graduation

I have been waiting 7 years for this graduation event. The first year we went was in 2007 just before dave was going to start his intern year. Henry Aryan was graduating and he had a beautiful family (espeically his wife). Then and there I vowed to myself I would #1 not be pregnant or post pregnant so that I could look amazing (although if I had been babies are totally worth it) #2 that I would buy a new dress and make sure it was a showstopper.  I didn't buy a new dress or shoes for any of the other years I attended graduation after 2007. So, this year it was my turn for both.  I also got my hair done and had a friend help me with makeup since I am still not really sure what I'm doing in that department.

Dave owns his tux which he wears every year. The girls got dresses from costco (clare also wore it for Scott/abbey wedding) and jo had to get new shoes. Calvin needed a new suit. At church he basically wears shirt and shorts and tennis shoes. He wore the suit for about 5 minutes and then started stripping down layer by layer. If he had stayed out with us more than 15 minutes he would have been naked. 

Anyway, when we first arrived we went outside for cocktails and appetizers. Of course everyone wanted to talk to dave but the kids were already taking off shoes and laying in the sand so I pulled him away for a few pictures. They turned out so great. Glad we have great pics to remember this special night. 

 Joe drove down and brought Emiley to keep him company so it was a treat to have her there to hang with Clare for the evening.

 The kids (chiazo's nephew) running around Dave's legs

 pouty jo

Chiazo's family. She is the shortest of her siblings! These people are all over 6' tall!

OR staff

 jr residents -reid hoshite and vincent chung

 dr. mike levy - awesome dr. peds neurosurgery at radys

 min park - was the chief resident to dave and chiazo

 nothing like standing inbetween dave and chiazo to make you feel very short!

 dr. gerras, kiaser doc

 the dahlquist side of the family, so glad to have them there!

 dr ciacci

 dr. marshall

 jayson sack - michigan man

 my hair. thanks to kelly boles for the updo.

Graduation evening was really great. Lots of kind words said about dave and chiazo. They both worked really hard and did well.
Dr. Carter introduced Dave and then I spoke. I'll see if I can easily get my powerpoint or talk up here.
Dave spoke briefly. His talk was mostly thank yous. He had already given a very good and long talk in the morning so there wasn't much left to say. He thanked staff, residents, chiazo, min, faculty, my family, his parents and most of all me. It was very sweet. I asked him to write out his talk and give it to me for my b-day!
I loved what Dave said about his parents. His dad, who taught him that it's okay to work hard and be away from the family sometimes yet still have them as your #1. His mom, so creative and smart, when he has a problem he can think of his mom and know that she wouldn't give up so he keeps looking for a way to solve the problem.

It was a great evening. One of the best days of my life!