Gabriel's 1st birthday party

Today has been a long day as we started our Saturday morning preparing to attend Gabriel Acosta's 1st birthday party. Gabriel is Scott's nephew from his stepbrother Omar who is the same age as Scott. We have to leave the house around 11:30 am and drive all the way to Omar and Nichole (Omar's girlfriend)'s house, which is in another city near Temecula.

Unlike in the Philippines, the express way/freeway view is full of hills. I grew up in the Philippines staring at rice fields, flat lands along the freeway. While in Singapore, the freeway view there is mostly high rise apartments and condominiums. Here in the US, it's just wilderness mixed with residential houses and some business establishments.

After almost 2 hours of driving there, we finally arrive in the house and here is Gabriel, the birthday boy.

And these are his cupcakes and his birthday cake. I have learned here that 1 year old kid have their own little cake that they can eat on their own once the candles has been blown. The 1 year old celebrant is allowed to eat it with his/her bare hands and make a mess out of it.

The party had a taquero who is a taco guy who prepares tacos and quesadillas to the visitors. This taco guy has his own stall that you rent so he can prepare the food for you fresh and hot.

All in all, the party was great. I have met my stepdad's side of the family. They are all nice and what is funny is, my stepdad's mom looks like my Father's mom. I suddenly miss my family in the Philippines, all of them, the kids and the oldies.