found even in February are when I start to get like really upset and like teary. So, I'm fully aware that this is my coping mechanism and I'm actually okay with it. Like I'm like, we got to just do what we got to do to get through it.

But like even if I'm just like alone in the car driving to the next destination, I'm like

I get sad. So, I'm like, this is just me jam-packing my life out, which is probably what I'm going to have to do for the entire month of February. And it's the beginning, so who knows what else is going to happen this month.

We have a lot going on. We have flight. We have a lot. We have a trip planned. Nice.

Speaking of trips, that's the main portion of today's episode. We are not ready to transition yet. So,

we're not transitioning. Stop that train. Um, so that's my hard though is I just in general feel really fragile. So like while I may appear to like be like doing all these things, it's fully a coping mechanism. So I'm just going to put that on the table. I'm fragile.

I mean you're such a healthy coper normally that I think if this was anyone who wasn't a healthy coper like hey I think you're distracting yourself. But because you are such a healthy coper it's like let's distract

Yeah. How do we distract you more? I feel like I felt everything I could possibly feel. So like at this point it's like

just wind me up and let me go. Totally. Totally. So yeah, that's my that's my heart.

Thanks for sharing that. I think that's always people relate a lot to that. Thanks.

Yeah, you're doing a good job, sister. Thank you. And we're praying praying for you through this month.

Thank you. Yeah, love you. Um my heart, I guess I could say. Sorry. No, it's also not like I mean I had to apologize to Caleb a lot last week. It was just one of those weeks where I was Why am I being so mean? Now, we got in a couple fights and we don't fight all that often. Um, and I was a little disappointed in myself for throwing some low blows that I need to apologize for.

Hey, that's honest. That's humble. I was like, you know what? I think maybe some other women could relate to this and maybe need to feel remember to apologize when you go low. When you go low, it happens. It happens.

The other day I had to say this like where I was just like it was much after the fight. I said, "By the way, about like two back and forths, I realized I was wrong. I could I couldn't get out."

I had to keep going deeper. Even though I knew I was wrong, it just went, "Wait, we need a code word when that happens."

I'm like, "I know I'm not ready to admit it yet." I know. I know. I was right actually. So,

that's better. Um, it was it felt great. We did mediate at our Bible study on Thursday night and we had the other couples kind of hear both of our sides and

yeah, Abby won. I won in the end, but not that we're keeping score, but I did say some I was like, you know what, that was probably uncalled for, so will you forgive me for

that was good of you. Yeah, there were a couple things. I feel like Yeah, I maybe it's just it's a hard pattern like once you get in that pattern where you like feel like you're in opposition.

Uhhuh. It can be hard to break that one. Well, also Caleb's so patient that sometimes I'm just like, well, let me let me get a little You know what I mean? that

we're both very level and like I feel yeah we're both pretty patient but we're also both strongheaded

and so then sometimes it's like what can I do to make it crack with like I'm like oh I made him crack I went too far you know if I'm like oh I made him mad I'm like oh you went too far

but Caleb still didn't crack he just kind of laughed at me and I was like that was actually mean

worse I know I know so we worked through it really wasn't a big deal it was just about our party but

parties will bring out the bush I know. Maybe I was stressed. But I just felt like I was in a a mood last week where I was just feeling very critical.

I should probably reflect on my own life at this point, but I'll save that for next week. No, I'm just kidding. I'll save that for the next couple days cuz actually that's my hope. I'm really excited that Matt and I are going away, just the two of us, for a little bit because um

and it's actually it's a little bit for work. A lot of times if we get away, we like try to make it literally like 12 hour like jam-pack it and then get back. And it's still good because we get to like have one-on-one time, but you also feel like productive like um but this one we're also going to a marriage conference. So like I think that's also a really good thing to add into the month of February because like obviously

loss and everything impacts your marriage a lot. And um so I'm ex but this is my hope. I'm very excited for this and like get to be oneonone and also like have some dates in there. Um, just yeah, just excited for that and also navigating a little bit of mom guilt for getting away. But I know that it's good for us and I know that it'll be like they're in great hands and like so excited to see they're both both grandparents this weekend. Like they're literally like so spoiled.

So, um, it'll be good. And I'm like looking forward to like some one-on-one time. Even just the flight. I'm like we're just going to sit together

and be alone on a plane. Watch a movie and hold hands. When was the last time you got the whole hands on the plane?

It's crazy. I don't even know what we're going to do. I'm literally just like we've been saying all to myself. I don't need it because we're like it'll be so great. Like you you really appreciate those moments after having kids, especially when one of them sleeps in your room with you.

I'm happy for you. And I did warn the grandparents. I was like, he will need a sleeping bag next to you guys.

They're going to love that. Yeah, we're really appre like looking forward to those like moments of just like reconnection. I feel like it's a good month for it. Top the year, get some good habits going. Um, yeah, I'm excited for it.

That's really fun. And it's Can we say who the marriage conference is? Yeah, it's John Deloney. You love him?

I do. You love his podcast and his advice? I love his podcast. I can't wait to hear the content. We did one marriage conference right before we got married.

It was really fun. Really? Yeah. But also part of that marriage conference was I think it was for couples that were

I think for about maybe it going through like a challenging season. And so the one night they're like you have to book a room and go and like be intimate

like no big deal. And they talked a lot about it that day and I we were engaged and we weren't having sex. So we were like

we got to get out of here. We can't keep Oh my gosh. It was so hard. You're like why is that so hard for you guys?

So they're all going to go to the hotel room and we're going to go to the children's museum. Got it.

Great times. Great times. You know, children. Is that what it's called? In the No, the city.

City Museum. Yeah. In St. Louis. The children. It was fun though. We're like, we got to do something.

Not sexy. He's not sexy at all. It was really funny. That'll be great. What is my hope? I feel like my hope I just said party was great. So,

you have honestly given the longest live update. So much life has happened though.

I have no idea what's happening the rest of this week. John and Teresa are coming in town, so we'll be spending a lot of time with them and your boys, which will be so much fun.

It'll be fun. Yeah. They're not You don't have mom guilt. They're going to be with us.

No, I don't think I struggle with that too much, but sometimes I just miss them a lot.

I know. It's not guilt. Genuinely just miss them. I'm not worried about them either. They're literally in the best hands and they're so comfortable with them.

I'm just sad. Yeah, that's good. It's good to love your children. Yeah, I do. I literally love spending time with them. Um, this is we can transition to Wow, that's crazy.

Wow, that's crazy. Wow, that's crazy. That's crazy. I'm so excited for this one. There's been so much hype around it. Matt was the one that recommended this. Well, there's kind of two. We were talking about the Super Bowl and did you see that Kim Kardashian and Louis Hamilton hard launched their relationship?

Um, no. No. And I don't know who Lewis Hamilton is. I knew you were going to say that. I knew it. Oh my gosh. He's one of the most like successful high. I thought Kim Kardashian was married.

Well, well, she has been a couple times. Like four times. Divorced for a little bit for a while now.

Okay. Who was her? Who was she married to? Kanye. Yes. Yeah, that's I know. That's done.

That's in the dust. Yeah, that's done. That's done. I'm dumb. No, Hamilton. He is one of the highly most successful F1 race car drivers of all time.

Uhhuh. Yes. Kind of cool. I kind of like their vibe together. Cute. Super. Yeah.

I don't I didn't really know who he was. You didn't? No. Blake's not into F1? No.

We're really into F1, so Well, that's fun for them. Okay. Okay. Well, we won't talk about it since you don't know anything about

Don't keep up with the Kardashians. Since you don't care. I watch Keep up with the Kardashian.

Don't keep up with the Kardashians. They The Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives are the two reality shows I watch.

I didn't know you watched them. Mormon Wives. Obsessed with it. Never talk to me about it because I know you don't watch it.

Yeah, I know. But I want you to. Okay. This is the crazy that's really been crazy.

Okay. I was like, is that the crazy crazy? That was the crazy crazy. No, no, no. Um, have you heard of Crotchgate?

No. You might have heard. You guys thought I was going to know about this? You might have heard about it.

Well, Matt kind of said he he talked to you about it a little bit. Like you talked about it and you didn't believe him. So there are there is an alleged rumor. There's a rumor.

