Holiday Light's at the Beach

This past weekend we took a short trip to the beach to check out a Christmas light display that we heard was pretty cool.  I've talked to a few people about this set up and was excited to get to visit it first hand.  I was not let down.  It was a beautiful show and I hope something we can continue to do year after year. 



To give you some prespective on how large the displays are....can you see the
outlines of the people standing right in front?  These things were huge!





Kinda eerie to see a sunken ship right on the beach





Santa in a hammock



Most of the display is right on the beach.  Follow Atlantic Street down toward 2nd Street (you will see all the signs) and then you actually drive out on the boardwalk. You take in the display while driving all the way back up to 34th Street.  A CD with holiday music in included with your admission so you can jam to your hearts content while checking out the lights.  Weekends the cost of admission is $15, weeknights the cost is $10.  Limos and buses are extra.  If you don't want to be stuck in the car with your kids, in-laws, crazy friend from where ever you do have options.  Next to the boardwalk is a pedestrian path and bike lane.  You can bike and/or walk the length of the light display.  There is also a horse drawn carriage that can be rented to take you on a tour. 

I really didn't expect the beach to be so crowded this time of year...but I was WRONG!  The traffic to get onto the boardwalk was crazy.  You "get in line" around 21 Street and inch down to to the inlet at 2nd Street.  And part of that is two lanes.  This year the weather was actually warm enough for bikes but we didn't know they were an option (no charge for those BTW) but next year if it's warm enough you can bet we'll be doing that.  Or the horse carriage. 

I posted several pictures but just to let you know....what I posted is just a drop in the bucket!  There were so many more!  If you want more info you can check out the official website here for the light display.

Monday Love

To say the weekend was eventful would be an understatement.  There was a birthday, a track meet, a tree lighting and we were almost eaten by a giant crab!!!

Ok he didn't really try to eat us.  But he was big
enough he could have.

Tommy was the fourth runner...These kids are
super FAST.



O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree....
great now that song is stuck in my head!

We took a short trip to Virginia Beach to check out the holiday lights and to celebrate my mom's birthday.  We totally surprised her and as of today her nerves are a little calmer than when we all jumped out to surprise her :) A little birdie told me I better watch out on my birthday!  Could be trouble.  Hope your Monday is off without a hitch.     

TGIF

Not only was Monday a long day, each day this week has been crazy busy at work and then just as crazy at home!  But that is all ok...because after today the weekend is HERE!  And this particular weekend I'll be spending time with the family doing something very special. 



Virginia Beach Christmas Lights



We're headed out of town to check out the light display at the Boardwalk in Virginia Beach.  My sister, my brother-in-law, my parents are all going too.  It will be my Mom's birthday so there will also be lots to celebrate!  I can't wait to share all the details next week.  Have a great weekend everyone!
 

The Tacky Light Tour

Saturday night Mark and I spent an evening on the town checking out Christmas Lights with a few of our friends.  And we weren't just checking out Christmas lights by driving around aimlessly....like we usually do.  No, this time we were riding around town in the back of a limousine!  We decided to be all fancy shmancy and rent a limo to go on one of Richmond's Tacky Light Tours.  I'm still not sure why the stops were called Tacky....I personally thought they were awesome....but then again I have a Christmas tree up all year round. 

We started off with dinner at a local restaurant then hopped into our ride for the night.  Richmond Limousine rented us the limo.  They have Tacky Light Tour packages for various size groups.  There was even a pink limo we could rent.  I did notice other limos on the tour and a BUS. I don't know if it was a 'party bus' but that might be an option we look into next year :)



I can not explain Mark here.  No clue.





Our First Stop



 

Third Stop

They have mistletoe out to kiss under



Neighbor's with a sense of humor "What's the point"  and "Ditto" 



Fourth Stop



Mr. Christmas



Last stop





Hot Cocoa...they were so sweet





And this was no small tree...several done up like this
in the yard

 

Mom lives on the left and son on the right...family
tradition!



We drove past several other homes.  One had lights set to music....they had a sign with what radio station to tune in to and the lights went along with the music.  I was able to get the pictures when we stopped and got out to get a closer look at a few homes.  I have never visited a home to look at lights and got out of the car but like the driver said....the people that put the lights up like the attention.  Some had candy canes available for the taking, another had hot cocoa, the owners were out mingling with visitors at one stop and at others Mr. Christmas himself was out for photo opts!  The tour was supposed to be around 3 hours but was closer to 4.  The driver was even nice enough to stop for bathroom breaks!  We definitely enjoyed ourselves and can now say we've rode in a limo :)

Monday Love

Long day does not even begin to cover what my day felt like today.  Thank goodness it's almost over!  The weekend was fabulous.  Mark and I got to check off "Ride in Limo" from our bucket lists.  Got a little bit of Christmas shopping done.  Tried two new recipes with wonderful results :)  Now if I could just get the rest of the week to cooperate with me! 

I'll share more in the next couple days about the Tacky Light Tour.  For now I'm going to find a warm cup of wine and spike it with some tea!