Christmas Time!!

Christmas was great this year because Michael actually knew what was going on, so it was really exciting for all of us. Unfortunately, Michael started the holiday weekend with a fever, and I ended it with a cold, but amongst all the sickness, we still managed to make it a special time for our family. This was the first year that the three of us were on our own for Christmas because my family traveled up for graduation, and we are traveling South for my brother's wedding in two weeks. It didn't make much sense to stick another trip in there. We sure did miss being with more family, but it was nice too just focusing on each other and staying quiet, especially when sick! We made lots of food:

 We baked cookies for Santa and left him a note of items Michael wanted: one choo choo, one big choo choo, and one black choo choo. He got one big, black choo choo.

 The tree Christmas morning.

 Not only did Santa bring some new train track parts, but he also re-arranged the track and set up a whole zoo that the train travels around! Pico was just as excited as Michael about this new addition.

 Michael really got into opening presents.

 Can you see the cat? Pico checked things out and pounced on anything that moved.

 It was a wonderful day, and now we're getting all better. Merry Christmas from the Ponds, and JD sends you a song he was singing as we took this picture. :)

2012 PhD Graduation

I have to start off this post with some adorable Michael pictures that I've taken over the past two weeks. Here, he's on his first Amtrak, real train, ride with John David. Of course, he loved it!!

 Michael and Isaac watching Sesame Street during Bible study.

 Sleeping sweet heart.

 Okay, the real news of the week was my doctoral graduation. Whoo hoo! I'm officially finished with school for the rest of my life--okay, I have to go back in a month, but still! Mom, Dad, Michael, Katie, Grandma, and Grandpa all traveled up to Illinois for the event, and it was so wonderful to have them here. Having the family around me meant way more than the event itself!

 Here is me and my advisor, Jan, approaching the stage...

 Handing my name and dissertation title to the announcer...

 The actual hooding!!

 Shaking President Bomen's hand...

Hanging out in the stands...

 Celebrating with the family!!

 The awesome cake JD got me. The writing at the bottom is a joke with my school friends: it represents all the degrees I now have. :)

 The boys playing during the party.

 Family group shot!

 My big moment.

Once again, thanks to all the family and friends who have gotten me through this degree. Now on to the next step!

Almost Christmas?

Wow, the time has flown by since we were in Atlanta because the semester was ending, and Christmas was kicking into high gear. It always feels so rushed to get ready for Christmas and to help students through final projects (and to grade those projects) all at once. But it's also a great time too. I went with Emily and Beth up to Chicago this weekend to the Christkindle Market, a traditional German Christmas market. Although it was crazy crowded, it was fun to browse the crafts and to sample the food. We all got spiced wine in boots too.

 

 That night, we capped off the Christmas day with a concert at the church. Michael has been surprisingly good about the Christmas tree this year. He only goes into time out for messing with it about once a week. Seriously! Pico, however, is a different story.

My grades are submitted, so the semester is officially over, and not a moment too soon. Michael and I are traveling to Michigan for a few days while JD's at a work conference, and then the family is arriving in town for my graduation next weekend. I've just got to keep up some stamina!