Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn, Riverside

Here's to the start of a New & Wonderful Week Friends!!

The Friday after Thanksgiving is a day my family looks forward to all year.

Not because of the unbelievable crowds & prices on Black Friday,

but for the yearly 1st night lighting of The Festival of Lights in Riverside, California at the historic Mission Inn.

It's an awesome evening of Christmas Magic, filled with music, lights & fireworks!

Did I mention they put up more then 3.5 million lights?

Talk about a nightmare if a bulb burns out! lol

The countdown begins...

10, 9, 8, 7, the crowd is getting excited now... 

6, 5, 4, the sound of children screaming with glee is in the background...{oh, sorry that was me} 

3, 2, 1, the lights are all turned on simultaneously as a bombardment of fireworks shoot from the roof of the Inn!

Can anyone give me a 'WOOT WOOT'!!!

Urban dictionary definition:

An expression one may utter in complete approval or joy.

Expression of simplistic ecstasy.

An expression of absolute happiness, totally euphoric.

I guess that just about sums it up perfectly!!! ;)

While watching a fireworks extravaganza, surrounded by millions of Christmas lights,

I'm pretty much 6 years old again.

Ooooooooo, ahhhhhhhh...ohhhh, wowww, sooooo coooool!!! 

That was the extent of my ability to verbalize, as I was completely mesmerized by this beyond amazing start to the Christmas Season.

Here's wishing you a Magical Beginning to your Holiday Season Friends!!!

XOXO

vintagesusie

Festival of Lights at The Mission Inn in Riverside, CA

Can you believe it...only 2 weeks left before Christmas, where does the time go? In the hours & days between Halloween & New Year's, time just seems to be so fleeting. I take it all in & enjoy & revel in every minute, like a child revels in summer wishing that school would never start.

There is something so magical about this time of year, it makes me feel all things are possible. I love coming home from the shop when it's just starting to get dark & as I turn the corner towards my house, I see the twinkling lights reflecting off the snow creating a path for me through the night.

As I open the door & see my family warm & cozy inside & the glow of the Christmas tree, I feel a sense of joy that only the holiday can bring. My daughter Courtney has been on a cruise with her boyfriend this past week & Grandpa & I have been watching Kai. Last night he was having a hard time falling asleep as Mommy usually sleeps with him. While laying together on his bed I realized he could see the Christmas tree from his room. I told him I was jealous & I wished sooooo that I could see the tree from my bed & how very lucky he was. After a bit he said he thought he could sleep in his bed by himself & while watching the tree sparkle & twinkle, he fell into a sweet sleep...how magical!

I believe in Santa, I believe he lives in the North Pole & that small people help him make all the toys & presents he gives out on Christmas Eve. I believe that reindeer fly & that one small sack can hold all the toys that Santa gives out to all the children around the world. I believe that there's one night during the whole year that nothing bad can happen, that magic, love & hope can actually win. I believe in miracles, the miracle of a baby born in a manger with a shining star showing the world The Way!