FAIRHOPE — Embracing the Halloween season has long been a tradition for Rhonda and Michael Cunningham.

From their early years together, the couple has held a deep affection for Halloween fueled by nostalgic memories of Oct. 31 festivities.

"We've always loved Halloween and had such wonderful memories from our own childhood," Cunningham said. "We've wanted to carry that forward with our children and create fond memories for them."

Other than setting up skeletons in their front yard, the Cunninghams recall taking their children to pumpkin patches to experience picking out their pumpkins and taking them home to carve.

As their children got older, the decorations evolved.

"A few years ago, we bought an 8-foot skeleton," Cunningham said. "We enjoyed posing him and seeing the reactions from the kids as they came by the house."

Now, the Cunningham residence is a spectacle of skeletons engaged in various activities. From a dance reminiscent of a Fairhope High School homecoming to a daring escape from a lawn mower's blades and even a skeleton riding a bicycle, the yard has become a showcase of bone-chilling scenes.

"We had so much fun with the skeletons that this year we decided to create a yard full of skeletons doing different things," Cunningham said. "I think our favorite is the skeleton with the lawn mower and the one running away so that he doesn't get caught under the mower like his friend."

With this tradition continuing for the Cunninghams, their main goal is to get those who pass by in the Halloween spirit.

"We hope that our decorations and Halloween spirit creates a fun and friendly atmosphere for not only our neighborhood, but for others that love Halloween as much as we do," Cunningham said. "We have some more great ideas for next year and look forward to making them all come to fruition."

The Cunningham's skeleton yard is on Lake View Drive in Fairhope.