Big Day

Finally.....it seems like I'm getting further and further behind each day!  A lot to say but no time to say much.  Graduation day dawned and we were all super excited.  It started early, so we were up and dressed and out of the house (Katie's house that is) and on our way across town to Southwestern College where they were having the ceremony.

Maria and her friends and family had gotten there really early and gotten front row seats!  The sweet girl even brought cushions for this old Nana and old Aunt Cathy!  Those cushions may have saved my life!  The risers were concrete.

They also made a big banner.....

And placards with her name for all of us to hold.....

We were having a very good time!

It was hot and Ashley was waiting until the last minute to don her gown!  She visited for a moment before she headed down to get in line with her classmates.

Proud mama

Brother.....Adam waiting patiently.  Isn't he just the most handsome??? 

Daddy (my son) and Jessi waiting for the star!

AND the star of our day finally walks to the stage!  What a feeling. Doesn't she look so happy???

Then it was time for family pictures.
Ashley was talking to her Uncle David who was in Panama City! 

Ashley with her sister Angelina, mama and brother Adam.

After graduation Paul and Jessi, Cathy and I and the kids went for breakfast.  It was really good!  We had such a good time together enjoying breakfast and conversation. 

While we were gone, Maria and family and friends were fixing up for a bbq Mexican style!

The tables were set and things were decorated so pretty.....but the food???  Out of this world!  Maria's family can cook!  We ate and ate....the only thing I didn't try was a dish that looked sort of like green beans with onions.  It was cactus...yes, you heard right.....when you looked closely you could see where the prickles had been.  Nope, I didn't try that dish.


The cake was not only pretty but delicious!  

One of the best decorations on the table was....

the diploma!  I did have a picture of it, but decided I probably shouldn't show it without editing and well, I'm not such a good photo editor.....so believe me when I say she has a beautiful diploma!!

Katie, Beau and Anna Cross came for a while.

Adam did a little trick skateboarding...

Later she opened her cards and presents.

A very nice and momentous day drew to a close and Ashley's weary Nana and Aunt Cathy drove back to fall exhausted into bed!

Saturday morning rolled around and we lazed around with Katie at her home for a while, drinking coffee and talking.

We called to see what the kids were doing and found that Adam had been sick all night and wasn't up to doing anything.

We went to get Ashley and she wanted to go to a movie so off we went to the Prince of Persia.....it was a cute movie.  But it was very cold in the theatre!  Thankfully there was a W*alm*rt next door where we got Ashley a little jacket.  I thought Aunt Cathy might fight her for that jacket before the movie was over!

 

Sunday, we got up and dressed and went to church with Paul and Jessi.  Their church meets in the elementary school in Ashley and Adam's neighborhood so I knew just where to go.  Paul and Jessi were waiting for us and took us to our seats.  They were greeters and had to get back to work!  Zoe, Jessi's little girl was there too and we were so glad to see her!

We enjoyed church and afterward they had a hot dog lunch!  That was nice...they are doing lunch for 4 weeks to start the summer.

Jessi and Zoe

Paul with his mouth full...sorry son!

There was more to Sunday, but that's for later.  Now I need badly to hit the publish button because I'm tired! 

I hope you all like pictures as much as you can tell I like them!