October 13,14 2012 Laurie’s 80th, Philadelphia

We had a great weekend visiting with family and celebrating my brother-in-law Laurie’s 80th birthday. It was great to see everyone.

Saturday we had brunch at Anna Meadows house.  Anna is an old family friend. Jill, Judy, Laurie, Albert, Anna and John. The dining room was one of the most beautiful rooms I have ever seen. I love all the color.

Anna, Sue, Judy, Jill, Laurie and Albert, and the girls, Sue, Judy and Jill. Judy is my sister and Jill their daughter.

Jill in her Pinky and the brain hat. Family members say that Jill and I are the most alike in the family.  We saw this dog on the streets of Philly.

After brunch we went to the Philadelphia Art Museum.  This is a statue of Rocky, from the movie when he ran up the steps of the museum and posed this way. Everyone else was posing the same way with him.

There was this great exhibit of armor. Here is a full knight and horse armor and the composite photo is some fancy ceremonial armor, two Islamic helmets to be worn over turbans and the lower part is two cod pieces (I overheard two men saying, wow, those knights must be really big and strong!), the two middle pieces are armpit armor. Not sure how they fit.

Here are a couple other pieces, a painting titled I think Where children come from, the famous sunflower painting, that Kansas has a giant easel and copy of since they are the sunflower state, a neon piece that says ‘The true artist helps the world by revealing mystic truths.’, and a glass mosaicked pillar by Tiffany. The view of downtown Philly from the steps of the art museum.

We then attended a family dinner. Temmie, Matt, Mike, Jill, Sue, Judy, in front are Laurie, Jon and Jake. Matt, Mike and Jon are Laurie’s sons, Jake is Jon’s son. Matt came from Tokyo, Mike from Santa Fe and Jon from Switzerland to throw this birthday bash for Laurie. The buffet dinner with Laurie, Temmie, Ray and Yuri.

Yuri (Matts wife), Matt, Jill and John at the first table and Mike, Laurie and Ray at the second table.  Ray is my brother.

Laurie blowing out his birthday candles. Siblings Sue, Judy and Ray

Sunday was the big birthday bash. A brunch at the Bistro San Trope. Here is the crowd. Jon made a slide show up of pictures of Laurie and his life, it is showing on the screen. Ray and Joan.

Laurie enjoying the speeches. Behind him are Misha, his grand daughter and Jon holding Jake, Laurie’s grandson. Laurie giving a speech.

Siblings, Judy, Ray and Sue and a shot of Sue, Jill, Judy and Ray in front of the happy birthday bar. It was all loads of fun, and we are exhausted.