When I was a child, my family and I used to go on a winter vacation every year to a cabin in the mountains. It was always so much fun because we had the whole cabin to ourselves, and we would spend our days sledding down the nearby hill and playing in the snow.

One year, we arrived at the cabin to find that there had been a big snowstorm the night before, and there was at least a foot of fresh powder on the ground. We were so excited to get out and start sledding, so we bundled up in our warmest clothes and headed out to the hill.
The hill was perfect for sledding, with a steep slope and a nice long run-out at the bottom. We each took turns racing down the hill on our sleds, laughing and shrieking with excitement. We would also build a snowman and have snowball fights.
After a long day of playing in the snow, we would come back to the cabin, our cheeks rosy and our noses cold. We would warm up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and some snacks, and then we would play board games or watch movies.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "VidAngel is exactly what I needed! Filtering out the stuff I don't want to see makes family movie night so much better."
With VidAngel, you get:
✅ Control over your viewing: Filter out language, nudity, violence, and more!
✅ Family-friendly entertainment: Enjoy your favorite movies and shows worry-free.
✅ Peace of mind: Create a viewing experience that aligns with your values.
✅ Watch what you want: VidAngel works with popular streaming services.
✅ Affordable for everyone: Plans start at just $9.99/month.
✅ Try it FREE for TWO WEEKS! What have you got to lose?
Join today! What are you waiting for?
Those winter vacations at the cabin were some of my fondest childhood memories. The snow, the sledding and homemade hot chocolate, all of it was a perfect combination for a perfect winter getaway. It's a tradition that I hope to continue with my own family in the future.

Here is a basic Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Whipped cream or marshmallows (optional, for topping)
- Peppermint ice cream (optional, for topping)
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, cream, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt.
- Whisk the mixture together over medium heat until it comes to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low and continue to simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat and pour into mugs.
- Serve with whipped cream or marshmallows on top, if desired.
- For an extra special treat, top with a scoop of peppermint ice cream. The cool minty flavor of the ice cream will complement the warm chocolate and make for a delicious and refreshing twist on the traditional hot chocolate.
- Enjoy!

Note: You can also use chocolate chips or dark chocolate to make it more chocolaty. If you like it sweet, you can add more sugar. Adding a scoop of peppermint ice cream to your hot chocolate is a great way to add a minty twist to the traditional recipe.

Hi, my name is Melissa! I live in Spanish Fork, Utah. I'm happily married to Rob, and together we have five wonderful kids. Our family loves to embark on adventures, often in our RV, exploring the great outdoors. I'm an avid reader and a big fan of Hallmark movies – they always have a way of lifting my spirits. Hiking is another passion of mine; there's nothing like the tranquility of nature. I have a sweet tooth for chocolate and a love for Mexican food, both of which make life a little more delicious. In my downtime, I enjoy playing games with my family, creating memories and sharing laughter. Life is an adventure, and I'm here to enjoy every moment of it! I'm the blogger and creative mind behind the blog A Sparkle of Genius! Check out our posts on recipes, crafts, kid stuff, printables, travel and more!