By Staci DaSilva
sdasilva@kcautv.com
Joyce Tewes loves decorations, but especially Christmas.
"I always tell people, Joyce has a little bit more than Hallmark," said her husband, Bruce.
So, she no doubt admired the homemade decorations at the White family's home 2 miles away.
Joyce Tewes said, "For a small town, people just drove by the car loads. They just loved it. And our grandchildren, we took them to see it too. They thought it was awesome. You don't see a big dinosaur like that very often."
But then, the White's retired from the Christmas decoration tradition.
Marlene White of Hartley, IA said, "3 years ago, I was working part-time and I came home and I said, 'I don't feel like doing Christmas decorations outside this year.' And Gene said, 'maybe I'll do some.' Well, he went out one day for a half a day and came back in and never went out again to do it."
So if anyone was going to take it over, it'd be the Tewes.
So now, they're changing the bulbs on the massive dinosaur in their own yard. With it, they've got the White's homemade poinsettia decoration, their wreath and hopefully, their passion for bringing a little more spirit to the holidays.
The most telling part after spending a little time with the Tewes and the Whites, is that they're friends, not neighbors who just wave when they drive by each other.
And that the dinosaur visible for miles is just one piece that bonds them together.
"They're our friends and we can see it anytime because we live just 2 miles down the road," said Marlene White.
And just like they did when the decorations were at the White house, cars are pulling into the Tewes yard and soaking in some of that holiday cheer.
