Graduation & Mother's Day

Blake and I decided to surprise my Mom for her graduation from nursing school as well as for Mother's day. Dad and Gary helped with the surprise and it worked out to be perfect. Blake and I flew into Sioux Falls, Dad picked us up, we visited Omi, and Gary picked us up from Omi's and brought us to the graduation in his spiffy pick-up. We had a bright green sign that we planned to hold and meet her outside before the ceremony, but that didn't work out b/c she had to be in early for pictures. We tried to sit on the side we thought the graduates would walk in on, but we chose the wrong side. That sign came in handy because since we weren't on the right side of the procession, the sign is the only way she found us in the crowd! We surprised her while she was walking in--it was quite fun. Then Dad & Mom treated everyone to dinner afterward!

Blake and Grandpa waiting for the graduation to start. Blake is trying to find Grandma's name in the program. Oh, there it is! She is graduating with Honors!!

Uncle Gary--when Grandma came in, Uncle Gary held Blake up so Grandma could see him :)

This is after she knew we were here--the other pictures were blurry :(

Gary & Mom

Mom & Dad



Mom, me, and Blake

The whole clan

Lucas and Priscilla bought Mom the lovely flowers she is holding!

Video: Camping out at Omi's
Video: Mom discovers that we're at the graduation
Video: Mom getting her diploma
Video: Gary filming Mom

We were also able to visit Kyle, Sarah, and the kids! Kyle and Sarah had just gotten back from Russia, so we were able to hear about their trip. Also, the girls had a dance recital, so we watched them in their first production. Blake loved it!

First time was the best shot of the girls--we tried many other shots, but they just refused to look at the camera at the same time!

Daddy and Violet--Violet stole the show--see video below!

Princess Addie and Daddy

Beautiful Family (Sam is behind with Grandpa)

Fall Fairies and Mommy

Video: Violet steals the show while Addie performs diligently!

Blake and Sam were watching the show and getting to know each other :)

Reaching to play with Cousin Sam

Oh, nice hair Sam, can I touch it?

What? I can't touch his hair?

Maybe if I do it without looking Mom won't know...

Hmmm, that didn't work...

Then, for Mother's day, we visited great-Grandpa and Grandma and uncle Gary. What a busy, but fun weekend!!

Gary told me not to post this, but really, who could resist???

Great-Grandpa and Grandma Spaeth