Y'all Need To See This

At this point hopefully you have gotten out, seen some cool things, and finished all of your Christmas shopping.  So instead of a post about things going on, this one is about Traditions Y'all. Do you and your family have a Christmas Tradition?  I tried to think about my family when I was growing up.  We didn't have any set traditions other than my sister and I trying to stay up late or planning to wake up in the middle of the night to try to catch Santa!  This was a yearly thing.  One time we got really close and actually woke up during the night (it was probably only 10pm and our parents knew better and hadn't put the presents out yet).  But we got busted when our dad heard us talking behind the couch, and warned us that it was almost morning and maybe Santa just was going to skip our house since we were still awake.  Yeah, that was the last time we did that one.  Tradition ended! But now that I have kids I see that there are so many things ...

I’m still getting the hang of having a blog, and finding time to post all of the events that are going on around here (while getting out and enjoying them).  But, if you are looking for something to do tonight, here are three local events going on.  It's not too late!  I personally love last minute things that pop up when I can say, "hey, lets go check this out". Frontier Park Prosper Tonight from 6-8 PM We Celebrate Because Of Him A Live Nativity will be going on at Frontier Park. Address: 1551 Frontier Parkway Prosper. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided. Christmas Spectacular Tonight 6-6:30 for the Tree Lighting and Show Lighting of The Star 67-foot Christmas Tree with a 20 minute Christmas Cheer Show.  This event is free and there will be a performance from the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders, Rhythm & Blue Dancers, and Mascot Rowdy, and Santa will be there as well. McKinney Rotary Parade of Lights Tonight 6:30 Address: Historic Dow...

Have y'all been to the Tucker Hill McKinney neighborhood yet to see the lights?  Well, this is another one on my: y'all need to see this list! This neighborhood is a really cool place to drive around and see...even without the Christmas lights on.  It doesn't look like other areas.  The builders added some front-porches, cute fences, and gave each house a very historically reminiscent look.  You don’t see that a lot, and there is just a very cozy and small town feel to the neighborhood. When you add on lights and decorations to the already charming feel, this area just glows.  And so many people decorate that they even have a judge (that does not live in the neighborhood) choose a winning house each year.  This years winning house was decorated from top to bottom, the porch, the trees, the white picket fence.  But so many of them are absolutely beautiful.  We just drive up and down every street. If you want to go take a look this area is loc...

One of our favorite family holiday traditions is to drive around looking at Christmas lights. Original I know!  Well, this tradition started when my husband and I were 16 and just dating.  We would get some hot chocolate, donuts, be in PJs, and have the Christmas music on as we drove around.  Honestly we loved competing to see who found the best Griswold-like house and who found the one that was decorated in the most unusual way.  I always won (I was not driving in all fairness). But I still won!  Well, now we have kids and we have not missed a year. They won’t let us.  Maybe it’s because of the hot chocolate and promise of donuts, but that’s ok.  So moving to Texas we needed to find all the lights!  And we were instantly told where we needed to see and the neighborhood of Deerfield was a clear, “Y'all need to see it!” (so of course we had to).  And it did not disappoint.  It was really busy and we did not expect that many cars in a n...

Grapevine Texas...otherwise known as The Christmas Capital of Texas. (For real) Have you been there yet?!  If not you need to go!  Grapevine is a wonderful town to visit any time of the year, but during the Christmas season it is a must see!  This town hosts over 1,400 Christmas Events in 40 days.  Yes you read that right!  There are so many things to do and see here it is impossible to list it all.  On top of all the events, Grapevine is covered in millions of lights, has huge decorations throughout the town, a wreath on every light pole, and every shop is decorated in Christmas spirit.  There are also daily snow flurries, tractor wagon rides, festive music playing, a Grinch Whoville area, and so much more.  I love being there at night, with a hot chocolate, strolling up and down Main Street and soaking in the holiday feel of it.  But if you are not able to get there at night the day is also still great. The best way I can describe it is, ...