I told him this was not true. People are talking about it. So there a German magazine called Build I think reported that some of the ski jumpers in the Olympics for the men have been he told this to me the other day their members okay ladies the men's genitals with hyaluronic acid to have a bigger manhood to give them a better jump. Is that not the craziest doping scandal you've ever heard? That's crazy. If that's true, I had I actually watched a a video about science. Why it would help?

Yeah, cuz it's the ski jumpers. So, if it's given more explain it to me, drag. I told I didn't know this was largely talked about. I thought Matt just found himself in

I had not heard about it until Matt brought it up. Well, Caleb was talking about it, too. I guess they were all talking about it together. And I'm like, that actually is insane because so last year in 2025, there were two Nordic ski jumpers that got in trouble with the governing body of ski jumping because they like they kind of switched their ski suits around in that area and adjusted the seams to help. Is that the first thing that crosses the line? That was illegal because they adjusted their suits. So everything is under regulation within their outfit, their uniform, their skis.

And so they cheated a little bit and like changed the seams in their body. But now they're changing their bodies.

So now they're changing their bodies, which is a very interesting thought, you know? Is that wrong?

Does it make that big of a difference? Yes, it does. I was watching an like a he was a physicist doctor. I think physics and he was talking about if they can grow one to two centimeters in that region, it significantly improves their jump. One to two cent makes their jump. They're messing it crosses first.

No, no, no, no. What is he saying? It's so that they can stay in the AIR LONGER.

THAT EVEN MAKES SENSE. That makes sense. That's why I was like, that can't be. That's not it.

I was like, that's not sticking out. E. I I could have misunderstood him, but I thought that's what he was trying to say. Picture like the squirrels. This plays a role in their jump.

Yes. Because that region, the crotch, if they can make that a little bit bigger, they get more. It's like it's a bigger parachute basically. How they can stay in the air longer.

Well, it's just in the vents. They're not competing against. That's crazy. Isn't that crazy? So, they're making

Tell me one more time as a physicist why this is. Okay. So, picture a squill and you know when they do the ski jump, they're in like a triangle.

Yeah. Okay. So, you picture their crotch as the center of gravity. I really paid attention to this video cuz I wanted to be informed. Their crotch is the most like center one of the most center of gravity. So when they're in the air, that's providing the drag and the lift to keep them in the air as long as possible. So if they can stay in the air longer, they go farther in their jump and they can win. So one to two centimeters difference makes a huge difference.

Who's the first person that discovered this? That's so that's where it's like, is this true or not? We don't know. It's a rumor. But also hyaluronic acid. This guy was saying he's a the doctor. Um you know that's what they put in like filler in your face. They put it in your joints.

That's crazy that it's you're kidding me. They're injecting that straight in there into their wingies. Yeah.

Sorry, the sun. So it was confirmed that in 2025 they were adjusting the stitching the crotch

and they got in trouble for that. And they got in trouble for that. And so this the new rules were that there's microchip embedded suits and stricter pre and post jump inspections of everything to make sure that that doesn't happen again. And then but it is important to note none of this has been confirmed,

right? And no Olympic ski. That's a little hard to Yeah, it's hard to confirm it.

That's a violation. But also, it's so interesting because, you know, you think you get if you want to be stronger, you get bigger muscles, you know, and you go to the gym and you work out to get bigger muscles. So, is it different if you're getting a bigger piece?

Yeah. Yeah. Because you can't you're not allowed to use steroids if you're But technically it's a substance that I it would be crazy if then it's like everyone has to do that to keep up to win.

Yes. I think about that, you know, if that becomes the new standard. Oh, you have to inject your genitals with

hyaluronic acid. Also, this is just my feeling on things like this. I hate when things are boiled down to such a small difference. I'm like, dude, that this person is gold for their life and like a legend because of this tiny tiny margin. I know that's what it comes down to, but that's just kind of like I'm like I know it's that's

I don't like that. I don't like that. Well, that's why you're not an Olympian. No, that's No, that's not why I'm That's why I don't watch the Olympics.

I'm just kidding. There are several reasons why I'm not an Olympian. No, it was interesting. I was thinking about that, too. just the the lengths that they will go to put themselves over the edge just a little bit, you know, and the margins are so close when you're that top of an athlete. It's like those small little things. You have to be like a little crazy to be at the top like that, you know?

I thought it was a vanity thing, too. Like I was like, maybe I just want to look good in their suits with all the cameras on them.

Totally. Ew. Spoiler alert. No woman really. It's not not tickling us. It's not appealing, but it's not tickling us. Um, wow. I can see why Matt wanted to sit in on that thing.

Matt was like, "Can I come sit in?" No, I think he wants to be like, "See, I was right." Cuz I was like, "Matt, that's bizarre. That's not real. That can't do anything." I know.

But I also misunderstood his explanation of the story. I always just think about these insane like these athletes at the top. They all have to be a little crazy. You know, you think about these people that do extreme ultra running marathons and even the best quarterbacks in the NFL. I'm like, you're a little nuts to be that dedicated, you know? So, I'm like, I'm not shocked that this would be something that

they would potentially consider. Mhm. When you dedicate your life to being the best at something or do anything.

That's crazy. I know. Do you guys remember, did you guys have the Wii Fit board and ever play that game where you jump? Did the ski jump on the Wei Fit board? I don't I remember that.

I don't think I played that game. I did have the we fit board, but I think I just played like tennis and stuff. I had Winter Olympics. I had that game.

Oh, Addy. So, you can relate to your peers. Yeah. I was like I I did pretty good at that game.

So funny. I loved We Fit. Remember that's what we convinced our parents to get us a wei. We were like, it's for health. That's how they marketed it.

Yeah, they did. And that was crazy. That's a little manipulation. Yeah. I would do the step like the stepping dance classes like you'd step on and off the board.

You could do that. It was fun. That's awesome. I don't know what game that was.

I did that with my grandma. A fit for life class. Dance revolution. That's what you're talking about, Addie.

No. No. On the Wei Fit board. On the Wei Fit board. Do you guys remember DDR? Oh, you did that?

You did? Oh, you didn't do that? It was before your time. I did Just Dance. I didn't have it on a video game. I had it where you literally plugged it into the TV.

The mat. We had the mats, too. Yeah, that was exercise. I was breaking a sweat.

That and Just Dance Blake too. Blake would get down on that thing. Oh yeah. Oh yeah.

Got to get him back into it. Got to get him back into it. I still remember the Rasputin dance. Raw raasin from Just Dance 3, I think.

Yeah. Oh yeah, I remember it. We figured, you know, it's the we're in February. You're planning spring break. You're planning your summer trips. Now's the time that we're booking our flights or everything. So, we thought it'd be fun to do a travel episode.

Yeah. And talk about, you know, our favorite. We kind of broke it down to three categories. A girls trip, a family trip, and a romantic getaway. And then our dream trip.

Mhm. Yes. Why don't you kick us off? Well, I figured we'd start with our travel horror stories.

Oh, I forgot about that. to begin because um you know a lot of learning moments happen in some failed travel experiences that we have lived through and we're not going to we're going to try not to repeat them

right when I think about worst travel experiences the first one that came top of mind was um you know kids humble you in a number of ways and we were we we were getting into a good groove with traveling with two kids

right and we had gone to Whitefish mountain the year before with the family. And I will say I it didn't make it on my list, but I would say that is a great travel option. Um I've never been in the spring or summer though, so I didn't put it on for one of these, but it is a great location for like a winter

and I feel like the lift passes were not like they were reasonable. The little town of Whitefish is beautiful, cute, great place. Okay, well this was where it became a nightmare for us. First of all, another good thing is that you can fly allegent there from where we are.

Yeah. So, it's a really It actually was a very good place for like if you're flying a whole family like

Whitefish is Montana, correct? That reminded me of your horror story in the airport.

I had a horror story with Allegant. Oh, yeah. Going to Whitefish. The first Mrs. Grinch. Just give us the whole day.

This was a That was a different day. Oh, okay. Leave it out. You can leave it out.

