Eli and Esti's wedding

Eli and Esti

The wedding was called for six in Givat Shaul, but we all know how Jewish time works, so Abba took one car into work in the morning, Elisheva took a bus from school and we met up in Har Nof. While Elisheva got ready for the wedding, Abba helped Jessica move into Midreshet HaRova. Elisheva and Abba got to the wedding in plenty of time for the shmorg and Chassan's Tish.

Ima took the other car from Mitzpeh and made it there before us with the other kids. Other extended family guests that we only saw at the wedding included Uncle Alvin and his family. Sivia and her husband, Raizy was also there, as well as Molly and Yechiel, and Shabadoo Somogyi and his Shabadoodim.

Abba wasn't fast enough to get a video of Uncle David's kazatzka, but he's still going strong at his age. He certainly moves better than Abba, although he's not as good as these guys or Henry Winkler for that matter

It wouldn't be a family Simcha without Uncle David doing the kazatzka

Tali stayed with Abba most of the time. Noam was the biggest dancer of the night amongst the kids, Elazar had to be dragged in to dance with Eli. Ezra didn't like the appetizers but he had triples of Steak-Of and was singing along to most of the wedding songs. (I didn't really see Ima or Elisheva much since they were on the women's side).

We stayed way past the kids' bedtimes and everyone got to go late to school the next day. Hooray!!

Noam and Tali got to sit on Eli's lap and tell him what they want for Chanukah

Zeidy comes for Simchas Torah

Zeidy came to visit with us for Simchas Torah on Thursday. It had been so long since Zeidy had been here that he remarked upon arrival how nice the fence in the front yard was.

We all went to Mercazi for the night Hakafos, Yagel for Shacharis and Mincha and the Yeshiva for Hakafos Shniyos on Motzai Chag. For a nonagenarian, Zeidy is still light on his feet. At the shul Kiddush after Musaf, Zeidy recalled the time he was in Sighet by his Uncle Moshe who had been honored with Chasan Torah and he made a kiddush for the entire shul at his home.

On Friday morning, Zeidy took us all out for breakfast at the Mehadrin Cafe-Cafe in Elmog, before we headed over to Aunt Gail and Uncle David in Rechavia to spend Yom Tov Sheini Shel Goliyus with Tzippy, Andrew and Azi. Eli was also there avoiding Esti for the few days left before the wedding. We had a nice time at the park on Ramban. Uncle David bought the boys ice cream, while Eli and Elisheva went to Machaneh Yehuda to buy some things for Shabbos.

On the way home we stopped by Rav Moshe Eliyahu who lives a few blocks away. It was Erev Shabbos so we didn't stay long, but we met his children who were visiting from LA and finished a 1.5 liter of Coca Cola between all of us.

Trip to KefTsuba on Chol HaMoed

On the fifth day of Chol HaMoed, Elisheva and Ezra had a trip with their youth group, so we took the 3 youngins to the default local amusement park called KefTsuba. Kef his hebrew for fun and the name of the settlement that its located in is called Tsuba. Not exactly Six Flags Great Adventure, but its more than enough for the younger kids. A little bit bigger than the likes of McGinnis (if you don't know what McGinnis is, ask Aunt Lisa or Saba) or the amusement area by the Queens Zoo that we went to with the Sigals in the summer during the Josh wedding trip

I'm sure Ima has more pictures but as of right now she hasn't uploaded anything to her Facebook yet. So here is a video I took of Tali, while Ima and the boys were waiting on line for the bumper cars

On the way home Ima went shopping at Rami Levi with Tali while Abba took the boys to visit Rav Romm an the Bostoner Rebbe in Har Nof, before we all headed home.

Between Yom Kippur and Succos

Had to drop something at Misrad HaPnim for DEC between Yom Kippur and Succos and making my way to the light rail for a ride into Har Nof

Have not been in this part of Yerushalayim in quite some time. Thought the Sukkahs lined up along a midrachov like this with the train tracks was picturesque

Has it really been so long since we updated the blog...

