Memorial Day Weekend - Saturday

On Saturday Monroe dropped us at the Pier where we hopped on a boat for a tour around Manhattan.

The Lady was standing tall

We passed under 21 bridges

The sun kept trying to break through, but it was chilly on the water when it was behind the clouds

The United Nations building

After getting off the boat, we walked around mid-town to get a feel for the city on foot.  We had lunch at a great Italian restaurant just near Times Square.

Times Square

 Central Park was lovely!

We caught the subway back to the Bronx to meet up with our hosts for Chinese take-out for dinner

New York City - Friday

We had a great weekend visiting New York City over Memorial Day weekend.

Getting out the BIG map to get our bearings

For dinner we went to the Lobster Box on City Island

It's Party Time!

This was the weekend to celebrate 54 doctoral credit hours accomplished in 5 semesters.  Looking back - I'm not sure how it was accomplished.  But it was a great experience and it was such fun to celebrate with people.

Lois few in on Thursday to help prep on Friday and Saturday, and be the hostess with - well everything that was needed to make it a success

Flowers from all of Kendall's family - all white to match the black and white theme of the party

The menu was framed and on the table instead of individual labels

Books to hold down the balloons as centerpieces

The dessert section: peanut butter / chocolate covered pretzels, banana spice cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, vanilla peach pound cake with whipped cream, and mini chocolate Bundt cakes 

Balloons welcomed the guests; the wind whipped them around enough to form an arch that required some maneuvering to get under or around

The food table

From work - Jennifer, Carla and her husband John, and Sandy

Food table into the party

The evening started warm so some chose to stay inside: Del, Margaret, Mom, Jayna, and Kelly

Lois kept the food areas looking great and replenished

The evening ended with the Bunco group, Jay and Marilyn hanging in the back yard for awhile.  Such a good time!

Day 2 of Graduation Ceremonies

Today was the school of nursing ceremony.  We marched down 3rd Street following bag pipes - and I carried the sign for the Innovation Leadership DNP graduates.  Lynda, Nancy, and I were the first cohort to graduate with the degree.

Day 2 at the Convention Center, downtown Phoenix

We are the first cohort of the Innovation Leadership program.  Me, Nancy, Lynda, and my Mentor - Kathy

We were led into the Convention Center by bag pipes; I carried the sign for our group

The Dean welcoming us

Our speaker

We all received a rose after walking across the stage

My 'study buddy' Kara.  She is part time faculty so was in attendance.  She is part time and will graduate next May

The family - Larry, Donna and my wonderful hubby

Graduation #1

Yes, it feels like forever since I started the doctoral journey, and yet in other ways it flew by quickly.  54 credit hours in 5 semesters while working full time!  Graduation is definitely a time for celebration!!

Checked in and ready to go

Kendall - such a support through the journey

Waiting to go in through the west tunnel to our seats

Kendall watching from up above

The march through the tunnel

With my mentor Kathy and fellow classmate Lynda

Another Kathy who I often had as a professor and Chris

For calling my name as I cross the stage and shake the ASU President's hand

The view during the ceremony

So fun when the big balloons fell from the ceiling

All graduated and with the title "Dr."