Only in So Cal

Only in So Cal can you go to a track meet on a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning and spy snow capping the mountains in the distance,

then visit said mountains, while it's actually snowing.

We really lucked out when we decided to take the kids to the snow. They've been wanting to go all winter.

Wait, it's spring now.

It's actually the middle of April.

Whatever.

They were delighted beyond comprehension when the drizzly rain turned to flurries of flakes.

And even more excited when it got thicker and thicker.

I heard things like, "This is the best day ever!!"

and

"I've never seen real snow in the sky in my whole life!!"

That makes it worth it.

We brought Cole along with us. He had a nice ride in the back of the truck.

This is what he did within the first 5 seconds of being in the snow:

Don't eat yellow snow.

This is what the kids did within 5 seconds of getting out of the car:

It snowed and snowed. It was clean, fresh, powdery (sounds like a deodorant ad) deep, and fun.

And cold.

It was Cole's first time in the snow and you'd think he was born in it. I don't know if I've seen him happier.

A nice couple wanted to take a picture of us. Here we are trying to call Cole to come in the picture. He had no interest in stopping.

Since Madison didn't participate in the track meet (it was a 2-day Invitational that we don't do because it goes on Sunday), she got her workout pulling the sled around.

The kids would walk to the top of the hill with the sleds and Cole would follow, then they'd sled down squealing and laughing. Cole would bound down the hill after them each and every time, making sure they were alright, then follow them back up the hill.

Over and over again.

The truck sure comes in handy.

Back home to unload our snow, build a snowman, and have a snowball fight.

THEN . . . it's off to go surfing. Switch out the sleds for the boards.

Only in So Cal.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

I think we should petition to have 3-day weekends every week! I love having that extra time, especially since we don't really have Sunday to get things done.

This weekend was especially nice because today, Monday, Presidents' Day, is probably the first real day off John has had in a couple of years. We planned to take the kids to the snow today and John was with us the whole time without working. I'm sure he checked email a few times, but from waking up in the morning until we got home from track practice at night, we had him the whole day! (OK, confession, during track from 4:30-6:00 he was "President" but still Ashlyn was with him 'helping' so it's OK). This is seriously a first. Brooke commented that he even worked when we were at Knott's - taking phone calls, having to pause to send out ever-so-important emails, etc. -- and that was even New Year's Eve!!

It was a beautiful day and we were so glad to be able to spend it together as a family having fun frolicking in the snow.

It's crazy that we drive 1 1/2 hours to "see snow" when most of the country can't escape it. But it's sure a novelty here and there was plenty of it in the Frazier Park area. It was fluffy, clean, sparkly and deep and the day was crystal clear with a beautiful bright sun.

Sledding fun! Those little disks get some serious speed!

The trees were so packed with snow and it kept randomly falling. It was beautiful.

Snow angels!

Fun building a snowman

And walking along the snow only to discover that it's actually deeper than you thought

A winter wonderland forest

Enjoying the magic of snow

This is Ashlyn saying: "I'm freezing! My chin is freezing and my feet are stinging they are so wet and cold!"

Her turtleneck was packed with snow and so were her boots. No wonder!

Making yet another snowman

and trampling said snowman for dog pile in the snow

Home in time to build a mini snowman out front.

Once there was a snowman, snowman, snowman

And now he's melted, melted, melted

small, small, small.

We stopped at In-N-Out in Valencia for lunch on the way home, then after building the pathetic little guy above, we quickly got Christian to his baseball practice and the girls to track practice.

Then home for dinner (thank you Crock Pot!), showers, family night and bed!

They all fell asleep quickly as they were completely worn out. I'm sure waking up at 6:00 because they were so excited about their snow day contributed to their fatigue.

I consider the day a success, especially since they've all asked more than once when they can they go back to the snow.

Snow Day!

My poor, neglected blog. I'm so sorry.  You see, we've been kind of busy lately.  With family in town and all, and the holidays, and birthdays, and kids home from school and such.  Honestly, there is probably too much to blog about and I think I kept putting it off as it kept getting more and more overwhelming.  Plus, catching up on others' was much more fun.

Because, dear blog, you are my journal of sorts, and a portal for friends and family, near and far, to get a glimpse into our little life here in Sunny California, I will not neglect you so much anymore, at least for now.

Last week, on Friday, January 2nd to be exact, we decided to take a little day trip to our local mountains (a.k.a. 'the cabin' or Frazier Park) and play with our new Christmas toys (or John's), and have some fun in the sun.  You see, we've been freezing out here and had some pretty good snow - enough to at least make a pretty view out our home's windows with the snow-capped mountains way out in the distance and all.  Many our friends and family won't understand why on earth would we deliberately make the trek to "go to the snow" since they have been blasted with it, but it is such a novelty here.  Sorry!  Bear with me. 

There was not much snow at 'the cabin' anymore, but a few patches here and there.  This is Ashlyn's first time in snow, so it was quite the experience.  She loved it! 

We ventured out to the shooting place.  The place I've been to countless times as a child.  The place that has not changed one bit since then.  There are even still remnants of old tin cans and such from decades of shooting fun. 

There were many people that joined in our fun.  My bro-in-law Danny, and several of his friends along with three kids were part of our group.  

We bought air-soft pistols for the kids to play with and also brought along sling shots.  They were behind us, facing the opposite direction.

Safety is a must and we had ground rules that the kids were sure not to forget, along with the important ear protection.  The weather was spectacularly gorgeous.  I even took off my sweater at one point -- it was downright warm. 

One of the friends had me try his German World War I rifle.  I think it was called a Mauser or something to that effect.  Imagine the stories this thing could tell!

All I know is that gun had a kick!

Before

Notice the before and after (along with the smoke).  Even my hair flew back a bit. 

After

After two shots, I was satisfied, or actually more concerned that I'd have a bruised shoulder and whimped out.

All the kids (except Ashlyn I think) had a turn to shoot.  John got a new .22 (from me for Christmas) that we wanted to try out and it was really easy to use.  I took all the kids on a little hike and around 'the cabin' for old-time sake.  They had fun exploring around.  I sure wish the tire swing was still there.  That swing would sail forever it seemed and caused the biggest butterflies to flutter in my stomach.  I know my kids would love it today.  I should post a picture of 'the cabin' (along with its outhouse) and you'll then know why I say 'the cabin' in quotes!  My nephew Spencer was scared to go near it as he thought it was haunted.  I'll let your imaginations run wild.

After about two hours, we packed up and went around to the other side of the mountain and up, and up some more until we found some much better snow at about 8,000 feet.  It was powdery, deep, and fun to play in.  

It was great for making nice snowballs!

Brooke had fun falling in the deep pockets and Christian had fun most of the time.  

There he goes, having fun.

We built a little snowman fun, and packed up a cooler full of snow to take home.

On Saturday morning, the kids had a great time building another snowman in front of the house.  I'm sure the neighborhood got a kick out of seeing him.  

.

By the time we got home from church the next afternoon, he was still there, but since it was Fast Sunday, he was quite skinny.  I should have taken a picture.