Garden Lights

There are a few homes in Twin Falls that go all out and put thousands of lights up all over. One house in particular has a 5 acre garden and they put lights up almost in every tree and bush. It's quite amazing and feels almost sacred entering the garden and the haze of colored lights everywhere. We all love going to it every year. 

 

Ice Skating

Grandma Newman found a bunch of ice skates at the DI, so we decided to give them a try.  There is no ice rink in Twin Falls, but every winter, they set up a white hard plastic floor where one can simulate ice skating to a degree.  While it's hard to get above 1 mph, it was still a success.  The kids had a blast and no one biffed it too hard, even Grandma. 

 

The Hodges Gingerbread House

Our yearly gingerbread houses tradition began and ended as it always does.  It began with a beautifully constructed house precisely constructed by Dad.  However, when the kids and mom start piling gobs of candy on top, it inevitably succumbs to the laws of physics and gravity and implodes.  You can see the hopeful, excited faces of the girls, but also the look of trepidation as they seem to know that the end result is inevitable.  Then, the look of sorrow and acceptance as their edible constuction falls to the dust.  Dad has accepted it's fate before construction began, but he still feels a slight twinge of sadness in his heart each year.

Nailed it!

 

Charity Santa Run

We partcipated in a Santa Fun Run! Where the money donated goes to help others in need in the community. So glad we could support and be apart of it! But it was sure cold!

 

Snow!!!

Oh how Avery and Emily love snow! Madisen is not as much as a fan of it as they are so she stayed inside and decided to use her new Christmas drawing paper and draw. Avery and Emily could have stayed out and played all day if they never got cold. 

Later though, Madisen decided to see what all the fun was about and they found a big place in the yard that was frozen over in ice and they all tried ice skating on it. It was fun to see them try running on it....hoping the whole time they don't fall and break something!!