Thanksgiving 2010 (Part V: Daddy's Birthday Lunch)

This year, Daddy's birthday was the day after Thanksgiving. When everyone woke up, it was hard to imagine eating another fancy meal, but Lyra insisted that the day be celebrated with its proper pomp and circumstance. So we drove up to Sonoma for a birthday lunch at La Salette, a Portugese restaurant right on the square.

"Opa, I don't see birthday cake on the menu. But I want to order one for Daddy. And if there's some left over for me, that's okay too. Did I mention that I like carrot cake?"

No, Lyra has not joined Robin Hood's band of merry men. It's just her new green bib! Bought by Nana, of course.

Mommy, Lyra, Daddy and Nana. Three of whom are photogenic and look good in any picture. Poor Daddy.

The lunch was great. So great, in fact, that everyone needed a constitutional around the square afterward.

Oma Lettie, Mommy, Lyra and Opa at the entrance to the courtyard housing La Salette. Lyra shows off her mad air keytar skillz.

Coming from a far-off land without restrictions on leaf blowers, Lyra has never seen so many leaves in one place before. "The autumn leaves are beautiful, Mommy!"

Lyra practices her wistful expression. "I was just thinking of springtime in Paris. Ah, Montmartre."

Mommy and Opa are excited about all the leaves, too. Lyra wonders why everyone is looking at the leaves instead of eating them.

In which Lyra has a leaf taken away from her before it goes down the hatch.

"WHAT?!? You didn't tell me they have swings in Sonoma, too! Best. Day-after-Thanksgiving. Ever.

...

Hey, Daddy--have Sara and Jose been to Sonoma?"