Ski Day at Muju

As it is winter here, the next few post will represent some of the fun activities that we participate in during these months. One day over Christmas vacation we went to Muju a ski resort about 1 hour from Daejeon. My Mom was gracious enough to keep Ethan so that Darren and Kacy could ski and I could help Sara as she took her first ski lessons. That sure did make life much easier.

So, we got up early and headed down to Muji. Sara's lessons weren't until the afternoon so she and I headed to the sledding hill while Darren and Kacy hit the slopes. I was pretty sure I could take some good pictures of Sara sledding, until we got there and they said that it was "too scary" for her and I needed to go sledding with her. This was definitely not what I had in mind! :) However, off we went. Sara of course did not want to go on the smaller of the two hills so we did the "big hill" multiple times. I put on my brave coat and screamed the whole way down...Sara loved it.

After some lunch Sara had her first ski lesson. She did great and was on the lift and skiing down...instructor with her very quickly. The instructor came up to me about 2/3's of the way through and told me that Sara was doing great, but wouldn't stop...he said she likes speed. I was trying to explain to Sara how to stop when he said...she knows how to stop and can, but she won't...so then we had to have a lesson in obedience and not how to slow yourself down.

Snow Fun

As most winters come and go we have a few good snow days. Shortly after Christmas we got some snow here in Daejeon and the kids of course wanted to go out in it. So, the Hawkins came over and we ventured out into the cold for a little while. It really was Ethan's first knowledgeable experience with snow.

After a good little while in the snow we went back inside for some homemade hot chocolate, chilli, and bread. Nice way to warm up.

Jeju with the Girls

Our girls were 24 miles away from elite status.  Yup, that close.  I'm wondering if we couldn't just drive around the runway a few times but appears they actually want you to fly.  So we decided to kill 2 birds with one stone by having a little daddy/daughter trip to Jeju.  The girls were super excited and we had a great time. 

We got to see a large dual rotor helicopter land at the airport right before we took off.  I'm guessing it was a Chinook.  

The girls studied the map of Jeju to see where we were going.

3 of a kind...

The girls were way more excited about the Teddy Bear Museum than I was.  They had a good time checking out teddy bears in all sorts of settings and a variety of shapes and sizes.

We didn't eat at the Dunkin Donuts but took advantage of their props for a good picture!

The girls also got to go horseback riding on Jeju horses, which is a popular attraction on the island.  They were really hoping that would work out and they loved every minute of it.

We also had a Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum close so the girls got their first peak at some oddities.  I got lots of questions about all kinds of weird things during the visit and later like "was that real?"

The back of our hotel lead out to a beautiful bay.  It was quite nice and we had a good time exploring that as well.  It was too bad we had winter coats on instead of swimsuits.

Jeju is known as the "island of the gods" and these statues are famous as a Jeju icon that are found all over the island. 

It was a fun trip and it was good to spend some quality time with the girls!

Christmas 2011

Christmas marks that special time of year when we get together with family and friends and truly reflect and remember the amazing gift that God has given us. This year was just going to be the Hawkins and Price family in Korea, but an unexpected turn of events led my parents to stay and celebrate with us. The vacation started out with a 3-Kid simultaneous stomach bug, which left many down for a couple of days, but not too long! Once we recuperated from that it was time for the traditional Christmas activities. We made this video to document our events, but I will also list some of the traditions that we have embarked on as a family.

Christmas 2011 from Laura Price on Vimeo.

Price Traditions:

• Christmas Eve--Homemade GF Pizza's
• One present is opened on Christmas eve...it is usually something small that will entertain and hold them over until Christmas morning.
• Christmas Morning--Everyone has to stay in bed until 6:00 am
• We usually get up, open presents, skype with family and then get ready for the day
• Christmas dinner--inclusive of all the goodies occurs sometime throughout this day
• Christmas 2011 Special--Sunday Morning church in which our family lite the advent candle...it was not easy getting everything accomplished, dressed, and presentable to stand in front of the church...but we did it.

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

For whatever reason, I have found particular meaning in the carol God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen this Christmas season.  At our schools, we have observed a great deal of turbulence in the organizations as both schools have separately faced circumstances that would forever change their mission and ethos.  The normal certainty of paychecks fell into question and the realization that we are in the palm of God's hand has been real to us in many ways.  It has been a great time to reflect on ministry, purpose, grace, hope, and faith.  As we worked feverishly at certain points for goals we didn't understand at the time, we now see how God used each step to draw a bigger vision than we ever imagined.

Having faith does not allow us the luxury of sitting back and lazily waiting on God.  It means we put our utmost effort forth, knowing it will still fall short.  We pray God will honor our work and solve the problems regardless of our shortcomings.  Or act according to His good, pleasing and perfect will in the situation.

As we faced so many issues on so many fronts this semester, they still pale in comparison with the spiritual condition that we face in this world.  Jesus bridges the gap.  When we live for Christ, we should be filled with comfort and joy because the problems of this world pale in comparison.

I have pasted the lyrics of the first few verses from God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen below.  May nothing you dismay and may you be filled with comfort and joy!

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay,
Remember Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray.

O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy!

In Bethlehem, in Israel,
this blessèd Babe was born,
And laid within a manger
upon this blessèd morn;
The which His mother Mary
did nothing take in scorn.


From God our heavenly Father
A blessed angel came;
And unto certain shepherds
Brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name.


"Fear not, then," said the angel,
"Let nothing you affright;
This day is born a Savior
Of a pure virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in him
From Satan's power and might."

Seoul

A few days into Christmas vacation we travelled up to Seoul with Landon and Brenna and Landon's parents (Faith and Les Loeber), we also met with with the Hill Family and Jennifer's parents. We had not been to Seoul for a while and our kids had never really done some of the "touristy" things in Seoul. So, it was fun to travel up there with them. The first event that was on tap was Nanta. Nanta is kind of like a Korean Stomp. The actors use kitchen supplies to create "music" and a storyline. It is loud, but lots of fun. Darren and the girls participated in this while Ethan and I hung out at the "hotel."

Follow Nanta, we found a Pizza and Pasta restraunt and enjoyed some dinner. I do say enjoy...traveling with Ethan can be a balance. My memory from this night was that he got too hungry and he screamed A LOT...during dinner. He did finally calm down and we were able to enjoy the rest of dinner and the rest of the evening.

After dinner we walked up to Namsan Tower. It includes some walking, a cable car, and then a little more walking. It was cold, but it was really pretty.

Namsan Tower all lite up!

Darren and I at the top of the tower.

Kacy and Alissa

After a fun-filled evening we crashed and got up the next morning for some more adventures. After some Starbucks and some shopping in Itaewon we headed back to Daejeon. It was a good time and definitely a memory!

December Activities

Once again certain things seem to happen every December. Here are some images from our December activities this year.

Christmas Bazaar:

Elementary School Christmas Concert:

Family Pictures:

CIC Children's Music: