Allen's a High School Graduate!

June was a month of celebrating achievements. On June 16th we attended Allen's High School graduation. We are so proud of him! He has worked so hard to get to this day. Way to go, Allen!

We got into the stadium and in an attempt to keep the children entertained, George got them some popcorn. Cole quickly made it his own and spent a good 10 minutes like this:

Maybe it tastes better if you don't use your hands?

Lining up, ready for the processional.

I still can't believe little Allen is so tall and grown up.

How he managed to find us in the crowd is beyond me, but he looked up and immediately waved.

Proud moment.

These amazing parents have put so many hours and tears into Allen's education. This is their triumph too.

After a nice address by the valedictorian and the keynote speaker, it was time!

Way to go, Allen! We are so proud of you and all the hard work you've put into your education! I'm so happy we got to be here to celebrate this huge accomplishment. We love you!

And after only 24 years of schooling...

He finally did it! On June 14th George graduated from his Residency program and is now officially an Emergency Medicine Attending!!

Photo shoot with the graduating Residents:

(it was very hot and humid, so excuse the poor picture quality--my lens kept fogging up)

George's family came down for the occasion. They truly deserve recognition for their support and kindness while we worked through the program. They are amazing people and we could not have done it without them.

Proud mama:

After pictures, it was on to the celebration! The department rented out a hall on the Downtown Mall where we had a reception in honor of the newly graduated Physicians.

George and Tom. Tom just finished the Research Fellowship that George will start in July and is staying on as an Attending at UVa, so they'll be seeing a lot of each other. I really like Tom.

During dinner, they called each of the Residents up, roasted them a bit and gave them a book. I learned a few *ahem* things about George during the roast, but even while trying to poke fun at him, they couldn't help but to highlight his amazing abilities as a doctor and his optimistic, spontaneous personality that makes him so perfectly suited for the role as an Emergency Physician.

(Dr. Woods is the one doing the presentation. Interesting side note: his wife is also a doctor and is in fact the kids' Pediatrician. She is wonderful.)

The book they gave him? The Martian. Interesting since George was the one who introduced Woods and a few others to the book.

George, through all the long hours, sleepless nights, and rough rotations over the past seven years of Medical School and Residency you have continued to give it your all while still being a wonderful husband and father. You are the best man I know and I couldn't be more proud of you.

George will now begin a Research Fellowship here at UVa while working as an Attending Physician in Culpeper, a city about 50 miles north of here who's hospital is owned by The University. His first shift as an attending is July 1st. He wouldn't admit it to most, but he's nervous about being "all alone" up in Culpeper where he will be the only doctor in the department during his shifts. I know he's going to do a wonderful job. Culpeper is lucky to have him!

Florida Day 8--pool popsicles and sandy kids

Friday, our last full day in Florida, started out right with 10 mile bike ride for Mom, Jason, and Stephen...

...a walk for Grandma and Aunt Linda...

...and a 5 mile run for me.

Mom and the boys biked to the jetty and back, stopping to eat some breakfast at Flagler.

New Smyrna Beach lighthouse!

The jetty is where all the shark bikes happen. It is a perfect place for schools of small fish and is also where all the surfers go to catch waves, so, you know, it was bound to happen.

Do not swim at the jetty.

Breakfast at the Beacon.

"I can ride my bike with no handlebars, no handlebars..."


On their ride back to the condo, they ran into me and mom snapped a picture.

Almost there!

The rest of the morning was spent lounging around the condo. I think maybe the newness had worn off the the lure of the beach wasn't quite as strong.

By afternoon I was worried our chance to play would pass us by, so I shooed the kids out the door to the pool. 

It was another family's last day there as well and they shared their popsicles with the kids. Nothing better than popsicles at the pool.

Lily definitely agrees.

Lily had decided the water was the best thing ever and chose today to be a little daredevil and jump in. All by herself. In fact, I had a hard time catching her, as I would set her up on the step only to have her step right back in, whether I was looking or not. It was so, so cute.

She didn't mind going under the water, either. I love that this little girl is such a fire-y little thing.

Cole, on the other hand, loved the waves, but not the pool. Let me rephrase that. He loved being in the water and going at his own pace, but refused to jump in or put his face under the water. Salt water waves splashing over his head is no problem, but a little calm, clear water in his face? No way!

My three boys!

After the pool, we went down to enjoy the beach one last time. Cole found this little boat and played with it the entire time we were at the beach that day.

I know there are a million pictures of Lily, but I love every one--each little face she makes is just so her.

This poor guy was still sick and he medicine had worn off, so he wasn't really in the playing mood.

Handsome guy.

Lance loves being buried. Jude and Cole saw him and asked to be buried too.

Lily saw me trying to bury the boys and insisted on sitting in the hole I was digging for Cole.

Hooray for Grandma! She was so nice to come with us and help with the kids.

Brothers

Ha! Nice photobombing.

Caught!

Aunt Linda!

Out for a swim with the big kids.

That night, we ended our vacation in proper form with crazy cinnamon roll monkey bread, caramel apples and another visit from our cousin Josh, his two boys and Aunt Dawn and Uncle Tubby.

We were so sad to say good-bye to Florida and all our family, but looking forward to being with George again.

The next day we flew home in the morning, were picked up from the airport by George's dad and made it back to Charlottesville just in time mow the lawn and tidy the house, ready for George's Residency Graduation the following day!