More Pre-Departure Festivities

So, the second-to-last of the “pre-departure festivities” was the high school graduation party for my youngest sister (but not the youngest child).  It was on Sunday, June 12^th, so only 4 days before I left for Addis Ababa.  It was a day full of family and friends, about 150 people total made their way to the party.  Growing up on a farm, we always have some kind of extensive and elaborate food ensemble at our parties, usually including pig-roasting and some hunky food since my dad’s side of the family is of eastern European descent (you should definitely be jealous!). 

 So, my older brother, Pete, always bestows the responsibility of the meat preparation upon himself.  He stays up all night keeping an eye on the fire and making sure that all is cooked to perfection.   He’s actually really, really good at it.  The past few times, he’s roasted a lamb along with the pig.  So when he preps the lamb, he cuts a hole in the meat and stuff a clove of garlic in the hole and fills it with peach schnapps.  For each bit of peach schnapps he gives to the lamb, he gives himself a shot as well.  He has a one man party in the drive way.  He is something else…  You can see him carving the roast beasts in one of the pictures below.

The party was not at all for me.  It was all about Natasha (who is also called “Nattie” and “Tash”).  She left for the National Guard for 5 months this morning, June 20^th, to do her bit of service for the U.S.  She’s off to her basic and specialized trainings in Missouri, so please keep her in your thoughts. 

I’ve attached a few pictures from the party here.  Enjoy!