This past weekend, February 6-7th, we gathered to celebrate mom's 80th birthday.
Tammy and I arrived at my parent's in VT at 830am Friday where the OH Raffa's had been since Sunday and Robin from NC had arrived at midnight Friday due to delayed flights. We all enjoyed a pop breakfast of pancakes, eggs, toast, sausage, cinnamon buns, and a apple/cinnamon kolachi. The rest of the day was spent talking and welcoming all the VT Beauchemins, the NY Gangwers, Lizzy and Stas, and the Boston Raffas as they arrived throughout the day. Dinner that evening was chili and salad made by the OH Raffas and Rachelle. Around 8pm, the Beauchemins and Boston Raffa's headed to their respective homes where they were staying, while the NY Gangwers, Tammy, I, Lizzy, and Stas went to our hotels.
Saturday, Tammy and I got up early. I had been awake for some time because of a banging pipe in the wall that kept me from sleeping as apparently I was the only one it bothered. After our hotel breakfast, we arrived at my parent's house with Dunkin orders, and then went to the church at 930am to help Rachelle decorate for the shinding.
The festivities began around 1130am. There were individual Valentine-themed charcuterie boards at each place setting for our hors d'oeuvres. Dominic said grace and gave the Grammy birthday blessing. The main entree was Olive Garden lasagna, fettuccine, bread sticks, and salad. Dessert was a birthday cake from Sam's. Drinks where virgin Shirley Temples and Tom Collins. For entertainment, there was a doll cut-out coloring contest, a 1946 Price is Right guess, and several rounds of Grammy Bingo. The OH Raffas put together a great slide show of pictures and videos that everyone had sent them of mom. Around 230pm, the Boston Raffas and NY Gangwers needed to head home. The rest of us returned to the VT grandparent's house for more talking, eating leftovers, and the playing of Code Names. The evening ended around 7pm for us older people. A couple of hours later for the younger.
Sunday found Tammy and I on the road early for the trip back to CT.
Link to photos. https://photos.app.goo.gl/3iPrN4jtsZWwoFXaA
