Christmas Season Traditions

This is by far my favorite time of the year.  I love the lights, the Christmas cheer, family, friends, Christmas music (to a point), good food, good memories at Grandma and Grandpa's house, an amplified reminder to serve others, and especially the reason for the season. . . the birth of the Savior.

This year we took Brody to see the lights at Rock Creek with my sister and her family.

Wow. These people go above and beyond.

This is just a private residence decorated with MILLIONS of lights.  They have a Christmas village displayed to impress -- it is THE largest collection I have ever seen.  Every tree branch, and inch of ground is covered in twinkling lights, and sparkling decorations that wind around several acres. 

People come from miles to see it.

(my pictures don't do justice, but take my word, it's spectacular)

Wide-eyed and bundled.  It was FREEEZING that night.  Brody was so bundled up, he didn't move.  He sat still, and just stared at all of the lights with this look. . .

 Time out to remove a rock from Landon's shoe.

Mr.and Mrs. Claus

They even have a camel that the spectators can feed carrots to.  Who knew camels liked carrots?

I didn't.

Looks to me like they're leaning towards the naughty side.

These pictures have nothing to do with our visit to Rock Creek, but they are some I took pre-Christmas.

Plastered all over Pinterest are pictures similar to this--

 I thought I'd give it a try, and wrap my little guy in Christmas lights too.

 He sat still for a total of 3 shots, and then he was more interested in attempting to un-plug, and plug the lights back in.  Can you say Electrocution Hazard?  Needless to say, we called it good with the three pictures. 

  My idea was to read a Christmas story around the tree each night counting down the 12 days of Christmas.  We didn't accomplish all 12, but who's counting anyway?