2006
Getting ready to hang the lights takes more time than people think. It all started in early January with Steven creating a diagram using a computer to lay out last years display which gives us a starting point for this year. Then came October with the installation of more power and the ordering of our newest inflateable. In mid October, Steven and I started construction of our new arches. The first week of November we pulled everything down from the attic, sorted the lights and extension cords, and repair anything that we see is broken and start planning the current years layout.
Steven with the extention cords Putting wire deer together
Custom Mickey wreath being made Final stages of setup
Some assembaly required!
Setting up the lights takes 2 weekends. It actually takes less time but because of interuptions and football games to watch it took us 2 full weekends. Steven started by putting up the 4200 icicle light around the roof line. While he did that I wrapped the 3 trees in the front yard. We also put the wire frames together the 1st weekend.
Next up was the arch to the front door, the chasing lights around the windows and the net lighting in the bushes. The mulch bed is cleaned out because we use it to hide cords. We will fill it with the mulch after all cords are set.
We had wanted to do arch's for 3 years and decided that this would be the year. We tossed around different design idea's and came up with a flat top design. We call them arches even though they are not a true arch. Each arch has 1950 lights on them. We decided on blue garland mini's with lighted snowflakes across the top.
Obviously, the amount of power you have plays an important part of your display. Not only do you have to have enough for the total display but you have to distribute it evenly. Going into this year we had 4 dedicated 20 amp circuits and felt like we needed one more to run the new arches.
The only thing not planned was the 40 or so people standing across the street waiting for the lights to go on.
Thankfully, when Steven threw the switches it all turned on and the music started playing "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"
It brought Fran to tears..........no not because of the lights but because I was done playing and maybe would be able help her around the house now. Little did she know we were already planning for 2007!
