About Us - 5 Suitcases

Hey there — welcome to 5 Suitcases!
We’re so glad you’re here.

Our story started in 2012 when we (Elle & Ashley) met over pizza… or online, depending on who you ask. After a few years of dating, exploring, and chasing sunsets together, we decided to settle down — or at least settle into a life of adventure.

In 2018, we became foster parents — a life-changing leap inspired by close friends. A year and a half later, we adopted three amazing kids out of foster care, and we made a quiet promise to give them the kind of life they deserved: full of love, laughter, and the wide-open world.

5 Suitcases was born as a way to document our adventures — for our kids, for ourselves, and now, for families like yours. Each “suitcase” represents one of us. (Yes, even the one packed with goldfish crumbs and broken crayons.)

Want to get to know our crew — Elle, Ashley, Smiley, Scoop, and Stinky? You’re in the right place.

Let’s hit the road together.

Get to Know Us a Little Better...

Elle is the heart and hustle behind 5 Suitcases — a third-grade teacher by day, travel planner by passion, and mom of three, always chasing the next big (or small) adventure.

She was bitten by the travel bug early and has always dreamed of showing her kids the world — one road trip, cruise deck, or national park at a time. When she’s not planning her next itinerary, you’ll find her hiking, cooking something from scratch, watching football with the fam, or exploring every corner of Florida’s local parks.

Elle has a personal rule: try something new on every trip. That mindset has taken her snorkeling between tectonic plates in Iceland, swimming with sharks in Belize, ziplining through Costa Rica, and — bravely — eating snails in France.

She believes travel doesn’t have to be perfect to be magical, and she’s here to help other families experience the same.

Places Elle Has Been

Ashley is the fearless adventurer of the 5 Suitcases crew — equal parts Southern sass, sharp wit, and bold spirit. Born in North Carolina (aka the family’s second home), she brings big energy and even bigger curiosity wherever the road leads.

She’s not one to repeat destinations — there are too many places to see and too little time to go back. Whether she’s hiking a new trail, diving into a book, blasting her favorite playlist, or cheering on the Dallas Cowboys, Ashley is always up for trying something new.

From mountain peaks to quiet coffee shops, she finds joy in discovering the unfamiliar — and she’s the last one packed when a new trip is on the calendar.

The Kids

The kiddos are nicknamed Smiley, Scoop, and Stinky. They are extremely curious and enjoy exploring the world around them. Their favorite places include the mountains, the beach, and of course, Disney World and Legoland. They are obsessed with theme parks and cruising and they love visiting forts.

Smiley’s Favorite State: Virginia
Scoop’s Favorite State: North Carolina
Stinky’s Favorite State: Georgia

Smiley’s Favorite Vacations: Theme parks
Scoops Favorite Vacations: Cruises
Stinky’s Favorite Vacations: Great Wolf Lodge

Smiley

Smiley is our resident thrill-seeker — always the first in line for the biggest rollercoaster and the last one ready to leave the beach. If it’s fast, high, splashy, or sparkly, she’s in.

She loves hiking, exploring “pretty places,” and chasing sunsets wherever the road leads. But there’s more to her than adventure — Smiley has a heart of gold. She regularly collects items to support unhoused communities and is always looking for ways to help others, even while on vacation.

When she’s not out exploring, you’ll find her inside building elaborate LEGO creations that put most theme parks to shame.

She’s a whirlwind of love, empathy, and imagination — and every road trip is better with her in the backseat.

Places Smiley Has Been

Scoop

Scoop is our wild-hearted explorer — part daredevil, part dirt-covered inventor, and 100% high-octane fun. Named after Ashley’s favorite football player, this kid brings energy to everything he does.

Whether he’s tearing through the woods on his bike, digging trenches at the beach, or sneaking a toe into a cold creek, Scoop is all in. He’s obsessed with tractors, NERF battles, outer space, boats, and LEGO builds that require half the living room.

When the action moves indoors, you’ll find him gaming, building, or digitally exploring the world on Google Maps — he’s basically a tiny cartographer in disguise.

Scoop’s also a natural athlete who can’t resist a good competition. He’s all about baseball, pickleball, football, hockey, and kickball — sometimes all in the same day.

He’s a good ole country boy in the makin’, with a big grin, a bigger imagination, and zero fear of mud.

Places Scoop Has Been

Stinky

Stinky may be Scoop’s twin, but he’s got his own unique rhythm — quieter, more thoughtful, and always scoping out the scene before jumping in. He’s our careful adventurer with a deep curiosity and a serious love for all things outdoors.

Dinosaurs, construction trucks, motorcycles, NERF battles, and LEGO builds? Yes, please. But his favorite days are spent outside — digging in the sand, chasing minnows in the creek, or pedaling full speed on his bike with a quiet smile and a plan.

Stinky is a gentle soul with a big heart for animals and nature. He loves exploring how things work, asking big questions, and soaking in the world around him with wide-eyed wonder.

Inside, you’ll usually find him building, battling (with NERF, of course), or discovering new favorite places from behind a video game controller.

He’s cautious, kind, curious, and always up for the next great backyard expedition.

Places Stinky Has Been

Lady Belle and Parker

Because no adventure is complete without a few muddy paw prints.

Lady Belle (LB) and Parker are our four-legged copilots — loyal, adventurous, and always ready to jump in the car (usually before the kids). These two have road-tripped all across the Southeast with us, and they take their travel duties very seriously: sniff all the trails, chase every squirrel, and find the comfiest camping spot.

They love: