We could not be PROUDER Of our husband and daddy, who graduated with a bloomin'
Doctorate of Pharmacy this past Saturday...
.Wahoo!!
The road to this moment has been oh so very LONG and unbelievably CHALLENGING. I can safely say that Ryan as well as myself have been tried and tested to the very MAX throughout Pharmacy school- the stress of even getting into a very competitive graduate school, worrying about money constantly, having two kids, dealing with relentless drama while manageing Crestline, MANY ups and way-downs emotionally and physically... However, it was oh so worth it as I was able to watch Ryan walk across that stage and be hooded with a Pharm D!!
Here is Ryan, being one of only three people chosen to be hooded by this amazingly accomplished and distinguished man, Dr. Woolley. Ryan worked closely with Dr. Woolley while at BYU and was specially recommenced to be accepted into the Pharm D program by Dr. Woolley himself. Dr. Woolley sits on the Board of Trustees at USN, among his many endeavors, so this was a special honor!!
After the ceremony, which the kids barely made it through with their sanity somewhat in tact, Jane presented Daddy with a special candy lei that we made for him. He loved it!!
The kids and I were SO PROUD!! How lucky are we to have such an amazing daddy and husband!!
Here's Ryan with his family. His sister from Logan and her family drove down for the very early ceremony. It was very sweet.
Ryan and Dr. Woolley, posing for one last picture, after a long history together!
This was most of Ryan's really close friends and study group. They spent many, many late nights studying for the notoriously grueling tests USN has to offer. They may just have seen more of my husband these past three years than I have :)
Ryan was sweet and gave me his USN sash. This was very special to me, because each graduate is supposed to give this to someone who was very helpful and influential in getting them through school and to the point of graduation!! I was honored that I was this person for Ryan!! He did most of the hard work but maybe I did my share, too :)
After graduation, we went to lunch with Ryan's family! It was very nice to spend time with them in celebration of Ryan's accomplishments!
Later on Saturday evening, we went to a HUGE graduation party put on my one of Ryan's friends from school! This party was really amazing! Here are Ryan and the kids entering the party zone.
There was a DARLING train that Jane absolutely LOVED. It took the kids on rides all around the neighborhood! Jane rode it like five times in a row until we made her get off to give some of the other kids a turn :)
Ryan even got a turn on the train with Beckham...haha!!
Each table had two or three jars of candy...that was pretty much all Beckham ate for dinner. There were little bags for everyone to go around and make their own bag of candy to take home- so cute!
Here is Ryan with his buddy, Heath, who also graduated and for whom the party was for. They had a good ol' fashioned boxing match which lasted about 30 seconds before they were both too tired to continue:)
There was a Humongous bouncy house which was Beckham's favorite...
...although, Jane had a BLAST, too!
Ryan even had a little fun in there as well!
This party was an absolute dream world for the kids. There was so much to do and they had so much fun!! Beckham loved this little air plane!
Dinner was absolutely delicious as well. The best part, though, was being able to sit with all of Ryan's friends from school and their wives and listen to their funny stories from school, talk about future plans and just get to know these people who were such a huge part of Ryan's life for three years!
Ryan tried his hand at Sumo Wrestling...and was pretty good!
He wasted the other guy...that's my man!!
The party was fabulous and we had such a blast, however it was a little bitter sweet for Ryan to have to say good bye to his school friends. We are all going our separate ways now and ready to have new adventures.
The Thursday before graduation. Ryan and I were able to attend the school banquet which was held at La Caille!! Of course I forgot to put the battery in my camera for this...darn!! The grounds at La Caille were beautiful and dinner was delicious!! They had some funny awards and Ryan received the award for best name with his new job in the Air Force..."Captain Dick." He walked to the stage amongst grand cheers to receive his award which was this hat!!
Ryan's parent took Ryan and I to dinner on Friday night to Mageleby's to celebrate Ryan's graduation! It was a wonderful dinner and so much fun to spend some time with Ryan's parents without the kids where we could really talk and relax!
Today (Sunday) I threw a mini graduation party for Ryan at my mom's house! We had a delicious dinner!
And a delicious ice cream cake in honor of the graduate!!
The icing was VERY blue and turned everyone's mouth blue! The cake was otherwise well received, though :) Jane is clearly VERY HAPPY...
It was a beautiful evening, and the kids had a great time playing in the back yard!
I feel so incredibly grateful to have such a hard working, dedicated, tenacious and responsible husband who takes such good care of his family!! I am a lucky lady, for sure! We love ya Ry and are so very proud of you. You really amaze me! I am looking forward to the many adventures coming our way!
I just had to include a picture of this amazing delivery of cookies for Ryan from our bosses up in Salt Lake!! It was so cute and the cookies are amazing!!! We really work for great people and this was a fun surprise...we have all been enjoying the cookies a little too much :)
I think she did an amazing job...Jane has always been very creative and good at anything art related!
I put my OCD aside to allow Beckham and Jane a chance to finger paint. They loved it...but boy, did it get messy!
We have gotten to visit with a few friends from our old ward...that was the very best ward in the entire world...oh how I miss it :) It was so great to see Whitney, Evan, chad and their new baby...she's a doll!
The boys all coordinated outfits- haha :)
Jane started her long awaited ballet class! She looked oh so cute in her pink tights, and dance shoes!! She jumped right in and gave it her all and was really darling!!
She already loves her teacher!!
Naturally, we have been trying to enjoy the sporadic good weather. Jane and Beckham love to swim!
Beckham was very brave and had no problem going right down the slide and into the water, cold turkey!! It was pretty funny to see how shocked he was at the cold water :)
Good ol' daddy spent his time getting grass and bugs out of the water for Jane who couldn't seem to enjoy herself unless the water was clean!!
We are making the best of summer, but are really excited and anxious to start our adventure! Ryan is leaving for Commissioned Officer Training in less than two weeks now yikes and thus begins the craziness...Doing Crestline solo fro while, movers coming, new carpet for the home, Christina and Terry taking over, living with my mom and eventually the big move to Delaware!! How exciting!!
...the worst to date...it will be nice to not have to work anymore...I won't lie...I am tired of these little surprises I find when I come out of the office :) I love this little guy, though. He keeps me on my toes!
