dad's graduation

He did it!! After starting college over 30 years ago, my dad went back and finished his degree! I am SO proud of him! It's absolutely inspiring! He has been through a lot of ups and downs but he never gave up. While going to school full time, he has also been bishop of his ward and was running his own business. A full load, I tell you! We did a lot of celebrating last weekend!! There were also lots of ugly cries! We are an emotional family...well except Shane. HA!

Thursday night was the graduation for the entire school.

Friday morning was the graduation for the Business College. Dad graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. 

So, one of the ugly cry moments of the day...my dad was given a stole for graduation. You are suppose to give it to the person who helped and encouraged you the most during your college career. Well, my dad presented it to my mom after he graduated. He even wrote a tender note on it to her! 

She would probably kill me if she knew I was posting these pictures on the internet...HA! They were both crying. It was a pretty tender moment actually!

My dad knew exactly what he wanted to do after gradation. He wanted to go to City Creek park, have lunch, and eat his Snickers bar (more on that in a minute). So that is what we did! We ordered Jimmy John's and took family pictures. 

So the Snickers bar...here is the story. My dad got a Snickers bar on his first day of school. He says he knew exactly what he was going to do with it when he got it...save it until the day he graduated. And that is what he did! He was determined to save it for 3 years...We all questioned his judgement but he did it. It was hard and flat and looked very inedible. My mom bought us all fresh ones so we could share in his joy. He took one bite of it and then spit it out. He was much more satisfied with a fresh one!

Another thing my dad has been looking forward to was buying his Allen Edmonds shoes. These are VERY expensive shoes. These were his graduation gift to himself (we have been buying him gifts card for the past few years too). He didn't want to buy them until he knew he was graduating. He was hoping to wear them on graduation but they take 4 weeks to make. Bummer!

Friday night, we went to Market Street Grill for a nice dinner with my grandpa and Aunt Val.

The party didn't stop after Friday! Saturday we began our Mother's Day celebrations! My mom wanted to go to the new aquarium in Salt Lake so we did!

 Watching my parents try and take a selfie has got to be the most hilarious thing you have ever seen! Just trust me on this!

We just had the best weekend celebrating dad's graduation and Mother's Day! I love my family so much and I love the relationships we have with each other, together and separately. Very grateful for them!