Frequently Asked Questions

Here we have put together a list of the questions we have been asked about our display

How Many Lights?

In 2006, we were a few hundred lights shy of 25,000.
In 2007, the addition of 16 mini tres brought the total to 35,000 lights.
In 2008, the final count isn't in yet, but it won't be less than 54,000 lights.

How Long did it Take to Setup?

Well, Most of the stuff for the following year is purchased the day after Christmas.  Programming wise, I've been working about a year ahead.  So by the time you see the first show, I'm already on to next years songs.  Its nice programming during the season, because let me tell you there is something very disturbing about listening to Christmas music in shorts and a t-shirt on in the middle of August.

As for the installation of the lights and things outside, it take about 6-8 people 2 days. And without those people, my family and the best darn roof monkey and friend there is, I don't think it would have happened. Thanks guys.

Are you nuts?

no, why?

How do you get it to sync to the music?

There are light controllers made by Light-O-Rama that control up to 16 separate things referred to as channels. Our house currently has eight controllers making up 128 separate channels. Once channels are configured they have to be programmed to turn on/off, blink, fade ect.

Did it take a long time to program?

Yes, it depends on the complexity song, and the number of channels, but sequencing it can take anywhere between 5 hours to 80 hours for one song.

Why?

umm, cause its fun and also for me its a ghost of Christmas past kind of thing.  Some of the most vivid memories of Christmas time as a kid involve the whole family; mom, dad, sister, me, and our grandmother, piling into the station wagon and spending the entire night driving around talking, singing, and looking at all the Christmas lights. I once asked my father why grown-ups didn’t seem to get as big of a kick out of Christmas as kids.  He replied “I think its because the older you get, the more people there are that have been there and should be there to share that special time with you, but aren’t.  All you have are their memories”.  Somebody a few decades years ago decorated a house which provided me with a lot of what I have left of the man who used to drive the station wagon and the woman who’s fuzzy coat my sister and I fell asleep in.  I look at it as repaying the favor.

How did you get the lights in the lawn like that in the 2006 videos?

I'd like to tell you its magic, but its really a cool product from LawnLights.com.  Unfortunately, I swear they made then carrot flavor.  Since their installation we have had to repair them dozens of times due to rabbits chewing through the cords.  After the 2007 season the decision was made to yank them from the show because they were beyond repair.  If LawnLights come in hot pepper flavor, we will try them again.

How does your wife put up with you?

Ah, see, the insurance companys call it a pre-existing contition. I've been prone to doing things like this my entire life its nothing new. She knew full well what she was getting herself into, that and she is simply put, just an amazing person.