Contributors
The L. A. Family Travel Team

Michelle Peters
Writer
From her home in Seattle, Michelle writes for a variety of internationally based travel companies. When not writing, she’s hiking, skiing, reading, or (in actuality) working her other job as “mom taxi.” Check out her other work at Eagle Eyes Editing or at Contently.

Christy Nicholson
Writer
Christy Nicholson is a writer, editor, and recovering perfectionist from Nashville, Tennessee. When not traveling with family, she enjoys cozy days at home reading, gardening, making music, and wrangling two awesome kids. Christy writes at Any-Worth.com about travel and sustainable living.

Charlene Ross
Writer
Charlene Ross is a Los Angeles mom, die-hard concert-going music lover, freelance writer, and author of the chick lit novel, FROSTED COWBOY.

Kimberly Falcheck
Writer
Kimberly Falchek is a freelance writer and child development specialist based out of Salem, Massachusetts. She has contributed to several parenting and travel publications. When not working, Kimberly enjoys hiking, photography, and traveling with family.

Steffy McCourt
Writer
Steffy McCourt is a mom to three active and awesome boys, two budgies, one cockatiel, and a mischievous corgi. She is currently an ELA Teacher On Special Assignment in Plymouth, Michigan, and she is a freelance writer for parenting magazines, education websites, and meditation apps. Steffy is going on her 19th year of teaching English. She makes it her mission for kids to ask, “Was that really the bell?” at the end of every class period. She has an MS in Educational Leadership from Butler University and a BA in English from Indiana University.

Emily Householder Stacey
Writer
Emily Householder Stacey is a writer, travel agent and mom based in sunny Cleveland, Ohio. Emily runs Aida’s Adventures travel agency while her son takes his afternoon nap. She has traveled throughout Australia, Asia and North America and the rest of the world is on her bucket list. Emily and her family love a good theme park. They have annual passes to 6 of them!

Matthew LaMourie II
Writer
Matthew LaMourie II is a freelance writer and photographer based in San Francisco, CA. After receiving his BA in International Relations from Emory University, he worked at an immigration law firm for a few of years, helping foreign nationals obtain their green cards. Sensing that something was missing, Matthew decided to leave his legal job and dedicate himself to writing full-time. He is now a regular contributor to a number of online publications, where he covers such diverse topics as travel, lifestyle, cooking, and classic short stories. When not writing, Matthew likes to explore new and interesting places together with his growing family.

Samantha Davis-Friedman
Writer
Samantha is a contributing writer for TravelAge West and Family Getaways magazines. She was born and raised in Southern California and spent 10 years working in television production after graduating from UCLA. As the mother of two teenagers, Samantha has a particular affinity for writing about family travel and theme parks. But, as a foodie, she also loves writing about her many food-related travel adventures. Samantha enjoys photography and is forever thankful for the great photo ops her travels provide.

Morgan Standley
Writer
Morgan is a brand designer and writer who splits her time between managing her creative studio, Atlas + Anchor, and writing about her lifelong love affair with travel. A wanderluster at heart, she’s a big proponent of exploring the roads less traveled because they often lead to amazing views, memorable stories, and the most unassuming but life-changing restaurants. Originally from Ohio, Morgan now lives in the heart of Chicago with her family and is quite possibly the only person within city limits who hates deep dish pizza.

Brina Patel
Writer
Brina Patel is a freelance writer from Northern California. She holds a BA in Psychology from UC Santa Barbara and worked as a behavior therapist for children on the autism spectrum prior to pursuing a writing career. Her wanderlust was sparked when she studied abroad in London during her junior year of college. Travel has become a non-negotiable part of her life ever since. When she isn’t writing or adventuring, she enjoys reading, painting, and running around with her little ones.