The Kids in HD

Jeremy and I are proud to announce we have a new hi-tech digital camera. Our regular mini point and shoot was just not cutting it. The pictures were low quality and features were limited. We don't yet know how to maximize the new one but we are slowly learning. Jeremy works in the photography industry and has many professionals who offer tips and advice. We look forward to many more hi quality pictures. I can't wait to share them with you. In the meantime, here are the latest pictures of our 4 children taken while playing around with the new camera:
Arielle - 6 1/2

Kayla - 5

Tzvi - 3

Siri - 6 months

As you can see, day 1 of the camera was busy, but clearly experimental. I look forward to improving and sharing our pictures with you.
Thanks for stopping by!
Estee

That's Fishy

Okay. This blog post is totally an excuse to talk about food  (again) and my awesome husband (again).
Jeremy and I have very similar taste. We both like classic yet modern decor. We both drink diet soda and love meat.  Neither of us drink coffee (although he's switching to the dark side) or eat FISH.
Well, we don't eat fishy fish. We both like canned tuna and gefilte fish. We can handle fish sticks if we must. After all, they are fried!
But we have never gone further than those fishes.
With the 9 days approaching (a time when we Jews mourn the loss of our Temple and therefore refrain from several pleasures including wine and meat), we are at a loss for healthy meal options.
We might have to rethink our position on fishy fish.
I've been told that salmon teriyaki is delicious, sushi is a delicacy (we eat veggie sushi), and tuna steaks are delectable.
I'm quite doubtful and I find it difficult to believe!
We both love experimenting with new recipes and ingredients. Should we try fish? Is fish an acquired taste? Where do we begin?

Vacation Vacation

I just returned from a week's vacation. I scheduled a weekend away followed by a two night, three day camping trip with the family. We arrived home on Wednesday and spent the next two days preparing to host the family for Shabbat.
All in all the week was a huge success. Spending time with family - who live both near and far-  is really a pastime to treasure. My kids and their cousins got to play for hours, with almost no bedtime! They really got to know one another well while the adults caught up on life. We talked and talked... then ate and ate. It was all good fun!
Monday through Wednesday we camped out. Literally. We rented a campsite and brought a trailer and tents. The days were filled with campsite preparations, barbeques, swimming, relaxing, hiking, a visit to the local zoo, campfires, and fun.
I have to include that my days were also occupied by my efforts to toilet train my 3 year old son. That was more work than setting up our tent!
When I got home, I spent Thursday and Friday resting and preparing for the family weekend. (The kids were off to camp.) Thankfully that was smooth and the weekend went off without a hitch (trailer pun intended).
Sunday followed with a "BR" from breakfast and the "UNCH" from lunch (as named by the 6 year old) with more relatives.
Driving back home, I had 4 sleeping children in my minivan. I wonder why they were so tired?!?
Miles to go before we sleep. No rest for the weary. We welcomed Grams and Pops for a post-camp-visiting-day drop-in and barbeque. How nice to see them too!
With the busy busy week behind us all, I think we all need a vacation from vacation.
Don't we always?