I took these this morning as the moon was setting over the mountains and the sun was rising. The moon looks huge as it gets closer to the ground.
Each month our school focuses on a character trait and then once a month at chapel recognizes students for demonstrating them. Last month we had a snow day on our chapel day, so this month they recognized two traits. We had been informed that Hunter was up for the December award but we didn't know that two of our kids would be getting them and it was such a wonderful surprise. So proud of Hunter for getting the Character Trait Award for Self Control and Abbie received the award for Gentleness. Great way to start out the day!
We all went to the mountain today. Hunter was boarding with a friend and we put PJ in a day lesson.
The remaining 4 Donaldsons skied together!
Some great shots of the mountains from our back window over the past week on some cold winter mornings. The first is actually sunrise with the moon above the mountains. The moon is actually setting here as the sun rises behind.
The second is also sunrise from today with some great color in the sky.
There isn't much of a hill in our back yard, but with so much snow the kids have had fun sledding off the back steps. I even gave it a try.
Honey do list #1 - Clear snow from roof
With all the recent snow, there have been lots of stories of leaking roofs and even some roofs collapsing (here is one at a local elementary school) So, with Kevin home we decided we should clear some of the snow from our roof. There was enough snow in spots to allow for jumping off the roof!
I am currently in China and Korea for work. While visiting the island of Jeju South Korea we came across this little hole in the wall restaurant that Anthony Bourdain would kill to visit.
We pulled up to stools at low metal table with a huge cast iron burner sitting on it. The people working there couldn't speak English or Chinese (we had two friends from china with us) and of course we could not speak Korean, so we ordered by pointing at food at the few other tables occupied in the small place.
We had a feast of oysters pan boiled at an open propane flame on our table. They were fresh caught - probably about 75 of them or maybe more.
We were given plastic and wool gloves to handle the oyster along with sharp knives and buckets for the shells. See my colleague Ted holding up the equipment.
Below is a great video of the oyster unveiling. This main dish was coupled with chicken feet (see pic) , noodles, local beer, rice wine, and a variety delicious appetizers.
There were 5 of us and you might think this cost a fortune. The oysters along would likely cost over $300 in LA. All the food, drink and tax for everyone at about $80 USD.
Probably one of the most interesting and memorable meals I have ever had.
Day after Christmas rose sunny so we went with our friends the Bercots to the Wanoga snow park area about half way to Mt bachelor for some sledding!
Video 1: Kevin & PJ
Video 2: Kelly & Abbie
Video 3: Hunter (back), Joe Bercot (middle), Noah (front)
Video 4: Kevin and Kelly (check out the air time!)
Relaxing day at home on Christmas eve. In the afternoon we watched 'A Christmas Story'. Kids had never seen it before. We then had soup for dinner before heading to church for a candlelight service. As is tradition, kids got new jammies which they all sported!
