Big weekend!

Congratulations are due to Jeff, who donned the robe and mortarboard yesterday morning, and spent about ten seconds walking across the stage at Southwestern Minnesota State University - Marshall, about two and a half hours into the ceremony. It was a long time coming, in every sense, but worth all the wait beyond any doubt. Mom, Dad, Grandma, Nancy, and Gretchen and I couldn't be prouder - it was wonderful to be there for those historic ten seconds. =)

Best of all, I've got a new favorite picture of Jeff... a rare smiling one, at that. (Jeff does the "smiling" look for pictures about as well as I pull off a "serious" face - it's clear which of us is the more dignified...)

Love and flowers are due to Mom today - Happy Mother's Day! Ditto that to Nancy and Grandma, who are both blessings.

And in the belated birthday department, lots of joy in the year to come to Dad and Grandpa! (Dad - don't consume all your Wisconsin cranberry products at once.)

Since I'm creating a whole new category label of "shout-outs" just for this post, how could I not wrap things up by thanking Gretchen for taking her chances with the Schaefers and being a part of this weekend? =) I love you beyond words.