We graduated!

We're done!

 

I don't know if that is being said with elation or heart break, but alas, Stanford Law School is no longer our home and life. James graduated from law school last weekend and I was bubbling with emotions. I am so proud of him and all of his hard work the last 3 years, but let's be honest, James said it best when he said he feels like we're being kicked out of the Garden of Eden! We have loved our time at Stanford and consider it one of our marriage's biggest blessings. We know God helped us come here, and we have soaked it all in, so graduation was all the more reflective. It was a beautiful morning with perfect Palo Alto weather and James looked pretty spiffy in his doctorate hood and tam. Plus, Talmage's reactions to seeing his Dad walk across the stage was priceless. It was a day that I will always remember.

 

James on the stage, looking out to Talmage after he screamed, "Hi Dad!" at the top of his lungs. The best pictures I got all day were the ones where James was responding to T-Man!

 Accepting his diploma from Dean Magill. It's official. He is graduated!

The boys were truly amazing considering graduation was a full two hours of talks and clapping. But near the end, we were doing almost anything to entertain ourselves!

James surprised me with a stole of gratitude, and I thought that was just about the nicest thing he could have ever done. We worked hard for that degree together, and it was such a satisfying day!

 The real deal diploma!

 Jim's fam!

 Our fam! Thank you Mema for jumping up and down so the boys would smile. You're the best!

 McKee fam!

 

I love this picture of the boys with their Grandpas! In fact, I'm planning on hanging it on their wall as soon as we get to NYC. So lucky to have a Pepa and a Papa!

My mom made the most beautiful and delicious cakes to celebrate. We invited over a bunch of friends and ended up polishing both of them off. Pretty impressive!

Sunday was our last day in Palo Alto, T's first talk in primary, James was speaking in sacrament meeting and Father's Day. It was a wild and awesome day. Church was great and we were surrounded by love. Our life in the bay area has been so sweet.

 I bid my garden adieu, and gave my first zucchini to the best neighbor ever, dear Alice.

And then these two little nuts laughed hysterically and tackled each other to the ground with farewell love. They made plans to write each other letters, visit often and send each other Christmas packages. I seriously couldn't take it.

And then there were tears. Talmage cried so hard when we left Stanford/home/Franklin that he finally fell asleep from exhaustion. Poor, poor boy. We sure do love all things Stanford and are grateful for every minute we spent there.