The party in pictures

We jetted off two weekends ago for a fancy party held in my mom's honor. She retired after 15 years as a VIP. Some other VIPs offered to host their party at their VIHouse surrounded by 10 acres of VIGardens scattered with VISculpture. To set the scene:








Here are a few of the sculptures (guess which one is for you, Julie):

Yeah, really. And here is what the table setting looked like:

So you can imagine how nervous I was about having Jo and Opie at this party. Did I mention it was a sit-down, five-course meal for 150 people, most of whom were still more VIPs who are big donors to the organization for which my mom works/worked? And let's not forget that this was the day that Jo suddenly developed the barfing flu.

But they looked really cute, and charmed everyone, and did not throw up or throw tantrums. The tables were set up outside, which helped a lot. I got to tour the gardens, eat at least some of my dinner, and hang out with family (15 of us all together, including a cousin who I haven't seen since he was about 4, who turned out to be a real mensch and fit right in as if he'd been at every birthday and holiday dinner since time began).

I wish I had a shot of the waiters parading down the hill with covered dishes on their trays before each course. But you'll have to settle for: