First day of Hanukkah!

Crystal & Steve Brown invited us over for the first night of Hanukkah!

We watched a little clip about Hanukkah, 

Do you know why the Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah?

Hanukkah celebrates two miracles

1-A great Jewish Military victory

2-A miraculous supply of oil for the Temple.

The Maccabees (Israelites) were the leaders of a Jewish Army who defeated Seleucid Empire.

The Maccabees went back to their temple and were trying to find oil to light the Eternal Fire. (This signifies that God's presence is there all that time.)  They didn't have very much "Pure" oil  they found enough pure oil to burn for one night.  The oil that was only suppose to last one day, lasted 8 days.

  That is why the Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah for 8 days.  The Menorah has nine holders.  The ninth holder is called shames ("Helper" or "Servant") the shame is what you use to light the other candles.  

Each night you add another candle until you reach all 8 days on the Menorah.

Steve and Daisy chilling before the festivities start. 

Jessie Schram was there to celebrate with us.

Little Miss Pollyanna wasn't feeling so good.
This is where she stayed most of the night.

The kids got to play Dreidel.

Dreidel has four Hebrew letters.
They stand for "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, meaning
"A great miracle occurred there" 

Dreidel is a traditional Hanukkah game.
Everyone starts out with 10 pieces of candy.
At the beginning of each round,
every participant puts one game piece into the center
"Pot" you take turns spinning the dreidel. 

When the dreidel lands, it lands on one of the four sides 
that side determines what you do with your candy.
Nun=nothing, Gimel=Everything, Hei=half, Shin=add to the pile. 

You continue until you are out of candy.  The kids had so much fun and
really got into the game. 

Crystal read us a Hanukkah book called, 

"Latkes, Latkes Good to Eat" by Naomi Howland

While the kids played several rounds of Dreidel,
Crystal and I made some Latkes. 

Polly, wasn't feeling good.  Poor girl.  She so wanted to try and eat a Latkes.
You serve the Latkes with apple sauce, or Sour cream.  

More Dreidel  Fun.  The kids just couldn't stop playing.

Look at Franky, and Chandler's faces.  They tell the entire STORY.

The Latkes, cooking.
The recipe was 4 potatoes shredded in a bowl with cold water.
You strain the potatoes in a cheese cloth to get all the water out.
You whip 2 eggs with some salt and pepper add the strained potatoes and diced onions
and cook them in Hot Olive Oil.

Harley, was in a candy coma.

Steve, taking and putting Polly to bed.  Nighty Night little girl.
Hope you feel better tomorrow.

Crystal & Tina.
What a super fun night, Love you, Friend.
Can't wait to celebrate Hanukkah next year
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