Christmas Lights and NASCAR Racing . . . And Not At A Trailer Park

My family has been in much need of some holiday cheer.  We've all been battling illnesses since before Thanksgiving.  And, just when we think we're in the clear, something new hits.  This past week has been especially icky, with Matty's fever hitting 102 and Jonathan even losing his voice from coughing so much.  I'd managed to dodge the worst of it this time . . . until yesterday, when I woke up coughing and rasping.  

Bluh.

But, watching everyone mope around the house, snotting on everything and coughing everywhere, I decided that the best thing we could do was get out of the house.  Preferably to somewhere where we wouldn't spread our germs all around.  Enter the Glittering Lights at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway:  a 2.5 mile drive through over 1 million twinkling lights and more than 400 glittering displays.  The perfect way to experience a little Christmas cheer without every even leaving the car (and, in our case, getting out of our sweatpants).  What's even better?  It was a Monday evening, which meant no crowds and $5 off admission. :)

So we loaded up everyone in the car and headed across town (and I do mean everyone--we even took Oskar). :)

Here's a look at just a few of the displays.

Driving through the bottom of the grandstands around the track, the exact same place where I ran Color Me Rad just a few weeks ago. :)

Each display was sponsored by a local business in the community.  This one was one of my absolute favorites, sponsored by the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay.  It had shark fins that slowly lit up as if a shark was coming towards you and then--BAM!--this display lit up right in front of you.  LOVE IT!

Matthew's favorite display?  A train, of course.

North Pole Fire Department. :)

Entrance to another grandstand tunnel . . .

They even had a nativity scene.  I was very (pleasantly) surprised.

And what's a Las Vegas Christmas lights display without a tribute to the King?  Viva Las Vegas, Mr. Elvis . . . Viva Las Vegas.

All Jonathan wanted to do was veer off-course and drive around the track.  This is a as close as he got to some NASCAR action.

My favorite part.  Beautiful!

The Butterfly Garden.

See ya soon, Santa!

They gave out candy and lots of little goodies along the way, including this shark fin "crown" from the Shark Reef.  MJ thought it was funny. :)

Not only is the entire display beautiful and a great way to get in the spirit, $2 from every ticket goes directly to the Speedway Children's Charity, which provides funding for hundreds of Southern Nevada children's charities.  These charities help provide educational support, food, and even things like coats and shoes.  Merry Christmas, indeed. :)

Now if only we could kick these germs to the curb . . .