Graedy and I trecked up to Fresno over the weekend to see my youngest brother Mitch graduate. It was a super long drive. We left after I was off work on Thursday at about 5 o'clock. My mom drove and Grandma Barbara rode along with us. Graedy was pretty good. I was totally exhausted and he was not ready to sleep until about three hourse into the drive. We finally arrived in Fresno at midnight and checked into the hotel.
Friday morning we ate a Mimi's Cafe. Graedy used his new booster seat and sat at the table with us. He had his first taste of orange juice and made the funniest face, but then decided he wanted to try it again! Later we went grocery shopping for Mitch's BBQ and then it was time to meet up with Grandpa and Uncle Russ at the hotel.
Mitch graduated from the CRAIG school of business at 4pm in the Save Mart Center (the school's stadium which seats 12.000) with a sash from one of his professor's. He is not going to be done with all of his coursework until December. Graedy was pretty good but we spent a lot of time outside in the halls-he just does not want to sit still!
The graduation was about 2.25 hours and afterward we all met up at Mitch's for a BBQ. Graedy had a great time flirting with the girls and walking in circles between Mitch, Grandma Barbara and Aunt Donna. Graedy ended up with about a 45 minute nap all day.
We were up bright and early Saturday morning for the 98th annual commencement ceremony at 9:30, back at the Save Mart Center. We were smart enough to sit with 4 seats on one row and 4 seats directly above those so that Graedy could walk back and forth. I was able to stay for much more of the ceremony.
After the graduation we headed over to our cousin Thomas' house for some delicious tri tip and Graedy had fun watching Thomas and Travis' cousins play. Uncle Larry, Aunt Donna, Grandpa and Uncle Russ flew back home and the rest of us headed over to the hotel for a nap. Graedy and I slept for about 3 hours!
We decided to pick up food and bring it back to the hotel because it has become difficult to eat at restaurants with Graedy at this age. I had orange chicken and a seven layer chocolate cake from Cheesecake Factory-delicious! We hit the sack at about 11PM.
Sunday morning we had brunch at Marie Calendars' and Graedy had some Watermelon, Cantaloupe, and a few bites of egg. We gave Uncle Mitch tons of hugs and kisses and got on the road at 11:30. 7.5 hours later we arrived back home in Brawley and were both so tired we were in bed by 8:45. It was a great weekend, but boy were we glad to be back home!
