Ugly Sweater Party 2012

We decided not to let our move overseas interfere with the ever-important annual ugly sweater party.  Because the Embassy is such a tight knit community the party ended up with 75 people packed into our house- we even had to use part of our outside area.  Katie made her Dad’s famous Artillery grog punch (among some other dangerous punches) and Ben/Santa did a hilarious presentation of the gifts (ugliest sweater/oldest sweater/girliest sweater/trashiest sweater).  The night ended with dancing (of course).  The next morning came very early. 

The Entry Way- one of the pretty tables before everyone arrived

Early...everyone on their good behavior 

Sweet Outfits- look closely at sweater...he won the award for "most diplomatic"

Pimp Santa and his wife

Won a "onesie" because Santa figured they couldn't keep their hands off of each other in those hot outfits

Before the one with the Christmas Balls lost his balls

our nation's finest

What a beautiful elf

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Won the peach schnapps- enough said 

Won two red-solo cups with wine stems for "classiest couple"

Ben presenting him with a can of whiskey...he didn't believe it was really whiskey...drank it...night got interesting

antler war

Shawn wearing a toilet seat cover as a cape

and the singing begins

cue the clapping

time to end this party...

Thanksgiving 2012

Well, I am going on year ten of being a real adult (post college) and I have never cooked a Thanksgiving dinner by myself.  I figured this year…I would keep the tradition alive, ha!   Our friends, the Gormans, hosted an awesome Thanksgiving.  Despite having four kids, a husband with a crazy job, and Donna working full time, she knocked out a bangin’ Thanksgiving dinner!  She hosted us, our good friends the Seilings and invited the visiting Brown clan as well.  The kids ran around wild all night while the parents ate and ate and ate. 

Ha, nice family shot- Owen poking his sister in the eye

The hosttess with the mostest

The adult crew

The girls

Kids Table

Owen is 7 Months!

Owen was 7 months on November 19th.  Owen's seventh month was exciting.  He is into everything!  I cannot take my eyes off of him for one second.  Here are our attempts at a 7 month picture.  We finally sedated him and got one...kidding...

The Brown's come to town

We were soooo lucky to have Dylan's best friend in the world, Clarie, (and Katie and Ben's fav woman, Janet) fly to Jordan for ten days in November.  Despite the first days of hunkering down in Amman due to protests around the country, the trip was a blast.  We made it to all of the big sites across and Jordan and had a wonderful time catching up with Janet and the kids.  Paul and Lena, the oldest Brown kids, were delightful and so grown up in their wise early teenage years.   Claire and Dylan hit it off like no time had past since we left VA a year ago.   It was a really special time for all.  Here are some pictures documenting their visit:

The Brown's at Mt. Nebo, the three kids are so grown up now! 

Janet and Lena

Lena and Claire

Petra

Janet and Owen- she loved getting a baby fix and Owen loved her!

In an "old house" in Petra

Camel rides

Best Friends- wow, a lot has changed since they were babies together.  So sweet.  

Animal switch- donkey time

The tippy top of Petra- the Monestary.  It looks like the Treasury but it is a few km up the hill!  SO beautiful.

Candle lit walk in Petra- supposed to be a scary picture. 

Our attempt at a Middle East Christmas picture

Obligatory Dead Sea floating picture- sky is pretty amazing

Janet turned 29 again while she was here :)

Dead Sea Pool

Owen is 6 months... (well, he was on Oct 19)

Since I am terrible at making baby books, I figured I needed to stay up to date on these month by month pictures on the blog...  Here are his six month pictures I took a month and a half ago.

Owen's 6 month was exciting!  He started sitting and crawling.  He is such a joy to be around.