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Arnolds' yard Minions keep passersby quite animated
FILLMORE -- In this neighborhood there's something strange all right -- although certainly far from despicable -- along the Right-of-Way Road north of Fillmore.
And we defy drivers to roll right past and not smile or laugh at the clever creations in the yard of Bryce and Becki Arnold.
For there, where the road takes a bend for the railroad tracks, are a pair of Minions -- two colorful creations constructed from round bales of hay and corrugated drain tile. And just in time for the Halloween season.
"It took us about eight hours to paint and decorate them," Becki Arnold said of the two characters cloned from the popular animated film "Despicable Me" and its summer sequel.
Husband Bryce used yellow painted tile to create the arms and the Arnolds added "Minion Crossing" signs by the driveway for effect.
"Our kids were at school," Becki recalled, "and our twin boys, Tayler and Sawyer, came home from football practice, and I think they thought we had lost our minds.
"And our daughter, Olivia, was shocked that people keep pulling in to take photos."
Since the Arnolds created the Minions last week they have had people stopping by to take photos every evening.
"It has been so much fun watching the kids laugh (and run) around them as we watch from our house," Becki offered. "Several have posted their photos on my Facebook page and it has been wonderful.
"Please, if you have little ones, stop by. I just wish our house sat closer to the road so we could see everyone better."
The Arnolds have even had adults email them to say how much they "love driving by them every day ... it makes them smile."
For the uninitiated, the Minions are little animated movie creatures that are followers of the super-villain Felonious Gru, voiced by Steve Carell of "The Office" fame. A Minion, described as a follower relentlessly devoted to serving his master, is like a gofer or underling.
The Minions haven't just been in the movies but also have appeared in some recent TV ads.
Amazingly, husband Bryce had not really seen them before creating a couple in his yard.
"After we made it, he has watched some clips on his iPad," Becki offered.
With the original 2010 film grossing more than $540 million worldwide and this summer's sequel also a success, a 2015 spin-off is planned featuring the Minions as the main characters.
The Arnolds, meanwhile, are planning a spin-off of their own.
"We've had so much fun making this," Becki Arnold assured, "that we are now thinking of doing another type of character for Christmas."