And that didn't make the list of the worst travel day. No. Uh, so here's the morning. We had woken up early. We got the kids all ready. We're packed. Um, at this point, we had a one and a 2-year-old. And

Oh, that's tough. No, we were actually feeling like we were I feel like the one-year-old is such a hard age to fly.

Yeah. Well, this isn't a super long flight. And we also had done it a few times, so I wasn't like nec I was honestly feeling really confident this day. And we were packed. We were like ready to go. Um it was an early morning flight and we had just given our youngest a packet of applesauce and um we're literally boarding the plane like boarding and he just throws up that whole packet of applesauce.

Right. Odd for him but not entirely odd for a one-year-old. Sure. They sometimes yak. Yeah.

I mean I was like, "Oh, buddy. Oh, buddy." He just went on about his life cuz that's how one-year-olds kind of are. they they kind of throw up and they just kind of go they kind of are just confused for a second and they go on. So I was like, "Okay, that was I didn't think too much of it."

Flight takes off. Um within the first 15 minutes of being in the air, he throws up again. Oh boy.

And I was like, "Well, that's odd because that's odd. That wasn't It wasn't That was It must have been something he ate from the day before right?"

I was like, "Weird." And he was like, "Now he's starting to look a little uncomfortable." And I was also covered in vomit. This was just the prequel to the whole flight of literally getting yacked on the entire I think it's like a 2 and 1 half hour three-hour flight.

Oh my goodness. 2 and smelled so bad. I felt so bad. I'm like trying to wash his like

Yeah. stuff out. We did not have enough clothes to change in change ourselves. Was there a random person sitting next to you?

We had the row like the three of us cuz he was still a lap infant at this time.

Um but I mean the people around us could probably still I mean I felt so bad. trying to keep it clean as much kept happening which was so weird because it's like

no like all morning he wasn't showing any symptoms of anything and then he just starts getting sick

and I was like okay that is so weird by the time we landed empty stomach for this guy and he actually seemed to be feeling like a little better.

That was the last of it from our youngest. Nice. I was like okay well we we made it.

We made it. We sanitized ourselves. We like and we're like he's one like that. We're not going to like think too much into that.

Yeah. And obviously deep cleaned all of our clothes. I mean my my bra was wet with

vomit if that just tells you anything. Like it was gross. I was soaked in it. And it was so sad for him.

Was he still nursing? No. Okay. It was so so so so sad for him. So then we're like ph we're on we're in the clear. Next day whole next day we go skiing like we're having a great time. Everything's fine and great. We had a ski in and ski out lodge. It was so fun.

That evening, right before bed, our next our other son starts throwing up. And this is weirder because he's two and a half and they don't throw up as much

and he definitely seems to not feel good. Oh. I was like, oh no. And so he starts throwing up.

Then I start yaking everywhere and I am the worst with this because I am like fearing it so much. So, we were up all night, the two of us taking turns, and it was so sad cuz he like

he had never had a stumbling bug like this before. He was so confused like what was going on. And then sometimes I was throwing up and I like couldn't help him cuz he was throwing up and we were up all night throwing up, the two of us.

Was he making it into the toilet? Oh, no. No. We had buckets and we were just Lysol like trying to clean everything up. Yeah. My dad comes downstairs next morning cuz my parents came with us too

and he's like, "What's going on?" And I am literally like, "Help." He starts throwing up. My mom started throwing up. Matt Matt somehow got one throw up in there.

Everyone is puking. This house reeks. And it was a nice house. I messaged the host afterwards. I was like, "Charge us whatever you have to charge us. fumigate that please. So the whole trip we spent we had the noro virus.

Oh my goodness. We were in Blake and I were invited on that trip. We were also invited on that trip.

I was I was pregnant and we didn't end up going and I was not upset about I had FOMO too. I was like dang that'd be fine. Glad we didn't go. Sorry.

It was horrible. It was like actually so bad. Like I I haven't been that like wrecked like with a sickness since I was literally a kid.

Totally. It knocked us on our butts. Yeah. And that's where you just keep going even though there's nothing in your stomach.

I just wanted to be home. I was literally like, I don't want to throw up in this place anymore.

No, honestly, someone else got to clean it up. You know what I mean? So then you have to get

I know you feel bad about it, but at least you didn't have to disinfect your house.

We had to wait a little because we had to like make sure. Oh my gosh. And then I can't even So many things went wrong on that trip that I don't have time for this whole podcast.

That's when the the caration too. Yeah. Yeah. That that's just embarrassing. If you haven't seen that one, there is a video out there.

There's a video. Okay. A lot of things went wrong on this trip. And I think that was honestly the cherry on top. We were I was like, "Get us out of here." And then our car is not moving. I was like, "No, we're going to miss our flight. I just want to leave so bad." Like, I just want to leave so bad.

No, man. Yeah. Anyway, parking brake was on. Pretty horrible. Got to check for that.

Hey, you guys had brain fog. You were sick. You didn't know. Matt, wasn't Matt doing the most to get those tires going?

We had cardboard. We had we were boiling water. Yeah, of course. That's my first thought.

I was literally like I remember that was like a we don't talk about that for a long.

Yeah. It was like we still don't talk about it cuz we both still think we're right.

You're both wrong because the parking break was on. No, I Anyway, bad trip. Bad bad trip. Good intentions but horror story. Horrible outcome.

Okay. Don't get the neuro virus on your family vacation. Don't get the neurovirus with toddlers.

With toddlers. My horror story is more funny and it's more when we flew out to Hawaii to meet you guys. That whole day was just like a string of goofy weird crazy things. So, we started off the morning, Kale and I were flying from Kansas City, had a layover in Phoenix and then to Hawaii. We leave in the morning. Our flight is delayed taking off and we had a pretty close connection in Phoenix. So, my mom is on the phone. So, we take off. We know we're going to miss our connecting flight. So, first of all, we're like already a little stressed. I didn't know what to do. I asked I remember asking the flight attendant

just I just called over. I was really really understanding like, "Hey, I know like obviously we're delayed. We had a really close connecting flight that we're going to miss." And she stopped me mid-sentence and goes, "Ma'am, everyone's stressed out right now." And just walked away. And I was like, "That was actually the least helpful thing ever."

Oh, okay. So, I just had a question. But was it American? Absolutely it was. Why are they known to be grouchy?

I feel like they have the grouchiest flight attendants. Oh, Allegian's kind of bad, too.

I've always had really nice people on Allegian. That's good in the airport. I've had a few grouchy encounters on American.

No slander, but you know, I I give her the benefit of the doubt. It was a high stress situation, I'm sure, but you know, it was pretty rude. And then we My mom is like working behind the scenes. I text her

I genuinely don't know what to do. I honestly didn't. She goes, "Okay, I've got it all covered for you. My mom's such a rockar." She said, "I was on the phone with them. we are going to land. They were going to put us on a flight the next day. So, we're gonna miss a whole day in Hawaii. My mom ended up getting us on a flight to LA and then from LA to Hawaii. So, we're just gonna land later. So, it just kind of lengthened our day. Um, we land in Phoenix. We get on our flight to LA. It was very short. The girl next to me, this is like a bridesmaid's moment when they're on the plane. Okay. Sit down next to this girl. She's on the window seat. She is a

This is from Phoenix, LA. This is from Phoenix, LA. So, you know, you're going to get some characters. You're going to California. you know, um, she sits next to me. She is like visibly anxious and she's like, you know, she's like a little worked up. She falls asleep immediately. She's got the loudest screo music going on in her ears. I'm like, my gosh, this girl is like really trying to distract herself. Um, the the flight attendants are starting to do cart service and at the same time, she kind of wakes up and she starts like panicking. She's going like grabbing her seat. She's like can't breathe and she's starting to freak out and she's starting to mumble um a lot of things that were like a little weird and me I'm like I'm just trying I'm in the middle seat right next to her. Caleb's next to me. I'm just trying to be still and like not set her off cuz I didn't know what was going to happen. She

starts cussing. She starts like looking. She pulls the little pamphlet out of the seat and starts trying to scroll like a cell phone. like she's really she's kind of losing her marbles a little and the flight attendant and I make eye contact and we're just kind of like

what's going on here? And then she just falls back asleep. Oh, okay. So, she must have been on medication or something for anxiety. That's the only possible thing that I could conclude at the end of the flight. So, we're all kind of like a little on edge. Um, she wakes back up and she can't get her seatelt off and she starts to panic again. She's just like pulling it and she's like

and she's kind of cussing and I go, "Hey, hey, it's okay." And then I just kind of showed her how to lift the flap to unbuckle herself and she goes, "Oh, thanks." She gets up and just walks off the flight. So that was our first flight. Kind of a bridesmaid moment. She was panicking. She maybe thought there was a pioneer woman turning butter on the wing. I don't know. She was like,

I don't know this reference. Really? No. I'm sure the other people will. You've never seen bridesmaids?

