I'm done! I'm done!!! =)

After the longest (and most wonderful) seven years of my life, I'm finally done with my doctorate. I can't begin to express how happy I am to be done, and how grateful I am to my family for supporting me along the way! Especially my fabulous hubby. Holy cow, we started our marriage when I started this degree--it became our way of life! Now, freedom!!!! =) I don't even know what to do with all my free time!!

Last week we took a road trip with the Blakester up to Columbia, Missouri for my defense meeting. On the way up we stopped in Oklahoma to see Dalton's family, and on the way back we stopped in Arkansas to see my family. Here are pictures of the whole trip. Sit back and relax, there are TONS! =)

Dalton's Aunt Betty, Uncle Toby, cousin Ben, Dalton, and his grandparents with Blake.

Once we were in Columbia, it was SO great to visit with our friends and eat at our favorite local places. We dropped by Dalton's old office to see his buddies there and let them meet our little man. Of course, Blake immediately put Amy's hair in his mouth. =)

I couldn't figure out how to insert a video in the middle of the posting, so once you get to the end of this, you'll see a video of Blake and his awesome typing skills on her computer.

After my defense meeting, my WONDERFUL friend Michele hosted a celebration party for me. (here is Michele and I)

Below is my adviser, Pat Friedrichsen, who stuck with me to the end!! (notice Blake's shirt--you can kinda see the start of the word "Mizzou" with a tiger tail underneath--go Tigers!! Thanks to Michele and Meredith for the t-shirt...perfect timing for him to wear this size). =)

The fabulous spread that Michele put together...

Once Blake woke up from his nap (actually, I kinda woke him up early to meet everyone), he was, of course, the star of the show. The last time we saw this crew I was about 4 months pregnant, so they couldn't wait to meet him.

I love this one!!! =) Sandi and Blake getting to know each other.

Blake was most interested in Debi's hair. =)


Celebration #2 of the evening was with our old friends, most of whom we met our first year or two in town. This was our local "family." Whenever anyone had a birthday, we all went out to dinner together and chipped in for a huge gift card to somewhere cool. If anyone was moving to a new place in town (Terese, Matt, Beth, us, Terese again...), we were an instant moving crew that showed up to help. We sure miss these guys!!

Then on our way back to Texas, we stopped at my Mom's house overnight where she had prepared an extra special meal to celebrate with us. She bought gorgeous flowers, had a fabulous cake made, and went all out!!

Here is the cake, although I couldn't figure out how to transfer it sideways!! It keeps going back to portrait! Oh well, just tilt your head a little...

Kevin and the fam came down to join us for dinner. We got to hang out with the munchkins!!! Adria loved giving Blake hugs and kisses. I love how their faces are TOTALLY different here. =)

Adria and Dalton, her favorite person. =)

Misti and Jonah (he was such a trooper--stayed up past his bedtime just to hang out with us for a bit!)

The Klucks came over for a visit! Such great neighbors/friends. =)

Here's the video mentioned earlier....