They partay was a resounding success. At 11:00 a.m. this morning, I handed my parents an envelope full of money, and told them to look out the front window at the sedan that was parked out there. It was then that I told them we were sending them on a wine tour of Edna Valley wineries.

I'll skip the part where my brothers were late, three balloons popped before we got them to the house, and I never got to take a shower or bake the cake ... and just say that my parents were astonished and happy, my cousins were impressed, and most of our family friends were able to make it after all. They all complimented me on throwing a good party, but really, my brothers came up with the excellent ideas (wine tour and chicken/beef skewers), and it would have been no party at all if they hadn't all made the drive to be here today.

I'm off to take a shower now. Tomorrow I get to see my niece!