The Jolliff Family

...the mice play. Sam and I had a fun day today, highlighted by two long walks, playing at the local school playground, swim lessons and playing outback. The weather was great today and he was so tired tonight after his bath, he wanted to cuddle (so of course I let him!) and fell asleep on the couch. Good times.

Many have asked for an update on Hap and his trip. I spoke with him this afternoon (about 9pm Israel time) and he was doing well. He sounded really good and is having a good time exploring the region. He is currently staying in Tiberias and will be there tonight and tomorrow before heading to the Dead Sea area. Yesterday they spend time in Caesarea Philippi, Capernaum and a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee (which apparently the tour guide calls the Lake of Galilee because it isn't connected to an ocean!!) He also ate St. Peters Fish yesterday, which is pictured below. Today they went to Nazareth for the day to hear stories of Jesus' childhood, ministry and teaching. They also headed to Mount Precipice for views of Nazareth and the Jezreel Valley. You can ready Luke 4:14-30 for the importance of Mount Precipice. He said the view is amazing. Tonight, him and few of the other guys walked into Tiberias from their hotel. They are having a nice time. He feels safe and hasn't had a...

I heard from Hap later this afternoon and he arrived safety in Israel. He said the flights were smooth and he was full from dinner and getting settled into his hotel room. He said they (meaning the tour guide and the professors) hadn't mentioned anything about the political/bombing situation, so plans are as planned! He sounded great and was going to read before going to bed. I'll update as I hear from him later in the week. Tomorrow he has a full day topped off with a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Please pray for safety of the group and that the Word of God would come to life!

Christmas morning was such a great time! Sam really got the hang of opening presents and LOVED ripping open his presents. He then, loved climbing on the boxes:) So cute, I'll try to get some video posted of it! He really enjoyed himself. Hap and I enjoyed the morning with my parents and Heather and then a nice relaxing evening together as a family. We definately had a blessed Christmas this year being able to get together with all our family during the past week! Sam enjoyed spending time with Heather and "talking" with Uncle Nathan on the phone. His cowboy hat he received at the Jolliff Christmas worked perfectly for his gift he received from Hap and I!

Yesterday we went to the Purcell Family Christmas in Illinois. Sam and I brought Hap to the airport early yesterday and then headed to Illinois later that morning. It was fun to see the cousins. I had not been to a Purcell Family Christmas for four years, so I was glad we could make it! "Come on up Emily!"

This past weekend we headed to Patoka to celebrate Christmas with the Jolliff's. On Saturday we went to Salem for a quick visit with my Grandma Rose. Sam really warmed up to her and liked riding on her walker!!:) Sam, Hunter and Beau had a good time playing together! Beau and Hunter are really good with Sam and very patient with him. Sam even enjoyed eating with the big boys by himself. Beau was just A LITTLE excited to received a gun (another gun!) He was excited when Hunter opened his and then equally excited when he received one as well. It was fun to see his excitement with the presents he opened. Sam on the other hand wasn't overly into opening presents. He did open one or two but mainly liked to watch Hunter and Beau excitingly open their presents. He did like to open this present from Uncle Jay and Aunt Jennifer. He also received a "puppy" for Christmas. Well, the only type of puppy his dad would want him to have... a puppy puppet. He walked arou...

We are heading to Patoka tonight after I get off work (just a few more minutes of work!!!) to celebrate Christmas with Hap's side of the family this weekend. Check back on Monday for lots of pictures! Happy Weekend!

It has been a BUSY week for us. On Monday night I had a Christmas-end of the year get together with the ladies from the Women's Ministry at church. We have had a great year and feel like the Lord has done great things through the various activities we have done. I had such a fun time with these ladies on Monday night and feel blessed to learn from the older women of the church.

Sam and I headed to Susan's house today for a baking day. Emily, Susan and myself made lots of yummy treats to give away (or eat) for the Christmas season. I know the ladies at work are going to love our hard work tomorrow:) I thought I took a pictures of Gracie, Micah and Sam, but must not have... but here are a few pictures of our morning. It was fun to be with the "domestic" ones:)

Sam is into good ear hygiene:) Don't stick it in to far buddy!!

Well today was the final get together planned with all the gals from work and their little ones. I was in charge of planning it, so I planned on us heading to the Children's Museum today. Well, at around 9am I received a frantic phone call from one of the gals informing me that the Children's Museum was closed on Mondays. What?! Who would have thought? Not me obviously, so after some rushing around and calling of the gals we ended up heading to the Indiana State Museum for the Celebration Express. It's a train for the little ones and Sam LOVED it. He likes trains anyway, but he rode it like a big boy by himself and would have ridden it all day long.

Ok, so no clever title but we did have a fun Thursday. Today we headed to the Children's Museum again for a fun time with Micah, Lucas, Nathan and Gracie. Sam had a fun time. Then this evening we had swim lessons. He is getting much more comfortable putting his face in the water and he loves to "wall walk." He loves his teacher and next week will be our last week.

Today, Sam and I headed to Lions Den at the church. The premise is Praying and Playing with our Cubs and it is a great time with the women. Sam enjoys playing with the other kiddos as well! The best part about stuff like this is the afternoon naps are wonderful. Sam initially slept in his crib for 2 hours, then came out and he acted tired and fell asleep for another 45 minutes on the couch... yea for mommy:) I must admit today at the Lions Den I had major mommy guilt. The kids eat a snack and everyone has yummy snacks. Really, Sam doesn't snack during the day. He eats three meals and maybe an afternoon snack. Well, all the moms were talking about their kiddos favorite snacks and well, we didn't have any of them. So, when I headed to the grocery store this afternoon I loaded up on snacks for Sam... though these will last us for probably a month! Sam enjoying his snack:)