Okay, Finally Graduation!

Graduation morning was a bit disappointing, as up 'til then the weather had been absolutely lovely. That morning, of course, was rainy and FREEZING!!! We bundled up as much as we could (Claire and I did not sacrifice fashion for warmth, however, and we both sat freezing in our skirts and open shoes!) We spent the morning with our tushies freezing in stands (thanks, PopPop, for the rented seats!), covered with a blanket. Elliot was a great sport. I'll be able to show you better with pictures how the rest of the graduation went...

Rainy morning, but great seats up front:


The Honor Guard and the President's Car:


The Press and the President's Car:


The Cadets lining up (1,012 Seniors Graduated)(Phil was ranked #110!!!):


Mr. President on the Podium:


The President of the United States, George W. Bush:


Elliot wasn't enraptured by his speech, though the rest of us enjoyed it!:


Ella was SO EXCITED to sit in a big girl seat!:


Lined up to go get diplomas (look very closely for the crutches!):


Celebrating as the SUN finally comes out!!!! (It did clear up enough for the Thunderbirds to fly over, but not enough for them to do their Air Show.) (It also cleared up enough to completely sunburn my face, which is now peeling off...):


Okay, so kids 7 - 10 years old can line up on the field to gather the hats that the Cadets throw when they are official. After the 7 - 10 year olds gather a hat, anyone else can go get one. Jed got one, then we got one for Ella, and finally an extra to keep with the rest of Phil's uniform!:


Phil and best friend Dan from "Backstair Studios" changing each other's shoulder boards from Cadet First Class to 2nd Lieutenants. These two have changed each other's boards each year at the Academy:


"Smoking" cigars to celebrate! (Actually, the wind kept blowing out the matches, so no smoking was involved!:


Two best buds:


Daddy wearing Ella wearing her new hat:


The girlfriend gets the first hug!:


Daddy and Nana wearing the new hats - this was Elliot's favorite game!:


Uncle Phil! I got a falcon! (Isn't Jed's flight suit SO SO SO cute?!):


Phil and a friend whose name I forget, but I took the pic for Phil:


Proud parents - Dad, Phil and Mom:



Okay, finally, Claire has MUCH better pictures than I do, so after I steal some off of her facebook page, I will add them to my blog!