Over the Hill

Daddy's 50th Birthday party was Nov. 5, 2005. Even though he came home an hour before he should have (while we were cooking and decorating!), it still managed to be a surprise party because he was so tired from hunting all day that he went straight to his bedroom for a nap and didn't notice a thing. When everyone else showed up, Maggie ran back to the bedroom and jumped on the bed or else he still wouldn't have gotten up. Most of Daddy's eight brothers and sisters were able to come (we missed Danny, Lois, and Mac) and everyone had a great time.

Elmo got new shoes! Mommy gave Daddy a very nice pair of dress shoes - I don't think they go with camoflauge, though.

Daddy (aka Earl Dean or Deanie) and Ava are two of the youngest of the Rucker clan along with Neva, whose husband Steve (below) was caught in mid-chomp. We didn't get a picture of the cake because it was gone so quickly, but we won't blame it all on Steve.

Steve and Judy Leitz, old family friends, came to the party, as did many of our cousins. Mariah, Katie, Bethany and her friend waited around for some food while Steve looked on.

Daddy's oldest brother, Leonard, brought Katie along for the fun.

Tim and Ava's younger son, Elliott, came along, too. He is about to finish his first semester as a college student at Morehead State University.

Anna and Willow helped Daddy celebrate his oldness, though I think Willow mostly just wanted to test out the food.

Leah, Wanda, Neva, and Leonard chowed down on cheeseball, soup, and chicken salad.