Road trip!! In this episode of “The Kids Are In Bed,” Tim and Jenni Severson dive headfirst into the hilarious chaos of their recent escapades and their unconventional holiday plans.
Read Tim’s latest essay: Unaccompanied Minor, Lifelong Friend
Jenni kicks things off by recounting her wildly successful Friendsgiving celebration. Forget plain cranberry sauce—she took cranberries to the next level with creative cranberry cocktail recipes like cranberry Moscow Mules and rosé spritzers that had everyone feeling extra thankful. And who needs charcuterie boards when you can have the most adorable charcuterie cups? She spills the secrets behind these Instagram-worthy snacks that are both cute and delicious.
Meanwhile, Tim shares his misadventures in Brainerd, Minnesota. It starts with the much-anticipated (and ultimately disappointing) Mike Tyson and Jake Paul fight. Spoiler alert: watching a 58-year-old Tyson wasn’t the thrilling spectacle he hoped for. But the real knockout came when he accidentally swapped shoes with his brother, leading to a confusing shoe hunt and driving in socks—because nothing says “responsible adult” like showing up to your brother’s restaurant shoeless. To top it off, he had an unexpected and aggressive roadside encounter that left him questioning if his choice of car was the real issue. Oh, and he tried impressing his friends with a full moon photo that was, let’s say, less appreciated than he’d hoped.
The duo then discuss their audacious decision to toss tradition out the window and spend Thanksgiving at the Wisconsin Dells. Who needs turkey when you have waterslides? They’re embracing new holiday family traditions, and the kids couldn’t be more thrilled about a Wisconsin Dells Thanksgiving. They reminisce about past road trips, debating what actually qualifies as a road trip (apparently anything over three hours), and share their favorite road trip snacks—because calories don’t count on the open road. Tim is all about sunflower seeds and Buffalo blue combos, while Jenni confesses her gas station guilty pleasures like Tahitian Treat and Milk Duds.
They also delve into the joys and challenges of traveling with kids, offering up some hard-earned family road trip tips. Ever tried to maintain sanity with two kids, two tablets, and a bag of gummy worms in the backseat? They’ve got stories—and advice.
Join Tim and Jenni for a lighthearted conversation filled with laughs, candid moments, and enough holiday cheer to make even the Grinch crack a smile. Whether you’re looking for Friendsgiving ideas, planning a non-traditional Thanksgiving, or just need a good laugh from some funny road trip stories, this episode has got you covered.
