Sunday, December 20, 2009

The sights and sounds of Christmas...

This past weekend we decided to take the kids out and enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas.... We decked the kids out in their snugly pj's and blankets and headed out in search of our favorite Christmas light display. Brad and I started looking at Christmas lights 13 years ago when we first started dating. Brad would pick me up and we would head out, he would take me to his favorite spots and then we would venture to a few of my favorite spots. This year we were excited to continue this tradition with our own children! We stopped and got some Cappuccino for mom and dad and some cookies for Dylan, with our snacks in hand we were off to our first destination. We cranked up the Christmas music in the car, even daddy tapped his hand on his leg to the beat of his favorite Christmas songs!
We first stopped in Bowman Ridge. The whole neighborhood had a Candy Cane theme. It was beautiful seeing all of the tree's decorated in red and white lights, the trunks resembling the perfect candy cane.

The next stop was in Vinton. On the way to one of our favorite displays we saw this, a VW Beetle all decorated with lights, being pulled by reindeer. Another version of a pretty hip sleigh for Santa!

We arrived at our next destination. One of mommy's favorite spots. I remember when my Grandmother use to take me to Vinton almost every year to see this exact same display. It is amazing seeing all of the hard work this family puts into this display. We even cracked the window and turned down our radio, the display had music to go along with each theme. It was very very neat! The kids loved seeing a few of their favorite characters all lit up for Christmas!









The whole display is pretty amazing. We have to say it is probably our favorite! We were very happy to put a cash donation in the giraffe head for the family to be able to continue this very memorable display.
The next stop on our route was this beautiful home and yard all decorated just outside of Cedar Rapids.

All of the traditional lights mixed with the new LED lights made for a very bright, fun display.
Another stop on our destination had this beautiful drive thru over the driveway. All of the white lights were even more beautiful lit up next to the sparkling snow. And the red bows topped of this decoration!


This was our last stop. Literally a winter wonderland! It was beautiful. Strings of lights hanging from the tree's. The gazebo complete with Santa, all decked out for Christmas.

The sleigh and reindeer waiting for Santa. And music playing our most favorite Christmas carols.

The huge globes and inflatables were un-real. All of our favorite holiday characters!

The whole entire yard was covered with lights of some sort. Not a bare spot to be found. Another 'favorite' to make sure we keep on the map for next year!
We still had 2 more spots on our map but all of a sudden we noticed the chattering and giggling in the back seat had stopped. Danielle and Dylan were fast asleep. We decided to try one more 'must', Cedar Memorial where our beloved 1st son Dalton is laid to rest. Unfortunately the light display wasn't on this night. We will stop there again.
But after that we headed home. Brad and I both really enjoyed taking our children out on a beautiful winters night, all snug in the car, to continue a tradition that we started when we were so young and our love was just beginning 13 years ago. Now we have 2 little ones, an even bigger sign of our love for each other, to celebrate with. The true meanings of Christmas!~

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