Visit with the Jolliffs - Part 4

We arrived back at home this morning. We had a wonderful visit with the Jolliffs, and especially loved all of the time we all spent together, our experiences, and places we saw. I took lots of pictures, so over the next week I will post about our trip.

One day last week, Elizabeth and Andrew took us on a tour of the wilderness, to baptismal site, the oldest city, and saltiest sea on earth. This country is more beautiful than I ever imagined, and so diverse in its landscape.

First we stopped at sea level to take some pictures and soak in the beautiful sites.

 I love this picture of Nathan and Elizabeth.

Next, we visited a place where Jesus was believed to be baptized.  It was a quiet spot on the river, and I imagined what it may have been like here thousands of years ago.

Afterwards, we visited one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. We drove around town, then ate schwerma and falafel, and enjoyed a nice view from above.

Our last stop was to the sea that is over 1,000 feet below sea level and it is the deepest salty body of water in the world.

It doesn't get much more beautiful than this.

I meant the sea :). 

Three adults and three kids walked down the rocky path to the water. The adults got in to float :).

Andrew almost got in, maybe next time.

We enjoyed these spectacular views on the drive home, it was a great day!

Visit with the Jolliffs - Part 3

Yesterday, Elizabeth showed us around. We were able to see a lot of sites, it was truly amazing!  

 This is an old graveyard on the side of the hill.

The garden where Jesus was arrested. We also visited the sites where He was crucified and buried. It was amazing to see these places, and to think about the significance of the events that took place here.

Afterwards, we walked through the Old City. It is a lively place to be, and so unique because it is a functioning city to this day.

We stopped for some lunch. I think Ben at more than any of us.

Then we did some souvenir shopping.

The architecture is so old and amazing.

We enjoyed some delicious chocolate and apple treats.

We ended our day at the Garden Tomb. The tomb is empty. He is not here, for He has risen! This was my favorite place to visit. `

Aunt Elizabeth and Caleb bonded, and played with sticks in the snow.

Waiting for Uncle Hap and the boys to pick us up.

Uncle Hap and Ben are bonding a lot too.

We trying to get a good fireman cousins picture. A couple of the kids were not too happy about getting their picture taken.

And all of them sound asleep after a long day's play :).

Today we went hiking at a national park. We went with Hap and the bigger boys, and Ben stayed home with Aunt Elizabeth to take a nap and hang out. It was a beautiful day to go for a hike. The views of the valley were amazing. All the boys were troopers. Caleb and Jacob rode in the backpack carriers and they walked, and Sam and Andrew showed us the way on the trails.

Enjoying some snacks after a hike down the trail.

Climbing up high on the mountain.

How sweet is this little boy?

All the boys had fun playing on the swing.

Andrew showed us his big firefighter muscles.

We ended the hike with a pinecone fight.

After a long hike, spaghetti with meat sauce hit the spot, and afterwards all the adults even got a nap...at different times :).

Love this sweet little boy's spaghetti face!

This evening, Elizabeth and I went to the mall and all the boys went to a nice indoor play area. We are having a great time visiting!

Visit with the Jolliffs - Part 2

Yesterday we went to a really nice zoo. The animals were active and so were the little boys.  Andrew was home with Elizabeth because he was not feeling well, and he is fine today. It was so much fun to let the boys run all over the zoo, and run, run, run they did! Uncle Hap and Nathan were good kid wranglers so I could take pictures.

The Jolliff boys are so sweet with Benjamin. I love they way they make him laugh!

Double Trouble, in a good way ;).

Monkey see, monkey do...there may be a little of that going on this week.

Ben had a fun first visit to the zoo.

Showing off his standing, almost walking skills.

Dad and Jacob checking out the roosters, goats, and sheep.

We took a break from the animals and hit the playground.

Then enjoyed a well-deserved snack.

Pure sweetness.

Uncle Hap let the boys be in charge of which animal exhibits we saw. We did pretty good!

What a great view of the valley, lucky animals!

When we got home, the power was out so we went out to eat at a delicious pizza restaurant. The boys at so much pizza, after burning all those calories running around the zoo. Afterwards, we went to the square where they have nice Christmas lights, and a live band at night.

The square is decorated so nicely for Christmas. It felt very festive!

It was another fun day!