And one more graduates...

The traditional "whiskering" of the new graduate!

Brunch at Cracker Barrel in Springdale with Hayley, Megan and Mary Beth.
Grandmother Brown gets a hug from Greg.

Proud grandparents enjoy brunch at their favorite (or second favorite after Kelly's Restaurant) restaurant.


Hayley enjoys a hug before she has to leave for work at Noodles.
Double shift? Are you kidding me? Bless her heart!

This weekend Mary Beth graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Interior Design. My parents drove in late Friday night and we stayed up and talked until we were all nodding off. (not as late as it once was!)

Saturday morning we got going up to meet Jon and Mary Beth so my folks could see their house, which they had never been to. We gave Mary Beth her graduation gifts-the book, "The Last Lecture" and a new Ipod to help keep her sanity. It is hot pink so Jon said he probably wouldn't be borrowing it to use anytime.

We met up with my brother and his family, Hounie and Glo, Megan and Hayley at Cracker Barrel. Some had breakfast while some had lunch, but we all had plenty to eat! We had picked up Greg on our way through Fayetteville, having woke him up just in time to get ready while we were driving.

Traffic was ridiculous trying to get to the Tyson Indoor Track Facility where her college division held their graduation. Fortunately I had made plans to get a reserved parking permit so Mom wouldn't have to walk far. We actually ended up right by the door! Jon, his father and sister Kelly were there holding seats for us. Jon's Mom and brother were at Courtney's graduation, so they couldn't be in both places.

Jon, his sister Kelly, Dad John and the graduate.

It was cute that on her way out in the line, Mary Beth managed to find the one little piece in the flooring that could trip a person and she did--but managed to regain control and laugh. Another "proud mom" thing is the fact that she graduated "cum laude" which means she had a 3.5-3.74 GPA over her 5 years at the University of Arkansas. Not a bit shabby. It was funny though that none of us knew it and when I asked her afterwards she said that she had not known it until they asked her if she wanted her red stole for being cum laude.

Mary Beth with her diploma and cum laude red stole, honor society cords.

After graduation, there were lots of hugs and photos taken. Then, Steve, Greg, my parents and I headed over the Glo and Hounies for a visit and dinner. It was fun to see Greg and Nathan hanging out together. That's the nice thing about cousins....they just "get" you no matter what you say or do. Those two have been hanging out for years and rarely get the chance anymore.

My brother slices the strawberry pie --did we really have to save a piece for Hayley?



Hounie, Glo and our parents.