Christmas Lights at the J. Iverson Riddle Center in Morganton, NC - Photo Essay

Tonight after stopping at Staples to pick up some labels for my gifts-in-a-jar, Tracy and I decided to go over to the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center (http://www.jirdc.org/) to take pictures of the lights they put up every year. I had grabbed the camera when we left the house earlier in the day and he never put it back I the house after he got home. I was glad, too!

This is the first thing you see going into the center. The soldiers actually salute. Tracy caught them in full salute! 

 An ice fishing penguin. Looks like he caught his dinner!

 Oh my. The dreaded NATIVITY SCENE!!!! Isn't it pretty? It was painted by the residents of the center.  They know the true meaning of Christmas!!

 Look out Rudolph!! It is Abominable!!!! 

 I just love gingerbread houses and people. I love this scene. All scenes like these made from wood are all hand painted by the residents. 

 I am not sure of the meaning behind this one, but they set it up every year. It is pretty though.

 This is one of my favorites. If you look close enough you can see Snoopy on the left coming toward you and Woodstock going away from you on the right. They are busy ice skating. there are wood figures of the other Peanuts characters, but I couldn't get a clear picture of them.

 Cure little penguins near an iceberg. There is one behind the iceberg spininng around. 

 This tree was pretty far away and of course my hand decided to move right as i snapped the shot! It looks pretty cool this way, though!! 

 How about Bob the builder? I am not sure how Christmasy he is, but the residents are really proud of him and his machines.

 I think this little church is just to cute for words! 

Uh Oh. Looks like Mickey and Minnie are getting ready for Santa's arrival. 

 Santa is in his sleigh. 

 Even the farm animals are ready for Santa.  They are busy singing carols.

And what Christmas would be complete without a snowman? 

 Off to visit family. 

 I just love the Victorian Era, so this is another nice display. Unfortunately, Tracy's hand shook just a tad while taking this picture.

 Oops!!! Another NATIVITY SCENE!!!

This is another picture that turned out blurry, but it is better than the first shot taken.

Santa's workshop. 

 A close up of Santa's workshop.

And who can forget SpongeBob SquarePants and friends! 

Even the Looney Toons are ready for Christmas. 

 This is my all time favorite display. Doesn't every lake need a Loch Ness Monster telling you Merry Christmas?

A close up of Nessie! 

 Any Winnie the Pooh fans out there?

 This is a little village with a train track running all the way around it. We couldn't get a real good shot of it and the train wasn't even running. It was parked in a little covered bridge behind the village.

 If you ever get a chance to visit Morganton, NC during the Christmas season, you must stop by and see the lights at the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center. It is easy to get too, as it is right off of I-40 and exit 104.

 All of these phots where taken with my Canon PowerShot A550 digital camera.