An unusual holiday theft in Green Bay has left a family asking… Why? Thieves took two inflatable decorations right out of their yard and as NBC26's explains the crime hit them where it really hurts.
Family traditions this time of year mean everything. But for one Green Bay family a tradition their father started before passing away, is why the loss of a couple yard decorations is so painful.
It was eight years ago that a Christmas yard decorating tradition, started in Green Bay.
"People have come to come by the house to see it every year. I wouldn't want to disappoint them," says Jessica Jeanty of Green Bay with her yard decked out in holiday fashion.
But her yard didn’t always look so festive. The over the top decorations all started with just three yard decorations about eight years ago.
"I really had to talk my dad into it because he didn't want to spend the money on the electricity," says Jeanty’s Brother Zach Goulder reminiscing about how the decorating all began.
In the time since the tradition started, these two siblings lost their father. But they never lost the tradition.
"It was like well, we have to do it. Dad would want us to do it," says Jeanty.
While their father would be proud with how the display has grown. This week it was noticed by Jeanty that something was missing.
"They're not just decorations. It's a tradition, its sentimental value," adds Jeanty.
Some of the very decorations that started it all were stolen from the yard.
“It was something that my dad picked out. We had very few things left of his," adds Goulder.
The inflatable decorations are a four foot and six foot polar bear and snowman. They are old but still functional and if traditions mean anything to you, imagine what these two characters mean to them.
"Just because they were the first ones," adds Goulder.
So as you and your loved ones take in the lights over the holiday, just imagine the back story some of the displays likely have. Many of the back stories likely involve families coming together and keeping traditions alive.
