Y'all Need To See This

Truth is that before I moved to Texas I had zero interest in even taking a vacation here.  I had a nice long list of places I wanted to see...and Texas was not on this list.  Reasons why?  I had no clue how awesome it was.  That's pretty much it.  When I thought Texas I pictured dust, dirt, dry, hot (very, very hot), and not much to see or do.  Talk about WRONG!!  Well, the hot part was pretty spot on....but it's not hot like I expected.  Don't get me wrong, 110 is a bit much, but the mornings and nights are incredible.  And you can always find shade or a nice breeze.  Oh, and very little humidity!  I love that part.  Being from NY that was the worst part about summers!  So I will take the heat without the humidity any day! So, since I was someone that did not associate Texas with beautiful water, let me tell you that it does exist.  There are places that you can swim in the lakes, rent boats, paddleboards,...

Looking for something different to do?  Did you decide to not take your summer vacation, but you still want to see some new places that are not too far away.  Well if you are in the North Dallas area, Y'all Need To See Denton Texas! Let me explain why!  I am the type of person that likes to see everything.  I like to look at new buildings, see what little shops are around, find those pretty little places that you didn't know existed until you saw it.  Well, last year I was told that the Courthouse On The Square in Denton is one of the most beautiful and most photographed Courthouses in Texas, and while I haven't been to many of them, I would have to believe that this statement could very well be true.  It is Beautiful...and yeap, I took a lot of pictures of my family there!  It was built in 1896 with Texas limestone and is so big and impressive to look at.  The architecture is incredible!  And it is not just pretty, but there is even a muse...

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, ...