We go to Italy

Our friend Laurie turns 40 this year and when her husband asked her what she wanted to do for her 40th birthday she said, "I want to go to Italy!"

With the help of excellent party planners Brooke and Darla (last seen at the Hogan Hoedown) we all went to Italy!

This is Burt and Laurie's Parlor. It usually has comfortable chairs for chatting in, but today: Italy!

Aside from a great progression of pictures of Laurie, we also got to eat bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping. There was hummus too!

A beautiful table, which also had an awning over it. Bad picture taking on my part. This table was joined by many different kinds of pizza.

There were even waiters!

Because Laurie doesn't do sugar, there was no cake. Instead, we had grape stomping. Here Laurie stomps.

Then the younger generation takes over.

And even the youngest stomped. Though not for very long.

We couldn't get enough stomping.

Including Matt.

Then Darla hopped in.

Then both Brooke and Darla found they could stomp, albeit, with support from Matt.

Looking out this window, you could even see a street scene.

Matt reminds us where we are.

It was a great birthday party and we had all the fun of Italy with none of the jet lag.