Growing holiday collection spreads cheer

The Groover family home glows with holiday lights and decorations on Constellation Boulevard at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 2, 2015. The Groover’s start decorating after Thanksgiving and continue to add new decorations to their holiday collection each year. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Danielle Quilla)

Growing holiday collection spreads cheer

A star decoration shines in the dark as part of the Groover family’s holiday light display on Constellation Boulevard at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 2, 2015. Every evening from 6-10 p.m., the decorations light up the street from a mile away. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Danielle Quilla)

Growing holiday collection spreads cheer

U.S. Army spouse Lynne Groover, right, poses for a photo with her son Mack, left, inside their home at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., Dec. 3, 2015. Out of all the decorations inside and outside of their house, the Christmas tree is the Groover’s favorite piece of their holiday collection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Danielle Quilla)

Growing holiday collection spreads cheer

Published Dec. 7, 2015
By Senior Airman Danielle Quilla
6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs

MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Although it is still early in the holiday decorating season, drivers are already slowing down to view the dazzling light display of one house on Constellation Boulevard at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Without fail, every night from 6 -10 p.m., the Groover's home illuminates the street with a rainbow of lights and a yard overflowing with decorations.

Blue, green and red strings of lights dress up the trees, bushes and outline the house, while snow flake projections dance along the side and red ribbons glow from the windows. Both wired and blow-up characters greet onlookers as holiday music plays faintly in the background.

"It started off really small with little bits here and there," chuckled Lynne Groover, a U.S. Army spouse who is originally from Scotland.

Since being stationed at MacDill in 2011, the family has made it a tradition to begin decorating their house the day after Thanksgiving. Every year they just keep adding to the holiday collection.

"I do it for him mostly," she said gesturing to her 11-year-old son, Mack. "We look for whatever looks fun and cute and add it to the collection, especially if it is pink because it's my favorite color!"

Taking a step inside, the Groover's home is just as embellished on the inside as it is on the outside, with the pink-colored ornaments neatly on display alongside the more traditional holiday-colored decorations.

With new decorations coming out each year, the family says they look forward to adding pieces that will help spread some holiday cheer.

"Halloween and Christmas are the best times to get everything out and have some fun!" said Groover. "Keep passing by and you might see something new!"