Winter Gardens aGlow!

Holidays bring the chance to share wonderful experiences, and I am lucky enough to have in-laws that love their traditions.  One of these traditions just so happens to be an annual trip to the Idaho Botanical Gardens to see all the lovely Christmas lights at Winter Gardens aGlow. I must admit it is the same thing every year, Christmas lights beautifully displayed all over the garden, wall-to-wall people and hot cider accompanied by a cookie.  However, one thing is not the same every year, and that is the memories.  As my nephews and niece get older, they teach both my husband and I so much.  They never cease to catch us off guard, and make us laugh.  This night wasn't any different.  Watching my niece's face react to everything and to see her eyes take everything in, was worth the visit to the gardens.  My youngest nephew was a riot, talking about "the scary ghost" that he thought was in the guard tower, and how GiGi's house has two bathrooms.  I don't really know how this came about, but he made sure to tell everyone about her two bathrooms.  My other two nephews are like sponges, they take everything in, even when you don't mean for them to repeat what you say.  There is a part of the garden that I absolutely hate, and the kids love going to that side of the garden so I follow along.  You may be wondering why I would hate any part of the garden since it is so beautiful, but this side stinks.  There are hedges on this side of garden that stink so much that they make me sick to my stomach every time I go past them.  I made the comment to my sister-in-law that I hated these hedges because they smelled like "cat pee bushes".  The boys picked up on this, and continued to call the hedges "cat pee bushes" while laughing hysterically all night.  While we were at the Gardens aGlow we took the chance to spend family time together, laughing and visiting.  We also took advantage of the opportunity to take some pictures of both the kids and adult having some fun.  I love that I got the chance to relax and do something fun with my husband.  With Kirk working, and myself working and going to school we are busy people.  All in all I think everyone had a great time! The kids got to see all the wonderful lights, explore, and even got the chance to ring the bell.  The adults got to spend time together and see the kids enjoy themselves.  As an added bonus we all trekked back to my in-laws house for hot coco with snowman marshmallows and Christmas cookies.  I feel truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life, and to have the opportunity to make so many wonderful memories with my husband.