Graduation Day Arrives!

Graduation Day dawned bright and sunny (for a change). The morning was full of last minute details and decisions about clothes, finalizing speeches, and getting ready to leave at noon. I think the following pictures tell a better story than I so enjoy them while you read the captions below each one.  All of these were taken during preparation for ceremony starting at 2 PM.

My mom and my husband looking at I have no idea what!

The Graduate in her grad clothes showing off her graduation cake. Her and her sister spent most of Thursday evening doing this beautiful fondant cake. Not much could be done ahead (only the hat) so there was much to accomplish in a short time. The yellow cake was made from scratch as was the buttercream icing. All of it was edible except for the hat made of floral foam (the semicircle) and the cardboard flat piece, the mortar board. The tassle was fondant flavored with buttercream as was all of the cake. There were three layers on the bottom with icing in between and two on the blue level. It was super heavy to carry and gave me new appreciation for those cake competitors on the Food Network who have to carry their cake to the table after completion!!

A close up. The purple was rolled out with a special roller with imprinted designs on it. 

The Graduate was so happy that her grandma came to see her graduate.

One of seven Costco purchased cakes. Three were on display along with the fondant one and two others designed by another graduate's sister. The other four were cut up in the kitchen for ease of serving. We took almost three complete cakes to the party and most were gone by the end of the evening!

The Graduate with her sister and Phineas at one of the punch tables. Kitchen Katie (an aunt of one of the graduates) was in charge of the kitchen and did a marvelous job. None of us had to worry about a thing!



Grandma and aunt relaxing at a good seat awaiting the event.
The Graduate was also very glad that her aunt came all the way from Georgia too!.



Farmer Girl all dressed up in her new dress
(thanks Becky for making it more modest for us in the bodice) with good friend, Heidi.

Probably a familiar "Me" table, but this time with the appropriate graduate next to it.



The Graduate next to her table and display board.
She added some books, but it was difficult to limit herself to only a few.
 To Kill a Mockingbird was one of her favorite classics as was The Three Musketeers.



Two graduates BEFORE "gowning" up.

Another one at her table. Everyone looked so pretty in their dresses.

The refreshment table.

Three gals happy to be graduating!

Three good friends who were awesome helpers, each of them a sibling of a graduate!

Two moms that I really enjoyed getting to know better!

Daddy's Girl

Perhaps another daddy's girl? He also has 6 others? I think that is right!?

Farmer Girl and her good friend, Molly. We made the table runners with some lovely swirly fabric that I now own. Perhaps a quilt in the making?

Visitors arriving and visiting beforehand.
 This is a wonderful friend to both my girls with her baby brother as well as one of the 5 guy graduates.

The sisters of the above guy graduate, one also a graduate (our only sister/brother duo)
The other made the other two cakes displayed on the table.

A dear friend of mine who has played a vital role in the
 spiritual and educational growth of my daughters.

Many siblings having fun! I think they were supposed to be door greeters!?

The gathering crowd milling about the display boards and visiting, awaiting delayed programs and the beginning of the ceremony. While waiting, there was a picture DVD of all the graduates playing as well as music chosen by each graduate. It was quite an eclectic mix including the Hallejuah Chorus as well as the Gaither Family, Celtic Woman, and August Rush's Rhapsody.

All dressed in her cap and gown, moments before heading out in the processional.
Doesn't she look excited? :)

The entire group waiting in the stairwell with anxious anticipation and excitement!

Minutes later, they will begin their march down the two aisles to the song "Summon the Heroes."