Birthday fun.

Yesterday was my birthday. I share my special day with an elite bunch - former President Ronald Reagan and Axl Rose from the rock band Guns N Roses. Still, yesterday the fun was all mine.

I learned that 36 has perks. Not only is it the 20th anniversary of my sweet 16, but now I can legally date someone half my age. It was also pointed out to me that now I'm in my late 30's, to which I didn't know if I should cry or deck the person who told me. (I chose to deck him.)

All that aside, yesterday, I got my birthday wish: To get together and have a fun dinner with people I love.

We went our local Buca di Beppo and got the table in the kitchen, which was noisy, boisterous and fun. Add in a giant bottle of Chianti and humongous family-style portions, and we had a blast.

Here's a photo recap:

Crowbar (forefront) blocking an otherwise nice shot of Mad Dog, Grandma and Grandpa B., and The Deuce. The sign above their heads reads in Italian, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." (Story of my life.)

Mad Dog, doing her best Flavor Flav impression...

...and then teaching Grandma B. the "Whatever, Major Loser" hand gesture. (It's all the rage with third graders these days.)

The Deuce enjoys a somewhat more civilized evening, sipping her kiddie cocktail from a wine glass. (Just like her mother.)

Grandma Judy and my baby brother share of love of caprese salad and fashionable eye wear...

...all the while Mark and I smooched in the corner. Actually, that's not true. I was too busy chugging wine and demanding tiramisu.

In the end, I got my tiramisu, plus a gigantic serving of birthday cake. It was the best birthday ever.