One of the best things about having a party is getting to spend time with friends. Brenda and Rick used to work with me and are now just good friends, not only to me, but to Justin as well. In teasing him, I told Justin I was only inviting the people who loved him so it was going to be a small party........Although I didn't get photos of them, Cliff and Carol came to fete Justin on his birthday, giving up their usual "nothing gets in the way of" date night to be with him. See? Only the people who love him! Unfortunately, Cindy and Mike had dinner show tickets so could only be there in spirit. Cindy loves Justin and he loves her and they share a love of M*A*S*H. 
Here's the table all dressed up for Justin's birthday party. Beyond the table is the river room with that table sporting the lovely glass piece Dee gave me. Justin's "grandma" Twila and "aunt" Jean were there as well as Judy J. The church family was well represented on his big day!! Only a few of the Middleburg family were able to come as the Hilcheys were busy getting Olivia's party together, while the Woodruff's had a death in the family and had a funeral home visit to make. Sandy and Bruce came, as well as the Rosses, so some of our "hurricane" families were present, including Brenda N.!!!!
This fruit plate was simply begging to be photographed so I obliged. Also shown is spinach dip in the sunflower dish Rosses gave me, and the smaller pan is the artichoke souffle Justin loves!
Justin invited a few of his friends to join the fun. From the left is Potts (former roommate), Olivia, Robbie, Justin, Brian, and Josh. All except Robbie are St. Johns kids, Robbie is his church friend since before they were two years old! It is an "accident" that the portrait of Timmy, painted by Dee, shows over Justin's shoulder. When I looked at the photos from the memory card this afternoon, it struck me and I wept a bit.
Since Dena couldn't do the special cake for Justin, I asked Publix to handle it instead! Not too childish and not overly masculine either.
Arriving just a little late, Jessica and Travis came down from upstairs to share in the party. Travis is looking at Justin's scrapbook I did for him at graduation in 2006, and with the help of Twila, added a few pages of more current photos. (Make a note: get the three-ring binder style albums instead of these !@#$#%% post binders!!! It took both of us, each with a screwdriver to get those pages in the album!) *
The Powell's were also expected at the party but Travis reported that their A/C had gone out and some repair people were going to be there to make the repairs. Too bad about the A/C and too bad they couldn't come to Justin's party. Since VBS was finishing up that night, Paul, Emily, and Sarah arrived just a bit late, as well. Sarah was quite excited about coming, she loves Justin but is shy around him. They gave Justin a book about The Dark Knight and he was absolutely thrilled! He got many nice gifts and gift cards that night, plus the ever-appreciated cash. My gift was a big book about The Beatles with a gift certificate for a car detailing and oil change. Not a flashy gift but I know what he likes and needs.
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His family in WI either sent cards or sang birthday greetings to him. His aunt asked me to extend birthday wishes to him before she hung up Saturday. So far we haven't heard from his godfather but Lynn, his other baptismal sponsor, has sent a card, yet to arrive. At the steak fry, they never forget his birthday because he shares it with the hostess! Lori was always ticked that he wasn't born the next day instead, on HER birthday!
