It’s that time of year again: We’re slowly surrendering our hard-won collegiate freedom and migrating back home for the holidays. If you’re anything like me, the holiday season usually involves taking a road trip of some kind. My family’s trips are always to some region of Minnesota, (did anyone know I’m from Minnesota? I bet that was a shocker!) and each trip tends to follow a sort of formula.

First, someone is always running behind, and they make everyone else late.

Once everyone and everything is finally stuffed in the car, we immediately begin fighting over space.

By the time we're at the end of the street, mom is starting to lose her cool.

Every few years, someone will forget an extra-important present or phone charger, and the minivan has to get all "Fast and Furious" for a second.

Once we're finally on our way, everyone starts dozing off.

That is until a total jam comes on the radio.

The fam singalong is always interrupted by a little brother's tiny bladder, and everyone ends up racing to the gross rest stop bathroom.

At long last (after going over some rivers and through endless woods), to grandmother's house we arrive, and the family Christmas fun is just getting started.

But we know we'll always treasure these people, despite the craziness.

Happy holiday road tripping to you and yours! Stay safe!