GRADUATION!

After FIVE long, sometimes hard, always busy, years, Jon has officially graduated from his Orthopedic Surgery residency (although he still has a few weeks of work left)!!!! We are so proud of him and all of his accomplishments!

This past weekend was filled with graduation festivities! Friday evening was the formal graduation ceremony at the Foundation House. It included professional pictures, a formal dinner, a graduation ceremony, awards ceremony, and a speech from the guest speaker, Dr. Hawkins. It was so rewarding to watch all of the guys in Jon's class receive some recognition for all of their hard work. And Jon was even specifically recognized with a few of the awards!

 Dr. Barry (the department chair) giving the welcoming remarks.

 Each resident was congratulated and asked to say a few words.

Jon did a great job!

 Jon and I at the Foundation House!

 I'm going to miss these girls so much!

My besties: Mel, Reba, me, Sari, and Danielle

Saturday was a really busy day for the guys! In the morning, they presented their research to their fellow residents and the consultants. During that time, some of the girls got to together to take pictures of all of our kids together for the last time, and have a quick lunch. In the afternoon, the residents enjoyed a golf outing/tournament. Then in the evening, we had the long-awaited Ortho Roast! The younger residents "honor" the graduating residents with a roast. The spouses provided pictures and stories and the younger guys went crazy making elaborate and HILARIOUS roasts! It was sooo fun! After the roast, most of us went out to the Tap House to enjoy a little more time together. We are just trying to hold on and cherish these last moments!

All of the kiddos!

L to R: Helen, Kylie, Sydney (standing), Hugh, Witten, Brooks, Cora, Ellasen, Graham

 The toddler/pre-schoolers!

Top: Witten and Ellasen

Bottom: Helen and Kylie

 The babies!

L to R: Brooks, Cora, Graham, and Hugh (love the yawn!)

 My sweet Kylie Bean!

The place card/ menu at the Roast!

 Some of the ladies!

L to R: me, Reba, Anne, and Mel

 Me and Rebecca at the Roast!

 Jon and me!

 Lots of girls at the Tap House!

L to R: Rebecca, me, Anne, Sari, Danielle, Mel and Sabrina

Most of Jon's residency class plus Diren!

Top: Jon, Diren (not graduating), Mike, Chris, Tim and Steve

Bottom: Scott, Lucho, and Emily (just missing Rob and Pat)

On Sunday, Mel organized a brunch with a bunch of the ortho wives since she was leaving on Monday morning. We went to Chesters and spent a couple precious hours enjoying each others' company one last time. 

 My best girls!

L to R: Rebecca, Sari, me and Mel

All of the girls that joined us at brunch!

Top: Nicole, Mel, Sari, Rebecca, me, and Diana

Bottom: Anne, Laura, and Tara

This is such a bitter sweet time. I have spent the last five years waiting for the next phase, and now that residency is coming to an end, I am wishing for just a little more time. We have made some of the best friends that we will ever have during this time. We have watched each other begin marriages, have babies, and struggle through some of the hardest months during difficult rotations! We are all moving on to bigger and better things, but I am going to miss these beautiful girls and their sweet kiddo so much! Thank you for the memories!