Goalie, I hope you can make it to PBI but if you can't, perhaps we can get together when your family gets to Israel.

Do you mind if I make some suggestions?

Do not come from mid-April to mid-October. The planes, and the airport, are jammed during Passover/Easter, Rosh HaShanah, and Succot. They are also jammed during July and August. Prices are higher both for flights and hotels during that entire period and in August you are lucky if you can find a hotel at all (Israel is a very popular destination for the French and they all seem to take their vacations in August).

On top of that, the weather here can be unbearable hot during that entire period.

In the heart of winter (December through mid-March) Israel can be chilly and rainy.

The best weather here is in October, November, mid-March through mid-April. The prices are also at their lowest as few tourist come them. Make your plans for those dates.