He's got an MBA and it's MY Turn....

Mark's graduation was wonderful yesterday. What I completely forgot, though, was that the ENTIRE college of business (undergrad & grad) had their graduation at the same time. So it was a 2-1/2 hour ceremony. Mark's former classmate (Ed Schexnaydre) was awarded his MBA diploma posthumously . His wife accepted his diploma as well as the wreath placed on a chair for Ed. It was a sad moment in the MBA class, but they all stood and gave Ed (and Maydel) a standing ovation.

Anthony was great for the whole ceremony. Honestly, I was too busy trying to take pictures of the different parts of the ceremony, so Grandpa, Nana and the two uncles were in charge of entertaining. He loved sitting in one of the chairs, reading a book, snacking on raisins and drinking his juice. He was also very enthralled with the very cute baby girl in front of us. He kept saying "Beebee!".



We took plenty pictures after the ceremony. Anthony wasn't too interested, but we got a couple of good shots. Mark's camera is just amazing when it comes to zoom, quality and color. I'm going to love having this camera around!

Mark and I after graduation:


As a family:


The two "boys":


And last, but most certainly not least, Mark with his parents:


When Mark first decided he wanted to go for his MBA, we were prepared to do whatever we had to do to make it possible. The program he went through cost about as much as a mid-line SUV does, so I was ready to sell my soul (or his, whichever would prove to be more profitable). Then Mark's parents stepped in and offered to pay the tuition in full. We will never be able to repay them for what they have done for us (not only monetarily, but in terms of moral and emotional support). Mark missing school for about a month and a half so he could be in Omaha for the transplant (and then recovery) was tough, but he made it! I'm really so proud of him.

After the ceremony and pictures, Nana, Grandpa and the uncles took Anthony to dinner and then to their house to spend the night. Mark and I went to dinner together (it's been a long time since just the two of us went out on a "fancy" date!) and had a wonderful time at The Melting Pot . Afterwards, there was a coctail party for the graduates at a hotel where one of the graduates works. We had a good time, and were home in bed early (hey, I'm getting old, what can I say?!).

Now we get on with real life. I'll start school in the fall, and Mark will be the one supporting ME! Hopefully once I'm done, the only people we'll have to put through school will be our children.

Oh, and my dad got the surprise of his life last night! His brothers, sisters and mom all went to Atlanta to surprise him for his 60th birthday (that is coming up soon)! It was a good time for them, and we wish we could have been there!! Pictures will follow when they get back from Atlanta!

Anthony made a full week at Day Care...we're hoping this is a trend that will continue! We don't draw labs again until June 6th!

Thanks for checking in!

Love, Laurie, Mark and Anthony

Coming up in Anthony-land:
Saturday: Lunch with Maw Maw Peck
Sunday: Lunch with Nana, Grandpa and the Uncles; then Nana will babysit while everyone else goes to see Star Wars!
Monday: back to Day Care; Maw Maw and Paw Paw come back from Atlanta!