meet the sparrows

ABOUT US

Thank you for clicking “About Us” to learn a little more about our family ‘aka, ‘The Puddles and Passports Family’

Travel has always been an important component of our marriage. When we met we were living in different time zones, and since settling in San Antonio, Texas, in 2005, we have hardly ever not been planning a trip somewhere, whether it’s an hour up the road to the Texas Hill Country or across the Atlantic Ocean to visit Jay’s family in England. We have always been drawn to the excitement and perspective that travel gives us.

Several years ago we started dreaming about traveling around the world, literally. We talked about selecting countries whose cultures, people, landscapes, and food we’d like to experience. We talked about venturing slowly and renting apartments instead of booking hotel rooms so we could take time to learn our way around a local neighborhood, grocery shop and cook at home, frequent local parks and pubs, (or now, with kids, coffee shops), and hopefully stretch our money.

In 2015 our daughter Chloe arrived, and in 2018 our son Camden was born… We could fill dozens of webpages about how awesome our kids are, but for this introduction, suffice it to say, we are crazy proud parents who marvel at our fascinating little humans every day.

So that’s us in a nutshell. Four Sparrows embarking on a family adventure around the world!

Podcast Interviews

– Interview with Family Travel Radio
– Interview with Nomad on Fire.

News Media

– How the Coronavirus has Changed How Families Travel. San Antonio Express News.
– Read a recent story on our family for the Hinckley Times and Leicester Mercury

CHRISTI

Hi there! My parents traveled a lot with me and my siblings when we were kids, so I caught the travel bug early… or maybe I was born with it? I grew up in Maryland, and I attended the University of Maryland where I earned a B.A. in Economics, (go, Terps!). I’ve spent my adult life in Texas working for awesome consulting firms for 10 years and moonlighting as a youth soccer club CFO, [see husband’s profile]. When our kiddos joined the mix, (our best adventure), I decided to pause my consulting gig and pivot to full-time parenting while continuing my role in our youth soccer business.

I am passionate about nutrition (and eating), books, and running. I love cooking, baking, and packing a Bento box lunch on Chloe’s school days. I delight in reading any children’s book aloud, and I get excited when I receive the email from our library informing me that the book I’ve been waiting for is available and tagged with my name on the “holds” shelf. And then there’s running. I studied ballet and contemporary dance from age six through most of my time at the University of Maryland, and so I suppose running has replaced dance as one of the main outlets in my life.

I’ve completed eight half marathons and counting, but more importantly, I love the act and art of running, how it makes me feel, the places it takes me, and the friends I’ve made through it. Although it may be difficult some days, I am so thankful each time I lace up my running shoes.

As we travel I will do my best to keep our Puddles and Passports site updated with interesting, informative, or just plain entertaining stories and musings about our adventures. Thanks for reading about us, and we hope to hear from you soon!

JAY

Hi, I’m Jay, or as I like to be called these days, Daddy! I love my role as the father to our two beautiful children, Chloe and Camden. Originally from Leicestershire, England, I have always had a passion for coaching, business, exercise and travel. I first came to the USA almost 20 years ago working as a summer youth soccer coach on the East Coast. After a couple of amazing summers working in the States, I moved to San Antonio, Texas, where I worked tirelessly to set up my own youth soccer organization, World Wide Soccer. In 2005 I founded SA United Soccer Club which has become the proud home to thousands of youth soccer players over the years. I stepped down as Executive Director of SA United in 2017 to spend more time with my family.

I am a very proud Englishman, who loves his soccer and proudly supports Coventry City FC… oh how the mighty fall!! I love to spend time with my family, and nothing gives me more pleasure than watching Chloe and Camden play together.

In 2017 I started competing in triathlons, and since then I have completed several sprint triathlons, a couple olympic triathlons, multiple 5k races, a full marathon, a half marathon, a terrain mud race and recently I completed my first full IRONMAN! (You can ready my IRONMAN story here).

You could say I love to compete. I have always strived for new and exciting challenges, and I value my health and the energy it gives me to devote to my family. I now love the time I get to spend on my passion project, Puddles and Passports.

CHLOE

Puddles and Passports Chief Puddle Explorer!

Favorite food: Watermelon
Favorite song to sing: “How Far I’ll Go” from Moana
Favorite animal: Giraffe because they have tall necks
Favorite books: My Moana early reader and The Magic Tree House series
Favorite outdoor activities: Swinging, swimming, and painting!
Best travel companion who doesn’t require a plane ticket: Rosie my tan horse
Countries visited: England, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, Croatia, Germany, Austria, Hungry, Wales, Thailand
I feel happiest when… I play with Camden.
I am most thankful for… Our house, our clothes, our food, and our water.

“Dream big little one, stretch far and aim high…”

CAMDEN

Puddles and Passports Climbing Expert.

Favorite foods: Avocado, grapes, pineapple, blueberries, plums, and watermelon
Favorite song to sing: “The Perfect Nanny” from Mary Poppins
Favorite books: Room on the Broom and early readers that Chloe reads to me
Favorite outdoor activities: Swinging, scootering, and playing with chalk
Favorite animal: Elephants because they have big trunks
Countries visited: USA, Italy, Croatia, Germany, Austria, Hungry, England, Wales, Thailand, Australia
I feel happiest when… I make things with my family.
I am most thankful for… Our house, clothes, food, water, and snacks.