Happy Birthday, Dad

Today was my Dad's Birthday.  He turned 78!  I can't believe it.  He looks (and acts) a lot younger.  After church we took off to Kinder where we gathered to celebrate.  My mom made a huge pot of crawfish etouffe, asparagus, salad with homegrown lettuce and rolls.  We feasted like kings.  Then Mom pulled out a homemade coconut pie with meringue for dessert.  It's Dad's favorite pie.  We put a candle in it and sang to him.  Once the carnage was done, there was only 1 slice left in the pie pan.

We sat around the table just talking until after 4 pm.  It is nice to stretch out a meal/celebration like that and just enjoy good food and each other's company.  We need to get together and do this more often.  

When it was about time to go, we took a family photo on the patio.  Dad told us a story about how when Mom opened the umbrella you see in the photo below, a big chicken snake was coiled around the umbrella supports and dangled down.  I'll bet that was a sight to behold!  No snake today, just a good celebration of Dad's birthday.

Happy Birthday, Dad.  We love you!