November 27, 2004

Thanksgiving in Israel

We are late writing this update because we were pretty much out of commission while Tyler and Brooke were sick. We knew that Tyler was really sick because all he did was lay on the couch. We used to wish that Tyler would slow down for just a few minutes. Then when he was sick, we wished that he was back to his normal self. This parenting stuff does crazy stuff to us. Fortunately the whole family is better now.

Two weeks ago there were about 45 people at church. Over half were visitors. We were packed into our small chapel and even overflowed into the hallway. After church we went to to the Jordan River for three baptisms. Two of the children were from the Herzliya branch and one from our branch.

After the baptisms we had a picnic. Tyler had been acting tired all day and at the picnic, he got sick. Brooke got sick the next day. After a couple of days of not improving, we took them to the doctor. Of course by the time we realized we should go to the doctor, Brooke was all better. Tyler, however, was not doing better and refused to eat and drink because his mouth hurt. The doctor diagnosed Tyler with Gingivostomatitis aphthosa. We had to force Tyler to eat and drink because we were worried he was becoming dehydrated. We never imagined that we would be forcing one of our children to eat chocolate ice cream. Unfortunately, all we could do was wait for his body to fight off the virus. After a little over a week, Tyler was healthy again. Then it took a few days to catch up on our sleep and regain our strength.

Did we mention that we love our view?

Scott had to work on Thanksgiving. It was hard to believe that no one else cared that it was Thanksgiving. After work, we drove down to Herzliya to Tom and Heidi Alsop's house. Tiffany made green bean casserole and Rainbow Jell-O. We had a wonderful turkey dinner, enjoyed homemade pies, and then we stayed very late. Tyler only ate rolls and Brooke only ate pumpkin pie.

The next day we went the birthday party of one of Tyler's friends. It was at the Gymboree-like place that we have been to before. Tyler and Brooke loved it.

Riding Nemo

Road trip

Roller coaster tycoon

Here is a picture taken through our telescope. It was an exceptionally clear day. You can see the white cliffs of Rosh Ha-Niqra and the military installations on the border with Lebanon.

The other side of the bay

Tyler-isms:

"Do you like green eggs and ham? I don't. Try it, try it. I like them. Thank you." - "Reading" Dr. Seuss by himself.
"The tower won't obey me." - When his Lego tower kept falling over.
"Way up top home" - Referring to our 14th floor apartment.
"Wow, you did a great job making this Jell-O." - About Tiffany's Rainbow Jell-O.
"Is the United States in our old house?" - Close enough.
"No, I'm talking to Daddy." - Tiffany tried to answer before Scott.
"Beetle-bug" - A Volkswagen Beetle. Tyler just saw Herbie the Lovebug for the first (and second and third) time.
"Why is the moon looking at us? Why does it have a face?" - Looking up at the full moon.

Brooke-isms:

"Hi" - She says this a lot, but especially when Scott gets home from work or when she is "talking" on her toy cellphone.

Posted by sjbowden at November 27, 2004 10:15 PM