Derek Goes to Michigan and My Brother Graduates Law School

Last Friday, Derek and I hopped on a plane to Michigan. Well, we went to Phoenix first and then to Michigan. Derek pooped on both flights and made quite the mess. For the most part he did very well. The second flight was completely full and really hot. I was completely exhausted by the time we reached Detroit. Derek was hot, tired, hungry, and screaming and I was hot, tired with my hands full by the time we reached baggage claim. I stood there while people gave us looks watching the carseat and my bag go around and around with no way to get them off of the conveyor belt. Finally some lady came over and asked if I needed help. I was so grateful. Her husband carried our stuff over to the chairs for us so I could sit down and feed Derek. Thank goodness for good people.

That's where Derek and I were when Mom and Cory walked in. The whole trip was a surprise for Cory. He thought he was going to the airport to pick up his in-laws and get a rental car for Mom. So when they walked in Mom was looking around and Cory looked like he was on a mission to find something. I yelled, "Cory!" He looked over at me confused but then looked away and kept walking. I then started yelling, "Sherry!" and they came over. Cory was so surprised! It was really fun.

Derek on his way to graduation in his Michigan romper.

Cory graduated from MICHIGAN LAW SCHOOL! I'm so proud. Isn't he a handsome graduate?

Choka and I spent half of the graduation downstairs with the babies. Derek just loves his Aunt Choka. It was so fun to see her again. I miss her a lot.

Family picture. My eyes are closed. I look normal in the picture where everyone else is not ready for the picture.

Did he graduate from Hogwarts? No, he looks like a wizard though! And "The Reading Room" looks like the Great Hall, eh?

They have a cell phone booth. I thought it was funny.

We celebrated at dinner that night in the banquet room of Carlyle's. We shared the banquet room with 30 prom goers. It was loud but still fun. Mom thought that since no one could hear her, she'd start singing show tunes. Silly. And Sam had me laughing pretty much every time we were together. While we were there Dan held Derek (who he calls, Seamus). When Choka held Derek she said to Ariunaa, "look Ruka, I'm holding another baby. Aren't you jealous?" and Ariunaa just turned around like, "I don't care, mom." But when Dan had Seamus, Ariunaa went crazy! She started screaming and reaching toward Dan. Haha. What a Daddy's girl! It was cute. She didn't want her daddy holding another baby.

Tyler bought bears for all his nieces and nephew. Danny got a pirate bear and named him, "Pirate Skag." He's hilarious.

Mom and her three girls.

Mom and her grandchildren.

Cousins. It's the first time they've all been together!

Zayaa and Danny just loved Derek. It was the cutest thing. They wanted to be close to him. Derek's lucky to have such adoring (and adorable) cousins.

Papa and his grandchildren.

On Mother's Day (my first Mother's Day) we went to church and then had a barbeque in Quirk park. It was very cold. We all bundled and huddled up.

The most precious bundle of joy I've ever seen.

Here I am wearing five layers and still cold. I kept thinking, "Why didn't I pack a jacket?!"

The Walkers

Dan, Choka, Danny, Zayaa, and Ariunaa left right after the picnic. It was so sad. I was so happy to have everyone together again and I wish it didn't have to end. I miss them a lot. I can't wait until they move back to Utah.

Dad, Sam, and Bree left Monday morning. It was sad to see everyone leave. I liked having the family all together. The only way it could have been better is if Tyler could have come with us.

Mom and I got to stay a couple of extra days to play with Cory and Katie. Katie was so cute with Derek. She could put him to sleep like magic. Derek loves Aunt Katie.

They even took naps together.

Cory gave me and Mom a tour of the law school. It was beautiful! I really loved it. Everything just looked so cool. The Reading Room looked like Hogwarts and there was ivy covering the outside of the building. The library had green floors and tan walls to make it feel like you were outside.

Proud Mama and her son.

Derek and I flew home on Wednesday. It's nice to be home. I think Tyler missed us and is glad to have us home too.

We haven't done much since we've been home. I have a cold right now and have been in bed for the last two days. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow so we can start getting ready for our drive to CA for Jessie's wedding!