Trust him, he's a doctor.

This past Monday marked exactly four years since Steve got his much hoped for "big envelope" news from Wake Forest: the day we knew that we would be packing up for the east coast with our baby-Gracie and that he would be starting medical school. 

It went by fast. In a heartbeat. Not to say that the days and weeks weren't sometimes very long, or that we didn't face challenges like we never had before, but somewhere along the way we caught up to the new rhythm of the life we chose together, and it is a good one. And he did it.

He's a doctor.

We were so thrilled to have parents flying in for graduation weekend (which was two weekends ago--I think we've only just now caught up on our sleep!). My dad arrived first, on Friday evening, just in time for the grandbabies to meet him at the airport and some of Steven's delicious burgers cooked after the littles were in bed. Then late that night Steve's mom and dad arrived, too, and were pounced upon happily by the kiddos when they woke up the next morning.

We spent most of Saturday hanging around home (Gracie had lots of stories read to her) and showing the fam around town (our old house, downton Winston, and a stop at a local park where a box turtle became our temporary pet). We also stopped by Firehouse Subs for lunch.

Saturday night the 'rents generously took charge of their grandkids so Steve and I could get dolled up and go to an awards banquet. There were a copious amount of speeches/awards, but also lots of good friends and yummy food (which was advertised as "heavy hors d'ouvres"--we were thinking maybe ribs a la Fred Flintstone?). I got to wear high heels and a (stretchy) fancy dress and walk around with my cute hubs seeing lots of people we love, and Steve got acknowledged for being one of a small number awarded the Gold Humanism Award for altruism and compassion in patient care. He's a good one. :)

Sunday we all rose at different hours (can you guess who woke up first? Hint: the same people as usual, and they are even smaller than me) and took our time getting ready. Steve's mama treated us all to her mom's famous cinnamon french toast before we headed off to church, where she then further amazed us by keeping Charlie placid and quiet for the entire sacrament meeting! After church we stopped home for a quick meal of burritos before heading off to the undergrad campus for the Hooding Ceremony.

This was one of my favorite parts of the weekend: everyone's families filed into this beautiful church on the Wake campus and watched as each of the soon-to-be-doctors were presented with their doctoral hoods (which really just hung down their back). It was very neat to see Steve and so many of his classmates (many of whom he has known from day one) receive this honor.

The chapel was lovely (except for the organ music--for some reason we were "treated" to a fugue as we awaited the doctoral candidates).

Charlie fell asleep in mid-goldfish-snacking, but the rest of us thought the speaker and ceremony were nice. :)

Worn out kiddos snuggling after the ceremony.

Steve with his 'rents.

Are you still with me? We're up to Sunday night. Gold Humanism Award: check. Hooding ceremony: check. But he still wasn't technically a doctor yet! So we went home and ate some delicious steak that Steve's dad grilled for us and stayed up way too late and then got up the next day for even more festivities!

Monday morning was graduation! (Hurrah!) Steve sat through the campus wide commencement (his verdict: boring) while the rest of us got ready at home and drove over for the medical school's separate commencement. There was a short speech and then everyone took turns walking across the stage to snatch up their enormous(!) and brand spanking new diplomas, which declared them, at long last, DOCTORS!!!

The kids were awesome throughout (Charlie loved seeing Daddy on the stage, and pointing out the "cumpets and combones" that played Pomp & Circumstance) until Steve passed us in the recessional. Gracie high-fived him, but Charlie really just wanted to be with him. He was quite happy when they were reunited in the lobby.

Second recessional, with the baby boy. 

The more the merrier. :) 

I told you that diploma was enormous. 

The whole gang: Curt & Michelle Walton (Steve's parents), Charlie, the Doctor, me, Gracie, Kris Robinson (my dad). 

Proud parentals. 

Traditional Walton bum shot.

Woo hoo! Peace out med school!!!