Tali,

That's how it goes...

We have much more time on our hands as younger parents to take pictures and videos of our kids

We are sorry that Elisheva and Ezra have much more baby pictures

Please forgive us...

Josh's wedding trip Part II

Thursday was a "rest day". Abba caught up on some work and Elisheva caught up on some sleep. We both caught up on some laundry and did some errands and shopping for Shabbos. Saba made us dinner by putting all the leftovers he could find into a pot, added some barbecue sauce, and it actually tasted OK. It was nice to go to sleep early.

Friday we got together with Dina and Cooper. The weather wasn't cooperating to go to the park, so we went to LaPizzaria instead. Cooper got a chance to drive Abba's car.

Later that day, Abba went to Riverdale to pick up Aunt Merril for Shabbos, Grandma Libby wasn't feeling up to it.

Shabbos was nice. Saba, Beth, Elisheva, Aunt Merril and me for dinner. In the morning, Abba went to Hashkama and came back to pick up Elisheva for shul. Unexpectedly, Kobi Schwartzbaum showed up again. His wife had just delivered a baby girl on Shabbos and he walked from North Shore Hospital to the Young Israel for Shacharis. Lunch was Sheva Brachos at the Hoffman's with a bunch of their friends and Seudah Shlishis at Young Israel. Josh spoke well. Motzai Shabbos, Abba took Aunt Merrill back to Riverdale, went back to Great Neck to pack, and got to Elizabeth by about 3 AM or so. For some reason everyone but Bubby was still up. Aunt Devorah helped Elisheva to her room. Uncle Yudi helped Abba return the car at Newark International and Grandpa stayed up to supervise.

Sunday morning was the big day for Elisheva. All of the relatives came for a big Blashka barbeque. Everyone pitched in with the preparations, and Yudi handled the grill work for the day. Guest list included David & Raizy and Family, and Mr. Vaiz from Baltimore; Aunt Frimit & Uncle Aharon; Yehudis; Uncle Bob and Aunt Barbara; Cousin Avi and his wife; Cousin Mendy and his family; Michelle & Bentzy and the kids; Aunt Gail, Uncle David and Racheli; and the local tenants of 35 Princeton. We had the customary piñata and Carvel cake and Elisheva got to be the center of attention for the day. Sunday was also kidsbowlforfree so we registered Elisheva, printed out her coupons, and headed for Jersey Lanes. Devorah, Binyamin and Akiva were on one lane and Elisheva, Bentzy, Ella and Ava were on the other lane. Bentzy topped all scores although Ella got the "rookie" award for her solid performance.

Monday was a shopping day with Yudi, Aunt Devorah and Binyamin (Bubby sat this one out). We started at 7-11 and then made our way to Target and the Dollar Stores. It seems like Elisheva didn't have enough bowling on Sunday, so she went again on Monday afternoon, while Abba went up to Westchester to join Cameron for Sheva Brachos, after missing the wedding on Sunday in Connecticut. Abba got there right in time for the U of Penn school song before benching. The guests waited while Abba made HaMotzai and wolfed down a Challah roll so he could lead the Benching. After the Sheva Brachos, Abba went back to Aunt Rona and Uncle Michael's with Grandma and chit-chatted until about midnight, returning to Elizabeth around 1 am

Tuesday was a morning of hectic packing and last minute decisions of what to pack and what to leave behind. Yudi drove us to the airport in plenty of time. Elisheva and Abba tried to use his free Continental lounge passes, but they were not accepted. The next 'tragedy' was that Elisheva was caught with liquid toiletries in her hand luggage and about $45 of Target purchases were thrown in the garbage. We sat on the plane for an extra hour or so before takeoff (mechanical difficulties they claimed) but we were OK since Bubby packed us a Dunkin Donuts food bag for the plane. Otherwise, the rest of the flight home was B"H uneventful.

