Hey there! Welcome to 5 Suitcases! We’re so happy you stopped by! Our story started in 2012 when we (Elle & Ashley) first met in a local pizza place (or online, we’ll let you decide). After years of dating, and exploring the world, we decided to settle down…sort of.
Inspired by some of our friends, we became foster parents in 2018. A year and a half later, we adopted 3 children out of foster care and vowed to give these three kids the world that they deserved.
The goal of our blog, 5 Suitcases, is to document our adventures so that our children can reflect on them for years to come. The title of our blog was inspired by our family of 5- Each one of the suitcases represents one of our family members. Want to know more about Elle, Ashley, Smiley, Scoop, and Stinky?
Get to Know Us a Little Better...
Elle is the primary force behind 5 Suitcases. Bitten by the travel bug at an early age and has always dreamed of showing her family the world. When Elle is not traveling, she teaches third grade at a local elementary school. She enjoys cruising, cooking, watching football, and visiting the local parks.
Ashley is a big ball of lippy Southern sass. She doesn’t like going to the same location more than once. She enjoys traveling to new places, and isn’t afraid to try anything! She loves hiking, reading, listening to music, and cheering on her Dallas Cowboys. Ashley was born in North Carolina, our home away from home.
The Kids
The kiddos are nicknamed Smiley, Scoop, and Stinky. They were adopted by via ZOOM during the COVID Quarantine of 2020. 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.
Smiley
Smiley is our little tomgirl although she loves to toss on a dress or play dress up, she usually has dirt under her nails. She is an adrenaline junkie and will try anything once! She loves the outdoors. She enjoys her days at the beach, walking through the woods, kayaking, zooming around on her four wheeler, and paddleboarding. She hasn’t met a rollercoaster she didn’t like.
When she’s inside, she can usually be found at her art table creating colorful masterpieces.
Scoop
Scoop is our little daredevil. Named after Ashley’s favorite football player, this little guy is full of energy and is not afraid to try anything! This little guy gives us a run for our money! Scoop is obsessed with tractors, airplanes, NERF guns, outer space, LEGO, and boats.
He enjoys traipsing through the woods, digging in the sand, and playing with animals. He’s a good ole country boy in the makin’.
Stinky
Stinky is a little more hesitant than his twin brother. He is timid and likes to assess the situation before diving in. He loves dinosaurs, construction trucks, motorcycles, digging in the sand, playing with trucks, NERF guns, LEGO, and reading.
Stinky is an animal and nature lover. He’s very curious about the world around him.
Lady Belle and Parker
Of course, no road trip would be complete without our trusty canines! Meet our pooches, Lady Belle (LB for short), and Parker. Our fur babies often accompany us on our road trips. They have traveled all throughout the southeast. They enjoy visiting National Parks and State Parks, hiking, swimming, hunting for lizards, frogs, and squirrels, and camping.
A Recap of our Adventures
Our 2023 Adventures
Our 2022 Adventures
Our 2021 Adventures
Our 2020 Adventures
Follow Our Journey
Let’s connect! The best way to follow our daily life and adventures is on Instagram. You can also find us on Facebook. We’d also love it if you join our email list for some cool freebies and updates. We hope to see you soon.
