Graduation Day!

WOW!  What a week this has been!  Thursday, June 2, is a day we will all remember.  Our grandson, Gage Daniel Wann, crossed the stage at the Frank Erwin Center as a 2016 graduate of McCallum High School.  Since Wann is near the end of the alphabet and the grads march in order, we waited, and waited and waited....... Then, finally, he appeared, 

received that long-awaited diploma, 

and accepted congratulations.

Soon, the ceremonies were over and mortarboards filled the air.

Afterwards, everyone snapped photos of the graduate with:

Proud Dad Brian, Debi and Myles

Proud Mom Melissa

Grandparents Michal and John

Grandparents Trenton and Barb

            (All the grandparents were proud, too!)

Brad and Justine

It was a great day!  We missed Grandparents Sergio and Charlotte, Great-grandmother Audrey, Aunt Trish and Uncle Tim, but know they were with us in spirit.

The celebration continued on Friday at a graduation party at our house.  We had been preparing for days.  While I assembled food and other party accoutrements, John mowed the yard and power-washed the patio, with Rue supervising.

Cousin Kathy and Eric arrived early to help, and soon the party was underway.  Gage helped John boil 30 pounds of crayfish, corn-on-the-cob and potatoes, and they barbecued four racks of ribs.  

Prayers were answered, and in spite of dire weather predictions, the day was beautiful and sunny.  We visited on the patio and around the crayfish pot.

Gage's sister, Carter, and her friend, Hannah, and brother Atticus splashed in the pool.

We ate large quantities of ribs, crayfish, cake and homemade ice cream,

Atticus had a great time.  His dad wore out before he did.

And then it was time for graduation gifts.  Gage's Uncle Andrew helped keep things organized and entertained Colt.

At the end of the evening, we said our good-byes and the guests headed for home, just as the skies opened up and the predicted rain came down.  We were so grateful that it held off for the party.  Thank You, God!

Congratulations, Gage!  We love you and are excited for you.  We'll look forward to another big celebration in four years!