Colin's Graduation from Marine Recruit Training

On Wednesday July 13th my whole family went down to Parris Island, South Carolina for my brother Colin's graduation from Marine Recruit Training. It has seemed like a very long 13 weeks but the end has finally come and we are so very proud of him!

The first time we actually saw Colin was during the motivational run on family day which was Thursday July 14th, the day before graduation. He was easy to spot with the cast on his arm! That was the result of a broken pinkie finger that happened during the Crucible but he is going to be okay!

This is Colin's platoon 1049 which was part of Delta company. Colin was one of the squad leaders of his platoon! Colin is in the front row on the far left :)

Colin with 2 of his Drill Instructors

So excited to see family!

Colin had liberty (free time) from 10-3 that day so we soaked up every minute with him

The whole crew on the morning of July 15th... graduation day!

Colin's platoon on graduation day (Colin is in the back row this time on the far left)

Can you see Colin?! ...and his cast?!

We were so lucky that Colin was in front and on the end and so easy to see!

Colin graduated Private 1st Class! So proud of my little brother!

As soon as the ceremony was over everyone rushed to congratulate their Marine!

hugging Mom

Colin with Mom & Dad

hugging Annie

Colin with us!

Colin with Patrick & Elizabeth

Colin with Maggie & Ben

Colin & Christa

Colin & Rachel

so happy this day has come!

Semper Fidelis...Always Faithful

Colin standing on the infamous yellow footprints

the whole family with our Marine!!

special day

After graduation, we went to Charleston to spend the rest of the weekend there. I had to take a picture of my future house...a girl can dream right?!

LOVE all of the flower window boxes!

lunch at the Crab House

Dad and the boys at Sullivan's Island

my darling sister Christa

love of my life...

life is good!

Such a memorable trip!

Caps and Gowns

Hello friends and the rest of the blog world! I apologize for being away for a bit, but we have been SUPER-CRAZY-BUSY since moving back! Let me catch you up:

Thursday May 12th

My sister, Maggie, graduated from UT with a Masters in Accounting. I am super proud of my smart and beautiful sister who has also already taken the CPA exam and has a job with Crow Horwath that starts in September.

Friday May 20th

My wonderful husband, Alan, graduated from Washington University in Saint Louis with a Masters in Tax Law. It was quite possibly the quickest road-trip we have ever taken, but totally worth it to celebrate this huge accomplishment. Woo Hoo! I am so excited he is finally done! Alan also has a job which he will start this coming Monday at Stone & Hinds law firm in Knoxville. I wonder if dual incomes means an increased shopping allowance for me...hmmm!

We ate dinner the night before Alan's graduation at Annie Gunn's which is a wonderful restaurant in Chesterfield

the all-campus graduation ceremony was held in Brookings Quadrangle-it was beautiful!

all the faculty sat under the pavilion where the speakers addressed everyone from

Alan walking in with his classmates

After the all-campus graduation ceremony, we headed over to the law school where there was a smaller ceremony for just the law school graduates

the law school graduation took place under a beautiful tent on the lawn in front of the law school

all the law school graduates

so proud of my smart husband!

Alan calls Katie (who wasn't able to make the trip) and tells her he is done!

Saturday May 21st

My sister, Christa, graduated from West High School. Wow did this ever bring back some memories! I am so proud of and excited for Christa about going to UT this fall. She has so much to look forward to! Oh college how I miss you!

the arrow points to Christa receiving her diploma from the Principal

the fam

Christa and her fun crazy friends...love them!

Christa with "Colin" who is at Marine bootcamp right now and couldn't be here in person, ha!

the fam again...plus Colin!