Muddy Buddies

Boys + Mud = Pure Happiness

Enough said. :)

(Jude and his buddies Bennett [green striped shirt] and Cameron [blue shirt])

Nate Graduated from UVa!

This past Sunday, Nathan graduated from University of Virginia with a Baccalaureate in Behavioral Science! Way to go! Because there were only three tickets per graduate and then standing room for anyone else who was there, I stayed home with the boys while George, his parents, and Allen went to the main Commencement and his individual College graduation. Here are some pictures from the event that George took.

These ROTC guys signaled the start of the Processional by playing the bugle.

A doctor leading the Processional.

George tried to catch a picture of Nate walking in the line, but was too far away and couldn't see when he passed.

Proud parents!

Nate broke his hand last week and had to graduate in his cast.

Dad at Nate's College of Behavioral Science graduation.

Mom.

Happy graduate. :) It's been a long four years!

While the graduation was going on, Jen and her family drove down and spent some time at our house. The kids played and had a great time while we waited for Nate and the rest of the family to get back.

Watching part of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie.

As soon as everyone got back to our house, we headed out for a late lunch/early dinner with the whole family at The Boathouse here in Charlottesville. Amazingly, we beat the rush and were seated quickly. It started filling up right after we sat down, so we were lucky!

Crazy boys!

The graduate.

The whole family (except Eric, the photographer)

It was so fun to have our family in town, especially to celebrate such an important event! Congratulations, Nathan! We know how hard you worked for your degree and are so proud of you! The sky is the limit!

NYC Day 3 and Stephen's Birthday!

After sleeping like a rock, we woke up Friday morning (May 20th), ate breakfast, and just hung out at the hotel until 10:00 a.m.

Mason had a good time cuddling with Jason.

And his mama.

While on the drive back to Ashburn from New York, I got a call from George. He told me he was taking Jude to the ER. Apparently, Jude had been rocking on a chair at Grandmom and PopPop's house and it tipped too far and he fell off the back of it onto the metal support beam of a table. He had a small cut on his forehead that was pretty deep but only needed a stitch or two. Poor guy! George felt so bad. We ended up arriving at George's parent's house at the exact same time as George and Jude on their way back from the ER. It had been fun in New York, but we were all happy to be together as a family again!

We tried to spend as much time with the Grandparents as possible Friday and Saturday. We mostly just talked and relaxed together. 

Saturday we celebrated Stephen's 22nd Birthday by having a tasty taco lunch and a carrot cake Birthday cake.

Waiting outside for the party to be ready!

Silly boys.

Setting up.

Those are forks in his fingers--just in case you're wondering.

"Happy Birthday, dear Stephen!"

Make a wish!

Carrot cake. My favorite and apparently Stephen's.

Jude was excited about the cake and climbed up onto the table to point at it.

The grandparents had to catch a flight and we were on our way back to Charlottesville, but we snapped this picture of all of us. I miss my Grandparents so much! They live in Logan, Utah and we almost never get to see them. The whole time we were in New York, I thought about my dad and how much I'm sure he would want to be there, talking with everyone and hugging Chad and telling him how proud he is. With the grandparents there, it almost seemed like Dad was there in a way. I am so grateful they came so far to be here with us. It meant the world.

Chad's Graduation in NYC--Day 2

The big day!

We picked up Chad from his apartment early on May 19th and drove to the graduation venue. We got there around 8:45 a.m. and the graduation didn't start until 10:30, so we had a while to wait. They weren't even seating people yet, so we waited outside and in the foyer.

Lance trying not to be too bored.

Mason was an angel and didn't cry the whole morning!

Laura and Grandma waiting together.

They finally let us in and because we had been there so early, we got our pick of the seats.

Chad gets a "hood" during the ceremony and usually the graduates are hooded by a doctor, but Chad asked if Mom could hood him because she is a health care professional (nurse). He had to go through the Dean, but it was approved. Mom was nervous and got a run-through by a very patient lady who was trying to coordinate everything.

Adjusting.

Waiting. Lance got to sit next to Grandpa Glenn and Uncle Tyler and play an iPad. Lucky boy!

Where were sitting was saved for the immediate family of those graduates who were being hooded by someone in their family, so the Grandparents found seats a few rows away. Glenn tried to trade them, but once they were seated, they were content to stay where they were.

Mom and Chad's 5 siblings.

After the processional, waiting to be seated.

Lance oblivious to the world.

Because Chad was Class President (all 4 years!) he got to speak during the commencement. He gave a great talk on gratitude and many students and parents came up afterwards and told him how much they appreciated the message.

 After his speech, the graduates were called up to be hooded, pinned, and to receive their "diploma". Mom got to come up with Chad to hood him!

Hooding.

Diploma.

After Chad got his diploma, we all kind of checked out while the other families cheered and took pictures for their students. Lance had a great time with Aunt Amy and Uncle Jason.

Walking out.

After the graduation, there were hugs all around.

Grandma and  Chad.

 Amy and Chad.

Chad's old roommates, Mike and Brent.

There was another banquet after the graduation with amazing food like chocolate-dipped strawberries, pasta, fruit, and all kinds of desserts.

Mom and Chad. They were posing for this one. :)

Lance was happy with his brownies and noodles.

Mom, Glenn, Jason, and Chad.

Chad and his three sisters.

Lance was a really good sport.

Chad and Mason.

Chad and Lance. Almost exactly 5 years ago, I took a picture just like this when Chad graduated from BYU:

 Lance was 7 months old!

After the banquet, we took some pictures before heading to Chad's apartment.

The whole group.

Siblings.

Tyler took this picture of me and I thought I'd include it so I have at least one picture of me. 

Waiting for the van.

Laura and Tyler walking around New York City.

Back at Chad's place, we just relaxed for the rest of the day. I wanted to walk around New York a bit, but I think everyone was tired at this point, so we visited and ate amazing snacks compliments of Chad.

I love Chad's apartment! I love the high ceilings and the brick wall. It's so urban.

Lance wanted to help peal oranges.

Chad and Mason. :)

Lance had to get in on the action.

We walked to Columbia's student bookstore and on the way home got frozen yogurt from PinkBerry! It was amazing!

Lance cashed in on all his strong uncles and actually walked very little. Stinker. :)

I have to admit that Lance and I fell asleep on Chad's floor that night and woke up only to say good-bye and get in the van to drive back to the hotel. It had been so much fun being with our family and celebrating with Chad on his special day!