Day 365 - The Big Day

Today started out easy enough. Brad and I woke up and leisurely headed up to Knoxville from Athens, TN.

We strolled into Knoxville and hit up a Dunkin' and then a Kinko's to get a photo of Allie blown up and to get programs for her birthday made. We spent 45 minutes tooling around and just hanging out. We headed out to Remedy to check it out and then headed to his dad's to check things out there.

We got to play a little with cousin Julesy, although she wasn't too fond of us since we're "those aunts and uncles" that hardly ever get to see her!

Once our coordinator made it into Knoxville from Asheville, craziness was wrapped around us for the rest of the day!! We transformed this horribly cluttered backroom space at the Remedy into my dream space for Allie's party! (All photos are courtesy of our awesome photographer - Amber Holritz, The Lifestyle Baby Photographer! Thanks, Amber!!!!)

I honestly can't tell you what happened once people started arriving because I can't recall anything really...I am really going to have to rely on Amber's pictures to help me work through the day!!

I remember friends and family - in no particular order, but I was so happy that everyone came out! Dear friends and family that traveled long distances to be there was the best gift ever!

Verge Events was awesome to help me (to DO) all the preparing, planning and execution. We had this awesome candy bar, beautiful and tasty cupcakes (and cakes) from Cakes by Jane in Asheville. There was so much put in to detail!!

The Doljabi ritual was a bit rushed seeing as how there was no set plan for it! For those of you who are unfamiliar with the ritual (so - anyone that is NOT Korean!) - a table is set with various objects. Rice / Candle, notebook, pencil, thread, etc along with some other decorations and the one year old birthday baby is to foretell his or her future by what they grab first.

We plopped Allie down and she scanned the table for a bit before reaching for the Candle. In my limited research (and limited Korean background), I could not find what the candle meant online. My mom proceeded to tell me that it goes with the rice, which means she will have a rich life. Yay!

After the ceremony, we immediately chowed down on some Korean food provided by Kaya Korean restaurant in Knoxville. My mom also provided some "non-korean" food in the form of some roasted chicken, chicken casserole and Brad's family provided the finger foods - piggies in a blanket, meatballs and other finger foods!! Soon after, we were ready for the cake smooshing...my favorite part!

It took her a bit to get started with the cake - my little dainty baby - but once she figured it out and realized that the cake was GOOD - she was all over it!!

We also decided to celebrate my mom's birthday coming up in November. The Korean tradition celebrates the 100 day mark of a baby, the first year birthday and then the 60th year birthday. I thought it was appropriate to slide a cake and a song in for my mom who will be 60 this same year that Allie turns 1!

It was a bit funny because Brad was taking too long to come out and "surprise" my mom with her cake. He and Nicole were feverishly trying to light candles....60 candles are hard to light and they soon figured out that you should start from the inside and work your way out!!

Since we only had the venue for a few hours, we didn't have time to open gifts - and there were a TON! We started to wrap up shop, but Allie was more interested in staying with her cake!

Allie was such a fantastic baby during her party. She didn't cry once while the party was going on! She didn't shy away from any one that wanted to hold her, she was tired, but kept trucking and Brad and I were just AMAZED! Soon after the party was over, Allie went home with my mom who called to report that immediately after they pulled out of the parking lot - Allie passed out!

What a great, crazy day! I can only equate this to Part II of our wedding day, which was just as crazy!! I wished I had more time to visit with everyone, but a HUGE Thank you to everyone that came out to help us celebrate this awesome kid!!