Netanya Beach Day

I've been lucky enough to make a great friend already, Jowanka.  Manuel and her husband, Padraic, worked together in Ireland, and here we all are, in Israel.  Not sure why Jowanka and I were never introduced to each other in Ireland.. we get along great!  We live in the same neighborhood in Even Yehuda, near the American School, and the kids all love hanging out together.  This was a beautiful day to take all the kids to the beach!

Free wagon ride to the beach?  Who wouldn't want that?!  Lucky ducks.

I should've known to bring Benicio's swimsuit.  I could not keep him out of the water.  At least I did bring extra changes of clothes!

Splish Splash!

"I think I'll just sit right down in the water!"

Warm enough to strip down to the diaper - in December!

Love seeing these happy, smiling faces.

Silly

Gingerbread Houses

Unfortunately, there is no Michael's craft store or Hobby Lobby to buy a pre-made gingerbread house, so I had to get creative with empty juice cartons, rectangular shaped cookies, and homemade icing to make them.  It was a lot of work, but it was fun seeing the kids have fun decorating them!

Our Elf on the Shelf, Charlie, hanging from the lights to check out what's going on in the kitchen! ;)

Isandro and Sean getting their decorating - or sneaking of snacks - on. :)

Isandro definitely did his fair share of snacking while decorating. Chipmunk cheeks!

He was telling me about the door he made for the roof.

Benicio and Liam

I caught you, Micheal! ;)

Benicio, Sean, and Liam

A Day Out in Jaffa, Israel

Strolling through seaside Jaffa on a nice day.  Will have to come back to explore "Old Jaffa" because there's no way we'd be able to get around and up all the steps with the double stroller!  Still a great day!

They were making it snow. :)

Christmas Prep

All the ornaments on the tree, kids in bed... time for some freshly baked cookies, milk, and a good show!

Benicio kept pointing to an ornament with a picture of Manuel and me, saying, "Mama... Dada" and then showing Lina.