"Oui Oui Grand-mama!"

Party-time!

 

Wyatt's 2nd birthday.

 

 

We had a birthday breakfast for Wyatt:

French Toast "oui oui grand-mama"

and strawberries.

 

All Wyatt would eat were the strawberries.

He wouldn't even try his cake

but he did blow out the candles.

 

The entertainment was great!

 

Wyatt got the hang of the "blow-outs" almost instantly!

 

Happy Birthday two year old!

 

 

 

Last leg of the journey...

We had a fun drive away from Hillsdale, stopping for breakfast...driving through cute little towns...

All the loose ends tied up from four years of living in Hillsdale Michigan.

 

 

Then we hit Chicago!

It wasn't too bad, but definitely out of our comfort zones!

 

A part of the trip I was looking forward to, visiting with the Minnesota family for a few days, while Walker and Phil drove the rest of the way home together.

 

We arrived on Mother's Day and my gift was this box of six gigantic strawberries dipped in chocolate, with sprinkles! Delicious! the berries were so sweet and tasty.

 

I only spent a few days there, but had several trips to the park...

 

We went to the Como Zoo and Conservatory,

ending with a ride on the Carousel and a picnic...

 

I got to see Tirzah and Solomon at their Archery league.

 

a day of garage sale-ing.

Solomon bought these on-line skates and learned to skate before my very eyes!

 

The food was ALWAYS scrumptious!

 

And finally home again...

but only for two weeks.

I'll be back!

 

 

Graduation Day May 11, 2013

Finally our computer is fixed! 

 I am back to trying to memorialize our trip to Hillsdale.

 

Above is the new Sports Arena at Hillsdale.

The ceremony was supposed to be outdoors but they moved it indoors

because of threatening weather reports. 

Hillsdale always does things "right" and this was no exception.

 

I took a quick photo of the proud parents as we waiting for the ceremony to begin.  I admit I chose the photo that looked best of me (sorry Phil!) but after all it is my blog!

 

The speakers were great (President Aarn, Senator Ted Cruz, and the class president.

There were nearly 300 graduating seniors.  Most had double majors or major/minors.

 

I tried to catch them throwing their caps into the air at the end of the ceremony. 

Not especially orchestrated so I was lucky to catch the half dozen or so I got here!

 

The recessional - guess who was standing on her tiptoes in the aisle to take a photo of her graduate.

I even caught his roommate right in front of him (smiling at me - or laughing?)

 

The guy in red is one of the faculty. camera shy?

 

 

Walker and his friend Isaac.

They are both heading off to teaching jobs in the fall.

Notice their white "honors" stoles.

Walker to Pennsylvania and Isaac to Arkansas.

 

That is the sports arena in the background.

 

 

 

Phil and Walker and I went to one of Walker's favorite spots for dinner afterwards.

The Hunt Club.

Kind of a pub with burgers and beer.

brick walls and tin ceilings.

A toast to the graduate!

 

 

Around Hillsdale

Our first day in Hillsdale we got a nice tour, by

our tour director, Walker.

 

 

We had a chat with Winston Churchill.

 

A tour of the place Walker's been living in for the last year.

He and his friends were in one of several apartments in this lovely old house one block from the college campus.

 

 

The Senior Class painted memories on the campus.

 

I took dozens of photos of houses I thought were

beautiful, and maybe sketch-able.

 

We really liked downtown Hillsdale.

I felt like I was on a movie set.

 

It seems like it would be a hard place to leave.

 

There and back again...

 

I've been home a little over 24 hours.

 Looking back at these photos brings it all back.

The above photo is a little town we "discovered": 

Wallace, Idaho.

We loved it there. Can you see why?

Phil and Walker actually stayed there on the way home.

At the Stardust Motel!

 

We made a stop at Pompey's Pillar.

In Montana

William Clark wrote his name on the sandstone rock there

and its still there for us to see.

A nice volunteer guide took our photo.

That's the Yellowstone River in the background.

 

North Dakota: T. Roosevelt's cabin

 

 

In Chicago we got stuck in a traffic jam.

It was more interesting when we noticed the name on the mudflaps and tank!

 

 

Getting into Michigan territory.

It's very pretty.

 

Almost to Hillsdale here.

We took a scenic drive the last two hours.

Lovely little towns.

 

Our home computer is acting up and I can only post the horizontal photos I took.

Makes it interesting.

 

 

 

Sunday

Mother's Day

Best Mother's Day ever! 

My baby just graduated from College AND has a job!

On my way to see my Daughter and family.

Last time I saw them was too long ago.

 

Everyone has grown so much!

 

 

they always make me laugh!

 

Phil and Walker hit the road on their own...

 

See ya in Olympia in a few days!

Pomp and Circumstance

Graduation day

Brunch for the seniors and their families

Pomp and Circumstance

Ted Cruz, Speaker

Reception afterwards

 

JOY

SO Proud

accomplishment!

Friday

At our destination.

 

this is the day we have to help Walker pack up his room...

 

 

Take us to his favorite eating establishments

(The Hunt Club)

 

and Saucy Dogs

 

and possibly the Pink Panther Truck Stop Restaurant, which apparently has no photos on the internet...hmmm.

 

and best of all a chance to meet some of Walker's college friends.

 

Tomorrow's graduation!

 

Thursday

 

 

Wednesday

Happy Birthday Tirzah!

So close and yet so far on your birthday!

Enjoy!

Still driving on...

 

and on...

 

Can you tell I'm fond of this particular style of postcard?

 

Tomorrow we'll be in Hillsdale!

Tuesday

Driving on through Montana.

 

 

Montana is where Phil was born (Billings)

 

and into South Dakota...

 

Wide open spaces and sunshine (I hope).

Monday

I started this blog about four years ago, with photos from our "road trip" to Hillsdale College in August 2009.  This road trip will complete the circle, as we go attend Walker's graduation and bring him home.

 

 

 

 

 

End of Day 1