Weston Hamilton enjoys Christmas and other holidays, but on an autumn night eight years ago, Halloween became his favorite.

At age 9, Hamilton and his father, Matthew Hamilton, jumped in the car for a fun ride to check out yards and homes in the area decorated for All Hallow's Eve. As father and son drove by a nearby home dubbed the Haunted Woods, Hamilton recalls being mesmerized by the elaborate and spooky displays. Featured in the home and yard's Halloween decor was an array of creeps, including the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Dracula and an Egyptian mummy.

At that moment Hamilton knew that next year, his home would have a decorated front lawn, too.

Now 17 years old and a senior at Orem High School, Hamilton has followed through with that desire, and with help from relatives and friends over the years, his own family's front yard has become a destination spot for drive-by spook seekers in October. The first year was small with just a few items, such as some buckets on which he painted faces to add to the display.

"I started when I was 10 years old with a skeleton sitting at a table and some ghosts in the trees," Hamilton said. "It's gotten better each Halloween."

Every year he picks a theme for his display, including layouts based on Harry Potter, Dracula and the beloved Peanuts animated TV special "It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown." This year's theme is "Cemetery Idol," a play on the popular Fox television network's "American Idol."

Each area of his yard has a different scene with skeletons, ghosts, goblins and even the Grinch stealing Christmas.

"I like the bar scene the best," he said. The scene features skeletons sitting at tables, some with goblets. Hamilton estimates he has spent more than $500 on his homemade creatures.

As the collection has grown over the years, it has become a more difficult and time-consuming process to get the displays ready.

There are light stands to connect and electronics to check. Hamilton wonders sometimes if it's worth it.

"I say, 'I'm not going to do it this year.' But then my friends convince me to go ahead," he said. "A friend usually helps me, and that makes it easier."

Harrison Custer, a 16-year-old junior at Orem High, is one of Hamilton's closest friends and most devoted helper. He grew up with Hamilton, and often wishes he would have thought of decorating at his home.

"I've been helping set up for the past three years," Custer said. "I love doing it. It's fun for everyone. The closer to Halloween, the more cars we see."

Last year, Hamilton sent the owners of Haunted Woods a thank-you letter for all the inspiration he has received from their yard over the years.

Now that he is a high school senior, Hamilton knows there may not be many years left to haul out the decorations.

"Next year will probably be the last year because I go on an LDS church mission next November," Hamilton said. His buddy, Custer, says he'll be there next fall to help make it the best year yet.

While the Haunted Woods remains a huge draw for holiday visitors in Orem, Hamilton also gets his fair share of passers-by each evening. Hamilton's Halloween display can be seen at 692 E. 300 South in Orem.

He asks that motorists watch for children in the neighborhood when stopping by.