White Playground

After the bike riding tonight, we hit the playground. Not a soul out there but us. The slides were super fast because they were a little wet from snow and the boys flew off of them.

Carson is actually air born in the below picture- it is hard to see because of the snow beneath.

Ella also had a good time- and yes mom, she had gloves on the entire time. She just pulled them off about 20 seconds before I took this.

The Bike Ride

The Hodges men all took a bike ride tonight around the Farmer's Market parking lot. We had to get out after being inside all day and it really was not that cold. After, we went to the playground and had it all to ourselves. The boys took turns sliding down on the fastest slide and landing in a mound of snow while Tommy and I had a snowball fight.

Faces Of A Fifteen Month Old

Sledding With Friends, Part I

As soon as Ella went down for her morning nap, we hit the slopes, or slope rather. The back of our house has the best sledding hill. In the past, the problem was that it is flanked with trees and never was able to get enough snow be able to sled on. Not a problem this Christmas break, we have about a foot of snow as of today.

We invited some friends of Tyler and Carson's that live in the neighborhood to come and play.

No one would have believed how brave Carson was. He insisted on riding down on his own and did really well (at least the times he did not wipe out at the bottom and get snow on his face and cry).

Below is the entire hill (minus about 15 feet where if you were flying you would end up).

Sledding With Friends. Part II

Tommy going down with Carson.

Tyler getting a big push.

Tyler, Carson, Cody and Wyatt having a great time!

Basket Pull

Going on the third day of being snowed in- we have now resorted to new levels of entertaining the kids. Laundry basket + Tommy's belt= scratched floors and sore arms for the puller, but the kids seem to enjoy it. I wonder if this contraption would work on snow?

Early Christmas In Oak Ridge

Last week we went into Oak Ridge to celebrate Christmas with my family. We all went over to my sister Becky's house and she made an incredible dinner (Goat cheese chicken enchiladas, spinach dip, chocolate cheese cake) and opened presents with G-Ma, Becky, Hal and my niece and nephew Dawson and Sophia.

As is every year, the kids got more stuff than anyone deserves or needs, but loved every second of it.

My personal favorite moment of the night (beside stuffing myself full of Becky's cooking), was trying to get a picture of G-Ma with all grandkids for her Christmas card.

For five grandkids, the oldest being 6- not bad at all!

Christmas Highlights, Part 1

This year, Tommy's parents came to spend Christmas with us in North Carolina. Things we knew would happen: Talk a lot, play with grand kids a lot, eat a lot, laugh a lot. Things we did not foresee: A huge snow storm predicted to produce a lot a snow within 24 hours (a foot to be exact).

Since we opened presents last night, we went outside to sled and build an enormous snowman...and take pictures of the historical Christmas snowfall.

After playing outside, the kids were ready to retire back inside to the warmth to play with all of their new toys (the picture below is Tommy and Ed assembling the new toys the night prior). Carson got a new ride on John Deere tractor which Ella loves also. Tyler loved his new wii games and Ella played with her new talking tea pot set.

I got a new pair of chocolate brown boots and Tommy even got presents, even though I am not sure how "nice" he has been acting as of late. Below is a shot of poor Morris being forced to sled when he made the error of coming too close to Tommy wanting some attention.

Christmas Highlights 2010, Part 2

Ella's Christmas 2010

Why are all three pictures of Ella capturing highlights of her Christmas basically the same? Because she has not moved. Carson got a John Deer tractor from Grandma, Grandpa and G-Ma and all she has wanted to do it sit in the back.

Tyler's Christmas 2010