Patrick...Master of Arts

Well Patrick's graduation finally fell upon us.  After 3 quarters countless hours of paper writing and book reading and a big beautiful A on his thesis, he was qualified to graduate with his Masters.  The weekend of festivities began with my family coming into town Thursday night.  Friday morning we got started bright and early at the Shedd Aquarium.  Friday afternoon Patrick's parents arrived and we went to a social for Patrick's program and then headed over to see my work and kiddos.  Saturday the graduation filled day took up most of our time.  Then Sunday we ended the fun weekend with the Museum of Science and Industry.  We had a wonderful time and I was completely exhausted and bummed when the alarm went off, but reality called.  Now for what you all really want....PICS!

Chicago couple

the kids

Local Newspapers..."Mom gets eaten by giant fish!"

Green frogs

Matthew doesn't fit in the Amazon!

Hey you're a clown fish...so you're funny right?

The picture doesn't even begin to show the size of this monster balloon fish

Possibly my favorite little guy all day!

These never came completely out of the sand, they just moved up and down like they were dancing...yes it blew my mind!

If I was a fish, I would want to look like this!

Belugas! So beautiful and fun to watch we thought we could stay all day!

Mama and her calf.  We got to see it nursing.  So cute! It never left her side.

The lady and her city

Otters.  I swear they acted like clowns.  They were so entertaining!

This alligator snapping turtle weighed 100 lbs.  I actually never saw its feet leave the bottom of the tank...not sure if it could!

Ultimate staring contest.  Who do you think won?

Now, as you view this graduation photos I would like to point out that as Dan and I found seats we had no idea where Patrick would be.  I found him among the 20,000 people there and thanks to the help of my camera got some amazing pics!

Mother Daughter pic! Friday at the social hour

Family Photo Opportunity!

Graduation Ceremony #1...those were just the chairs for the graduates 

Led into the ceremony with bagpipes...yup that what you get when you pay their tuition. 

This was our first clue he was close by!

I see him I see him!!!  The guy in front of him is another one of his buddies.

He spotted me...perhaps because I was standing on a chair in a bright colorful dress.

Page 52!

University President declaring that he could graduate

Ceremony #2 Location

Once again...led in by bagpipes

And 7 hours later we finally hear his name!!!

Thanking his friends, family, and ....ME!

Photo with the graduate!

Picture for grandma...Check!

Opening cards.  What's that from Amanda?  Amazing Twins/White Sox tickets in Chicago. YES!

9 Months later we have become true Chicago dwellers. 

U-505 Submarine.  We also went a tour inside. You won't find me doing this job!

Matthew practicing his "hot bunking"

Model train set

I'm milking a cow in case this teaching thing doesn't work out

The men working on their farming

Dan attempting to show us what he does every day

Matthew towering over all the little kids in the tornado volunteer demonstration

Matthew and Patrick were in here.  Patrick was flying.  They spent most of the time upside down.  And to think I let him drive everywhere we go....

They did make it out alive however we heard Matthew screamed like a girl the whole time

Dad landing a space shuttle

A very accurate picture

Goodbye Museum of Science and Industry.  Thanks for all the knowledge you shared with us!  We do not thank you for how exhausted you made us though!

What an awesome weekend am I right?  Congrats babe!  All this hard work may actually be paying off.  I'm so proud of you and I could never have gotten through that program you just finished with perfection! Way to go!!!! Now, GO TWINS!!!