I think I have. It's a very famous scene. It's a very famous scene when they're like panicking and she's they're like next to it's you'll have to go watch it.

Okay. Um I really will I remember her looking out the window looking down and being like holy holy just like cussing like the heights. She was just really freaked out.

Okay. So that was just a little we're like whoa this is crazy. So then we're at the you know we have a layover for a little while. We get on our next flight to go to Hawaii. Okay. We're excited. We're jazzed up. This is really you know we're finally getting to Hawaii.

And I sit next to this girl. She's really young. I'm like, "Oh my gosh, she's flying alone as like an adolescent. That's kind of scary." So unaccompanied minor. This is so bad, by the way, because I know this story. So I'm like, I'm going to take care of her. I'm going to take care of her. I'm going to be really over I like, you know, I'm sorry. I cut the giggles now thinking about it. So I'm sitting next to her. I'm like, I want to make her feel really comfortable. She can talk to me if she needs me. So I like am being really over the top. Oh my gosh, are you so excited to fly to Hawaii? I'm like this. And she's like, "Yeah, she's really m like sweet and little young and mousy." Okay. She's like a little girl. And I go, "Where's your mom? Is your mom with you?" Her mom is actually in the aisle next to her.

And I'm like, "Oh my gosh, like Hawaii is amazing." Um, she goes, "Yeah, I'm from here." And I'm like, "Oh, you're going home. That's great. Where are you flying from?" She's like, "I'm flying from the east coast." I said, "That's amazing. What were you there for?" And she goes, "Col." And in my head, I'm like, "I'm sitting next to a child prodigy." And I go,

"You're still not convinced." My god. I go, "That's amazing. College? Wow. How old are you?" She goes "2." Oh my gosh. 21. She was 21. 21. I'm speaking to her like a six-year-old.

College should have been a really good hit. She was so young looking. I'm like, she's a prodigy.

You just were not convinced. I was like, she is she's going to like cure cancer one day. This kid is kiding this child.

I shut my mouth so fast. I sat forward. I didn't say another word. I was so embarrassed. I felt so embarrassed.

Her mom was also still on that flight. Her mom was like, "Wasn't with this crazy chick talking to my kid like this?" That was so embarrassing. The most embarrassing moment of my life. Well, one of them.

Well, you know what? Yeah. You know, we made to Hawaii. You're only gonna do that once, Abby.

Yeah. Yeah. You never uh Yeah. I'm just going to assume everyone's older this morning.

I don't know if that's No, it's actually the first question I asked. How old are you?

Lead with that. Lead with that. So, that was horrible. Well, let's try not to repeat those this season as we travel for spring break and summer. Um, so let's start with family trip ideas.

Does love that. I Okay, when I think of family trip, I just think of Florida, right?

Honestly, I feel like Florida is a great place for uh a budget. Yeah. Depending obviously flying from here, it that is going to be your probably most expensive thing, but lots of perks if you're traveling with kiddos because once you're there, it's

generally affordable. I would say they have so many large beach houses and actually this is what we are hoping to do with some friends this summer

um is get a big beach house and if you're splitting it with other families it makes it very affordable. You can stay right by the beach. A lot of them a lot of these houses come with

amenities come with golf carts. Yeah. Amenity like grills. Beach things. Um and golf carts so then you could get to the beach easily. The ocean is warm there

and the and fairly calm like it's a great familyfriendly atmosphere. lots of sand and lots of other families there and family-friendly restaurants. Like, it's just a great place to go with kids. And I feel like I'm not telling you guys anything new, but

we're really excited to do this this summer with like a bunch of other friends with like little kids. And we're just going to cook all of our meals at the house because a lot of these houses have like big kitchens already stocked. So, we're just going to make the dad's grill. We'll make some sides inside and everyone

everyone's happy. You know what I've seen too pop up? I feel like specifically in Florida are these businesses that you can hire them to come and stock your fridge. You can hire them, you know, to

Oh, that's nice. I know. You can rent all your baby equipment through them, so you don't have to travel with all that stuff.

Some of those. I feel like I've seen a lot of those in Florida specifically, so, you know, if that's in the budget, that's always a great option.

There's also obviously a lot of theme parks and things you could do, too. But I'm thinking more of like a beach trip

type of vibe because that's uh kind of like it doesn't require a lot of planning. It's just kind of chill and fun and all the kids will entertain each other

for sure. That's really great. Very excited. I feel like there was one other thing I was going to say. Oh, we also always do Walmart delivery whenever we travel like wherever we go. So then when we get there, we already have like

their diapers, their like all the food and it's a hack. It's a good hack. Sometimes you think about what people did before these delivery services like you all you had to go out and plan that

which these are new within the last few years. So, we didn't find a grocery store cuz you didn't have maps. Like, I know. Oh my gosh, we're so lucky.

We're so lucky. You're so lucky. I was born at this time period for a reason. Uh, there's exactly a reason. Um, what was Oh, mine was Lake Michigan. We actually went this past summer with my family. It was really, really great for a family vacation. Similar vibes where the it feels like you're on the ocean because the lake is so massive, but the waves it's it's not really wavy. So, it was really great for CJ. He was one and a half to go in the water and it just felt really

It's probably freezing though, huh? It was not. Really? No. Uhuh. And we went in July

so it was warm. It was like 80°. So nice. I know. Yeah. The lake was warmer than we we're expecting.

Okay. TJ loved it. One day the lake was really cold. One day it was warm. I don't know how that happened but

you know it was fun. Yeah, it was really great. And there are a lot of like slow the towns are a little slower. They're not as packed. So it's really easy to get restaurants.

Great to walk around. No, we flew into Grand Rapids. Okay. It depends on where you go on the lake, but we were on the east side of the lake, which was really nice, and there are a lot of great towns along there that you can go to and visit and walk through,

you know, great food. We rented a big house with my family, cooked a lot of meals, you know, it was just it was the good pace of slow. I feel like it wasn't It's a little easier than Florida. Well, I feel like it's a little bit more budget than Florida because you can rent a house on the beach for cheaper if you don't want to do like a group thing. Um, and then you can just walk back for naps, which is really nice. Mhm.

And then, you know, you're right there on the lake, which was really cool. So, it was a great option, too.

I never think about Lake Michigan. I don't either, but it was drivable for my family in Missouri and then it was easy for us to fly in and they actually had Allegant flights there,

so he just had so many so many options. It was great. That's fun. That's a good idea. I feel like a lot of people probably don't think about that.

Can I Can I give a um a runner up one? Yeah. Okay. San Diego for a kids trip. A family trip is so fun because the zoo is amazing.

Yeah. And then it's really easy to fly there. So many Airbnbs, so many hotels. You can go to the beach, you can go look at the I thought there was so many fun things to do as a family.

We did that last fall. Oh, fun. In October. It was so fun. They also have Legoland there, which is Legoland's actually really cheap.

H I know. We need to go, but TJ wasn't like he wasn't old enough yet. But there are so many fun things for kids.

Really cheap. It's very affordable. Yeah. Yeah, that's a good one. Yeah, I like that. We've taken the kids to a couple different places in like Southern California and I feel like it's hard to know the pockets as someone that's like not a resident of California. Sometimes we've taken them places I'm like

we need safer. This isn't or it's just not the right atmosphere. Yeah, the vibe. We were in La Hoya and it was great.

Yeah, I think that would be a great area. Okay, that's a good one. Yeah, especially for people out here

on the west. Yes, our west coasters and east coasters. Okay, my girls trip is a totally different vibe than you're probably expecting.

