Graduation 2012

It felt like this day would NEVER come. It feels like we've been in school for 20 years. We celebrated Hank's graduation from BYU a few weeks ago and we're SO happy he's done! 

The logistics of attending all graduation events with a toddler hadn't really set in until the actual day of the event. Things I didn't consider: 2x2 seats in the Marriott Center, ridiculously steep steps that inhibit any unsupervised baby wandering, cold-hearted people sitting in front of us sighing every time Kellen's feet met their back, surrounding proud parents not thrilled with frequent screaming outbursts, to name a few.

I felt like the only person in the world with a misbehaving child...until I eventually gave up and walked outside of the stadium. Babies and naughty toddlers EVERYWHERE! I love BYU.

Kellen was particularly thrilled to see Hank after all that speech stuff.

Hank's family came to bask in the glory that was graduation day. 

 

Kellen thought putting the ridiculous looking hat on Hank's head was the funniest thing he's ever experienced.

 And when it would fall off, he made sure it went right back where it belonged.

 Silly, silly Snugs...

 Love this picture!

It was hilarious to shake the blossom tree on our heads until I took my clothes off that night. Forgot that happened and was a little terrified.

And then there was commencement day. I had everything set up so Kellen would go down for his nap at home right before we left for the event and a neighbor would watch him. If things went according to the other 364 days of the year, he would sleep 4 hours and wouldn't even be awake when we returned home.

But since I planned things (which I should never do!), he woke up an hour into the ceremony and as a result was a cranky mess at dinner. I try. I fail.

 Hank gave a beautiful speech...

And looks surprisingly good in graduation garb. Who looks good in that hat?! He has just the right head for it :) Mine looked like a peanut.

We got a little tour of the BYU racing facility...which I didn't need...but hopefully others enjoyed seeing it :)

And because I planned the graduation events, we topped off the week with a trip to my favorite place in the world, the tulip festival, and a delicious dinner at Harvest Restaurant.

Hank asked if we could bring Kellen's lawnmower to the tulip festival. It seemed like it might be a nuisance at first, but upon further contemplation, we brought it. It was a good choice.

He took off like a bat out of hell when he saw it and look furiously at anyone who got in his way. (Never mind the other hundred people trying to stroll the paths.) At one point, he encountered a man on a motorized scooter coming right for him. They both stopped stared at each other, waiting for the other to get the heck out of the way. The old man joked with Kellen but he didn't see any humor in the situation. I laughed so hard I cried. The people waiting behind us on both sides didn't find it as funny.

 This place makes me so calm...unfortunately, the graduate doesn't really like it. :) Obviously, I didn't care.

My parents went down to the stadium to check out Hank's first home. Poor thing, he didn't really get to enjoy graduation weekend because his competition was only the next week. No time for celebrating.

 Hybrid Blue minus the body...and Hankie racing again, and again, and again...

When we pull up to the stadium, Kellen gets out of the car and yells, "Daaaaaaaad!!" He's like a little monkey when he sees his dad.

 Maybe one of my fav pics of all time. I love his soft, fuzzy little head.

We are so happy for Hank! He has worked harder than anyone I know to finish school, all while working full-time to support a family with expensive taste. We love you, Hank!