Best. Weekend. EVER!

This last weekend was Rich's graduation! Although he completed his degree last summer, he was too late to participate in the 2007 ceremony. So, we were fortunate enough to travel back to the home we loved for five years to do it this year. Charlottesville is an amazing place and it was so great to be back for a few days. We really miss it there.

The weekend was also a first for me. It was the first time I have spent a night (or four, in this case) away from Abby. It didn't seem to be all that traumatic for her. Thanks to Nana and a lot fun with her cousins, she barely noticed we were gone! We will begin with her adventures and move on to ours.

Abby's Weekend

Apparently the new, hip thing is city parks that have "water features" (or maybe it's not that new - I just hadn't heard of them until this year). What I mean by "water features" is just big areas where kids can play in fountains, and other water things - okay that was a lame description, but whatever. Anyhow, Abby was in heaven.

The Hansen cousins: Natalie, Drake, Abby and Katie. What a cute bunch!

Good Friends and Football

We truly do miss Charlottesville; it's a beautiful city. But one of the hardest parts of leaving was having to say goodbye to dear friends who were also our families during our time there. Needless to say, staying a night with the Dishmans was one of the highlights of the trip. We are so grateful for their generous hospitality. It felt as though we had never been apart at all.

They spoiled us with a delicious dinner...

...and entertained us with their Wii (Rich was a very intense competitor)!
Who could ask for more?

Another fun stop for me was the Chemical Engineering Department, where I worked for over three years. It was great to see the gals (Vickie - left and Margaret - right), and some of the professors again. They were a very nice bunch to work with!

The trip wouldn't have been complete for Rich or Steve without tossing the football back and forth. This picture is taken in one of our favorite gardens at UVa.

Both Rich and Steve had the nickname "Nelly" in high school, so it was only natural that they get a picture in front of Durty Nelly's. For those not from Charlottesville, Durty Nelly's is a popular sandwich joint hidden away in the back of a convenience store.

Graduation

Before the ceremonies (and a little rain!) began...

Although the entire weekend was really wonderful, and it's hard to say that one moment stood out more than another, it was a great experience to see Rich being hooded at his diploma ceremony. Unfortunately this picture doesn't quite do it justice, but you get the idea.

Graduation wouldn't be complete without a picture in front of Mr. Jefferson's Rotunda.

And, the hood.
The orange and blue satin area on the hood are the colors of UVa. The dark blue velvet on the outside of the satin represents that it's a PhD that has been earned.

Oh, Canada...

A couple weeks ago, Rich went to a conference in Toronto. For the conference, he submitted an abstract of a project that he and some of his colleagues had been working on. When he got there, he discovered that his poster had been chosen as a finalist. Pretty cool, although Rich said it felt a little like he was back in elementary school, winning a ribbon at a science fair!

A Very Long Winter

First snow of the 2007-2008 winter season in Salt Lake:

September 29.

The scene which greeted us on the morning of May 1.

And I thought one of the perks of being pregnant during the spring and summer was not having to reach around a big belly to put socks on!

Flowers!!!

I love flowers! In my opinion, one of the most beautiful places to visit is Temple Square, especially in the spring. The flowers are always so amazing.

But, what was Abby's favorite part of the outing?

Showing off her belly...

...and of course, the "bath" (notice Rich having to restrain her a bit?)