All right, let's see it because we're actually planning one of these hopefully down the line like soon. Um, okay. So, this will speak, let me preface this by the season of life that we're in. Us, all of us, all of our friends are having little babies, toddlers pregnant postpartum breastfeeding. Your wants and desires change. the the idea of a good time can shift.

Right now, I do think there's a time and place to go all out, go crazy. I feel like you could take a really fun girls trip to Vegas and do some fun stuff

or what we're planning is a granny trip. We did not come up with this trip. I have a real I can send, but um this these friends created a real. They're like, "This is your sign or something to schedule a granny trip."

Yeah. It I was like, "This sounds like a great time for me." They all they first of all they got matching like little night gowns which I think you can get which was just funny but you could just get cozy jammies. They rented a house like basically in the middle of nowhere

and all drove up and they like were reading their Kindles. They had puzzles and board games. They're eating snacks. They like did fires and chats. They watched movies. They painted their nails. they like and everyone I was like well you know what this might not have appealed to me or seemed exciting at one stage of my life but I feel like now this stage like honestly

so fun and it just feels so feasible for everyone like to be able to just like drive somewhere in the middle of nowhere

and just pack the car out with like board games like face masks like just do all the things cuz it's just it's honestly just fun to like have a minute to just be a woman among other women and like just catch up like that and just have a like low expectations because I feel like there's so many expectations on us

at this stage of our life. Like there's always someone needing something for us. So then just to just get to be sounds really honestly kind of fun. More fun than like me trying to shave my legs, get selftanner on, find a new outfit, shimmy into some Spanx or whatever. Like that sounds that there's a time and a place for that. But just for the season of life, I'm like that sounds pretty great if you're to if I'm being totally honest.

Lowkey girl time. Just drink some tea. Yeah. just have some popcorn. Like I don't know. And so we're trying to plan a granny trip somewhere. Um yeah,

fun. I love that. We'll show you guys the real. I'll send it to you. Okay, that's fun because it's cute. And I think it's really especially cute that they got little night gowns. They really committed to the granny weekend. We love a commit to the bit.

That reminds me, one of the first times I ever met you actually was at conference for church and we were dressed we they had a dance party and we all dressed up as old people. You guys have so many stories of being dressed up.

And that night was also when the whole camp flooded and we everyone like went back early and stuff. You don't remember anything?

I remember the camp flooding and us going back. I can totally find a picture of you.

But wait, what was I wearing? A gr you probably had a wig or something. Granny, I will find it.

So funny. You don't remember? Find it. I'll come back later with the picture. Okay, that's great. That's great. I love I love granny culture. I'm actually so excited to be a grandma. I talk about it a lot with Matt. I'm like I literally told Matt the other day. Dad's like, "You're going to be L or I'm going to be Lolli and you're going to be Pop." He's like, "Okay, for what?"

And I was like, "Be my grandparents." I'm so excited to be grandpa. I know it's I don't want it to come soon. I just want I just want

But you could be excited about that. It's going to be fun. It's going to be fun.

My girls trip um I've actually done this a couple times and they were my favorite girls trips was Breen Ridge.

Oh my gosh. It's like the ultimate girly place because we would go our friend's parents had a cabin or not a cabin, they had a really beautiful like ski house there.

And so a good friend to have. I know. Yeah, I know. It was so fun. And they were so generous with it to let us all go. So every we did this a couple two winters and we would go and it's just really slow pace. It snows a lot there in the winter. So it's beautiful. It feels so refreshing. You know, you're in the cab. Just a cabin in general is such a vibe. It makes you slow down and just rest, reset. And I think I think there are so many good conversations had in a cabin,

you know. So, we would have slow days, slow mornings. One day we would go out and get a ski pass. A couple times we'd ski, people would snowboard, which is fun. I love skiing with girls. Caleb, I want to go skiing with Caleb, but I also know I won't see him the whole day. Like, I want to go on a ski trip with him, but I'm so slow. I'm not that good of a skier. It's

I just feel bad. I'm like holding him back. I don't think Caleb would wait for me. Oh, that does wait for everyone.

I think he would be nice for like a run and they'd be like, "So, I'm gonna go." I'm like, "Yeah, I'm gonna put my headphones in." You know what I mean?

It would be like one run together and then the rest of the day apart. So, I think it's great for a girls group where you have different levels of talent amongst each other and you can for a hot Yeah, you can partner. You can go in the hot tub together as girls. You can go, you know, go out to the town. Breen Ridge is such a beautiful ski town. It's so fun. They have good shopping, good coffee shops. Great food. Everything about it is just such a fun fun vibe.

I want to go on a trip so bad. I know. I'm itchy. I'm itchy. I want to go. That sounds so fun. I've never been to Breen Ridge, but I really want to go to Colorado. We've been a couple times. We went to Veil, which I probably wouldn't go back to because it was really crazy.

Yeah, Breen Ridge isn't as pricey as it's very upscale, and I was like, I'm not really looking for that. You know,

Breen Ridge is still pricey, but it's not like upscale. Yeah, it's not celebrity. Yeah. I feel like Veil is known where a lot of celebrities go.

Yeah, it was crazy. I mean, it's beautiful. It was beautiful. It was um not a good airport to go into, though.

It's kind of hard to get to. They're all kind of hard to get to. That's the That's the downside of a mountain town.

I was just Yeah, you have to drive from far from an airport usually. I was actually just messaging our friend that lives in Colorado and I was like, "We need to go." Because if we just go to Denver, there's a lot of things for kids too.

Denver is so fun. Yeah. Maybe we'll have to do that. Yeah. Okay. Okay, the next category is romantic getaway.

And this may be cheesy, but I love it. New York City is the ultimate place for romance. I really believe that. New York City is so Matt and I have gone a couple times, just the two of us, and we always go really quick because New York is very expensive, and I feel like if you're going to do New York, you need to do it right.

Sure. Like, you got to just you got to dive head first. Totally. And just know that it's going to be that way. could just have a short time, have a good time, but a short time, but a good time.

Not there for a long time, but be there for a good time. And um I really think you could go in any season. Obviously, the winter time is like it's iconic for its like romance, but also there's just always so much to do and you can get any kind of trip in New York. Like walk around the park that's beautiful. You could spend literally all day doing that and it doesn't get boring. It's fun. You could people watch. There's um obviously amazing food in New York. all the different people. There's just so much going on and it's shopping. It's so it's so romantic. You just feel like you're living in all the movies that you watch.

Like it's and it's like real and it's there and it's so exciting and so fun. Um it's so it's such a shock from like anywhere else in the US. Like it is even Chicago, which I really do love Chicago too, but New York is just there's something about it. Totally.

And it's really fun and you can do so many things. You could take a million like weekend getaways to New York City and never ever

do the same thing. Yeah, for sure. And yeah, it's so romantic. There's something about it. We just always feel like we're living in a movie.

Oh, I want to go so bad. Caleb's never been. I went when we were my family went as a summer trip and it was really fun in the summer. It's hot in the summer.

It's great in the summer, too. Yes. There was it's so walkable in all the parks. It was great. And I remember we went shopping and I saved up all my money and I bought my homecoming dress for freshman year in Soho and I just felt so really fancy. I was like a

I got a New York. I know. I felt so cool. So I know it's just so iconic. Everything about New York is iconic.

It is. I want to take Caleb. It does smell like weed everywhere you go. I feel like that's everywhere.

Oh, really? I was kind of shocked by it. I was like, "Yeah, what is that?" It's a lot of people in that city. probably a lot of smells.

There are many smells. And actually, one downside is I don't I don't feel comfortable walking it by myself

depending on the area, but even in the areas that people It's just cuz I don't know it,

but I left my Kindle in a building that we were in and I This is how bad I wanted that Kindle back. Matt had to stay somewhere. I can't even remember the circumstances, but he had to stay where he was and he was like, "Abby, we will get you another Kindle." I was like, "No, but my book is downloaded on that Kindle." He's like, "Call me the entire time you're walking there." I did actually feel pretty scared like walking by myself.

Yeah. I romantic getaway. Go with your man cuz it is sure. Yeah, there's a lot going on there.

