Christmas Tree Lane

Saturday night, after decorating our gingerbread house,we headed to Christmas Tree Lane, a neighborhood in Fresno that is splendidly decorated with holiday lights each year. It began in 1920 with the decoration of a single tree in the memory of a child who died. The family decorated a single tree in their front yard with holiday lights, and each year other neighbors followed. Christmas Tree Lane celebrates its 86th anniversary in 2008, making it one of the longest-running holiday events nationwide. It's a tradition where 140 homes and 300 trees are decorated for a span of nearly two miles. The kids and I went last year, and this year we took Chris along for the ride.

I took this picture for a neighbor of mine who captured a tumbleweed and decorated it as a Jack-o'-lantern for Halloween. She had intentions to add 2 more and make a snowman as well, but the base's well-meaning yard keepers took it away just after Halloween, so she didn't get the chance. I thought this tumbleweed snowman was pretty cool!

These next couple pictures I actually took to share with my friend Katy, who has 2 little boys who are huge Toy Story fans.

Jonathan was excited to see Spiderman make an appearance on Christmas Tree Lane

Clara was equally excited to Ariel and the gang.

This was one of the more elaborate yards we saw. The picture doesn't do it justice. The kids loved looking at the lights and listening to Christmas music.