Graduation Week--Act One: Family Arrives

Graduation week meant that we got to spend time with a lot of family.  Since we rarely get to see our CA, TX and NC family, the week was all the more special.

The Tuesday before graduation, our Aunt Maureen arrived.  It was wonderful to get to visit with her for a few days before we shifted into full-tilt-graduation-logistic-coordination mode.  Not only did Aunt Maureen gain instant favor with David by bringing him a TRIO of dragons AND plastic food that he could cut with his very own plastic cutlery, but she is also super crafty.  Because she was willing, I shamelessly enlisted her help in finishing up the decorations for Jon’s graduation dinner.  She was so helpful.

On Thursday, we welcomed Mike, Jeremy, Kelly, Charlotte, Ryder, Dave and Debbie.  Jeremy, Kelly, Charlotte and Ryder stayed with us while the rest of the family stayed in accommodations near our house that offered a pool and more interesting dining options.  David loved having his aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins around to play with—he did a lot of jumping and roaring.

Friday morning was low-key, which gave everyone time to adjust to the two hour CA/AR time difference and prepare for the night’s festivities.  On Friday evening before Jon’s convocation, Pagans and Murphys convened at our house for dinner.  Our home was the most full of family it has ever been.  It was loud and a little chaotic and wonderful.  Jon and I loved it.  To make the night more special, Kelly made her famous pulled pork tacos with homemade tortillas.  They were amazing.  Repeat, ah-mazing. 

We all ate quickly and then it was time to leave for the convocation. 

This year the convocation was held at our home church.  [*Side note: One of our impressions of med school as an institution is that it is very ceremonious.  You may recall posts about the White Coat Ceremony, Match Day, etc.  Convocation is essentially a special graduation ceremony just for the medical students.  The large graduation for all the schools (nursing, pharmacy, etc.) was held on Sunday.]

Thanks to photographer extraordinaire, Aunt Maureen, we were able to capture the evening in pictures.  It looked something like this:

Charlotte and baby.

David and toy

Uncle Mike

Pop

"David, smile!"

Dr. P

I really have to start doing a better job of modeling the smiles I want him to give...  This trick may have worked when he was a baby, but now, he's a terrific little impressionist.

David presenting Jon with the gift that he and Nonni made.

Toddlering

Jer and Ryderman

Lovely Auntie Kel

Getting situated at the convocation.

Ryder's reaction when he learned that the ceremony would last nearly three hours.

Some of us watched the ceremony, some of us watched The Jungle Book...

Procession

The point in the music where all of the grads turned to the audience and waved.  We all clapped and cheered.

Especially this guy.

The kids did a great job.

Jon accepting the Roberts Key award for highest GPA.  [Shameless bragging] And by highest, I mean a perfect GPA.

David switching seats.  And movies.  Grammy to the rescue.

Waiting to meet up with Jon for his hooding.  I'm so happy that he asked me to be a part of such a significant moment for our family.  It was such an honor.

One proud wife and one sleepy son.

A very happy exit.

Meeting up with Jon afterward.  The lobby was packed with happy friends, family and graduates!

Team Pagan!

Proud parents

Proud aunt and uncle.

Playing with dad's tassel.

I will slowly, but surely post the rest of the details soon!  So many good pictures to share!