It's Here! Graduation Time!!!!!

I think that I have expressed how excited that I am/was that Gabe is graduating this semester.  But now that it is finally here and all systems are a "go" we are ALL really excited and ready for the next chapter!

Of all days for a graduation to be on, it's on a Friday morning.  I guess there's just too many students to fit them all on a Saturday graduation.  So work had to be requested off, etc and a few of you were well, lets just say it... lucky to not have to sit through the graduation.  Lol!

Of course Gabe's parents, sister, and nephew came to town for the big day and that meant that we had to get the house in order for our guests.  Sheets and beds ready, bathroom clean, floors vacuumed, and of course we had to get the 'ol high chair out and cleaned up for Kaleb!  Sophie didn't mind helping out on this one!  ;)

Cleaning is always more fun in your princess shoes. :)

The family arrived Thursday evening, we visited, ate some dinner (I made chicken spaghetti), and called it a night since we all had to be up early to fight the traffic to the graduation in the morning.  It started at 9 and Houston traffic is not cool that early.  Plus, we had to make sure Gabe was there early to be prepared and get in line!

We woke up before the chickens to get a head start on getting dressed.  Everyone was on schedule and calm until after the donut stop and then we hit the traffic.  I have never seen my husband so anxious and nervous about being on time to something.  Lol!  I had to calm him down, or at least attempt to, a couple of times.  The zig-zagging through the traffic was scaring me a little.  Not to mention we had two other cars trying to follow us!  Lol!!!
Needless to say, we got there in plenty of time.  We parked, gave our graduate a "good luck" kiss and found our way to the... line.  Yep, there was a line to get in.  That's how early we were.  Lol!  Oh well.
We made our way to some good seats and again waited.  My mom and Becky made it just as the program started.

I would like to say that I got some awesome pics that will be cherished forever, but that didn't happen.  Not at all.  I was even prepared.  I had my short lens, long lens, and the batteries were all charged up.  But I could not take a good shot to save my life.  I obviously don't know all of the ins and outs of my camera (and I won't admit to just how long I have owned it), but something was not right.  A setting was wrong, or something.  Or maybe it was the lighting in there- which sucked.  I started to panic a little and texted Jayne (who was at work, by the way) asking her what she thought could be the problem.  I even had her in a bit of a panic!  Lol!!  I couldn't figure it out, so I gave up eventually so that I could cheer my hubby on.

Finally it was his turn to cross the stage, shake the University's President's hand, and grab that diploma!  And I couldn't have been more proud of him.  I cheered, I clapped, and I even cried.  Happy tears of course!  :)

After the ceremony we all met up outside and then left for the celebration lunch.  Let me add this as a sidenote real quick... the ceremony was 3 hours long!!!!!  Then when we get to the parking lot, we have to wait and wait and wait for the traffic just to get out of the parking lot!!!!!  OMG!  We were so ready to be there with our family and friends and eat!  Lol!

We had made reservations at the Yardhouse in the Memorial City area.  Its a new part called City Centre.  If you haven't checked it out yet, you should.  It's a really neat area!
I picked this restaurant because 1. Its new and we hadn't tried it yet and 2. they have 100+ beers on tap!  Lol!  We all know how big a fan Gabe is of the beers.  :)
The food was really good and I think everyone enjoyed it.

Silly boy

Baby Kaleb

Andy met us for lunch

We splurged and had a yummy dessert!

Just a few of the beers

After lunch, we took some pictures with the graduate outside...

Checking out the fountains

Gabe with his sister, Kelly, Kaleb, & Kevin

Gabe with his Dad & Esmi

Gabe with his Mom & John

Our little family :)

The plan was to go home and maybe squeeze in a nap, but that didn't really happen.  Lol!  We did get to relax a little, but then I had to pack up the kids- they were going to spend the weekend with my mom, and then we had more family come over.  Gabe's cousin, Vince came into town.  We hadn't seen him in FOR-EVER!!

That night we went and had a few drinks with friends at Cedar Creek Cafe in the Heights.  It was my first time there and it was a pretty cool place.  The weather was nice so it was perfect for the seating outside.  We had some good laughs and went home and crashed.  It had been a very long day.

*Gabe,
         I am so so proud of you!!!  Some struggle with graduating college as a young adult with not many responsibilities.  You, however, did it while working a full-time job and raising a family!!  Congratulations, Honey.  You deserve it.  You have worked so hard.  Thank you for taking care of us.  We love you.  Now on to the next exciting chapter! :)