I don't know. Girl trip would be maybe a little spooky there unless you knew it. I feel like if you know New York well enough I visited when my friend lived there and it was just her and I and I felt very safe when I was with her like because she knew she knew where the people would be. She knew where to avoid like she knew where to go. I didn't know it well enough. Yeah.

Right. For my romantic getaway I said Hawaii. I was just thinking back to that trip

and that was Here's why specifically. Obviously it's very romantic. You're at the beach. It's like sexy and fun and the sunshine. But Caleb and I felt like little kids again on that trip, which was such a fun thing to experience together. And there's adventure, there's leisure, there's luxury, there's you it's got a little bit of everything that it just felt really special to experience together.

Um, and yeah, I feel like Hawaii Hawaii is one of those places where you could do different islands at different, you know, you could do it all across the board.

Um, it was so special. It was so romantic. we really felt like connected and that trip was what made us want to move to Phoenix.

It just was one of those trips that felt very um pivot like pivoting in our life and I think just that feeling of getting out of our comfort zone being somewhere that felt so different and doing things that were so new

um was really really sweet and special. So not like a like a leisurely I mean it can be but

it was really sweet. Yeah. You got to get out there if you're going totally do some hikes

which is also very romantic because like you're literally just talking and like exploring together.

I was thinking about my dream day. My dream day is going on a hike and then going on like a date or something or going to dinner because walking and just gets your brain flowing and the conversation is the best. I feel like always so connected to Caleb after

the nature aspect too is like I don't know grounding for sure. Yes. So Hawaii. Yeah. So nice.

That's a good one. That was a great trip. That was so much fun. I loved it. Um okay now the next category is dream trip. So uh trip we are just it's aspirational.

Um my mind immediately went to international because we have not done any international travel as a family and that is something we definitely want to do. Um so I think like maybe this happened since the loss like we're like okay well we're going to put international travel on hold when we were like expecting baby number three. Now it's like, okay, well that timeline is not what we looked what we like expected it to look like. So it's fun to now just like rewrite. It's like, okay, we can do this now. Like slip this in here. It was kind of the same honestly thought pattern that happened with getting the dog. Like we were going to get a dog at some point, but like

our timeline all got all shifted around. Not how we would have wanted, but you have to make accommodations. And so um now we are planning like international travel. So that's like the dream to do. But like specifically, and nothing's on the books, but we specifically would really like to take the kids to Italy. We've been we went when we were like one year married, and I feel like there's a lot of things we would do differently and um I just think it feels like a really comfortable first international trip with the kids because I feel like Europe in general is very like kid-friendly. Totally. I would say.

Yeah, I would agree. But um also Italy is like very um they're used to so much tourism so they're very accommodating. Everyone knows English which I'm like I should I think it's respectful whenever you go somewhere like to learn just a little bit of language. Yeah. But like I would never be able to like like communicate like so it's nice that like a lot of English the kids would love gelato and pizza and they would love the food there

and it's very walkable most places and I just think there's like a it feels very like doable with like two kids especially because we haven't traveled a ton like we haven't traveled out of the country at all with them. Any other passports? That seems like such a hurdle, doesn't it?

It's so overwhelming. Getting a kid's passport, but I actually don't think it's hard. And actually, you can drive to Tucson and get passports in a day.

Same day. That's really cool. Which I'm like, I'm not going to do that. I'm I'm marking my words. I really hope I don't do that.

I feel like you are on top of it. You need to probably do it now. Do you think maybe in the next week? Let's get that calendar.

It takes a few weeks to get it back. Yeah. Well, crap. I don't think I don't feel like I'm very on top of it, but thank you. And I'm very excited for whatever's to come, but I would love I would love for it to be Italy, but if anything, we're just itching to do international travel as a family of four.

Yeah. I feel like you're someone when it comes to travel, you're very good at planning it. Like I remember cuz you guys you guys flew us out to Hawaii and like I feel like you handled all those accommodations so well. Like I feel like you're very much like, "Okay, these are the flights, the schedule, the plans." Like you're very talented at that.

Really? I remember that. I was like, "Dang, she's on top of this." That's very nice. That's very nice.

Yes. I remember. I have no memory of that. Really? No, I didn't remember that. I mean, I didn't have to think about anything. We scratched on

You guys got our flights. You sent us the dates and then we're like, "Cool, we'll sleep on your floor for a couple."

A lot of people stayed on our pullout couch. Blouch yet, so it was like toe to head, you know?

Yeah, that was scammy. I feel like you you guys are good at planning travel. Thank you so much.

Yeah. Well, I also know Addy does a lot of that like nowadays, but in the past you've been good.

Thank you. She does some. She'll be like, "Book these fights." Sometimes you'll pick the fights first, but

Wow. Good on me. Yeah, I think you're good at that. And you're very thoughtful about I was always impressed like when we um when I first had CJ and you're like, "Well, I don't book around these naps and these things." I was like, "Maybe I should start I need to take some of that stuff into consideration."

Oh, CJ was more accommodating than my kids were, though. I don't know. I just was like, "Oh, I need to start thinking about these things, you know?"

Yeah. Morning flights with babies is always the way to go. You got to do the mornings. If you have to wake them up early, that's fine. But don't play around if you can with

the evening night flights were always worse. Nightmare. You told me that and then I was like, she's so right about that.

I had to learn. I had I did it wrong a lot of times. I did it wrong. Well, you walked so we could run.

I tripped and fell. Okay. My dream trip. And I think Caleb and I are really Well, I hope it happens this year. I really want to get

I know. But then Caleb came in with like, "Well, maybe we can compromise." And they're like, "That actually doesn't sound like compromise."

That's the hard thing about compromise. It usually looks like one person you're married.

I know. I did see a side on it. So, I'm hoping it happens this year. We both turned 30 this year and it's our seven-year marriage wedding anniversary. So, I think it'd be such a fun year to go. But if it happens closer to next year, that's also fine. Um, but yeah, I really want to go back to Italy, but we did that for our honeymoon.

So, I think we kind of we talked about wanting to go to do something we haven't done before. And the flight

just the two of you. Mhm. I know that was one of my goals from January 1 was to go on a trip just us two and I wanted to do a big one.

Um so yeah, still working on convincing Caleb on timeline of it. But I just think it'd be so fun.

Um I feel like Greece is one of those places where you can go to the islands. There's, you know, leisure. There's also a lot of beauty. There's also so much history that would be really cool. And I feel like it's a good mix of like biblical history and not like, you know, just everything about it just seems so cool and fascinating. Um, so I also think figuring out a timeline would be hard because I like I want to go for seven days. Caleb says 10 and I'm like that just seems like way too much time away from the kids. But it does it is hard when you're planning on going so far.

Yeah. Of figuring out what's the best time. We said we're like if we're going to go to Europe, we're going to go for 10 days. Yeah. And then

Matt was like three weeks. I was like no. Even though we're taking the kids with us, I'm like that feels crazy.

I know. It just But 10 days I feel like you we did a 10day Greece cruise and it was I mean every day was booked. Like there's so much

there's a lot to do. There's so much to do. So maybe I'll ask you guys for recommendations.

It was the best. It literally looks like the postcards like the books. Like it looks exactly like that.

It seems so picturesque. So I know we want to do it. So much history. That's the dream.

That's a dream. We're putting them out there. We hope it happens. Yes. That's all for the trips. Comment down below any other ideas that come to mind because I'm itching to travel and I just honestly sometimes it just scratches it just to talk about it just to be like that would be a fun idea like let's think about that for the future but I like I said in my New Year's resolutions like my goal was like to travel with friends more. I want to do different types of travel like

like girls trips like couples trips family trips like I just think that is so fun and exciting. So I love all the categories.

Yes, me too. That was good. Ask Ask Ask Abby. Now we are going to hear from you guys, which this is probably my favorite part of every episode. It's so nice of you guys to

participate like this and it is vulnerable to like call in and leave a a message and especially some of the questions you're asking. Like just

I I'm so grateful. Seriously. Seriously. And also from us like we don't know what we're talking about but

No. But thank you for wanting to hear our thoughts. Yeah. Hi, this is Maryanne. Um, I was wondering if you ever get mad at each other, if you ever do anything that annoys each other. That would be a fun topic.

Oh, you us too. Maryanne, she's like, I want the tea. I want the tea. What would you say, Abby?

