Graduation

Graduation. I haven't wanted to do this post because this day was the last time we will see some of our best friends for a long time. With that said, it was an incredible day, so full of joy for the accomplishment, reverence for the duty placed on Mike for serving his community, and excitement for the future. We couldn't have asked for better people to celebrate it with that both of our parents. Everyone got in on Tuesday (my mom was already there because she was so kind in watching on kids will we vacationed with friends). On Wednesday, we played around town, visited a few museums, ran errands, ate Texas food. 

Ranching Heritage Museum

On Thursday, we drove down to Carlsbad Caverns (I have to get the photos from my mom still). And Friday was graduation. It was really special for Mike because his dad was able to hood him. I am going to brag about Mike for a bit because I think he is awesome, but he was recognized for receiving both AOA (the highest academic honor society you can get) along with Gold Humanism Award (being recognized as a humanistic/emphatic/compassionate doctor). There is not many who received both. So not only is he a really smart doctor, he is also very kind. Along with our wedding and the birth of our children, this will go down as one of the happiest days of our lives.

These are all the LDS guys in his class that has made this experience the best: Mike (going to Ogden), Austin Cope (Derm in SLC), Ryan McClellan (peds in Phoenix), Brian Fisher (Ortho in Dartmouth), Brad Evanson (Derm in Temple), Steve Cowles (OBGYN in Phoenix), Greg Anderson (Ortho in Mayo), and Steven Wilding (Ortho in Hawaii).

These guys are also the best dads. I love how they not only pushing each other to be the best doctors, but they also encourage each other to be really involved dads (in their own quiet guy sort of way of encouraging).

The whole gang. We kick ourselves for not taking a Pre Med School photo, but who knew that we were all going to be such good friends. We started off with 6 kids in the group and ended up with 17 kids with one on the way. Yikes!

 And because let's be honest, they wouldn't be here without us.

I didn't get a good photo of me and Brooke, because honestly I was in denial the whole time that I was going to say goodbye to these friends. She has been one of my best friends. She would hang out with me 6 days of the week because some weeks were too tough to do by ourselves. I pray that Sam marries Bailey so that we can always stay connected.

 We have done a lot with this couple and I am so grateful that God put us in their paths for as long as He did.

 Mike is on the big screen!!!!

The sign doesn't lie. That makes me a doctor as well.. .just kidding.

The after party reception at the stadium.