As a child, one of my favorite annual Christmas traditions, was the evening our family loaded up the station wagon and drove slowly up and down the streets of our neighborhood. Oooh and aahing over one house after the other. Our family lived in Oak Cliff, a Dallas suburb, in a part of town where decorations were 'over the top'! Two streets over from our house was, Snuffy Smith, a Dallas Car dealer who year after year had a crane lift up a snazzy red convertable to his roof top, which was filled with bright packages. Car dealer by day, Santa by night, he donned his merry red suit, shouted "Ho Ho Ho" and passed out candy canes to the long line of cars passing by. On the end of our block at Meadow Heath and Oak Trail, lived the Meyers. They had a teenage daughter, Kathy, that played the piano very well. So their contribution to the neighborhood decor was....one well lit house, a pink Christmas tree in one bay window, a blue in another and a white one in the centered picture window. Featured in the center window was Kathy,dressed to match and playing Chritsmas carol's which were heard nicely by several outdoor speakers. There were many more, and needless to say to a child, it was magical!
After spending several days helping Beth unpack and set up their new home in San Antonio, it was a real treat to eat at Pappasitos and then go check out the 'Christmas Lights'. I really did enjoy it!....but the highlight of this year was watching 4 year old Carter and listening to her sweet little voice 'oooh and aaah'....house after house!
If you haven't already, let me encourage you to grab family or friends, a Starbucks Hot Chocolate and hit the streets and look for lights! The magic is still there!
Well, I better get back to wrapping packages......Merry Christmas to all!