Papa and Nana in Jerusalem

Papa and Nana made the long, 15-hour trip across the ocean to visit us. The day after they arrived, we loaded everyone into the minivan and took a trip to Israel.

Walking along part of the city wall.

As we sat down to eat lunch at a playground in the Old City, Andrew made friends with some Palestinian boys. The boys were very surprised that we could speak Arabic to them.

Here Papa and the boys are resting at a Muslim cemetery outside the Golden Gate. This is the gate where the Messiah is prophesied to enter during the Second Coming.

This picture was taken inside a Russian Orthodox Church at the base of the Mount of Olives.

Inside the Garden of Gethsemane.

The Western Wall.

Overlooking the Garden Tomb outside the Old City's walls.

Santa's Visit to Jordan

Santa Claus visited the Embassy Friday morning. This was our first visit to Santa that ended without a crying child.

Colin's expression is half excitement and half fear. All along he told us he would not sit on Santa's lap, but we told him that he needed to put in his request for the toy kitchen that our little chief so much desires.

Andrew is still a "believer" in Santa. He is able to pick out fake Santas - like the female Santa who spoke Arabic and showed up at his friend's birthday party. At the party he pulled down the "fake" Santa's beard to be sure! This Santa, however, was the "real" one he said.

Gaby is probably a little too old to be sitting on a strange, older man's lap.

Gaby and Shelley got their hair cut and got all dressed up to go on their mother-daughter date to the Nutcracker.

Dibeen National Forest

Believe it or not, Jordan has one of the few national forests in the Middle East. About one hour from our home, near the town of Jerash, there is a national forest called Dibeen. I took our Colin, Gaby, and her friend.

I was able to use the four wheel drive feature in my Ford Escape for the first time.

I have tried to find the name of this tree, but have had no luck. It is a soft-wood, red-bark tree with branches that twist and turn in very neat formations.

As we hiked around, Colin continuously hummed the Indiana Jones theme music. He liked going on the "adventure."

Even though the weather is still nice, there are a few signs of fall.

I wanted to take this little guy home and adopt him as a pet. I don't know how Shelley and the neighbors would like my idea.

Holiday Activities at the American School

First grade Thanksgiving feast. Andrew (our picky eater) only filled his plate with corn, a roll, and about three desserts.

"Nine ladies dancing" at the holiday concert.