On Saturday, May 5, 2012 while most people were preparing for Cinco de Mayo or the Derby. I was a proud father attending my daughter's college graduation. I am so proud of her and was so proud to see her up on that stage. I almost cried when I was on the stage watching her mother attach her nursing pin to her dress.
This is my first trip back to Missouri since 2011 Thanksgiving. The kids and I spent that Thanksgiving with my Mom. Jennifer and Anna came to see me in January this year before school started back up after Christmas. So this was my first trip back to Jefferson City since Christmas of 2010. I arrived in St. Louis on Thursday evening, my brother Kevin and his kids (Taylor and David) picked me up from the airport and took me to my mothers. It had been a long day traveling from Sacramento. Nothing is a direct flight anymore, I had to change planes in Salt Lake City with a long layover. It wasn't just the travel time, but the planes were just regional jets which of course led to a bumper ride. Maybe I am really getting old! Before we got to mother's Kevin took me to White Castle in Festus, Missouri. Unfortunately it was being remodeled. We got to Mom's and visited for a while then I ordered an IMO's pizza. I had almost forgot how great IMO's pizza taste.
It was hard to get up Friday morning, the time change had affected my internal clock. Mother and I were on the road to Jefferson City by 11:30, we just had to stop by the fire station where Kevin worked to pick up a card for Jennifer and of course stop for lunch at White Castle in Arnold, Missouri. We got to Julie's house and Jennifer opened her cards and gifts. Julie and I got Jenni diamond earrings for graduation.
Saturday was an early day, this first thing to hit me was the wonderful Missouri humidity. Julie and I rented a Town and Country minivan for the trip to Warrensburg, Missouri. Julie, Grandma Pat, Grandma Joanie, Anna, Jennifer and myself piled into the van and off we went. It was a nice trip to Warrensburg, the van was very comfortable for the six of us. I can not image trying this in a car or multiple cars. Once to we got on campus it was picture time.
After graduation, there were more pictures and a small reception given by the Nursing Department. Jenni had decided not to walk in the cap and gown ceremony with all the students. It would have been very hot and long. Instead we loaded into the Mini Van and we were off to the Plaza in Kansas City! We had reservations at Buca di Beppo.
The trip to Kansas City was nice, we took Highway 50 through Raytown and then on to the Plaza. It has been at least 25 years since I had been to the Plaza. Jennifer picked out Buca Di Beppo as where she wanted to have her graduation dinner. The restaurant was not very crowded and had a great atmosphere and the food was plentiful and good. We had a bouquet of flowers waiting for her.
Jennifer is making a big transition in her life from student to an adult. Her next step is to hit the pavement and find a job in her profession. She is planning on staying in the Kansas Ciry area and working in a hospital in the metro area. She is scheduled to take her Nursing boards at the end of May or first part of April. Jennifer will make an excellent Registered Nurse!
On Sunday, Julie, Mom, Jenni and I ventured into Gasconade County to check out a local winery. Anna was at home studying for her final on Monday. The winery was only 30 miles from the house, but it was down some country roads and then down a gravel road. The Wenwood Winery was very nice. We got to taste ttheir various wines and then chose one to have with some cheese, sausage and crackers. After finishing the second bottle of wine we decided to head back to the house. I am sure Julie and Jenni will return.
On Monday, I got to see Anna off to school where she was going to take one of her last two finals. Anna sent me a text message later saying that see got a 97% securing her "A" in the class. She has her last final on today (Tuesday) and then she will have four weeks off until Summer session starts. Anna is planning on graduating in December this year. She will be finishing her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy in two and a half years. She plans to start her Masters in January 2013. Jennifer and I spent the morning just talking and spending some quality time together. She was planning on traveling back to Lee Summit that afternoon. Jennifer has a job at the local YMCA teaching swimming lessons. She plans on continuing her job search on Tuesday.
At noon on Monday, Mother and I traveled back to St. Louis for one last evening in St. Louis. I was able to get with Donald and two of his kids (Chelsea and Emma) for pizza. It has been a while since I had seen any other them. Chesea also graduating this spring with and degree in Elementary Education. She just found out she got a job teaching sixth grade in the Fall in the Fox C-6 School District. Emma is graduating from the sixth grade.
Last day in Missouri, Mom and I got up about 4 a.m. and headed to the airport. We stopped at the Denny's outside of the airport where Mom treated me to breakfast. Today I travel from St. Louis to Salt Lake City and then on to Sacramento. Back to work on Tuesday!
Posted with Blogsy
