Graduation 2012

Lance graduated with his Master's Degree in History on May 12, 2012 from UNLV.  He's been working hard on this for the last 2 years and has done very well.  Prior to graduation he received an award for being the History Pre-Comp Masters student of the year.  He's really enjoyed the program and working closely with several of the professors.  They've given him several opportunities to do some teaching and work on special projects.  He has decided to continue on this path and work towards his PHD.  We are all very proud of him!

The graduation was held in the Thomas and Mack basketball arena on the UNLV campus.  The kids and I found some seats that worked great for us in the last row of the upper bowl.  I had a place to fold up and stash the stroller and a few bags of snacks and other provisions to help us make it through the ceremony right behind our seats.  This area also later doubled as a great little play area for Rori to color in her coloring book.  I was also happy with it because we had easy access the the bathrooms and I could stand and sway Zuri to sleep right next to the seats without obstructing others view.  These are all important criteria when you are sitting by yourself with 3 young kids at a massive event. 

The kids actually did great though. They loved the jumbo screen, the live orchestra, all the people, the "funny graduation costumes",  the crowd cheering, and especially hearing their Dad's name and seeing him on the jumbo screen. Towards the end of the ceremony a graduate in cap and gown even flew over the stadium on to the stage (only in Vegas) which they really thought was awesome. We did finally get up and wander around some after Lance's name was called.  3 hours is a long time to sit- especially when a lot of it is reading names.  Thankfully Lance's name being read was towards the beginning since it was an advanced degree.  It was a big day, but Lance and I both felt like it was a really good memory and experience for the kids to have about how amazing it is to work hard and achieve a graduation. They are very proud of their Dad and that is the best!