Christmas lights

I love looking at Christmas lights. It is one of my favorite things about the holiday. Over the past few weeks, I have had the pleasure of getting my full dose of lights! A few weekends ago, I went to Houston for Lights in the Heights. My great friend since elementary school, Genie, had people over so we could all go together. Brad and April joined me for the Houston adventure. We dressed up in tacky sweaters, had yummy hot toddies, and got to soak in the holiday spirit. April had a bell in her hair, I found a huge bow the size of my head and made it into a headband and Brad and I went to Wal-mart and found some awesome/tacky Christmas sweaters. There were TONS of people walking through the streets. I had no idea how big of a deal it was. Some houses had bands playing in their front yard, some had decorations in their yard for us to take pictures with, while others just went all out on their lights.

Brad made a friend

presents!

awesome sweaters

check out the bell and bow

On Friday, I got a text from Brad saying that he had an idea of what we could do for the night. He said it was a surprise...I needed to dress warmly (because it was outside) and he would be at my house in an hour. I put on my scarf, gloves, boots and jacket (better over-dressed then under!) We drove to a random garage to park the car and walked a few blocks. We turned the corner and there we were! Brad took me to 37th street to look at the awesome lights. It was like Lights in the Heights, only with the Austin spin. They go all out! Everything in the yard was covered with lights. There was 1 family who dressed up like Santa and the Elves. They made hot chocolate in a huge pot in the middle of the yard, and were handing out candy canes. I had no idea there was a street that did this every year for the Christmas season!

Both Lights in the Heights and 37th street are now on my list of Christmas traditions!