Family Comin' Out Our Ears!

Mat's family decided to come out for his graduation, as it coincides with his youngest brother's graduation this year, with the difference that Mat's got his master's and James has just finished high school. But congrats to them both for beating the system and getting out of their respective schools with diplomas in hand!

Here we have Grandad and Afton. They've been good friends from the time Afton was born.

Here we are with Omay (Karie's mom) at the luncheon after the graduation. The graduation ceremony was for Mat's department only, so it was small and made it possible for them to feed us all too. We miss Omay--she's in Utah right now, taking care of her parents. (Hi Grandma! Hi Grandpa! We miss you too!)

Aunt Elise and Afton should have been twins. As it is, they're only separated by 19 years and look remarkably alike. Cute, isn't it?

I love my tiny sister-in-law. I love *all* of my sisters-in-law (and I'm glad to have more of them)! Elise is now on her mission and we're so excited for her. We're especially excited to send her some of the pictures the girls draw on a daily basis--our fridge is getting overcrowded.

And there you have it. Mat is now a graduated personage, one step away from the attaining the summit of his educational efforts of the past three years--a job in his actual field. It will come in time, as all good things do.