Here we are just before we cut the cake. Gemma had the '1' candle and was already having a taste of the yummy strawberry and creme cake from Prolific Oven (same as the one from our wedding):
She really looks like she's trying to blow out the candle! :)
My family from LA drove up and it was amazing to have them with us. I couldn't beleive it - every person in my immediate family (except my father, que en paz descanse, and Olivia) made it! Gemma had all her first cousins from my side there to celebrate. :) Thank you guys for making the effort to come to the party! Here's Gemma's proud abuelita: 
Also my awesome familia from the Oakland area showed up and they helped make the party happen. Gracias por la ayuda e ambiente!!!! Some of Gemma's baby and toddler friends were also in attendance. It was quite the party including swimming and tons of yummy food:
Gemma was such a good sport considering all the people and activities and the fact that she was feeling a little under the weather. She pretty much stuck to me and Scott the whole time so I didn't get to take many pictures. Luckily my brother Gonzalo and sister Carmen took quite a few (the ones you see here). I know my cousins Christina and Ana took some too - can't wait to see them. :)
A party in my family wouldn't be complete without a piñata! Thanks to my cousin Christina y familia, we had an amazing one filled with chocolates, granola bars, tangerines, nuts... YUM!
Gemma was the first at bat but she wasn't too sure about the whole piñata thing:
All the rest of the kids really got into it. Thanks Felipe for doing a good job operating the piñata! Here's Lulu (Vittoria) taking a swing:
My cousin's daughter Sophia is the one who finally took the piñata down in a glorious fashion and everyone screamed and shouted and launched at the bounty of goodies.
Even Gemma had a little candy. Well, she just held it. :)
I incorporated a cool Chinese tradition to Gemma's party (thanks for the idea, Nerissa). On the table were objects that Gemma hadn't seem before that represent different possible professions (starfish for biologist, whisk for chef, med kit for doctor....). The idea is to place her in front of the items and see what she picks up. Whatever she picks up is she will be when she grows up. Fun idea.
She wasn't in a great mood by then but she still played along. At first she didn't know what to do. She just sat there. Then a microphone caught her eye but she didn't pick it up. Finally what caught her eye was the model of molecules. I guess she'll be a scientist! :)
It was a great party. Thank you to everyone who could be there to help us celebrate. Special thanks to:
Also my awesome familia from the Oakland area showed up and they helped make the party happen. Gracias por la ayuda e ambiente!!!! Some of Gemma's baby and toddler friends were also in attendance. It was quite the party including swimming and tons of yummy food:
Gemma was such a good sport considering all the people and activities and the fact that she was feeling a little under the weather. She pretty much stuck to me and Scott the whole time so I didn't get to take many pictures. Luckily my brother Gonzalo and sister Carmen took quite a few (the ones you see here). I know my cousins Christina and Ana took some too - can't wait to see them. :)A party in my family wouldn't be complete without a piñata! Thanks to my cousin Christina y familia, we had an amazing one filled with chocolates, granola bars, tangerines, nuts... YUM!
Gemma was the first at bat but she wasn't too sure about the whole piñata thing:
All the rest of the kids really got into it. Thanks Felipe for doing a good job operating the piñata! Here's Lulu (Vittoria) taking a swing:
My cousin's daughter Sophia is the one who finally took the piñata down in a glorious fashion and everyone screamed and shouted and launched at the bounty of goodies.
Even Gemma had a little candy. Well, she just held it. :)
I incorporated a cool Chinese tradition to Gemma's party (thanks for the idea, Nerissa). On the table were objects that Gemma hadn't seem before that represent different possible professions (starfish for biologist, whisk for chef, med kit for doctor....). The idea is to place her in front of the items and see what she picks up. Whatever she picks up is she will be when she grows up. Fun idea.
She wasn't in a great mood by then but she still played along. At first she didn't know what to do. She just sat there. Then a microphone caught her eye but she didn't pick it up. Finally what caught her eye was the model of molecules. I guess she'll be a scientist! :)
It was a great party. Thank you to everyone who could be there to help us celebrate. Special thanks to:* Christina y familia for bringing the drinks and pinata and filling it.
* Ana for bringing the awesome sushi.
* Daniella for bringing all the lunch meats & supplies & for making the flans.
* Felipe for making the food run with Scotty and for operating the pinata.
* Gonzalo, Francesca, Nerissa & folks for decorating the streamers & balloons.
* Nerissa and Mark for picking up the cake.
* Felipe, Gonzalo y Marcos for being the wonderful musicians & playing for us.
* Gonzalo for making the ice run and for making the big 'bombs' in the pool.
* Carmen, Gonzalo, Christina & Ana for taking pictures.
* All my Oakland family for joining us.
* Maria & Eddie for bringing the whole familia from Palmdale.
* All my LA family for driving up.
* My amazing Scott for his patience and for surviving the party. :)
* And especially for Vic for hosting the party at his wonderful house.
Thank you to all Gemmita's baby friends (and their parents) for coming to the party too.
She looks a little concerned, I know, but she ended up loving it and laughing the more times we did it.
She's got this thing about all things daddy: his belt, his shoes and especially his hat. They played this game where he's place his hat on her and she'd squeal with delight and then take it off emphatically only to do the whole thing over again. It was really fun and sweet to watch.
Gemma didn't really know what to make of the grass. She didn't like the texture and refused to crawl on it. LOL! Computers she's all over but grass not so much. We need to get her out more!
We all had a lovely time in the park. Soon I bet Gemma will be running around like she owns the place. :)
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