the Dead Sea Squirrels

Today was just a FANTASTIC and incredibly full day...1 week countdown has begun until we return home, so we're packing it in!

First to Ikea with these two orneries...one who is trying hard to learn from the other.

 Then, on to Ben Franklin--otherwise known as Julie's heart-throb--with Doug, Julie, Thomas, Naomi, Jerry, Sharon...

Sofie just kept waving at him and saying, "HI!  HI!  HI!"

Then, onto see the Dead Sea Scrolls, precious manuscripts of the Old Testament that we never imagined we'd get to see!

"Lily, we're going to go to see the Dead Sea Scrolls with Poppy.  They're really famous and they are very old parts of the Bible."

"Ok."

"So, go get dressed.  Let's go!"

Lily: "Sofie!  Let's go!  We're gonna go see the Dead Sea Squirrels!"

She was, therefore, very disappointed with the exhibit, which included no animals of any kind. 

Matt and I were laughing SO hard. 

It was a REALLY fantastic exhibit at the Franklin Institute, with a very robust collection from the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as pottery and other artifacts.

Very cool and surreal...

especially when your husband is reading them for you!

Over 2000 years old!  They change the scrolls out frequently because the light exposure is harmful.

This is a part of Jerusalem's Western Wall, and there was a huge TV showing live feed from the wall at the same time.  Very cool.

Sofie and Lily also got to explore the rest of the museum, including climbing through a huge heart :)

We no sooner got the kids home to Grammy and PopPop before we turned back around and had a dinner date in the city with Casey and Laura.

When Matt and his brother are together, Matt laughs like this...which makes us all laugh like this :)

Thankful for such a rich day, for the Dead Sea Squirrels, for family and friends-like-family, for the fun, culture and luxuries that America has to offer, and to know that after 5 more speaking engagements, 5 more states, 3 more flights and 7 more days, we'll be HOME.