Israel and Holiday Fun

It's been awhile since I last blogged. Brett has been traveling every week in December and by the time I get the kids to bed and get the stuff done around the house I need to do, I just haven't had much extra time on my hands. I think I use my time poorly too with Brett gone. I get on the computer and one thing leads to another and before you know it I've spent way too much time surfing the web and I've got to get to bed. So Brett's latest trip was to Israel. It was only a week that he was gone. They had meetings but on the last day the company he visited arranged for a tour of Jeruselum. He said it was amazing and it was such a once in a lifetime trip. As much as he doesn't enjoy his job some days, there are some nice perks to it. Hopefully I have all this information right about these photos:

This is Brett at the site of the crucifixion of Jesus at "The Church of the Holy Sepulchre" in Jerusalem.

Here he is at Jesus' burial site at "The Church of the Holy Sepulchre" in Jerusalem.

Here's Brett at the Dead Sea. He brought home some great lotions for Maddi to try for her eczema from the Dead Sea. People actually make trips to the Dead Sea just to help with their skin. So far the lotions don't burn Maddi's skin so if they work well we can send Brett back to Israel, or we can order them online too.

This is the Western Wall (Wailing Wall) at the site of the most holy spot for the Jewish religion (it is the sole remnant of the Holy Temple) from the Second Temple period (~19 b.c.).

We were so happy that Brett was safe in Israel and it was fun to see the pictures and hear all about his visit. He got home Friday right before the kids got out of school. He met the kids at pick up time and they were so happy to see their Daddy!

Friday Cade's class made gingerbread houses at school. I went to help out. It was very messy, but fun. Here is Cade with his pile of candy, I mean gingerbread house. I think the kids piled as much candy on as possible so they could have more candy to eat later.

Here Cade is telling Maddi which candy she can and can't eat off of the house.

Friday night we went to the clubhouse in our neighborhood for Cookies with Santa. Love how the kids are so intent on what Santa is saying. I think he was asking them if they get along or if they argue.

Brett (who hadn't showered in 36 hours because he was touring Jeruselum and then caught his flight) and the kids enjoying cookies.

Maddi enjoying hot cocoa. I've always thought it was funny that Maddi says she doesn't like chocolate but she loves hot cocoa. Cade LOVES chocolate but doesn't really like chocolate milk or hot cocoa.

The last stop at the clubhouse was the snowflake craft. They are both very focused on their creation. After cookies with Santa, Brett took Cade to basketball practice while Maddi and I stayed home and wrapped presents. We wrapped gifts for Brett, teacher gifts and gifts for cousins. It's so fun to have a little girl and spend time together doing these type of things. She is getting to be such a big help around the house and she's so fun to talk to and hang out with.

Saturday night we went to watch a park district production of Babes in Toyland. Our neighbor was in it and she did a great job. The rest of the production was not so wonderful. The kids enjoyed it and Brett and I were thinking it was pretty comical how poorly done it was so I guess we all had fun. During intermission I asked the kids to get a picture in front of the trees. I think Cade was torturing Maddi in this picture.

This is more of what I was going for. My Maddi girl and Cade man acting like civilized children who like each other!