My father's cousin's daughter's husband's sister's family...

is technically family (in-law). Last weekend, since it was an out-Shabbat at Mayanot, I decided to contact Yamit and take her and her family up on their offer for me to come visit while I am in Israel.
Thursday afternoon, I traveled with Anna to Tel Aviv, helping her move all of her things there, and intending to meet Arlene, my first-grade teacher, who had arrived to Tel Aviv that morning. We got there easily enough, and indulged in the grocery store, buying hot dogs, french fries, and sweet wine to dine on that evening. Before dinner, while Anna took a nap, I walked to Arlene's hotel, where I had a glass of wine with her and her husband at the hotel lobby. Who would of thought that I would one day find myself having a glass of wine in Tel Aviv with my first-grade teacher.
Hot dogs are yummy, Anna has discovered the wonder of carembas, and I finally saw the movie 'Seven Pounds." Very beautiful, very sad. All very fitting for my goodbye slumber party with Anna.
The next morning, I checked out the antique market at Kikar Dizengoff, met with Musha and Anna briefly, and then went off to the bus station to head to Kfar Varburg, where I would spend Shabbat with Yamit, Assaf, Shahr (2.5yrs) and Ela (5 months). Bus drivers can be frustrating.
This was my first real time in a Moshav, and it is incredibly endearing. For Shabbaton, we went to Assaf's parents, where I met his sister, and where Yamit's brother, whom I had met at Emily and Boaz's wedding in June, also joined us. Dinner was delicious, and kugel with eggplant is a great idea.
The next morning, we joined six other families for an all day Jeep Tiyul. Starting at 9:30 am, the seven jeeps went off roading, stopping for a morning coffee break, an afternoon barbecue at the JNF Bulgarian Park with tons of delicious kebabs, burgers, and of course, hummus, as well as tons of good company.
The day continued with several more hours of off roading, exploring caves, seeing views and then a pancake break at sundown.

I had to head back to Jerusalem this evening to be ready for class the next morning. Serendipity let me meet up with some of the girls at arriving back, and we had a brief night out before heading home to bed.

Thanks for an amazing weekend, Yamit and Assaf!