Nothing says Christmas quite like La Crosse’s Rotary Lights Display. So, when Friday arrived, we met Dad at his downtown office, bundled ourselves up, and then speed-walked our way to Riverside Park.

Seasonably mild temperatures + minimally crowded sidewalks + magically-lit skies + a sparkling Mississippi River + happy, jolly souls = Perfect conditions for exploring the Rotary Lights.

Know what else was perfect? Visiting with Santa (again!) and asking him if he’s been good. That’s right, I turned the tables (and flustered him) because someone needs to hold Santa accountable.

And after admiring every impressive corner of the park, we skipped back to the car, placed a carry-out Pizza Corral order, and then headed for home to enjoy a romantic family dinner by our cozy, malfunctioning fireplace.

These are the moments that make waiting for Christmas worth it.