“The best education you will ever get is traveling. Nothing teaches you more than exploring the world and accumulating experiences.”
– Mark Paterson
Get To Know Our Family
Our Story
Before Brian and I were married, we had already explored many places across the United States together. Some of our favorite memories from our dating and engagement years come from those early trips and adventures.
Our love of travel only grew as we started our family. While the dynamics of traveling have certainly changed over the years, our desire for adventure has never faded. If anything, experiencing new places through our kids’ eyes has made it even more meaningful.
A few years ago, we made the decision to skip the traditional Christmas gifts and instead give our family the gift of travel. It has been one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. These trips have created memories that far outweigh anything we could have wrapped and placed under the tree.
In addition to our annual Christmas trips, we’ve also embraced opportunities to travel when Brian’s work takes him on the road. Because of this, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend extended time in places like Washington, D.C. (2.5 weeks) and California (5 weeks), along with many shorter trips throughout the country.
As our travels continued, we found ourselves regularly sharing photos and stories on social media. Each time, friends and family would reach out to say how much they enjoyed following along on our adventures. After our most recent trip, it became clear—we wanted to share our journey on a bigger scale.
Travel has also become more than just a passion—it’s part of what I do. As a travel agent, I love helping other families plan meaningful, memorable trips of their own, whether that’s a cross-country adventure or a dream destination getaway.
And so, this is it—our family travel blog: Crossing Off States. A place where we share our adventures, tips, experiences, and the journey of exploring the U.S. one state at a time.
States We've Crossed Off
Colored states have been visited as a family. States in gray have not been explored as a family.
44 States!
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
Hawaii
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Meet Brian
Brian is a fun-loving, adventurous dad who thrives on making his kids smile. If you’re looking for adventure, he’s the first to jump in and lead the way. Whether it’s exploring a new place or trying something new, Brian brings energy and excitement to every experience. At the end of the day, though, he’s just as happy winding down—watching the sunset with a cocktail by the firepit.
During the day, Brian works as a videographer and trial technician for the family business based in Kansas City, Missouri. His career has taken him all across the United States for depositions and trials, and one of the things he loves most is that it allows him to travel with his family.
When he’s not working or making memories with the kids, you’ll likely find Brian out on the golf course, watching football (Go Chiefs!), or simply kicking back and relaxing.
Meet Alexis
Alexis is the planner and organizer of the family, keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Always up for an adventure, she loves exploring new places—but prefers to have a thoughtful plan in place before the journey begins.
As a homeschooling mom, Alexis stays busy day-to-day teaching the kids and creating meaningful learning experiences, no matter where they are. In addition to homeschooling, she owns a graphic design business, where she enjoys the creativity and connection she shares with her clients. She is also a travel agent, combining her love of planning with her passion for travel by helping other families create unforgettable trips of their own.
When she’s not teaching, designing, or planning the next adventure, Alexis loves to slow things down. You can usually find her reading a good book, soaking up some sunshine outside, or working on a puzzle.
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Meet Madison
Madison is the oldest (17) and truly fearless. Once she sets her mind to something, there’s no stopping her—she’s ready to take on the world with confidence and determination. Her quick wit and sense of humor keep the whole family on their toes and always smiling.
One of her most impressive accomplishments is hiking the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim—an incredible challenge that perfectly reflects her strength, resilience, and adventurous spirit.
Madison loves spending time outdoors, especially riding horses, being around animals, and hiking new trails. She also enjoys hanging out with friends and making the most of every adventure that comes her way.
Meet Jackson
Jackson (16) loves being outside—no matter the weather. Whether it’s hot, cold, or somewhere in between, he’s always ready to be out in the fresh air. An adventure-lover at heart, Jackson is willing to take on just about anything… after he’s had a chance to think it through in his head a few times first.
With his easygoing nature and kind personality, Jackson has a way of connecting with everyone he meets and is truly loved by all.
Jackson enjoys musical theater, hiking, playing with friends, and hitting the golf course whenever he gets the chance.
Meet Reagan
Reagan (8) is the true spitfire of the family. She knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. Fearless and full of personality, Reagan often shows wisdom beyond her years—and her bright smile has a way of lighting up any room she walks into.
Whether she’s in the pool or out exploring, Reagan brings energy and confidence to everything she does. While she may be the least excited about long hikes, she’s always in it for the snacks and special drinks along the way—which makes every adventure a little more fun.
She loves spending time with friends, creating videos and swimming anywhere there is water.