A Graduation Weekend in New Mexico

Last Thursday, we landed in Albuquerque and were greeted with the most beautiful sky – it was going to be a great weekend.

We drove an hour north to Santa Fe, where Brother’s school is. We saw some wonderful mountains on the way.

In the three days in Santa Fe, we ate our weight in chips and salsa, of course.

On Friday morning, we went shopping on the Plaza, the traditional hub of activity in Santa Fe. In order to set up a shop in front of the Palace of the Governors, the artisans must get a permit from the government. When you buy things there, you are actually purchasing it from the artist, which makes buying things in the store later that much harder. It’s neat to hear them speak about their work – keeping their traditions going is a wonderful thing.

We wandered around for a bit and decided we needed something sweet.

Kakawa Chocolate House was just the right thing. Sipping chocolate. In multitudes of flavors and chocolate intensity. YUM.

I picked the Havana Rum and was SO happy.

That little cup wasn’t nearly enough! It was so good, now I’m drooling just remembering it.

*****

On Saturday morning, we got up early to save our eight seats somewhat near the front row for our big party.

We picked up a program and settled in under our blankets. It was so cold that morning!

When the ceremony started, there were lots of tears watching the brother get his hood and then his diploma …

It was great. Brother even wore Dad’s high school hockey jersey under his robe, so that Dad was with him on the big day. Which of course, brought Mom to tears when she realized it after he walked down the aisle.

Once we met up after the ceremony, there were lots of pictures, of course. This one of the graduate and my mom is one of my favorites because of the look on Mom’s face.

And in case anyone was wondering, I ended up in the black hat -

It ended up being a wonderful day, despite the cold and very heightened emotions due to who was missing at that very important ceremony. But we got through it and are so very proud of our graduate. My brother is a ridiculously smart kid and I was crying like a baby when he walked across that stage. He’s headed to law school and he’s going to save the world, he really will.

Congratulations to all the 2011 Graduates!