Where do I begin? It was a truly aweseome day. Despite a couple of hiccups and sources of stress (mainly from the $%^^&#*@! rented big rice cooker that didn't work - and it ain't a Filipino feast without rice!) the party went truly off.
I received lots of compliments on the food, and it certainly was a bountiful feast.
Buffet from the top end
Photo by Yan
Spot me peeking next to Wayne who helped chop up one of the lechons - thanks Wayne!
Photo by Neil
I was so proud of my Filipino heritage, and that people's first experience of the food of my homeland was a positive one - we didn't have one child burst into tears at the sight of the piggies, or a vegetarian who ran screaming from the room (or maybe I just didn't notice). In fact, I was told stories of some of the littlies specifically asking for the pork, and my nephew was all smiles to be right next to one of the piggy poos.
Jesse and the lechon.
Photo by Chris
Adrian attacking the lechon with the big cleaver.
Photo by Claire
Pansit bison (sautéed noodles) in the foreground and lumpiang sariwa (fresh spring rolls) in the background. Thank you Lamesa!
Photo by Yan
My Mom's embutido (Filipino style meatloaf).
Photo by Yan
The gorgeous floral centrepiece of the hummingbird cake from Simmone Logue.
Photo by Yan
The weather cooperated for the most part - the rain stayed away although the wind was pretty cold and bitey. The kids on the jumping castle didn't seem to mind though - they were generating enough heat from all that energetic jumping and climbing! And many thanks to Bethanie's Jumping Castles, who very generously allowed the adults a few precious minutes to re-live their childhoods. We had a few green faces, but no upchuckers - thank goodness!
Photo by Yan
We also had face painting by the absolutely fabulous Tash - check out just one sample of her work!
The Twins!
Photo by Claire
It was so wonderful to see so many of my and Adrian's friends together. I had quite a few people say to me - "Gee, you have really nice friends!" I tend to agree.
The McCosker Lunch Gang.
Photo by Neil
The Macquarie Uni/Microsoft Fellowship Gang.
Photo by Yan
The Can Too Gals!
Photos by Claire
And so many said they had an amazing time - considering that we had a full dance floor at 3:00 in the afternoon, we can safely say that Peter P-Elvis and the Flat Cats band were responsible for getting people up and boogie-ing!
Peter Pelvis is big with the ladies!
Photo by Claire
They say all good things come to an end, but I have to say that it didn't quite end for us when everyone left - there was the wonderful, wonderful task of opening up the literal MOUNTAIN of pressies that we received! I could hardly see out the back of our car (and it ain't a little car!) with your many, many gifts. Your generosity to me and Cashew, and Adrian too, has really left me speechless. All I can say is thank you, thank you, THANK YOU so much.
It's 10:45 pm, and I'm still going...
Photo by Adrian
Your beautiful gorgeous cards!
Photo by Rachelle
Next bit of the journey - PARENTHOOD! Only 5 to 7 weeks to go now...
