February 1, 2005
Christmas
Merry Christmas!
We know this is late and we didn't get Christmas cards off this year, but we wish you a very merry Christmas anyway!
On Christmas Eve, after seeing some sights in Jerusalem, we drove to the BYU Jerusalem Center. There we met with about 120 church members from all over Israel. We were supposed to go to Shepherd's field (a hill overlooking Bethlehem), but it was pouring rain and very cold. Daniel Rona's tour group joined us in the Jerusalem Center and Daniel Rona spoke about Bethlehem throughout history and at Christ's birth.
Christmas Eve in JerusalemIt was a great experience for the church members to get together. They rarely see each other. Transportation to get everyone to one place can only be arranged for special occasions beause of the distance and cost.
Here is a picture Scott's dad took with a telephoto lens from the Jerusalem Center.
A view of the Dome of the Rock
After we all had dinner together, we drove back to Haifa and went to bed. On Christmas morning we went to church. We decided to save opening presents for later in the day because we figured that we wouldn't be able to get Tyler out the door after seeing his new toys.
We had a short meeting consisting of some hymns and the children acting out the first Christmas. Tyler was a reluctant and wiggly shepherd.
Branch Christmas programThe children sang some hymns in Hebrew and then we had refreshments of cookies and hot chocolate.
Branch Christmas program in Hebrew (video)
The Powells, the missionary couple for our Branch, gave each child a present. They did a great job choosing something specific for each child. Tyler got a dump truck and Brooke got a doll. All of the children were thrilled, many of them received very little for Christmas.
Branch members with their Christmas presents
After we got home from church we ate lunch and put Brooke and Tyler down for thier naps. We told Tyler that Santa would come during his nap. While they were asleep we set out the presents and relaxed.
The Christmas tree with all of the presents
When Tyler woke up he was very upset that Santa wasn't there. He really wanted to see Santa. Fortunately, he was fine once he saw what Santa had brought him.
Did Santa come?Santa brought Brooke a stroller to push her dolls in. She uses it more like a wheelbarrow, to carry whatever toy she thinks needs to be moved from one side of the room to the other.
Brooke loves her presentTyler got Bob the Builder Legos from Santa. He was also excited about the plush monkey Scott's parents gave him because it was like his friend Arwen's.
Tyler hugging his new monkeyWe took a break from opening presents to have a dinner of waffles. We guess it is because our kids don't know any better that they let us interrupt present opening.
Both Tyler and Brooke loved unwrapping presents. Brooke had lots of fun just wrapping Tyler's new clothes around her.
Brooke loved Tyler's clothes
A scene from Christmas (video)
Tiffany got an olive wood nativity, jewelry and clothes. Scott got books and a new board game, "Settlers of Zarahemla," a spin-off of "Settlers of Cataan."
Christmas presentsTyler-isms:
"Donkey" - reindeer
"When does the bunny come?" - Already counting down to the Easter bunny
"I want to watch 'Herbie Goes Ba-racing'" - Tyler got the Herbie DVD collection, including 'Herbie Goes Bananas'