December 18

Tonight, we finished what we started yesterday when we drove around town to look at Christmas lights. It's been a two-night affair for several years now, since some of the displays are so involved and intricate that they deserve more than quick drive-bys. So we checked out the coordinated light and music shows, Candy Cane Lane, and, of course, the home of the big red chair:

I think last year was the first time we actually got out of the car to check out Widmer World, but it's definitely a cold braving-worthy spectacle. It's chock-full of bears, penguins, snow people, cars, tony houses, twinkling lights, and just about every kind of Christmas-related thing I can think of. And the kiddos --well, except for maybe a cranky teenager, who was promptly reminded by a volunteer that she needed to smile because Santa was watching-- enjoyed taking it all in.

At one point, as the boys looked at a tiny snowy village, Adam noted that Lightning McQueen and his pals were parked outside one of the little houses. I stopped to take a gander, and smiled at the sight, because in that moment, it felt like Logan was right there with us. And that's always a good way to feel.