Is It Winter Yet?

On the first snowfall of the year, the family gets an idea. Mom and Dad pack up the car. The kids grab their hats and mittens, ski pants and coats, and rush out the door. With the car full and the heat blasted, the family sets off.

Arrived at the mountain, the family puts on their gear. Mom takes the younger ones straight to the bunny slope. Dad and the two oldest rush to the lifts, trying to figure out which goes to the top. Carving down the mountain, the oldest almost falls while trying to avoid a small child learning how to ski. Dad finally makes it down the mountain without complaining that his legs are too tired. The second oldest is excited about the new trick he finally landed.

On the long ride home after hitting the mountain, Elvis Presley's version of Blue Christmas comes on the radio. Dad turns the volume dial up as loud as it goes. With screaming protests from the kids in the backseat, Dad reluctantly switches on Big Time Rush's version of All I Want for Christmas is You. Everyone in the car starts bouncing to the beat, singing along with grins from ear to ear. The album Now That's What I Call Today's Christmas plays for the rest of the ride home. The soothing voices of Gavin DeGraw, Rascall Flatts and Mariah Carey entertain the family.

Arriving home from the long ride, everyone rushes in to get warm. Dad starts up a fire while mom begins to prepare dinner. The kids settle in on the couch, fighting over whether they should watch Elf or Home Alone. The oldest sister brings out mugs of hot cocoa for all the kids. As mom calls out that dinner's ready, they all whine. Mom and Dad agree to have family dinner in the living room tonight. With Home Alone on the tv, Christmas music playing from the kitchen, a fire and hot cocoa, there is nothing that can compare to the perfection of winter.