Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Guatoberfest Recap


We had a wonderful time at Guatoberfest 2008!!! It was so nice to see so many beautiful children in one place. I had such a fantastic time meeting some blogger buddies in person and reuniting with others.

The drive was long, but Gabriella was really good, so that made it easier.

I will say though, I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I had imagined I would. Even with Ferdy and I both there, it was a full-time job keeping up with Miss G.



Me, Tricia and Sig. It was awesome to finally meet Tricia after over 2 years of "knowing" her. And seeing Sig again was great! We hadn't seen each other since Guatemala. We were there on our pickup trip and she was meeting her baby girl for the first time.



Of all the treats the kids got, Gabriella's favorite is the deck of cards that I think was meant for the parents..... She played with those cards all afternoon today. Taking them out of the box and putting them back in. Over.And.Over. Well, OK, 2nd to the juice boxes which she sucked down within the first 30 seconds since she doesn't get them at home (hey, she's wild enough without adding extra sugar to the mix!).





A whole lotta cute....





Guess who got a new purse at the Aquarium? She must have known it matched this outfit.



Gabriella LOVED Miss Kim and Alex. She was asking for "Agex" all weekend long. I'm quite sure she would have gone back with them to Kentucky if given the choice.



The other Miss G ...... Holly, how the heck did we let this weekend get by without a picture of us?????????


Gabriella was fascinated with trying everyone else's strollers out all weekend. I think she liked this one since it matched her outfit.



She had a blast with these pom-poms. We found her a pair of Steeler's ones the next day and got them for her. And she already knows to yell "Touchdown Steeler's" and wave them.



JuJu and her little firecracker Abby-Grace. We've decided that she and Miss G are two peas in a pod. Fiesty little divas.






I wanted to try to get a good pic of Miss G with this cute little Fall display the hotel had. Notice the pile of flower petals? Yep, she grabbed the flowers and pulled them all off. oooops.


I want to end this post by saying a HUGE Thank You to Julia, Kerry, Megan and everyone else who helped out with making this awesome gathering a reality. It grew by leaps and bounds from last year and the logistics had to have been crazy. These ladies have a heart of gold. Their dedication to the children of Guatemala is heartwarming. Please go over to their website Global Orphan Team to see a video they showed us. The pictures are from a mission trip they did a few months back. My heart breaks to think of all of these children who will grow up without knowing the security and love of a family since adoptions have stopped in Guatemala for the time-being.

I'm already on the edge of my seat waiting to hear about where it will be next year.

22 comments:

The Cook said...

Sad I was not there. Next. year!

Farrah said...

We all over here vote for FLORIDA...

Hey BTW Angel is coming to Kissimmee on NOV 11 you should try to meet up with us there!!!

Kim said...

LOVE the pics!!!!!!! I can't find my camera cord to download mine!!!!

Oh - and the picture of Alex and Miss G - melt my heart!! :)

Loved seeing you guys again. I was telling my mom about how busy Miss G is. She said that it sounded just like my brother at that age. Just so you know - he is the calmest thing in the world now.

Crystal said...

Alleen

Seriously Can Gabriella be any prettier?!!!! And all of her outfits I am just dying over here!!!! OOOH sooo CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Alleen-- I cannot hardly believe Miss Gabriella is anything but angelic look at her smile!!!!! I remember you used to say she did not sit still and I am telling you that is my little boy! Sophie always wants to sit on my lap or she always wants me to carry her but my little man ooh Alleen seriously he is on the go nonstop!!! :)

I LOVE your pics --thank you for posting them! I really really want to go next year!!! :)

Carrie, Rich and the Kids said...

Looks like so much fun and Miss G looks beautiful. I love her in the outfit with the matching purse and by the fall display.

Donna said...

Hi not-so-secret blog pal! I'm SO glad you blew your cover! And I'm so glad we got to meet in person.

Gabriella is breahtakingly beautiful and we're doubly excited that she's joining in on the cheerleading fun! lol

I didn't get enough pics this weekend either! Just too darn busy!

Lookin' forward to linkin' to your blog and following Miss Precious!

veggiemom said...

Sooooo jealous! Maybe next year...
Love the pics!
Kerri, Medina, and Ruby

Candy said...

OH MAN...Your pictures really RUBBED IT IN...I really missed getting to see you there...HUGS

Anonymous said...

Im soo sorry i didnt get to chat with you at Guatober Fest!! When you have a toddler thats not easy to do!

Your little one is soooooo darn cute!

Leslie

Andrea said...

SO cute. I am DEFINITELY going to be there next year. Miss G is just gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

What beautiful children is an understatement. So very glad you guys were able to get together.

XXX,
Auntie S

Tricia said...

Girl, I feel the same about you! We finally raised the roof in SC! :)

Your family is precious & it was great to hug you all in person!!

Anonymous said...

Alleen- it was GREAT to meet you and your family at Guatoberfest. Miss G is SO precious. I think Maverick is smitten the way he followed her around. Hope to see you next year.

Amber

Kerry said...

Thanks girl. It was so good to see you. I only wish I'd had more time to talk. Your support is priceless and I really hope you can make it in March.

Madelyn's Mommy said...

It was really great meeting you!

I think everyone had a wonderful weekend.


Andrea

Anonymous said...

Maybe we will be able to make it next year. It looks like you all had an awesome time. Miss G is as cute as ever. She and Alex would make an awesome couple in the great state of KY!!!! Have a great day!!!

Your SBP

Michelle Smiles said...

Thanks for all of the photos! Looks like a great weekend! Hope to make it next year.

Tracey said...

I am so hoping for a west side g-fest next year:) Looks like so much fun! And Miss G is gorgeous!!!

Sarah said...

Alleen! It was great to see you and Miss G again! She sure knows how to work the camera with those dimples! I just posted some on my blog too...

So wish we had more time to spend together like last year... it was just alot bigger this year and harder to sit and catch up!

Big hugs and kisses! Wish I had taken more pictures!

Anonymous said...

Hello!! My name is Stacey and I live on Long Island NY.. I came across your site and wanted to tell you that your children are gorgeous! I have 3 adopted children. Two boys from Russia 5 & 7 and my little mamita from Guatemala. She is 2 and adopting her was such a blessing. I would love to share my website with you. It is password protected so please email me at mockba0204@optonline.net

I am apart of Baby Home Pages.. I would love to share stories with you and see what agency you used. Hope to hear from you soon..

Shana Giroux said...

What a wonderful experience for Ms.G!! Sounds like so much fun!! I wish we had something like that for TW.

margaret said...

Great pictures. Your G is SUCH a cutie! Enjoyed meeting her (and her parents too).