Quick answer: when your TMGC+C character is inside their home and no icons are lit, you can press the B (middle) button to send them outside. Press the B button twice or C (right) button once to bring them inside again.
Those photos show seasonal animations. Notice the location of the house. If the house is on the right side of a photo, it's a normal backyard scene. If the house is on the left side of the photo, it's a seasonal animation.