Josh's Wedding Trip Part 1

We arrive on Sunday morning and picked up our rental car at Hertz and headed over to the Grushkos to drop off Elisheva. Abba then headed to Shacharis at Yeshiva of the Five Towns for Shacharis for the Bris of Motti Fox's son Gavriel Moshe. We also had a chance to see Yakir there, who later had to return upstate back to HASC. After the Bris, Abba went back to pick up Elisheva for the Seudas Mitzvah. We ran into Kobi Schwarzbaum at the bris and invited him to Josh's wedding

Since we were already in Woodmere, we stopped off later that morning to say hi to Uncle Bob and Aunt Barbara. Then we went back to the Grushkos to shower and change for the wedding, pictures were called for 1 PM. It was nice to spend time with all the relatives during pictures and around 5 o'clock the Chasan's Tish started, around the time Rav Moshe Eliyahu arrived. So Abba left Elisheva in the Shmorg with Bubby (who brought Elisheva's formal wear flip-flop sandals) and joined the men for the Chasan's Tish.

The Chupah was around 6 PM. Abba walked down the aisle with Zeidy and Uncle Eliezer. Here is a short video of Uncle Josh walking down the aisle

Amid all the excitement, there was a particularly sad part of the Chupah, when Aunt Hannah was walking around Uncle Josh seven times with only her mother behind her, it was then that Savta's absence was most noticeable, causing many people to cry, including Abba.

We also got to meet Beth at the wedding. Saba and Beth announced their engagement on Monday, the day after the wedding. Other notable wedding guest relatives that we only got to see on Sunday night were Uncle Frank and Jessica; Ilana, Daniel and Jonny Blumenthal; Aunt Jean, Celia and Rachel Blumenthal; George and Barbara Blumenthal.

The next morning we spent some time with the Gerstens from Baltimore before they had to head back home. Abba went to the early Shacharis with Saba and Uncle Eliezer, and then Abba served breakfast for Akiva, Efrayim and Henya while Aunt Tamara slept and Uncle Avigdor was at the 7:45. 

Saba took off from work on Monday, and we went to buy Elisheva her Bat Mitzvah present. We had dinner with Saba and Uncle Eliezer before they headed for the airport (Sheva Brachos was in Manhattan with the Chason and Kallah's friends) and then it was just Saba, Abba and Elisheva in the house for the rest of the week (although Uncle Josh came by a few times to pick up some of his stuff)

Tuesday afternoon we spent with Aunt Lisa, Racheli, Sara and Yosef at the Queens Zoo. We first stopped off at Amazing Savings and Berrylicious for a few chatchkas and some frozen yogurt.

Right next to the zoo was a little carnival type place so the girls went on the roller coaster and Aunt Lisa took Yosef on a different ride.

Racheli in the front card and Elisheva & Sara in the next car

Tuesday evening we went to Sheva Brachos at the Tobin-Hess family in Great Neck. It was a big backyard barbecue. Unfortunately, Elisheva got a lot of mosquito bites they are still itching her as we are typing...

Wednesday morning we went to Grandma Libby, where Aunt Merril was staying as well. We went for pizza and ice cream at "The Pizza Block" in Riverdale, owned by none other than Abba's friend Elisha Block, whom Abba introduced to everyone. Later, Aunt Rona joined us and we went to Baskin Robbins for smoothies.

Elisheva and Abba stopped off to visit Savta's kever that afternoon. We got there right before they closed at 4 PM. The entire family decided on Motzai Shabbos to visit the Kever on Sunday before Uncle Josh's wedding, but we didn't get the message until we arrived at the wedding.

Sheva Brachos that night was by Uncle David and Aunt Gail in Brooklyn.It was mostly the Weiss family and the Gersten Family.

Uncle David and Aunt Gail hosted the Sheva Brachos

The Panim Chadashos that evening were Uncle David's father as well as cousin Michael and his family who were on vacation in the US. We just barely eked out a minyan for Maariv and Sheva Brachos.

