Siouxland Families

Wondering what you really need in a diaper bag? I can't promise all the answers, but as a mom of four kids from toddler to teen, I've been carrying around a diaper bag for more than a decade and a half. And while my system isn't perfect, I have gotten pretty good at packing a combo of items that lets us have fun just about anywhere. I'm all about NOT gatekeeping what I've learned over the years, so let's take a peek into my diaper bag together. I hope it's helpful if you're a pregnant mom contemplating what to register for, a new mom trying to decide which gear to actually bring with you, or an experienced mom who's already got a good system but also on the lookout for fun new things to add (that's me, always, so please leave a comment and let me know what great things you have in your diaper bag too so I can try them out!) I also just updated my Amazon Affiliate storefront so you can easily find (affiliate link:)  my diaper-bag must-haves  all i...

The Okoboji area or "Iowa's Great Lakes" region is one of Iowa's most beloved vacation destinations, and it's easy to see why. There's fun in the water and on shore, great food and drink, cute boutique shopping, and attractions like museums, nature centers, and Arnolds Park amusement park. And while there are plenty of opportunities at Boji for 21+ fun if that's what you're seeking, there's also tons of options for family-friendly fun. I headed to Spirit Lake recently to visit some family and see the beautiful area, and we had so much fun! I also did some research online and got some helpful info from Vacation Okoboji. So, based on all of that, while its way too big of a topic to fully cover in a single post, here's my quick guide to things to do with kids in the Okoboji area: What are the Iowa Great Lakes? Terrace Park Beach The "Iowa Great Lakes" area consists of several lakes that are mostly interconnected and all very near to each...

Sioux City has a vibrant art scene, and Art SUX collaborative art gallery lets community members see works from dozens of talented local artists all under one roof, while enjoying delicious food and drink. I've visited Art SUX several times with my family, and based on my research and that personal experience, here's my full review of and guide to Art SUX Gallery in downtown Sioux City:  Where is Art SUX? Art SUX Gallery is located at 515 4th Street in downtown Sioux City, Iowa. The building was originally home to the T.S. Martin Department Store beginning slightly more than a century ago, and more recently to Karlton's clothing store. Other businesses currently on the same block include Trattoria Fresco and Brightside Cafe. There is street parking available in front which is metered; however, metered parking in Sioux City is free on weekends and evenings. Art SUX Gallery Once you go past the Brekky's counter and main dining...

Brekky's inside the Art SUX local collaborative art gallery is Sioux City's newest breakfast cafe and coffee shop, opened in late 2024. It had been on my bucket list since opening, and I finally got to go visit in early August 2025. I brought my 4 kids with me, and we all enjoyed trying a variety of things on the menu and checking out the art. Based on my online research and personally visiting Brekky's, here's my full review of and guide to Brekky's: Where is Brekky's? Brekky's is located at 515 4th Street in historic downtown Sioux City, Iowa. Brekky's is on the main/first floor of the Art SUX Gallery building and shares a door with the gallery. There is metered street parking in front of Brekky's/Art SUX and in front of other nearby businesses and attractions. You can use coins or an app to pay for that metered parking (25c per 15 minutes with a max of 2 hours when I visited in August 2025,) and the metered parking is free ev...

Amazing Iowa shares a fascinating look at Iowa fact you may not know, highlighting interesting people and places from across our great state. I'm a huge fan of local history so as soon as I heard about this new book  Amazing Iowa , I knew I needed to read it! Now that I have, I'm excited to tell you all about it and why you might love it too. Thank you to Reedy Press for sending me a review copy so that I could write this book review of Amazing Iowa! *Amazon links in this post are affiliate links, which doesn't change your price, but means I get a tiny chunk of Amazon's profits if you choose to buy through one-thanks!! Links to Reedy Press and Book People are not affiliate links but I love supporting them too!)     Who wrote and published Amazing Iowa ? Amazing Iowa was written by Michelle Sprout Murray, an Iowa writer who is also an owner of Birdsall's Ice Cream in Mason City. You can read more about Murray and her writing on  her Substack . Amazing Iow...