So, Texas has totally won me over.  I have moved a few times, and love meeting new people and seeing new things, but there is just something about Texas.  Hummm....maybe its that we are in December and today has a high of 70 degrees!?!?  What?!!  I love it here!  Oh, and that there are so many things to do.  I still need to finish decorating my house, but check out what else is going on today....my house might need to wait another day or so!  I hope you are all getting out and seeing some of the great festive places. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden - World Premiere - The Christmas Village Time: 9am-5pm Price: Ranges from $10-$23 (depending on type of pass you purchase) World Premiere of The Pauline and Austin Neuhoff Christmas Village (also known as Christkindlemarket).  Explore the gardens during the day and at night the village will be illuminated with the glow of holiday lights, which are in addition to already over ONE million light...

The month of December has so many options of things to do!  For someone like me that likes to see it all I need to make a list, in time order so I can fit in as much as possible.  The only problem with around here is that everything is so great and sometimes you really can't do it all.  Below is a short list of things going on this afternoon and tonight in case you are in the area of them and want to check it out. Frisco Fresh Market - 9215 John W. Elliot Drive Frisco Time- 8-4pm An outside market with over 90 venders selling gifts and homemade foods. Market At The Star - One Cowboy Way Frisco Time - 10am-6pm Free outdoor market at The Star in Frisco. 80+ Vendors selling things such as fashion, jewelry, home decor. Merry Main Street presented by Texas Health Hospital Frisco - 6101 Frisco Square Blvd Time 4-8pm 29th Annual Merry Main Street.  There will be children's choirs performing on 3 stages and the lighting of the city tree at 6pm.  Free activ...

Tonight was the Downtown Celina Christmas On The Square celebration and I just wanted to share a little bit about it.  I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was told it would be busy.  And it was, but not in an overcrowded type of way.  In more of a very festive, lots of people having a good time way.  There were bounce houses, a Haystack ride, S’mores fire pits, hot chocolate, live music, tents with giveaways, food, venders, etc.  The stores and restaurants were open and the downtown was absolutely the place to be tonight.  At 6:30 Santa arrived and led the countdown for the Christmas Tree Lights to be turned on.  Everyone there was counting with him  and broke into cheer as the tree lit up.  It’s funny because when you are in Texas you know how big it is.  You could drive for hours and still be in Texas.  It is huge.  But somehow tonight in the beautifully lit up festive town of Celina Texas felt small, cozy, and perfect! I h...

One of the greatest things about Texas and the holiday season is the variety of things to do.  So today’s post is about something a little different.  The CHRISTKINDL MARKET, inspired by a German Tradition.  Have you heard of this one?  It’s in Arlington at  The Plaza at Texas Live!  A little drive, but different, and such a great location.  It’s a fun spot with lots of great food, so make sure you plan your visit around a meal time!  My family went to it last year, and the kids even liked it because there were oversized outdoor games for them to play. And in Texas you can be outside in December and it isn’t freezing.  This weekend looks like it will be pretty nice, so if you are looking for something to do this could be an idea.  Or even a great date night spot to stroll around and then have dinner.     Anyways, Christkindl Market runs until December 22, 2019.  The hours are  Sunday – Thursday, 11 ...

For my family weeknights are always filled with homework or some type of sports function.  But I love when we get a chance to take a break from the routine and do something different!   If you are free tomorrow night and get the chance to break up your week I can’t think of a better way than spending some quality time with family and friends in a really nice historic downtown like Celina!  Add in that there will be a tree lighting, Santa, and activities such as bounce houses, train rides, just makes it that much more perfect.   Date- 12/4/19 Christmas On The Square- Celina,TX Time: 5pm

This is my first official blog ever, and I can't think of a better way to start than with Downtown McKinney's Home for the Holidays celebration!  McKinney was the first town my family visited when in the North Dallas area, and we instantly fell in love with the charm of this special downtown.  When you add in the holiday feel to it, it becomes magical!  Oh, and did I mention, admission is free! If you are in the area y'all need to see this! This weekend is the 39th year that McKinney has hosted this celebration.  This is the second one I have been lucky enough to get to, and I know I will be at every future one too!  On Friday night there was a countdown and tree lighting ceremony in the middle of the square.  Due to some rain we were lucky enough to get a second countdown and re-lighting on Saturday night!  There is live music, food, entertainment, and family friendly fun activities such as a ferris wheel, merry go round, petting zoo and rock climbi...