Surprise party for Kjirsten

We had Kjirsten over one last time!  Boo hoo!  Her dad is retiring from the Foreign Service to go back to Utah to work and be with family.  We love this girl and her love for us!  So much kindness and thoughtfulness running through her body, for everyone.  Everyone loves her and appreciates her fun and generous spirit!  

The Curd's worked with the YW to have a surprise party for Kjirsten since she's leaving Beijing.  We're all so sad, but excited for the new chapter of her life going to Dixie (Utah Tech) to study nursing.  She has been living abroad for years, and she misses her siblings and their families.  She's the youngest of six kids, and with the Covid travel restrictions here in China, it's hard to get back to the U.S.

We gathered at the Curd's house and set up right in front of the front door.  We even practiced our timing of saying "Surprise."  Mayah was going to have Kjirsten over for dinner and then come to the Curd's to "pick something up for her mom."  It was the perfect plan, and apparently no one slipped in telling her about the party!

We had a good group from church come as well as other kids from River Garden.  She's been a friend to many, no matter the age.  Everyone loves her enthusiasm and excitement for life and fun, as well as her testimony and love of the gospel.  So much to love and admire about her!And her parents Kim and Paul are amazing.  Kim served as our primary president and Paul was the Elders' Quorum President.  They will be sorely missed!

Mayah put together a Kahoot game that we played after we watched a video that some kids made too.  They were both awesome, and made Kjirsten laugh and cry.

Karen Anderton also bought a notebook that everyone could write in next to their polaroid camera picture.  Great idea coordinated by Karen and Amy Tanner.

The kids sat around and played games after Kahoot and everything.  They had a great time with Karaoke too.  Dad and I slipped out because he was tired from his all night Olympic Task force shifts, and the kids came home when they were done playing.

We'll miss the McOmbers!  Luckily they're headed to Utah so we can stay in touch!