One Last Graduation

And that would be Elizabeth's.

We drove to Charlotte on Tuesday, stopping to geo-cache along the way. Just outside of Cookeville, there is an old (and newish) cemetery. Butch came upon this--so I had to see it too:

Thomas Stowers was the sole survivor of Custer's Last Stand at Little Big Horn. I didn't know there were any survivors at all. I love that someone placed an American flag in honor of his service!

We got to Charlotte around 3 in the afternoon. Sandy and Elizabeth came to our hotel for awhile before dinner. We went to the Waldhorn one last time for German food. We are definitely going to miss that. There just aren't that many German restaurants any where. Our favorite here in Nashville closed many years ago. Maybe we'll find another in Atlanta.

On Wednesday, we had brunch reservations at Cafe Monte. It was a French place. On to the graduation at St. Matthew's.

Elizabeth wasn't feeling all that well. She has a summer cold and was ready for it all to be over. I hated that for her. It's her big day and she couldn't even enjoy it.

 I cannot believe how grown up she is---nearly 14.

I am now the shortest in the family!

 I didn't notice how tall Elizabeth has gotten. She's passed her mom too!

 It's official---they are ALL graduates!

 The plan was that we would leave immediately after the Mass and ceremony. Most of the Lapps were heading to their new home in Atlanta. Sandy had agreed to stay behind so that Elizabeth could go to a party for one last time with her friends.

We all lucked out. There was no Mass! That's a first. I guess too many people complained about how much longer that made the whole graduation ceremony. Plus, the principal gave a very short speech--just how we like them! The whole thing only lasted 45 minutes. We took pictures and then we were off---ALL of us! Elizabeth decided that she was ready to just get on the road to their new home. 7 weeks in a hotel room was enough. I don't think she wanted to spend one more night there! Plus, she had spent Memorial weekend getting her new room in order. While she was back at school in Charlotte, Mitchell and Victoria kept sending her pictures of them hanging out (and messing up) her new room! Mitchell even slept in her new bed. Both of them sent photos of them lounging in her new chair. Siblings---picking on the baby!!

Sandy won't have much time in her new house as next week, she has to take Victoria for her college orientation. She's really ready to settle down and be done with all the long car rides. We're looking forward to seeing the new house after we come back from England. By then, Sandy will have everything organized and settled.

An exciting new time in all of their lives. I can't tell you how happy I am to have them so much closer. Now we can visit any time we want!!! And, Sandy can pop up here anytime she wants too!