We just had our first conflict a couple weeks ago, but I feel like we handle, you know, it's like good. And of course we're going to we spend so much time together and like we're so ingrained in each other's lives. We're sisters. We're best friends. We're kids are like raising kids together. And so I think of course everyone has moments.

Yeah. I think the the thing about like being like sis like sister-in-laws or sisters with people is that it's like you know the other person. Well hopefully you know your sister like so well. It's like you know their heart so well. You're like, "Okay." Like, I don't feel like you you're just tustling in your head back and forth. Especially cuz it's like when you're as easy to get along with as Abby is. It's like you're tussling back and forth. You're like, "Do we bring this? Is this really worth?" And I feel like you probably feel the same way like uh like is it really worth all this?

Sure. And so, yeah, obviously things I would say we'd never have had like an explosive fight.

That would be very uncomfortable, right, if that happens. Yeah. I think we're good about being like

You're not even like that. I couldn't even Yeah, I those are so mature. Like what?

Wa That's really kind of That's kind cuz I have actually been feeling really immature recently.

You know what? It's our hormones. I don't think you've been immature at all. But I feel like in my head like even today I was like I've just been so critical of Kale. Like I'm just being immature.

Just immature with each other like with conflict with like friends and stuff. I feel like or like with each other.

Oh, that's funny. That's sweet. I would say you're very immature. Well, thank you. Um but yeah, I feel like it's like you know them. So you're like, "Okay, well, like it's I know that this isn't like how they're they are." Totally.

And it's like I know that there's some of my own stuff mixed in with this. And so yeah,

I feel the same. And it's also like we I think we both know that we have each other's best interest at heart. And so when you have that perspective of like your friends and your sisters, it's like, you know,

I wouldn't say there's like it makes it makes it easy to bring to the forth when you know it's like, you know,

you're also like the least angry, confrontational person. Oh, that's really kind.

I feel like Abby would Abby would take a lot from like anybody. I don't think you'd ever

Absolutely you would. You know why? Cuz I have two sisters that And like I gosh,

I'm not scared of anybody in this world except my sisters and they know it. and they know it. They're like, "That's right."

I think that's also unique, too, because what I was thinking about, I'm like, we don't ever really have conflict either. And if we ever do, it's usually business stuff. We're just talking about business things and work, but I'm like, if I ever talk about something and I talk about it with Blake, he's coming as your brother and he's like, she's not thinking about it that way or doing that. Whereas for you, it's both of your spouses that are

the brothers and not your guys' actual siblings. Yeah. if that does play a role as well.

Yeah, that does play a role. Family, you know, can get gets layered. Yeah, it does. But I think that also makes it even better where it's like

Oh, yeah. We're not going anywhere. No, we're not going anywhere. So, if we have something, it's like we just talk about it there right then and there. It makes it easy. Yeah.

Hey, I'm just wondering I have a friend who's having a baby in a couple months and I'd really like to make her some kind of care package. I am not yet a mom. have not given birth and so I'm just wondering what your recommendations would be on some good budget friendly things to put in like a little kid package for mama. Thank you.

And that's a good question to ask because I do feel like the way I show up for other moms after they've had a baby changed dramatically once I became a mom myself

cuz the things that I like anticipated them wanting or needing, I was like, "Oh, they don't probably necessarily want or need that." So that's a good question to ask and that's very sweet. What are some things that you would add? I would Am I putting together a basket?

I'm trying to think through um some like electrolyte packets. Yeah, that's good

for breastfeeding. Mhm. No one's like feeling great physically, so I'm trying I'm like I don't even know. You can't take baths really right after postpartum, so skip the bath stuff.

Yeah, skip the bath stuff. Yeah. I feel like I hate to say it. Fuzzy socks. Cozy socks is

I was going to say don't do it cuz you're so sweaty and hot. That's going to pack a lot of them. I mean, it's nice to give, but I'm thinking of like this is a time of your life where it's like practic be as practical as possible because um

the fluff is actually overwhelming. Fluff is overwhelming and like so I think electrol packets is really good. You can um make or purchase like lactation cookies. I feel like that's like a good easy thing.

Um a gift card to a restaurant like Uber Eats or Door Dash. Us Door Dash. The best.

Great. can't go wrong. And I just remember thinking like both times postpartum, I was like, I

don't want to like I just remember the clothes dilemma really got me. You can't wear normal stuff because you're breastfeeding and you also you don't really fit in your pregnancy clothes anymore, but you don't fit in your regular clothes and you want to feel put together, but you want to be comfy. So like a thing I really try to like if you can is get like a matching set. You can get one even from Target, just a matching comfy set that I actually got Addie. Yeah. You were the pink one you got me a couple weeks ago.

Like one of the favorite things was just like having something I could wear. Just something to wear that makes me feel like yourself put together, feminine, but also comfortable and like just put together. I don't know why that felt like such a need. Like I was like

I just want to feel like a human again, but like I can't wear anything. And you just want to be cozy. I think if you could do that or just like even just one from Target.

Um something that's a little different from pajamas. Pajamas would be a good idea, too. But also just like if you could kind of have a dual purpose there, that would be really good. So they could get out, too. Um, yeah, I think those are all Do Can you think of anything more? I'm trying to think of something. Snackies.

Snacks are really good. Just anything. I feel like postpartum, the hardest thing to remember is to eat, which sounds silly, but it's like especially when you have other kids, you're nursing, you're trying to feed your toddler, you're trying to clean up after the meals, and then by the time you know it, it's like 1:00 p.m. and you haven't eaten anything. So little convenient meals are the easiest. and the best

and I craved healthier like I kind of wanted something healthier at that point. So like I feel like chompsticks would be good or like

just like little healthier bites. And this was something else I was going to say if they have a toddler

it I feel like it would mean the world to them if you could help meet some of their needs for their toddler because they're already probably feeling like transitioning that kid is probably harder than having a newborn and a stressor on their life. So, if you can get like toys or an activity like coloring books, magnetiles, like anything for their toddler, and then also like toddler snacks, like one of my friends had a baby and I know that he like loves cake pops from Starbucks. So, I got him and I like was like for big brother because they're needing some attention too. Totally. And honestly, caring for this is what I've noticed within myself too. Caring for my kids

is a way of showing me like deep love. Like I'm like that it's not like you're ignoring the mom. Like the mom will probably feel so loved if they have older kids if you're taking care of their kids. That's how I felt like I was like gosh this person I just I I can't thank them enough when they were doing stuff for like our kids and so that's something else. There's so many things you could do honestly.

You can't do it wrong. So I don't I don't mean to say anything like that. You literally cannot do it wrong. You just showing care

is great. And also think about it especially if you don't have kids or like family of your own. If you could just come and do one task for them, like empty their dishwasher and reload it or like run a load of laundry, just tidy up something, I'm sure that they would you probably would want to be somewhat close to them if you're going to come and do that. But like that would also be really meaningful and doesn't cost you anything.

Two other things I just thought of. Maybe like a dry if you wanted to put like a product in there for like self-care stuff, a dry shampoo,

claw clip and a claw clip and body wash. Oh yeah, they're going to be I took two showers a day post. say lotion cuz you like a lot of people are worried about stretch marks like that just like body oil or something like that. I was going to say um it's not doesn't go in a basket but like breakfast item quick like a breakfast casserole or like make some pancakes or muffins or because that's the meal I never ate because everyone brought dinner,

no one brought breakfast. Yes, Addy. I felt the same. Yeah. So I was like and I don't have time to cook it. No. So

the nights are so hard that you wake up and you're exhausted. So you don't want to like cook breakfast. Yeah.

Yeah. Let's do something else, too. One more thing. You could also just get them a new water bottle because they're probably very, very

thirsty. And that would be really fun to receive. It's always fun to receive. I know. Over consumption.

It's okay. We love it. Just kidding. They're going to use They're going to get a lot of use out of it. They really will.

Yeah. No, that'd be fun. So, that' be really fun to receive. Hi. You both seem to have really amazing relationships with your moms. I was wondering what's something that both of your moms did to help cultivate those good relationships into adulthood. I just had a daughter and I would like to implement some of those things now. Thanks.

