Graduation Recap!

This won't contain a lot of pictures, for I'm not the best with my own camera. But, Lisa is posting some great photos! But I will say the past weekend was INCREDIBLE! So here is a little bulleted list of the amazingness.

• First off, I am quite burnt out. With clinicals, critical care class (which is more challenging than my previous courses in nursing school - to say the very least), and preparing for the party. I can't remember the last time I had a "break". It has been go, go, go - and it probably won't "stop" for awhile! But all the prep and hard work was WELL worth it!
• Wednesday, Lisa got in. We went for an amazing 6.5 mile hike. Since (I think) all of you read her blog, you can see pictures on her recap! :D (Thanks, Lisa!)

Lisa & I hiking Madera Canyon
• We then took her to our FAVORITE sushi restaraunt; Ra. It was a beautiful evening filled with tons of laughter, great conversation, and fantastic weather!
• As a side note - that night was yet another happy reminder of how EVERYtime Lisa & I get together, we manage to find things to have many many long, belly laughs about memories. :)
• Friday morning Mom and Dad came over to the house. I whipped together a quick breakfast - that we enjoyed out on our patio. And then the cooking began!
• Ryan & my Dad managed to visit outside for about 3 hours, while us 3 ladies worked away in the kitchen doing "prep work" for the party!
• We then headed to town and Ryan had his Pre-Commencement Ceremony.
• This was with the Electrical and Computer Engineering School, and each graduate got to give a talk.
• Tears nearly came out when Ryan got up and in addition to thanking his excellent instructors, mentors, and study-groups, he began with "I would like to thank my wife, Abigail, for her ongoing support and love." :-D
• We had dinner with Ryan's dad, Grandma, my parents, and Lisa at one of our favorites in Tucson: a Microbrewery called Gentle Ben's. It was a fantastic evening! Absolutely perfect!

Mom, Lisa, & I

Dad, Ryan, and I - A nice picture with my 2 favorite guys in the whole wide world! :)
• Saturday we were up early to get ready for the Graduation Ceremony!
• Upon arriving to the ceremony, Ryan realized her forgot his graduation cap.
• This was a stressful moment, to say the very least.
• I encouraged him to not give up....and we found a stand selling caps and gown for other forgetful graduates ;)
• The ceremony was great, filled with excellent speakers! It made me a little teary eyed (with joy) to think that Ryan is FINALLY DONE!!!!!!
• We then headed home, for lots of prepping & cooking for the party.
• Unfortunately, I was a little nervous about everything turning out perfect - so I probably wasn't the most pleasant "soul" to be around. Which I regret with every ounce of my heart now. I never see my family - and the precious time they had with me - I was "tense". :-(.
• But, life goes on! For the party I made:
• Shredded chicken tacos
• Shredded beef tacos
• Guacamole (which was a near mal-function due to non-ripe avocadoes - Mom & sister saved the day with a trip to the store to buy new avacadoes! :D)
• Mango-Habenero Salsa (and lots of it!)
• My famous black-bean recipe
• a big veggie tray
• And a cake - which was ordered....I don't do baking much ;)
• The party was a success!
• It was so great to see so many of the people that have been a part of our lives since we've moved to Tucson! And it meant the WORLD to have my parents and sister there!!! :-). I just wish I could've spent more time with them :(
• Our last guests left at 2 am. Since I was up at 5:30 and went non-stop every day the prevoius week....
• Sunday I C-R-A-S-H-E-D.
• We cleaned up everything by 8 am, and the rest of the day; I thought I was ill. Probably just tired. But, wow. Body was not happy with me! So I recuperated before another week of absolute craziness!!

This was the 1st time we have cooked for more than, oh, 5 people. This time it was more like 30. So, I was a little uptight and nervous about the outcomes! But everthing worked out well - and I look forward to hopefully doing MUCH MORE entertaining in the future!! :)

I am a very proud wife. And happy to have my husband back! Too bad I am completely and utterly consumed in Critical Care right now...but in 5 weeks I will return to normalcy ;)