Happy 50th Daddy

 Just a year ago, I was telling Bobby's doctor at his well-child check that his social anxiety was all but gone and that he could probably loose that particular additional diagnosis.  Then this summer.....his social anxiety came back with a vengeance.  I would have parties every weekend if Bobby were a different kid.  I love having friends and family around.  Nothing more fun than a pool full of kids, however, when we have a pool full of kids, Bobby retreats upstairs to his room, away from the crowd. So we have less parties than I would like, but on the other hand, having parties at home is much easier on Bobby than trying to celebrate occasions at a different location.  At least at home, when he retreats upstairs away from the crowd, he has all of favorite things and he can relax and be comfortable.  He doesn't get upset or meltdowns during these times, he just simply goes off by himself to play in his room or watch movies and play on his iPad.

I was excited to plan an at home celebrate for Daddy's 50th birthday!! However, I made a huge rookie mistake......after I sent out the invites, we realized that I scheduled the party on the same day as the WVU home opener football game.  Traffic in town would be crazy!!  Luckily the game started at noon and the party was planned for 4:00. Messaged everyone and told them to come early while the game was going on to avoid traffic.  I planned a seafood boil menu for the after football game party.

 Oh my goodness, Zoi found a new BFF!!  I think that these two are in love.  I was so worried that Zoi was way to big for Bobby's cousin, Alyssa, but Zoi was a gentle giant.

 Oh my goodness, what a sweet face!!

Dinner time!!!  Shrimp and crab legs were the stars of the dinner.

 Lobster bibs to the rescue!

 Ryan is so sweet and all boy.  He was in heaven with so many rocks to play with!!

 Alyssa asking Aunt Janel for some real food please!!  Sure looks better than the baby food she had earlier!!  LOL!

 Was the newest Mountaineer mascot at dinner??? No, just Sam seeing how long he can grow his own Mountaineer beard.

Zoi never left Daddy's side throughout the dinner, she patiently waited for scraps to fall on the ground.

Daddy and I had a little selfie fun after dinner!!

 I put the cake/dessert table in the garage and put a bunch of pictures of daddy as a little boy on the table.

Of course, I am making everyone take family pictures!!!

 For those of you who don't know who this group is......Sam (Daddy's brother) is in the middle wearing the white striped shirt.  To his right (standing) his son, Evan, Janel (Sammy's girlfriend) and Sammy, his other son.  Sitting is Sam's wife, Shelia. To the left is Shelia's son Chris, his wife Savannah and their children Ryan and Alyssa (sleeping away).  They blended their families 20 years ago and the boys all grew up together as brothers.

 Janel and Sammy

 Chris and Savannah

 Chris, Sammy and Daddy, who is puffing out his chest for the boys!!  The big funny of the party.....Daddy playing the part of a 50 year old......wearing his socks and slippers as his footwear!!

 The men folk!! 

 My mom (Grandma Carolyn), Evan and my Aunt Mimi

 We had to prompt Bobby to come outside to take some pictures, he wasn't feeling it, so we let him go back inside.

 Bob and Cheri (Daddy and me)

 Me with my mom

Yes, I did it, I put 50 candles on the cake and lit that puppy up!! Definitely an outdoor activity.  The amount of smoke that came off of the candles would have put the smoke alarms off inside the house.

 We moved the dinner tables out and brought out the corn hole boards.  They also turned one of the tables into a beer pong game.  Watching my mom play beer pong.....worth all of the party planning effort!!  Sorry I don't have any pictures of that game!

A beautiful sky as the sun was setting.

 The pictures taken in the dark didn't really come out, but the Christmas lights strung across the yard were fun.

So, you may wonder, what does one get as a gift for the big 5-0!!  Well....drum roll please...........

 Yes!!  A new truck!!!  As an added bonus for Bobby.....the back head rests have built in DVD players and wireless headphones.  I know.....time for a road trip!!!  LOL!!!

Happy 50th birthday Daddy!!  We love you!!!!!