Elisheva with Cooper

Elisheva and Aunt Dina

Elisheva with Aunt Hannah and Uncle Josh

Mazel Tov to Eli on his engagement

Mazel Tov to cousin Eli Weiss on his engagement to Esti Tanenbaum of Chicago, IL. The engagement party was in Ramat Eshkol last night and we couldn't wait to get some pictures up on the blog. Abba went with Ima and Ezra, as Elisheva had to babysit, and Ezra promised to bring her back some nosh from the party.

It was basically three dozen Mir guys, Ezra and I there with Eli on the men's side.

Here is some camera phone video of the dancing

Here is Eli saying "Hi" to his mom and dad, not realizing I was taking a still photograph and not a video

I swiped this picture of the couple off of Aunt Gail's facebook account

Shabbos with the Bostoner Rebbe in Chevron

The Plaza in front of Maharas HaMachpayla - June 13th 5774

On Parshas Shlach our family joined the Bostoner Rebbe in Chevron for a Shabbaton. We stayed in the Avraham Avinu neighborhood and davened by the Maharas HaMachpayla. On Erev Shabbos, we had a few minutes to take a picture all dressed for Shabbos.

Here is the blooper reel... 

Aunt Merril visits with Lisa (Danit) Felber

Aunt Merril came for a visit to Israel after Pesach. She was only in Jerusalem for two days at the end of her trip, so we got together one evening for dinner, Abba, Elisheva, Ezra, Lisa (Danit) and Aunt Merrill.

We had a choice between Sheyan, a sit down Asian restaurant, and Heimeshe Essen, a Shabbos-food take out place that is open all week and also has tables inside as well so it doubles as kind of a cafeteria. As you can see the manager on staff was trying to get our attention. 

In the end we chose Sheyan, because Danit is a vegetarian, and there would be more choices for her at the Asian place, while we could all still have fleishig for dinner.

Ezra meal came in a bamboo cylinder, which was a little strange, but we just took it out and put it on a regular plate like the rest of us. Abba and Aunt Merrill each got a different entree with beef, one with mushrooms and one with eggplant and shared. Danit got something with green noodles and Tofu and Elisheva got some chicken kabobs on wooden skewers. 

It was little chilly, so after dinner, instead of walking toward town, we walked back to the King Solomon where Merrill was staying hoping they would have a little cafe in the hotel, but all they had was a few cakes in this glass refrigerator that looked like they could have been there for months.

We also tried Sophia, which was the cafe in the Inbal hotel across the street, but it was a milchag cafe.

It was getting late and the kids had school the next day, so we called it a night and headed home.

Getting together with the Gersten Girls of Beitar

The day after Pesach was the first opportunity we had to get together with the Gerstens from Beitar. All the kids were off from school and all the Abbas were off from Yeshiva

We met in a big park called Hazon Yosef off the main drag  in Beitar. The kids seemed to like making choo choo trains in the tube slides

Here is a little montage of the kids in action

Afterwards we went for Ices. There was not much else as stores were still selling Kosher L'Pesach stuff. We could have all went for a nice Pizza or something. Have you ever seen such happy kids...

Elazar and Aliza laughing over strawberry ices

 Here is Uncle Eliezer with Elazar. They were both named after the same person, but you can clearly see some differences.

One last picture...I think someone didn't get an ice pop and is not too happy about it...

Purim Samayach

The boys seemed to like dressing up in costumes. The girls seemed to like dressing up as themselves.

A cowboy I understand...Even a ninja I understand...Should I be concerned that my son wants to dress up as the Malach HaMaves?

Short family get together in Baltimore

Yanky and Faigye Mirocznik were in Baltimore for a Pidyon HaBen on Faigye's side of the family at the same time that Bubby and Grandpa were visiting Uncle David in Baltimore. We should only get together for Simchas...