Southern California Sledding

This is Mesa Linda Park were we went sledding today. We live right behind it so it was very convenient for sledding. Didn't have to drive to the mountains this time! Ethan and Riley used different objects to sled on. First was the trash can lid...

and second was the boogie board, which they crashed on. That's how we do things here in sunny California. Who needs sleds when you have trash can lids and boogie boards!! WIPEOUT!

Chris even got in on the action. Now, he is enjoying the snow since he doesn't have to work in it!

We even convinced Kelsey to give it a try. Last time we went sledding, she hurt herself. No surprise there!! So she was a little apprehensive today. But she loved it! After all, these were little slopes!

Snowball Fight

Look at those happy kids. I say "happy" because this picture was taken before the snow ball fight. Boy, they sure did get mean!! Ethan pelting Kelsey in the face!

Great shot! Kelsey's revenge!

Poor Riley never had a chance! Not with Ethan around! Ethan actually buried him in the snow. Riley was not too happy! He crying started after that!

All I Want for Christmas....

I had to take this picture of the mountains. We can see them through our bathroom window. Chris had to work near the base of them this morning. He said when he looked across the Victor Valley, all he could see was a blanket of white. I would've love to see that!According to Loma...Christmas did come early. These pictures of our house were taken the day after it snowed. When I went out yesterday morning for the official snowfall total, I measured 16 1/2 inches. I could not believe it! I had to include this picture because this is my measuring spot...the top of our pool! I still can't believe how beautiful it is!

No snow plow service around her. Look at our street!

Winter Wonderland Miracle!!!

Just the other day, the kids and I were praying for snow! We haven't had a snowfall in a few years and we have been missing it. WOW...our prayer was answered...and then some. In a typical snowfall, we see about 3 inches. That's exciting for us because we're lucky if it snows once a year. At our last measurement, around 6pm, we had 15 inches. It has snowed all day long. I have found myself several times today sitting outside and taking in the beauty of winter. It is now 8:30pm and it is still snowing!! This picture of the kids, or should I say the blurs, was taken around 1pm right after I picked them up from school! Yes, they had to go to school today. But with the snowfall increasing, I was nervous about them riding the bus home. So I pulled them out early.

All Kelsey wanted to do was lay in the snow!

Ethan, on the other hand, pelted each of us with snowballs, over and over again!

Riley enjoyed his hot chocolate, as you can see by the mustache. Right as I counted to three when taking this picture, Kelsey nailed him in the head with a snowball. I love that smile!! We have all enjoyed the snowfall, well, the kids and I have. Chris...not so much!!

Poor Chris had to work tonight so here he is cleaning the snow off of his truck before he left. All he could say to me was..."you really want to live in a place that snows like this". My answer...Of course I do!!! As much as I enjoy the snow, I feel bad when he doesn't! After working in the snow the last few nights, he is definitely tired of it! But he couldn't help being amazed at the amount we received today! I wish it could last through Christmas!! What a dream come true that would be!!

Just a few holiday traditions!

Every year for Family Home Evening, we decorate our Christmas tree as a family. The kids always enjoy our first tradition of the season. My two little helpers, Ethan and Riley.
One of our favorite traditions is that of decorating the Gingerbread House. This year the kids decorated their own, mainly due to our Ward Christmas Party. This years theme is a Homemade Christmas with the table centerpieces being gingerbread houses. You can see each of their finished products! Kelsey made the house...
Ethan decorated the train...
and Riley worked on Santa's Sleigh. They all did a great job and did it on their own!!

The real MADNESS begins!

O.K. here's where the madness or should I say insanity starts! Kelsey and Ethan have been begging for laptops. They use laptops at school everyday and of course the school encourages the kids to purchase them. Chris and I gave in and decided that's what we would get them for Christmas. Their one and only gift!!!! So, what better time to buy them then on Black Friday. Here's where the FUN, yes I said FUN (fun according to Loma) begins! We decided we where going to CAMP OUT at Staples! We got in line around 6:30 pm. Yes, we were the firsts. Yay for us! We did this last year too and already had people in front of us by the time we got there. So here's Chris trying his best to be a trooper for his wife! Riley, yes this was a family affair, was asleep in the back of our Surburban by 10pm.

Kelsey and Ethan decided to sleep in the back of Chris' truck. It must have been in the high 30's that night. Kelsey got the mummy sleeping bag, so she slept just fine. Ethan was a little on the cold side and not very thrilled that I took this picture!

Everyone was out by 12:30am except for Loma. She stayed up all night and held our place in line. Thank you Stephanie Meyer for helping me stay awake. I finished the second book in her Twilight series and was on the third by the time the store opened. Even though I have already read them all, it gets better the second time around!

Well at least two of the three Denkers were happy as the store was getting ready to open. They don't look so bad for camping out under the stars for 12 hours! And yes, we did get the laptops.

Thanksgiving Madness!!

We celebrated this Thanksgiving Day at Loma's parents house. Kelsey, Ethan and Riley are at the "kids table" with Liz and Louis' kids. Chris was able to join us after he got off of work.

Here's the family enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving meal! Clockwise from back left: Loma's mom and dad, Liz, Louis, Chris and brother Logan! Thanks mom for all of your hard work! Excellent as usual!