Jake's graduation...

Here it is!!!!!!!!!
The one where I post pictures from Jake's graduation.

I think we may have tried to stuff a few too many things into our weekend, but oh well....

On Friday we cleaned and mowed and basically worked our tails off. In the evening, when we would have normally been putting the kids in bed, we went to Jake's College of Education Teacher Education Program Convocation. And yes, I cried, especially when they read his name out loud as he (finally) walked across the stage to receive his certificate.

On Saturday morning we ran errands and then rushed home to get the house ready for an "after party party" before leaving for the church to set up for Jake's graduation party. His graduation party was fabulous! He had a wonderful assortment of friends and family and neighbors and co-workers there to help him celebrate. And a quick side note... we could not have pulled off such a great party without the help of our families. THANK YOU to everyone.

After Jake's party we all (his family and mine) went back to our place for a good old-fashioned birthday party to celebrate Jake's birthday. The house was full of people. The backyard was full of people. We even lit off some fireworks because no family spring/summer party would be complete without them.

On Sunday morning we cleaned up from the parties, packed our bags and headed off on our first family vacation. The trip took us to the banks of the Mississippi where we stayed at a water park and resort. The kids had tons of fun playing in the water but by evening they had had just about enough partying for one weekend and turned into little bears when we tried to go for a walk on the river front.

Before heading for home on Monday we stopped at a museum and aquarium so the kids could see turtles and fish and kindergartners...tons and tons of kindergartners. They kind of got in the way but we still managed to have fun and redeemed ourselves by allowing the kids to each pick out one toy from the gift shop. They each decided on a stuffed turtle.

And then we headed for home.
And thanked the Lord for a wonderful weekend.

Waiting for Convocation to begin.

You can't see it very well, but he has the certificate in his hand!

The table of "college" stuff.

The decorations. I successfully got the school colors,
Physics & teaching all included in the decor. Yea me. 

The brownies. Yum!

The happy couple, waiting to greet the guests.

Rachel and her balloons.

"Hey mom, take a picture!"

The Mississippi river front

One of like two pictures you'll see this year of
me with the kids.

Their favorite part of the room was this spot.

Here's what they were looking out at.

Ready to watch the 3-D movie that we eventually had to leave
because the other kids' screams were so loud they made
Rachel and Ryan cry.

Making it rain.

Her favorite part of the museum...playing in the water.
Go figure.

Taking a moment to ride a bird.
Kind of random, I guess.