But, don't despair, there are some great alternatives you and your family can consider, without the need to take out a second mortgage just for a vacation.
Check out this great article from IgoUgo, where users from have composed creative ways travelers can enjoy free or inexpensive travel. My favorite is the Timeshare tour, in which you visit a particular property, participate in a 90-minute presentation about a time-share, then enjoy a complimentary, or highly discounted 2 or 3 night stay. Locally, these deals have been found around the Lake Tahoe region and around the Monterey/Carmel vicinity.
Read here for other ideas on how to take a free (or nearly free) vacation from IgoUgo.