Party Time

This past weekend we were living in Party Central!  On Saturday we had our annual Hauquitz Christmas bash with a bunch of students and another staff couple and then the following night we had a big potluck and carol singing with many of the other missionaries who live here in Abidjan.  Both were so much fun and although it was extremely difficult to get out of bed Monday morning to get the boys to school by 7:30, we loved it all.  Our Saturday party was set for 3:00 in the afternoon so of course at 12:30 the doorbell rang with our first guests  :).  I was actually grateful for the two who showed up super early because it was Stephane, who lived with us this summer, and Constant, one of Craig's guys.  They are both at the house often and they jumped right in playing with the boys, cutting veggies, and rearranging things to get them set for the party.  I am always a little nervous about having Ivorians over to my house and having them come first was a good calmer.  We are still relatively new here and there is still so much of the culture that I dont understand and I am always fearful of offending someone with something I do in my home.  Like, I didnt welcome them right.  Or water was not offered at the appropriate time.  Or, shockingly, Craig got the water instead of me.  Or I asked for the news before they finished their glass of water.  There are SO many traditions that even go with welcoming someone into your home that we are still learning them all and I constantly think that I am screwing up and offending people left and right.  So I try to make up for it with food :)  That covers a multitude of offenses, right?!  I was thankful that we had a house full of students who do not typically care when or if water is offered if there is food on the table waiting to be consumed.  We had a giant crock pot full of bbq chicken, 60 rolls, 2 trays of veggies, 2 big bowls of fruit salad, a huge pot of hot chocolate, peanut brittle, and a cookie decorating station.  Then I ended up having to get out a package of ham and some sliced cheese because there were new people who came late and there was not any more chicken.  At the end of the party all that was left were two slices of cucumber and a swallow of hot chocolate.  It was a good feeling to know that the food was not too strange and it was enjoyed!  Here are some snapshots from our fete!

This little yule tide thief was a magnet as soon as the food hit the table.  

Yummm

After food was in the bellies and everyone was satisfied the dancing started

Craig tried to teach them swing dancing

Olivier dancing with Elliot

Elliot playing the drums in the middle of the dance floor

Constant and Olivier trying to learn the moves

Then we went outside and decorated some ornaments.  I had made some salt dough stars and we colored and glitterfied them all

concentration

Yves

Flora

Arsane and Yves

Our kids are loved to ridiculous amounts here.  Maurus and Valerie loving on Elliot

Valerie and Keenan

Constant and the boys

Then Elliot started making the rounds to any guy that would listen to him.  He asked everyone to swing him around, and because of those big brown eyes of his, few could refuse

Can you swing me around?!

Gabriel swinging Keenan

Love

Again!!

And again!!

And Again!!

And AGAIN!!!

Keenan got tired so he just relaxed a bit

Giving his model face

Gabriel's soccer model picture

me and my sweet girl!

Went for the kiss and got a lick instead.  Yuck!!!

Then came Sunday night!  Lots more food, but this time there were leftovers :)  Some of our dear friends here have kids our age and grand kids our kids age and they came to visit for Christmas.  It is Deanna's plot to have Elliot and her granddaughter, Eva, married one day and as we were getting ready to sing carols, we look over and there they were.  Sitting side by side holding hands.  Awwwwww....

Daniel and Kim with Eva and Elliot 

Lighting the candles getting ready to sing Silent Night

Lucy liked the fire

As did Keenan Boy.  He was so proud to be able to hold his own candle!

And then as we were leaving we passed by the mosque all lit up and decorated for Christmas as well.  Interesting...  But they still had the crescent moon over the snowman!

There you have it, our Christmas party time!!!  Now go celebrate the birth of our King with others as well!!!!