Christmas light walks

My sister (on the left) and I (on the right--as if you couldn't tell--all bundled up for a Christmas light walk.

So, we have talked a little here about some of our Christmas traditions and I thought I would share one of my childhood favorites with you.  My dad started this tradition, which he called "Christmas light walks" when we were just babies.  And, honestly, I remember going on a few Christmas light walks as late as high school.

Just after dinner, my dad would bundle my sister and I up in plenty of jackets, scarves, hats, gloves and blankets--okay, it was California, we didn't need that many--and put us in our double stroller or the bicycle carriage.  Then he would take us around the neighborhood looking at all the Christmas lights and always going past the best houses.  Sometimes we sang carols along the way, sometimes we were quiet.  Sometimes the houses were really good and sometimes they weren't.  But, always, always we had a great time together.

My dad always made our everyday lives special, he always found ways to get us excited and enchanted and he always went out of his way to make us feel loved.  The Christmas light walks did all three of those things.  Those memories are priceless and I am forever grateful for them.  I can't wait to take my children on Christmas light walks someday.  Hopefully, when that time comes, my dad will still be able to hitch a carriage to the back of his bike and take the little kiddos around the block to see the lights himself.

I love you, dad.  More than you know.  Merry Christmas.