[carlyincali]

Well the party was a huge hit! I am so glad I pulled it off. I found out a few days before the party that my husband was not going to be there. There was nothing neither one of us could do about it, so I had my little hissy, and then had to continue to prepare for the party. Thank goodness for my mom. She helped me sooo much.

My husband's coworkers knew that he was missing his son's party. In fact they were all supposed to be here too. But they sent him home, telling him that they had everything under control. So Sammy did make it home before most of the people left. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

The food was fantastic. Everyone raved about the Salsa Chicken I made. I was so nervous about the food, about everything.

I was so happy that my one girlfriend made it. Her family brought home their baby girl from Guatemala four months before we brought home Shay. (I met her online and we have become very close email friends. It's always nice to have a friend who is going/went through an adoption.) Anyway, her daughter is just beautiful. Her name is Olivia. I wanted my husband to see her so bad, and he did get to see beautiful Olivia before she left.
Here are a few pics. (I was so mad at myself. Somebody left early and I cut them a piece of cake BEFORE I took a picture of it. I swear, I am such a dork. The cake turned out great though.)

[mommy2gabi]

Sounds like a great party!!! Cake looked very yummy!!! And Shay is as cute as ever!! Also could you PM me how to make the salsa chicken?? It sounds so good!!

[gibbs7263]

Glad it turned out PERFECT! Shay is growing up!

[nattyloo]

Carla,

What a great cake- too cute! I am so glad the party went well and that daddy got to be there for some of it. The pics of Shay and Olivia are adorable :-) Thanks for sharing!

[LadyTink]

What adorable pics!!

[joyloo]

What cute pics. Shay is adorable and so is his friend Olivia. I'm glad your hubby got to make it to some of the party. The cake is SO cute ( and I didn't even notice a piece was cut off it until after you pointed it out )

Welcome home Shay!!! Yipee!!!

Joy

[AnaM-H]

I 'm glad the party went well. I like the cake idea. Shay is adorable.

[kzwief]

The cake was so cute! Would you mind posting the Salsa Chicken recipe? Sounds yummy!

[nykrissy]

Carla...it looks like your day turned out great, the cake is terrific and Shay is just so handsome! Congrats!

[amymole36]

Adorable!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

[carlyincali]

Here's the recipe for the Salsa Chicken. I followed all the directions except that I cooked it in the crock pot.

Salsa Chicken Burrito Filling Recipe #155336

" Quick, easy burrito/taco filling that is delicious and freezes great! I serve this with tortillas, shredded Cheddar cheese and little sour cream. You could fill the tortillas and put them all in a baking dish and then cover with salsa and cheese and bake for about 10 minutes, if you don't want a mess at the table
by kineline
4
servings
http://img.recipezaar.com/timer.gif 30 min 10 min prep

2 (4 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast halves 1 (4 ounce) can tomato sauce 1/4 cup salsa 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix 1 teaspoon ground cumin 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon chili powder hot sauce

1. 1 Place chicken breasts and tomato sauce in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Bring to a boil, then add the salsa, seasoning, cumin, garlic and chili powder. Let simmer for 15 minutes.
2. 2 With a fork, start pulling the chicken meat apart into thin strings. Keep cooking pulled chicken meat and sauce, covered, for another 5 to 10 minutes. Add hot sauce to taste and stir together (Note: You may need to add a bit of water if the mixture is cooked too high and gets too thick.).

[nathansvolunteers]

Carla,
What an awesome party! I'm glad things turned out so well after all your hard work and your hissy fit!
The cake turned out fabulous....I LOVE it! I have a funny cake story, too. When Camille was baptized, her cake turned out gorgeous. Truly one of the prettiest cakes I've seen. DH was happily slicing away, when I said "You did get pics, didn't you?" He looks up with a "deer in the headlights" look. LUCKILY, his 12 year old niece had taken a pic of it when it was still in the box, so you can see "Acme food market" around it, but at least it was enough to save my hubby from an untimely demise!!
Shay is drop dead gorgeous...as always!


Cindy

[JustBarbara]

Carla - these pictures are great and so glad your hubby was able to make it home - three cheers for his work buddies who sent him home! Four cheers to YOU for making it all happen (along with your mom, of course!) Shay Mateo - you are one lucky and adorable little guy. First you have a welcome home party and THEN you meet a little girl from Guatemala and sit next to her and chat away ... life is good.

[CEB]

Gorgeous cake for an absolutely adorable little guy! So glad to hear that you all had a fantastic day (and thanks for the recipie)

[KKR213]

Congrats on a successful party. Shay and his new friend Olivia are too cute together. And the cake is great...I didn't notice the missing piece until you pointed it out either!