This afternoon, we celebrated my brother Tim's 60th Birthday!! The event was at Buca di Beppo in Strongsville, OH. The Participants were Tim, his companion Lois, his daughters Mandy and Marnie, their spouses Paul and Mike, Tim's granddaughters Kendal and Hayden, my sisters Patty and Maggie, my brothers Joe and Bob, Maggie's husband Mike, my nephew Dan, our Aunt Rita and her son Johnny, and Oney (Leona?) and Jim (Daughter and son-in-law of Tim's previous companion Judy, who died in 2005) There were many significant people absent from this party! My sister Kathleen is in Philadelphia, PA. My brother-in-law Dan did not come with his wife Patty to Northeast Ohio this time around!! (Amy, Patrick, and Dave were not present, either.) My niece-in-law Laura and her daughters Amy Marie and Emily had another birthday party that was more child-friendly! (LOL!)
Our food came from the Magnifico Package! We had Baked Rigatoni (?), Chicken Parmigiana, Caesar Salad, Apple Gorgonzola Salad, Freshly Baked House Bread with Olive Oil and Chocolate Chip Cannoli from the restaurant! Mandy provided Chocolate and White Cupcakes. Marnie provided a White Cake from Costco! (Their husbands are silent partners in this deal (LOL!)!) The food was enjoyable for the most part!! By the way, beverages were included in the package (Based on the Take Home Menu that I picked up when I arrived, I thought that drinks were not included!! It also sounded like the Deluxe Famiglia Meal.).
The main present that Tim received was a trip to Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Bob and I gave him a Target Gift Card! Instant lottery tickets were also given!!
In addition, Kendal and Hayden received their Christmas presents from Kathleen (We brought them with us!) and some other goodies from Tim! Also, Bob received birthday card from Joe and Maggie and Mike. Joe gave him instant lottery tickets. Maggie and Mike gave him an Olive Garden Gift Card! I wonder how Olive Garden compares to Buca di Beppo in food quality! I will let you know!
After the party, we went back to Maggie and Mike's house briefly before we attended 5:30 PM Mass at St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Parma! We walked into the church at the end of the First Reading! Despite the Deacon's Homily going on and on, Mass was over around 6:21 PM.
We will spend the evening relaxing! Dinner #2 will be Swedish Meatballs and Rice that I made on Thursday! By the way, we had Spaghetti and Meatballs for lunch that Bob made yesterday! (Since yesterday was a Friday in Lent, the meatballs were saved for a future meal!)
Tomorrow will be a lot quieter!!
