Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Pomp and Circumstance

This is especially for those family members who didn't get to join us at my daughter Valerie's graduation. There's no quilting content, but I'm happy to share the big event with any of my blogging friends who don't mind wading through family photos. :)

Valerie is now a college graduate!
What a wonderful weekend we had! After Brian and I got off the plane, the kids took us to dinner and presented us with a 25th wedding anniversary book they had made of photos and memorabilia from our wedding and their childhood years. It's an absolutely wonderful gift, and we keep looking at it. Thanks, guys! We will always cherish it.

Here are Val and Jocelyn at the graduation picnic on Saturday.

Sunday was graduation, which always starts with the Wacky Walk. Instead of marching solemnly into the stadium, the graduates carry signs, wear costumes, perform, do all kinds of things as they parade in. There are no lines, no rules, just celebration. (Kind of like liberated quilting!) Here's a pre-Wacky Walk photo of Caley, Brooksie, Val and Nessa in their shades. They each carried a huge balloon (Val's was a champagne glass, maybe because she's from Champaign?).
As you can see, they all had a blast coming in for the ceremony.
Eventually everyone took a seat.
Oprah Winfrey was the graduation speaker, but those of us in the stands found it easier to see her on the big screens rather than on the stage. If anyone is interested, you can listen to her speech on U-tube if you click here. It's half an hour, though!
After the big ceremony, everyone dispersed to departmental ceremonies to formally receive their diplomas. Here's Val getting hers. Yay!!
Someone can't stop smiling.
Of course, we took lots of photos after the graduation. Here's Val with her grandmother.
And with Kim and Craig, Val's cousin and her fiance, who came all the way from Florida to celebrate with us. We were so pleased to see them!
Val's parents were pretty proud of her.
We had a wonderful family dinner that night with the Bay Area family, but the restaurant was dimly lit and my photos are terrible. Sorry! It was so great to see everyone and it meant a lot that they call celebrated with us.

The next day Val and her closest friends had a final get-together. Here they are -- Brooksie and Jenna in the back, and Val, Caley and Nessa in the front.
Congratulations, Val! You worked hard and did a great job!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

She looks very happy and and you must be so proud! Her graduation sounds quite fun, mine was very stuffy! Congrats Val!

Tonya Ricucci said...

Congrats to your daughter. Sounds like a fun celebration instead of a booooring afternoon. Bet it lasted a long time though - look at all those grads.

Readersraisinghell said...

Yeah, Val! Wish I could have been there to join in the festivities! It sounds like great good fun - and something to celebrate indeed! Does she get a special graduation quilt?!!
I think the hardest part about graduating is "losing" all the wonderful breaks and vacations!

Belvie said...

Congrats to both DD and to you...Mom and Dad! It's such a wonderful accomplishment. I know you are so proud of her.

Don't know when that 25th Anniv. was....but Happy Anniversary to you! That's a wonderful accomplishment too!

Quiltdivajulie said...

I absolutely love the Wacky Walk idea... what a FUN way to enter into such an important event!

Thanks for sharing the photos...

Toni said...

Congrats to you and Val!! What a great accomplishment!! You have every right to share this proud moment!!! Great photos!!

jillytacy said...

Congratulations to Val and to you her proud parents! What a wonderful moment for all of you! The anniversary book sounds like a fabulous gift! How thoughtful!