Parties - large and small

 I've enjoyed many parties with the family and friends over the last six months. Here are some photos to document the fun!

Emily gave me a welcome party to meet some of her friends when I first arrived

Qorban's 3rd birthday party 

A Congolese engagement party. We sat in a circle and ate and the ladies spent 2 plus hours giving their marriage wisdom to the bride to be.

Emily and I arrived on time to help decorate for the party that didn't actually start until 2 hours after the given time :) 

Emily and I also enjoyed going to one of her Pashtun friend's engagement party. Sadly no pictures although it was one of the most epic parties I've attended. Endless amounts of food and dancing. We had tea and then the guests arrived and there was dancing and then we ate dinner and danced some more and then we had tea and fruit and then danced again. They were just getting started when Emily and I made our departure at 11pm.

We had a birthday party for Amos in August (also no pictures)

Emily's 29th birthday party! ;)

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I went back to the mountain for a visit and to do a baby shower for Kate. 

I was pretty happy with how the decorations turned out, especially the diaper castle.

Baby Shiphrah

It was wonderful to see and catch up with people I hadn't seen in ages.

Thanksgiving with our neighbor, Angela

First day of Advent. We celebrated with cookies and popcorn and tree decorating!

We had a few friends over for a sugar cookie decorating party

We enjoyed a walk through Candy Lane and then a fun light show with music.

Christmas Day! Joy to the World!

Lots of yummy food and fun gifts for all!

Mother finished the edge of my Congolese fabric quilt as a surprise Christmas present and sent it to me 

New Year's Eve feast!

Downtown with my Afghan friends to celebrate the new year