Azenette's quince (Warning - lots of pictures!)

Saturday we celebrated Azenette's quinceniera. For anyone reading who doesn't know, the 15th birthday is the big one in Hispanic, or at least Mexican, tradition. Apparently the tradition goes back to the Aztecs, or maybe the Mayans, or maybe both - I'm not sure. When a person turned 15 they were an adult and there was a celebration or initiation of some sort. Now it's a religious ceremony where the girl (or boy in Mexico) is welcomed as an adult. In the United States the party that follows has become as big or bigger than the ceremony, but both are pretty neat. I have some issues with telling a 15 year old they are an adult, but I really like the tradition.

Anyway, Azenette's quince was a beautiful, elaborate celebration. The day started for me at 1pm when a Hummer limo picked me up to chaperon the "court" on their limo ride. (Note: some of the pictures have been edited a lot. The band had some kind of fog machine that made things come out really fuzzy and grey)


Birthday girl

Azenette and all her damas (minus one)

Azenette and all her court (minus one)

Azenette and the chamberlains



Pete, Hannah, and our friend Rachel

Hannah has learned the word teeth and loves to find them

Junior and Isai

Hannah loved the choir and the guitars

At the reception hall - Isai finishing the decorations
Hannah checking things out

Abuela Keta and Hannah


All of Pete's cousins and Pete with Azenette

Dancing with Uncle Brian

The princess, Hannah Teresa, is presented

Introducing the quinceniera

Junior and Isai, brothers of the quinceniera

Maribel and Beto, parents of the quinceniera

Hannah had a leaky diaper right before she was presented so we had to change - good thing we brought a back up outfit!

Pete dancing with Azenette

The dance Azenette choreographed to dance with her court and escort

Hannah's turn to dance

Isai

Junior

Keta dancing the Chicken Dance

Pete and Maribel dancing - some brothers actually like dancing with their sisters!

Me dancing with Pete's cousins - I was so exhausted and my feet were so blistered but it was easier to dance than to argue!