More graduation pictures...

Probably the most dreaded part of anyone's graduation is the time when they need to give a speech! Well, I think it was the same for Andrew, but he did very well and I never noticed his knees knocking or anything. :) Doesn't he look nice in a suit?

The big moment finally arrived when my parents presented Andrew with his diploma. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of that special moment, as I was recording during that time instead of taking pictures!
After our family's part of the program, we had a time where any of our guests could share a song or poem. Several friends shared and we were so blessed!

Angelica, an "Old" friend of ours, sang a song...

The Dagley family sang "Be Thou my Vision" beautifully... Clifford Johnson shared a special number...

My former music teacher's wife, Sarah sang, while he played (by memory)...

My grandma, Marly read a poem about a farmer boy... :)

My uncle Rick (my mom's youngest brother) played a song on his new harmonica...

Our friend, Delores shared an uplifting poem...

And our pastor, Mr. Kyner blessed the meal and talked about how he remembers Andrew being quite a bit smaller than he is now when he first met him!

While many friends helped get the food on the table, Andrew showed how much weight his Lego turn-table (he built it) could hold--while still turning around in circles. :)

The friend pictured below was a TREMENDOUS blessing in the kitchen! She and her husband, Clifford came early and helped us with food preparations and getting set up for the music... After duties as "Head cook" were through, Ellen still had energy to crochet. Amazing! :) Thanks so much for all you did to help--both of you.

Actually, I'd like to thank everyone who helped so much during the whole day! Things would not have gone nearly so smoothly if it hadn't been for you. We truly appreciate you all--for sharing your talents and your hands with us on Sunday!

Way at the end of the day, as we were hauling things out to our vehicle, my dad went outside with a load of things and heard, "Mr. Bornemann, could you please help us? We're locked in!" Apparently, some friends had forgotten to turn their lights off when they arrived in Braddock and the battery was totally dead when they got in to leave. They could not open the doors from the inside, for some reason, so they truly were stuck! Fortunately, the doors opened from the outside and, after a jump using the cables these friends had along, they were on their way back to South Dakota. :)

My dads' cousin, Jerome loaded up his pickup too and helped us get things back to our farm. We weren't able to get everything in one load, so Andrew, Mom and Jerome went back over for another load while Dad, Jacob and I did chores. When we all got in the house again, we were amazingly hungry, so we warmed up some food and enjoyed a relaxed meal. After a while of visiting, Andrew opened his gifts and cards...

Then, after a while more of visiting, and when it was 12:30, Jerome decided he'd better head for his home. We offered that he could spend the night, but he had to get to work right away in the morning and preferred to drive home then. After he left, we all got to bed in short order and I can't even remember trying to fall asleep! I think I mentioned before that we slept in a bit this morning. :)

Well, that was a quick overview of the day. I wish I could get a movie to post here, but it doesn't seem to want to work. We all enjoyed Andrew's graduation day and will remember it for many years to come!