Friends and family gathered in the Kings' front yard to help push John "over the hill" in style, on his 50th birthday July 9. In spite of a record-breaking heat wave, dozens of well-wishers came (many bearing gag gifts), and enjoyed a fun evening of fellowship, laughter, and Julie's delicious cooking.
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early guests Bonnie and her granddaughter Savannah are waiting to wish John a happy birthday
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Savannah's little sister Abby and her baby brother Luke are waiting for the festivities to start
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Wil and John are impatiently waiting: "Let's get this party started!"
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"Where is the birthday boy, anyway?!"
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SURPRISE! Happy 50th Birthday, John!
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A VERY hot day for an outdoor party (over 100 in the shade)!!
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John's wife Julie (center) grilled chicken, hot dogs, and hamburgers for the party guests
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Pastor Bob gives John his best wishes
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Jeremy and Janelle came all the way from Point Reyes, where Jeremy is stationed in the Coast Guard. Here they chat with Mary and Ruth, old friends from GFCC
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Frank and Paul Jr. shoot the (hot) breeze, while Sarah munches on cool, refreshing watermelon
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Irina and baby Jerry join in the celebration
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Miguel and his old buddy Wil are glad to see each other while Michael and Luke get acquainted
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Nate does some catching-up with Seth
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John and Paul Sr. observe the proceedings
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The Old Man greets The New Kid on the Block
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Here comes Diane, with some of her delicious potato salad
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Poor Julie slaves away in the heat, cooking up lots of yummy food for the partygoers
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Wil tries to keep his baby grandson Luke from scooting around underfoot
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Seth and Jeremy
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"Were you surprised, John??" (No, not really)
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Julie cuddles Jerry, Irina and Miguel's baby boy
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Julie especially loves to hold that baby since she misses her own grandson in Delaware so much -- baby Jerry and her grandson Jonathan were born only 1 day apart, so she sort of has a special attachment to Jerry.
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Lots of friends and family gathered for the special occasion, in spite of the heat
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Everyone had a great time!
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Frank and David
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Pastor Bob and Whitney
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little Michael explores his surroundings
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Julie baked John a special "birthday pie"
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Mary and John try not to melt
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Eric and Miguel, with baby Jerry
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next-door neighbor Morgan
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John opens his birthday gifts
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Bruce and Nate watch John open his gifts
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Nate loves to tease Diane
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Of course, some of John's friends couldn't resist giving him a few "gag gifts"!
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John models the latest fashion in yellow tissue-paper wigs (It's fun to pretend he has hair!)
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After the party wrapped up, James gathered some of the laggers inside for a rousing game of "Balderdash"
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James
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Ruthie's turn to read the card
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John looks on encouragingly, while Nate tries his best to read a definitition without laughing
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Ruthie struggles to regain some composure
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Nate can't contain himself!
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"The Ferbam People" all agree: Balderdash is the funniest game ever invented!
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Reporter: Laurie Paulsen
E-mail: laurie1064@yahoo.com
Next Story
September Stories
The Robinson Report
The Robinson Connection: John, and the folks who attended his birthday party, are friends of Eric and Laurie