Nate's Graduation!

Nate's graduation was the weekend
after Mother's Day.
It took place in the auditorium at the University of Illinois at Springfield. It was Saturday, May 19th at noon. Nate's parents, grandparents, siblings, Uncle Ryan, Aunt Danica, my parents, Granny, siblings, Uncle Tom, Aunt Chloe Ann, and Dr Packard (the woman Nate worked for at SIC) all made it up for the ceremony.

HK's babysitter's husband also graduated with Nate. Felicia and Jason were such an important part of Hallie Kate's life this past year. They took such great care of her this year. We are forever grateful for what they have meant to our lives this year! They are moving to Seattle, WA after graduation for Jason's residency. Nana sat with HK in the back so I could enjoy the graduation. She's at the stage where sitting still very long doesn't happen very often. Nana taught her how to unvelcro her shoes. It was the thing that she found kept her quiet and occupied the longest.

After the graduation we had invited everyone plus some friends from Springfield to come over to the house to eat and hang out. We have so many good friends from Springfield and many of them were able to stop by for awhile! We had a cookout and cake. Nate received a nice diploma frame from his parents, a doctor's bag from Mom and Dad, a nice leather briefcase from Kent and Granny, a Cubs lamp from me and HK, a new watch, and some other nice things. We hung out in the backyard all afternoon as friends came and went. We didn't clean up until dusk and continued to sit and visit. It was a beautiful and exciting day. Nate is now Dr. Oldham. The little guy was HK's playmate for the afternoon...Kellen (Karsten and Brooke's son).