When I was fostering Isabella in Guatemala, I got VERY spoiled because we had a lady named Sandra cook for us three nights a week. The food was always amazing! Sandra's cooking inspired me to make Guatemalan food for Bella's party. I practiced the recipes every night for an entire week to get them just right for the party (My family was so OVER Guat. food by the time of the party. Ha! ). I even bought a tortilla press and made homemade corn tortillas... the yummiest EVER! I think Sandra would be proud!
Let's get this party started!
Table for two: Mama and the birthday girl eating dinner. My little Latina likes her food flavorful and SPICY. 
Jolly jump to keep the kids- big and small- BUSY and havin' fun
Instead of a traditional pinata, Kirk opted for a tortilla throwing contest. The kids had fun chucking the tortillas as far as they could. Can you see Jillian's tortilla in the picture? It's between her and the red cooler. She bit holes in it to make it more "aerodynamic".
Josh and Luke ate more tortillas than they threw. You can see Josh's tortilla above his head!
Ask Bella how old she is and she'll show you one finger....
... and then she claps for herself! Too funny!
Ooh la la! The cake!I actually picked up her cake at the bakery that morning and it was sooo not what I ordered. They must have decorated it with the lights off!!! Thankfully, they remade it for me. Phew! Crises averted!
For some reason she thought it was hysterical that she could take off her new birthday bracelet all by herself. She loves to make people laugh!
New dolly from Nana
After presents, we made a quick change into her birthday tutu and party hat. It was so fun to hear the ooh's and aah's when I brought her outside for cake. This family is used to BOYS, so it was so fun to go a little (or a LOT) foo foo!!!
She loved her cake AT FIRST...
... But then butter cream frosting gets a little nasty after half the cake is gone!
One of our traditions is that the birthday baby gets to feed daddy some birthday cake. Go, Kirk!
Isabella,
When I tucked you in bed at the end of the day on June 29, 2008, I kissed your frosting-scented cheeks and thanked God for your AMAZING life. God has SUCH great plans for you, and I am so BLESSED to be your mommy. I also thanked God for your birth mom and her courage to give you everything she never could. As I rocked you and prayed, this thought came into my mind... "Precious daughter from a distant land... brought to us by the Father's hand". It's true, Bella. God hand-picked YOU. You are special and important and LOVED BEYOND WORDS. Happy 1st birthday, Bellagirl! I love you!!!
Love,
Mom
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Big Kahuna and I have known each other since we were kids and have been married for almost 15 years. We are passionate about our family, travel and serving God. We love helping people and bringing them hope. We laugh ourselves to tears watching classic episodes of Saturday Night Live and The Office. Summer is our favorite season, and we live for warm evenings playing with the kids on the beach.
Big Surf is 14 years old. He's a voracious reader, focused, and spends hours building things. He is our resident techie and is also learning to play the violin. He loves to spend his free time playing baseball, flag football, or out on the trails by the house building his clubhouse.
Goofy Foot is ten years old. He devours his free reading books like there is no tomorrow. He is also the family comedian. If you see him, ask him to tell you a joke! He is tender-hearted, social and compliant. When he is not outside riding his bike, you'll find him drawing or writing a funny book.
Beach Bunny is three years old. She is our sunshine! She joined our family through the unbelievable gift of adoption. Beach Bunny loves to snuggle with us and carefully takes care of her baby dolls. She is super silly and must say hi to everyone! One word that describes her is "joy".
21 comments:
That party looks like a BLAST! The food looks so yummy too! What a wonderful idea!
Mommy knows how to throw a party!!!! Bella Baby looks like a princess!!! I seriously sometimes thinks she looks a little like Stella. I love the cake! The tortilla toss....great idea and loving all her clothes.........You so deserved a girl !!!!!! Courtney
I am so happy to see the beautiful pictures! Bella and Malaena-Sloan favor each other a lot (my husband even thinks so.) You and I also have very similar tastes! I bought Malae's birthday tutu and hat Friday and look very much like Bella's! Would you share your Guatemala recipes? If you ever have time, of course! cherifortner@hotmail.com! Thanks.
I just love to look at the pictures you post. I check almost every day.
I have two boys also and I know that when I finally get Olivia home, I'm going to be "foo foo" too!
Bella is beautiful and obviously thriving in your beautiful family.
Keep posting!
Jennifer
www.adoptingbambina.com
I check your blog almost everyday and these 3 week brakes in between posts are killing me. Bella looked like she had a beautiful party. I loved all your great party ideas.The lord has blessed you all.
P.s. I love Bellas tutu
OMGosh! Love those birthday pictures! Her outfits are just adorable and fit for the princess she is. She looks so happy, great job Mom, the party looks awesome!
-Jaimee
The party looked like a lot of fun. I loved your note to Bella. It brought tears to my eyes since my Johanna's 1st birthday is less than two weeks away.
We are very blessed Mommies!!
Gail
Bella is a doll baby! She is such a happy baby too! Just adorable! Looks like the party was so much fun!
Love and Prayers,
Gina
What a fun party. Love the tortilla toss and the tutu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She is just gorgeous.
Darcy
Stacy,
These pictures are wonderful! You did such a great job - maybe a little sideline - tutor and party planner :) You did Sandra proud; your guac looks perfect. Give that baby a squeeze for me.
Love,
Meghan
What an awesome party. I love her birthday outfits, but the quote of a daughter from a distant land brings tears to my eyes. Isn't that so true. God just knows what child to put with what family perfectly!
Wow, BELLA GIRL, I know the treasure you are to your family. Your face is priceless and it has been a joy to watch you grow and prosper in your family. God is so good. The journey got long, but God in his perfect faithfulness has more than made up for it. Love to see all those smiling faces. Blessings Stacy, Susie
What a wonderful party!! Bella is absolutely beautiful!!
Robyn
The party looks awesome. What a beautiful little girl and I LOVE her party hat and tutu!!! How cute! Do you mind sharing the recipes for what you made?
Wow, what a fun party! Happy Birthday Bella! You look like a baby doll in your tutu and hat!
What a doll... and what an amazing party!! Thanks for sharing your fun pictures! Wish I knew how to make "Guatemalan" food : ) Maybe you could share some recipes on a post sometime!
WOW! Those pictures are just awesome!! She is so cute in her Ms. June onesie!!!
WOW! Those pictures are just awesome!! She is so cute in her Ms. June onesie!!!
What a party!!! She looked to precious in her hot pink dress. I love her chunky little legs! What a huge blessings she is and how blessed she is to have such a wonderful family who treasures her...a party fit for a princess!
Blessings,
Shannon *Emeline's mommy*
Stacy,
I could EAT her!! She is more precious and sillier every day, it seems. Please kiss her for me.
Love,
Amanda and Gabi
Hi. I was doing a google search to find a birthday hat for my soon to be 1 year old daughter and I somehow stumbled upon your blog. I hope you don't mind but I looked through your photos and read what you wrote to your daughter. I just wanted to tell you how sweet I thought it was. Tears came to my eyes and I felt like I wanted to go upstairs and hug my sleeping baby. I also thought of my niece who is adopted from Guatemala. She is such a sweet and beautiful little girl. Thank you for posting your daughter's pictures and for your words. God bless you and your family. -Jessica
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