Jason and I decided that it had been too long since his family spent some quality time cooped up together. So, for Christmas this year, we gave his kin a cabin… for a few days.

Jason’s parents used to own a cabin. We have many pleasant memories of snowmobiling, sledding, ATV riding, gaming, and movie watching at that timbered retreat, which influenced our decision to rent this particular type of accommodation.

We reserved Shelton Lodge near Bear Lake, a 4700-square-foot log cottage that sleeps 26, for a few nights and enjoyed the rustic ambiance of its massive fireplace, comfy theater room, expansive decks, and impressive views.

What did we do during our Bear Lake break? We began it by opening Christmas gifts to each other, an activity improved by the festive decorations ornamenting the lodge. A large group of us went on an 8-mile run the next day over snowy paths and muddy hills. It was pleasant enough for shorts, not a typical December day. Although the lake was too frigid to encourage even digit dipping, we spent some time on its shores that afternoon throwing snowballs at each other and taking silly pictures.

Eating took a surprisingly-large portion of our time. Rigorous commitment to snacking requires relentless dedication. We stuffed ourselves at meals, before meals, in between meals, after meals, and during any activities that could be synchronized with face stuffing. Among our surging stream of snacks, we happily sampled some of the town’s finest chocolate-covered raspberries, a famous local treat. Delightful! Our group also took full advantage of the cabin’s theater room, and we gladly integrated ingestion into our cinema viewing, as one should.

We played many rounds of Exploding Kittens and Codenames. We didn’t play Blasting Canines though; I’ve heard that game is a little unstable.

The day-to-day mandates of life often inhibit the regular remembrance of the more important things. You forget to chuck snowballs at your siblings or make your mom wear a cone of shame amidst the daily grind; it’s easy to see how families unintentionally drift apart. So, I’m glad Jason and I successfully created an opportunity for some familial inseparability at a beautiful and entertaining spot.