1.  Why do you do this?
Some people have a great reason (Religious, family memories, etc).  Our reasons are pretty simple:  Ryan likes doing it all!  It's a fun hobby and something that brings a lot of people joy during the holidays.  Many people come by and see the decorations, and our home has become the "Christmas House" in our neighborhood. 

2.  So Ryan likes it... How about everyone else?
 Our daughters get a kick out of it as well, although our oldest (Kierstin-who's 12) has decided that it's "a little excessive"... but she's almost a teenager so we expect that from her!  Everyone likes the display, although they tolerate (at best) Ryan's constant "Christmas talk".  They do get a little tired of watching TIVO'd Christmas HGTV specials, Christmas movies, and listening to Christmas music in the car year-round!

3.  What do your neighbors think?
No complaints so far!  Many come by with kids or grandkids and take pictures with the inflatables or in front of the yard.  They thought enough of the Christmas display to give us first place in the "Fairwood Christmas Decoration Contest" for 2006 AND 2007!

4.  What's in your Christmas display?
Over 30,000 lights, twelve inflatables (ranging from 4 foot to 8 foot), many custom made pieces (Candy Cane elements, lighted arches, North poles, etc).  Ryan makes a lot of stuff, which allows him to keep his "habit" going all year long.  2007 was a very busy year: check out the 2007 Projects Page!

5.  I saw that house dancing to music on the Miller Lite commercial!  Do you use animation in your display?
2007 was our first computer animated year.  We use Light-o-Rama for computer controller and a dedicated computer to run it all.  We had 48 channels of computer control in 2007 and expect to increase that for 2008.

6.  Your music was on my radio! 
How do you afford your own radio station?
 The music is transmitted to car stereos via a low-power FM transmitter made by Ramsey Electronics (and assembled by the one and only Marty Slack of Christmas Utah.  We broadcast on FM 94.1 (during 2007- that could change year-to-year) up to 200 feet from the house.
In 2007 we ran the following musical sequences:

"A Christmas Festival"
by Arthur Fiedler & the Boston Pops

"Christmas List"
by Simple Plan
(Intro from Trans Siberian Orchestra's
"Wizards in Winter")

"Silent Night"
by Jim Reeves

"Traditions of Christmas"
by Mannheim Steamroller

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
by Brenda Lee

"Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
by Mannheim Steamroller

6.  What are you planning for the future?
We did a lot of new pieces and elements in 2007; take a look at our 2007 Projects Page for info and pictures from throughout the year (arranged by month).  For 2008 we'll be increasing our LOR controllers and adding new songs.  Ryan also has some ideas about our roof and house which should add a lot to the display!  Ryan has wanted to make the display "interactive" (think walk through) for many years and recently had a light bulb go off (no pun intended) on how to do it in a very unique way.  Obviously a bunch more lights are being added as well!  There will be a 2008 Projects Page at some point.

7.  Where do you get ideas from?
Many of them just pop into Ryan's head.  We also get ideas from when the family loads up the van with blankets and a thermos of hot chocolate and goes out looking at lights (yes, people still do that!).  Ryan also belongs to two great groups of people that are as crazy as he is about the Christmas decoration hobby.  There are two great places to talk with others, share ideas, and get some support: www.texaschristmaslights.com and www.planetchristmas.com.  It's like AA for Christmas decorators! 

8.  How much does all of this stuff cost?
Honest to God, we have no idea and don't keep a total.  Know why?  First, it would be shocking.  Secondly, it takes the spirit out of it.  And even if we did know we wouldn't tell you... just because you're nosey!

9.  Don't you worry about vandals?
Yes, we do.  A few years back Ryan charged a group of kids down the street on December 23rd because they thought it would be great fun to pop our Frosty inflatable.  Ryan chased those kids to their car, and one of them got his foot run over by his "friends", who were taking off and not at all concerned if he was hurt or not.  If Ryan would have caught those kids they would have had much more to worry about than a foot!  So that got us thinking about security.  Now we use motion activated floodlights, security cameras, and many signs around the edge of the property to keep people out.  We also have great neighbors, who keep an eye out and yell at any kid who happens to stray into the yard.  We have not had one problem since we started taking security more seriously.

On a side note (from Ryan)... why is destroying stuff fun for kids these days?  When I was a kid we "corned" houses at Halloween (you know: throw the corn at the window or door and it makes a big racket, but doesn't break anything). I'll even admit that we would position people's lawn decorations (flamingos, sheep, etc) into less than family-friendly positions.  But we didn't go out to break things.  And we would NEVER have messed with someone's Christmas decorations... that's just bad karma.  That kind of karma could get you on Santa's naughty list... or you could get your foot run over!  (he he!)

10.  Don't you think it's kind of weird
to do Christmas stuff all year long?
Yes it is.  By the way, could you email me your hobby so I can make you feel weird/stupid/etc about it?  Thanks!