Donaldson Crew Adventures

Try moving across the ocean a few days before Christmas and actually being ready for Christmas :)  Nonetheless we managed to have the house decorated, gifts all delivered, tree up, and Christmas dinner to boot in our new house!  Santa/Father Christmas was still able to find the kids even with the recent move!  Hunter received an electric Guitar, Noah - a BMX bike, Abbie - a crib/feeding table for her baby dolls along with a sing along microphone, and PJ a Train table!

Red flew in today - Dec 23.  I planned it that way so that we wouldn't have to deal with picking him up at the same time we were all arriving together jet-lagged.  On the 3 hour drive from Bend to Portland before I started into the Cascades, a rainbow appears and slowly started getting more distinct.  Actually there were two rainbows but the lower one became more full formed as I drove closer to it.  

First day back in the US for the kids after 21 months away.  We have a very long day of travel... we got up and started packing around 7:30, left the hotel Saturday morning GMT at 9AM to head to Heathrow airport.  Dropped the dog off at 11, checked in through airport around 12:30, flight from London Heathrow to Vancouver Canada left at 2:30 and late afternoon Saturday pacific time (9.5 hour flight).  Its actually night time again for the kids now so they are a bit loopy.  Cleared US customs in Vancouver, caught a flight to Portland and arrived in Portland around 7:30.  Picked up rental car and on way by 9 pm.  Arrived back into Bend around midnight still on Saturday Dec 21.... more than 24 hours after starting our day.  Kids were pretty good overall, but not really interested in doing that again anytime soon.

Kids woke up the next day - boys were excited to see and take a ride in Daddy's new (old) Jeep - an 84 CJ (see below).  We also went out and got a Christmas tree today.

Our last full day in Wales.  We have moved out of our house.  Tonight is our office Christmas party at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport South Wales.  They have a winter wonderland at the resort in December so while Kelly was getting ready I took the kids down.  We ice skated - the kids got hot chocolate while I got myself a cup of mulled wine.  

Update: a Picture from our masquerade party attire later that evening.  Kelly and I are in the middle of the shot if you cannot tell:)

I was up to London for a couple days for some training.  Since I was in east London in the Financial district I took advantage of the area and the first night I went on a Jack the Ripper Walk which was really good!  The second night I skated at Broadgate Ice Rink.  

Every year there is a fox hunt held around church farm, where everyone gets dressed up and simulate a traditional fox hunt.

Our american friends the Facchini's came over for Thanksgiving this year.  As the kids were in school, we actually had the dinner on the friday night instead of the Thursday

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Kelly was up with Hunter and Noah visiting Barb and Ian this weekend, and I was home with Abbie and Preston.  Today the sun was out and there was very little wind so we went down to Llantwit Major beach. 

And a short video of Abs and PJ.