There are many reasons to visit Louisiana. Snow is not one of them. That is why Mary Kate’s parents and wish grantors were surprised to hear that Mary Kate’s wish was to see snow. Mary Kate is 5 years old and hails from Cutoff, Louisiana.

After Mary Kate made her request, the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Louisiana wasted no time in making her wish a reality. First she was treated to a steak dinner—which is her favorite meal—courtesy of Outback Steakhouse. To adequately prepare Mary Kate for her excursion to see snow, she was given an orange snowsuit. Orange is Mary Kate’s favorite color.

Finally, Mary Kate was ready to see and experience snow first-hand. A limousine picked up Mary Kate, along with her parents and her brother Quenton, at their home and escorted them to the airport. From there the family flew to beautiful Vail, Colorado, where Mary Kate could see and enjoy more snow than she could have ever imagined.

The family spent four days in Vail, spending most of their time, not surprisingly, playing in the snow. Mary Kate and Quenton had a wonderful time rolling down hills of snow, making snowmen, creating snow angels and tossing snowballs. Mary Kate also went snowmobile riding and rode a sleigh; however, the highlight of Mary Kate’s trip was riding down hills of snow in a large inner-tube.

Mary Kate and her family agree that the wish experience was one that they will always remember. The week was truly a special time for Mary Kate, where not only was her wish realized, but she was the "star of the snow."