Team Chaos: Pet Friendly Beach Planning, Dog Wizardry, and Turning 50
There’s never a dull moment when you’re part of Team Chaos—the name James and Amanda affectionately use to describe their household of six kids, two dogs, and their ever-evolving adventures. In this episode of Southern Character, they sat down to talk about everything from vacation planning to their latest canine challenge: training their new puppy, Georgie Sand.
Booking Travel: Why Planning Ahead is Key
James and Amanda are no strangers to family travel, but one thing they’ve learned over the years is that if you want the best vacation experience, you need to plan ahead. While some families wait until the last minute to book trips, Team Chaos operates on a three- to six-month window, ensuring they get the perfect spot for their large crew.
Their top pick? St. George Island, Florida.
This family-favorite destination checks all the boxes: pet-friendly beaches, plenty of space for a big group, and the special kind of quiet that defines a true vacation. They’ve already locked in their spring break and Fourth of July trips, proving that good planning leads to great escapes - and getting everything on their wishlist. For them, the perfect places are near the water and keep the entire family happy - including their pets.
Meet Georgie Sand: The Newest (and Most Chaotic) Member of the Family
The family recently expanded with the arrival of Georgie Sand, a brindle boxer puppy full of personality and spirit. Named after St. George Island, Georgie has brought joy, energy, and a lot of unexpected challenges to her new family.
Georgie’s energy level keeps everybody on their toes, and she’s set to attend a two-week intensive training program with the Atlanta Dog Wizard, the same trainers who transformed their other boxer, Renny, into a well-behaved companion.
The program will focus on leash training, recall, and basic obedience—something that James and Amanda are both looking forward to. If the training works as well as it did for Renny, Team Chaos may finally have a little less actual chaos in the house.
A Big Birthday Dream Trip
James’ 50th birthday is on the horizon, and unlike their usual family-oriented trips, he has something different in mind: a grown-ups-only Bahamas getaway.
Inspired by a friend’s trip, James envisions a vacation where they rent a boat, hop between islands, and embrace the open water—no kids, just sun, fishing, and relaxation. Of course, Amanda has some concerns, mainly about who’s driving the boat and how exactly one navigates the tides in international waters. Despite the logistical challenges, James insists that this is totally possible given his experience level with boats.
Balancing the Chaos with Good Memories
At the heart of this conversation is a theme that runs through every episode of Southern Character: making time for what matters. James and Amanda find ways to embrace the chaos of having such a large, blended family and turn every trip into an unforgettable escape filled with quality time together. Team Chaos proves that with a little planning—and a lot of laughter—you can make any adventure worthwhile.
Want more of Southern Character? Check out this episode and more, and be sure to check out the Retire Southern blog for more content from James and the team.