Amelia - My Niece -The College Graduate!

My niece Amelia graduated from Eastern Oregon University last weekend.  She earned a degree of

Bachelor of Science in Art with a History Minor.

(These two photos were kindly stolen from my sister, Shiela, Amelia's Mom.)

I wasn't able to go away for the [whole] weekend, because I couldn't get a motel room with a kitchen.

Taking Eli out of town is hard enough, but to be in a motel is even harder.  Without a kitchen - not doable!

Amelia has a beautiful little apartment....that was full of her immediate family.  We would have been totally welcome to stay there - but with Eli's funky schedule (goes to bed at 6:30 at night and wakes up at 5:00 in the morning) I hate to inflict that on people in such close quarters, you know?

But I was able to make a day trip down to La Grande for the party!

Me.

On a road trip.

By myself.

Just me and the CD changer.

Yeah, baby!

6 hours of music and singing - and NO ELMO!!!

I gave myself a sore throat singing so much.

It was great!

My dear hubby stayed home with Eli and they had a great day and evening together!

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Here is Amelia posing with the beautiful cake her sister Montana made for her grad party.

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Amelia and Me:

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Here is my other niece, Montana, with her husband Doctor (he's from Ghana, Africa) and me and Amelia.

I had to take advantage of this photo op, because they now live near Salt Lake City, UT, and who knows when I'll see them again!

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I hadn't met Doctor before.  It was such a blessing to meet him.  He is a very tender spirit.

I liked him immediately.  I'm so happy my niece is married to such a nice man. 

And here is their precious 16 month old son Anongba, my great nephew I haven't seen since he was 3 weeks old!  So cute - but so not interested in me....a stranger.  boo hoo.

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Anongba and Barkley the dog

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Me and my sister Shiela.

It's a tradition.

We always have to take a cheesy self portrait whenever we see each other!

:)

I feel very blessed to have such an awesome family.  I'm so happy I was able to celebrate with them!

6 hour drive = $55.00

3 1/2 hour visit = Priceless!