Getting ready is half the fun!

We had two "Come Meet Julia" parties to welcome Julia to America. My parents hosted one in Midland last weekend, and Kris & Barry hosted one in Houston yesterday. It was so great to see great friends and introduce them to my beautiful daughter.

I love hostessing parties and had a blast with Julia's black & pink zebra parties! I kinda went a bit overboard, but I just claim the fact that we didn't have a baby shower, a first birthday party or a second birthday party, so I crammed it all into one! (or two)

The getting ready for the party is half the fun! I started early with making scrapbook pages to tell "the story of Julia." In her {almost THREE!} short years, she has had a unique journey. Her life is a blessed story and a testament to God's grace and redemption and I was very eager to share her story with our friends.

We also started dipping chocolate and preparing the fun treats for her parties. Thanks to Caitlyn in Midland, and Monica and Kirsten in Houston, who came over the night before to help dip and sprinkle, we had plenty of fun pink, black, and zebra treat!

Julia, of course, had to do her part to help, too. She baked her own cupcakes and "decorated" the kitchen with cupcake wrappers while I busy with other things.

Here is are some of the prep pics. Seriously, getting ready is half the fun!

 Oreo Pops!

 My Mom's trick - get it all laid out, putting things in their bowls/dishes or post-it notes to label what goes in so that others can help get things ready before the party.

Tune in tomorrow to see the finished product of Julia's "Welcome to America" parties!