That's so sweet. It's true. My mom also listens to this podcast, so I did tell our team I was like, "Let's edit the Valentine's Day episode with that in mind because I don't know what I said, but I said something about lingerie." Oh,

which we're keeping in. But I think that was kept in there. That's okay. I said it. I mean, mom and they know they live. She knows. She's great. No, my mom is great. And I like think about that a lot now as an adult. Like, what did my mom do as I was growing up?

That made her someone that I can come to and like ask questions about and like I genuinely want to spend time with.

And I literally texted them the other day. I was like, I'm so glad I have parents I like actually really want to hang out with. I know. And so um some so I think about it a lot but I think it does boil down to like I knew my parents had high expectations of me but they were not overly strict on me so I felt very safe to approach them all the time and I think that's like the main thing especially as you go into like your teenage years like I feel like that's a pivotal moment in your adulthood relationship. Now I hear a lot of stories of like I went through a stage where I like hated my mom and then I came like and I really liked her. I never went through that, but I think that's totally normal if you do go through that. But I My mom was always very approachable. There was nothing I was like, I'm gonna I'm gonna mess up and I'm if my mom finds out,

then it's going to be a like a bigger mess than it already is. Like I always felt like if I went to my mom, like we were going to it was going to be better. Like the situation was going to be made better. It didn't feel like I was going to get shamed or I was going to get like

she was just so approachable. And I think and very relational about everything. And so I think that can start that starts at the beginning I think because like any relationship like as long as you like they they you're kind of already setting patterns like with like okay am I someone that they can

they can mess up around and I they still know that I have a high expectation but like I can see their flaws and they can still come to me and be loved and like we're going to figure it out together.

Totally. Oh, that's was really long-winded. No, that was great. I think that was great. your you guys are your parents are so good at that.

I think with my with my mom I think back because obviously there's a shift right when you're young and they're your parent. I think my parents did a good job of keeping a parent child relationship and now we've transitioned into like peer a little bit more so you know

and I was like what did work through that? And I think when we were kids and like teens my mom and dad made the biggest effort to always show up. M

they were a part of everything and not in an overbearing way where I feel like my mom crossed the line of like what's the drama? What's the tea? Like it was never like that. It was just like hey we're there for everything. Every volleyball game, every practice, every tournament, everything. My mom and my dad showed up and they were they wanted to know what was going on. I feel like they just took a genuine care in our lives and like wanted to support us. Um, and so now I even see that in my adulthood to where like my mom and dad snowbirded here to spend time with us.

Like they just take the extra mile to show up and be a part of our lives. Like it'd be very easy for them to not travel out here and not visit and just not really make the effort. And it's so touching to me. Like I I'm like, dang. And this is for both of Caleb and I's parents. Like our parents make the most effort to come out here. Your parents moved out here. Like just to be a part of our lives. And I'm like, dang, that is just so that gives me such gratitude to where I also want to like I want to honor that and want them to be a part of my life.

You know, it kind of goes hand in hand. That's really good for like adult parents have adult children. Like I feel like a lot of parents can fall into a trap like I don't want to bother them or I don't want to do and it's like no you like

their season of life is probably a busier season. So you like taking that first step and doing that means so much because it's like

oh you still want to be a part like you're gonna you're going to go out of your way to like still be a part of our lives and like our kids' lives and so yeah I could talk and ramble forever about it but like

um yeah I think that's really good. Showing up is really really I want to give my mom a shout out too because she definitely listen to this podcast too and she that's what I was going to say was showing up as a kid growing up like always there every weekend. I think one thing that you probably experienced this too and maybe you too is like I'd have weekends away with my mom for dance competitions and just getting that one-on-one time with her.

So fun. So fun. Know it was going to be her. We'd do all the fun stuff. She'd get the snacks. She'd do the things. She'd really like intentionally spend time with me during those like long weekends. I never felt like work was in the way of like the time that she spent with me. And then as I've grown up and her just being out here and

making a plan and making it happen and getting to spend out here, it's just been the best. Like you said, people loving on your kids is the best way to love you. And them like loving her so much has been

like so touching. Yeah, for sure. And I think it's good that you said that because like your parents, your mom and dad, your mom's both worked full-time. My mom would stay home mom. It's like

working or not, you can still make the effort. I think our parents just did such a good job of making the effort and that is not lost on us.

Yeah. Yeah. One more thing is my mom was not overly reactive too. And so I always felt like that like helped because I was like, "Okay, I could say something and she's not going to like it's not going to throw her off." Like she felt steady and stable. Like I remember asking my dad one time. Now I'm talking about my dad, but I remember this. I was a kid and I was like, "Dad, what's I'm going to say spell it." I was like, "Dad, what's a p U ss y wagon?"

I've never even heard that. He's like he just quietly. He's like, "Where'd you hear that?"

Yeah. Yeah. It was from Greece, the musical. Oh. And I was like, "Oh." Oh. Um, I heard from Greece. And he was like, "Okay." He said, "Yeah, we let you watch that."

He's like, so he's like, "I don't remember." The fact that I approached him at age seven and asked him that question.

He was probably like, "Can't we need to bet our movies a little bit more?" But anyway, that's rambling. Okay. Well, you guys, if you are listening to this and you're like, I would love to call in and ask a question or I have a curious question or a crazy question or just I don't know, you want to engage, then you can call the phone number 6024569690. We'll also put that in the description. Um, just thank you guys so much for participating in that. It's so fun. It's like my favorite part of the episode.

It's so fun. Thank you. And thank you guys for leaving reviews and comments. We actually have a review here that we can read. I um then the the username is BH DD-S Y N K O H FX HJ. So,

thank you. Thank you. Um the title is my go-to car my go-to for car drives and pump sessions. Five stars. Love hearing these ladies in similar life stages chat about real things that a lot of us are going through. My 3 a.m. pump sessions. Appreciate the positivity and realness.

So sweet. Thank you so much. Oh, that's so sweet. I always love hearing where you guys are listening to it or like what you're doing as you listen to it because

that's just I feel so connected to y'all when I hear those things. Oh, sorry. Pump sessions. I thought you were talking about like gym sessions, but pumping girl, we are in the same spot.

That's sweet. Okay, well that wraps up today's episode. Remember the book club? This is our last episode before we like

book club next week. Have book club next week. Book still has not been delivered. I will read it. I will dedicate 16 hours in a row.

It should not take you 16 hours. Some people have been calling in leaving voicemails about the book, which I think would be fun. We should do one next. I was trying to review them and I was like ruining it.

Don't Don't tell me. I think it's might be a little bit of a weird book. It is weird.

So, we don't have a lot to talk about. Are you guys How far you started? Haven't started it.

It's interesting. I'm about 50% of the way through. I don't get it yet. I still don't understand it yet, but it'll connect. Oh, shoot.

It'll be good. It's good, though. So, I can't wait to um if you want to be a part of the community in that way, we'll put a link also to the book club and our this month's book is My Husband's Wife. So, you have a week now to read it before all the spoilers are coming up.

Yeah. And um I'm excited to read it. So, thank you guys so much for rating, reviewing all the things. We have a big team working on this that you might not see all the time. Well, actually we have a small team, but we also have some members behind the scenes that it also means a lot to them, too. Like these things all play a role in like our lives, our ecosystem here at Always Here. So,

um there's a lot of people that that means a lot too. Yeah, everyone we all read their reviews and they're so grateful.

So, thank you so much and remember we're always here.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Family Feuds, Crotch Gate, and Travel Wish List Destinations"?

Abby Howard (Host), Maryanne (Guest), Matt (Guest), Caleb (Guest).

What is "Family Feuds, Crotch Gate, and Travel Wish List Destinations" about?

A light, candid discussion about personal conflicts, family dynamics, and upcoming travel plans, highlighting how daily life, parenting, and relationships shape everyday conversations and expectations.

What is mentioned in this Always Here episode?

21 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Abby Howard, Always Here, Crotchgate, Matt Howard, hyaluronic acid, Caleb Howard. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Family Feuds, Crotch Gate, and Travel Wish List Destinations"?

The episode runs 1 h 27 min; the transcript is about 20,279 words in 514 timestamped sections.

More from Always Here

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated October 29, 2026.