Happy Birthday to Nova!

We had a ridiculously crazy/awesome weekend! I have at least 2 posts that i want to work on. This one, about the party of course, and also just a little post all about Nova's first year.

So, for now i have some pictures of the party. Just like last year (well, actually it was only 7.5 months ago) at Juneau's birthday bash, i found it very very difficult to actually take any photos at the party because i was so busy playing, stocking the food/drinks, and greeting the guests. I do have some photos though, but unfortunately hardly any of the birthday girl! Nova had a great time. She was slightly overwhelmed by the craziness of it all, but hung in like a little trooper.

We arrived at Foster's Poing on Hickam Air Force Base bright and early Sat a.m. to set up. Fortunately, we have The BEST friends ever, and Tracy, Jeremy, and Sally all crawled out of bed to come over and help us set up. The inflatables are rather heavy, so it was a bit of a challenge to get everything all set up. The circus theme was great. We had a Shave Ice machine, a popcorn machine, 1 million (actually it was only 175, but it seemed like 1 million) cupcakes, chili cheese dogs, nachos and cheese, a giant joust pit, a bouncehouse, and a huge waterslide. yes, it was definately as much work as it sounds like, but sooooo worth it.

This year i TOTALLY lucked out because my mom and her friend pam, and pam's granddaughter Ciara all flew to Hawaii for the festivities! This means i had lots and lots of help with babies, food, cleaning, and decorations. it was beyond awesome.

Anyway, by 2:00 the party was in full swing. I think we had around 100 guests. Practically every single one of Cris' students in the Athletic Training program came, as well as many of the faculty. We had a total blast with the crazy match-ups in the jousting pit.
So, finally the pictures. I can't believe i hardly have ANY pictures of the birthday girl! it is awful. It was just so crazy i could barely keep track of the girls, much less snap photos. Anyway, here are the pics i have.

The birthday girl napping during her party - maybe this is why there aren't many pictures of Nova!
Jbug after going down the very cold waterslide

Juneau and Cousin Melody jousting

2 of our very favorite party guests - our neighbors Kieran and Alyjah. Aren't they sooo incredibly adorable?!

Gramma and Nova Jo

Gracie ready for a challenge in the joust pit

Jermy trying to take down Tracy

Don't mess with Dr. Kimura when she has a Pugel Stick in her hand!

Dad playing the drums with Jbug, NovaJo, and cousin Melody

just a little tiny sampling of the 1 million cupcakes my mom, sister, pam and Ciara made

Cris' students

UH Athletic Training (and anatomy :) Dept

Ciara enjoying the party

The weather was PERFECT, and the water was turquoise. It was gorgeous

Betsy representing the UH Dance Dept in the Joust pit

waterslide fun

Sally and the girlies (That's nearly 50 pounds of baby that Sally lugs around on a daily basis)

It's kind of funny, because prior to moving to hawaii i could NEVER have imagined a first birthday bash involving all this craziness, but here in hawaii, this is rather typical first birthday celebration. We are looking forward to next year, when nova's birthday party will be a cupcake and a candle with a rousing chorus of "happy birthday to you" sung by dad, mom, and juneau. :)