Among us, we ordered 3 first courses, the beet one IMG_0322 the meat one IMG_0323 and the gorgonzolla cheese one IMG_0324 On the half hours throughout the meal, popovers IMG_0325 arrived. Depending upon the order of delivery to the 5 dining rooms, the freshness varied. Next came the main courses, IMG_0326 IMG_0327 IMG_0328 IMG_0329 of which I only remember the ``fried chicken'' portabello IMG_0330 that I had. The food got conversation going as Seva IMG_0331 Suzanne IMG_0332 and Peter IMG_0333 entertained the thought of a cheese cart IMG_0334 to the amusement of Steven IMG_0335 Sara IMG_0336 and me IMG_0337 (not a bad self portrait).

Once we got the crackers IMG_0338 and breads IMG_0339 and our cheese plate IMG_0340 we were freed to study the salt and pepper shakers IMG_0341 and eat down the cheese IMG_0342 to the amusement of our waiters IMG_0343 for the evening. It took one IMG_0344 then two IMG_0345 and even a third try IMG_0346 before I could get the sugar picture right and my first attempt to get a plate picture IMG_0347 didn't work. After the chef's dessert IMG_0348 I went to the men's room looking for a sign and found this rat IMG_0349 hence the name. I came back to participate in ordering the desserts IMG_0350 IMG_0351 IMG_0352 after which Sara posed the plate IMG_0353 so I could get a good picture.

After dinner, we explored. Peter meditated IMG_0354 as Steven IMG_0355 went into the willows IMG_0356 to glance at this sculpture IMG_0357 while Suzanne, Seva and Peter IMG_0358 discovered the music machine IMG_0359 and entered their selection IMG_0360 for all to hear.

On further exploration, we met these people IMG_0361 and as Peter befriended them IMG_0362 Suzanne joined the crowd IMG_0363 and eventually we sat for a group picture IMG_0364 taken by this kind gentleman IMG_0365 before exploring further to this sculpture IMG_0366 and then this IMG_0367 which suffered in the darkness. After a debate, IMG_0368 we decided to skip the formal setting IMG_0369 and join the picnic IMG_0370 where after a nice picture IMG_0371 we said goodbye to her IMG_0372 and headed home.

On Suzanne's real birthday, the family decided to take her to The Big Fish to celebrate as we have done in recent years. We stopped at Daniel Suo's house to check out his hoop IMG_0373 and pick up Jane IMG_0374 so that we could drive to MarketFair ad park in a controversial manner IMG_0375 before heading in. After a Nalgene stop IMG_0376 Jane chose red IMG_0377 and Benjamin green IMG_0378 and we headed back to Big Fish where we ran into Miguel Centeno and wife IMG_0379 while Suzanne decided to take a look at the menu IMG_0380 while the kids IMG_0381 got more IMG_0382 and more crooked IMG_0383 and even Suzanne IMG_0384 couldn't straighten them out.

On the way to our table, we ran into Jack and Linda IMG_0385 before posing for family pictures with Sarah IMG_0386 finally opening her eyes IMG_0387 as Jane IMG_0388 Ben IMG_0389 and Suzanne (eyes closed) IMG_0390 insisted that my picture IMG_0391 be taken by Jane IMG_0392 who smirked at the idea.

The sugar pictures IMG_0393 and the salt shaker IMG_0394 were not up to the night before but Sarah modeled her new hair look IMG_0395 as the drinks came. I had apples and oranges IMG_0396 Jane had a Shirley Temple IMG_0397 Ben had lemonade IMG_0398 and Suzanne had a gin and tonic IMG_0399 as we nibbled bread IMG_0400 until Suzanne's salad IMG_0401 and mine IMG_0402 came and the anchovies IMG_0403 had to be removed from Sarah's IMG_0404 as Suzanne started her fish IMG_0405 Jane her burger IMG_0406 Ben his pizza IMG_0407 Sarah her chicken quesadillas IMG_0408 and me my 4 cheese pizza IMG_0409 and as we do every year, we wondered why we'd go to a fish house on Suzanne's birthday since none of us (except Suzanne) likes fish.

The sunset IMG_0410 as we made our way to Lick'it IMG_0411 made us feel good as we completed our celebration of a wonderful birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUZANNE!!