Uncle Ryan's Graduation

This weekend the entire Riddle family gathered in Austin to celebrate Uncle Ryan's graduation from the University of Texas. It was a wonderful weekend, and Ryan graduated with too many honors to mention. But best of all, it was a chance for all of us to spend some quality time together, something we hadn't done since Christmas.

The weekend started on Friday night with a trip out to the Salt Lick for the best barbecue in the entire world.

Mommy had a hard time getting Trey to eat -- but eventually he found something acceptable in the beans and barbecue sauce.

All Trey really wanted to eat was that yummy cake! He had his eye on it the entire time.

Our honoree with his custom-made cake from RJ Goodies. Delish!

The next day was all about the celebration. Uncle Ryan graduated as a Dean's Honored Graduate in the College of Natural Sciences, an honor given to fewer than 1% of the graduating class. It was a huge honor, and we had a breakfast before the graduation ceremony to honor these few special graduates. The food was awesome and everyone we met was so nice. Trey was okay, but it was such an intimate gathering that we had to keep him away for most of the time.

Uncle Ryan getting his award:

And saying a few words, including thanking Mom and Dad.

Because of his special honor, Ryan got to sit on the stage at graduation! And just as cool, we had reserved seats in the very front of the stadium, in front of all the other graduates. It was pretty cool.

Trey did GREAT during the ceremony and stayed busy coloring and eating.

Trey giving his own speech at the ceremony (haha):

The whole family after the ceremony:

That night, Trey got to play with a sitter while the rest of us enjoyed a fabulous dinner at a wonderful Japanese restaurant.

Trey playing in the room the next morning (he was obsessed with the phones!):

And out at a quick lunch with Uncle Ryan and Jen before heading back to Houston.

What a great weekend! We are all so proud of Uncle Ryan and all he has accomplished. Knock 'em dead at Ohio State!

Splash!

Trey had fun at the splash pad this weekend with some of his friends...

...including a naked Jake!

The Gang

Trey with some of his besties at Hermann Park this past Saturday -- Jake B., Andrew, and Anna.
A future Rehearsal Dinner photo?

Fun at Mama C & Daddy Tom's

While Daddy got a little extra work done at the office, Trey and I headed to Mama C & Daddy Tom's house for a little visit. Daddy Tom was particularly excited for us to come over because, he said, he had something he wanted to show us.

We arrived to find that Daddy Tom had installed a special airplane swing for Trey on the back patio! This happened to be a swing that my grandparents had bought for Uncle Ryan when he was little; my dad found it and proudly painted Trey's name on the side (it has Ryan's name in red paint on the other side) and hung for Trey to use.
Trey was so excited to play on the swing! He especially liked it when Daddy Tom would twirl the propeller.

Eventually the women left the men outside to their own devices and retreated inside for a little visit. When I came back outside, this is what I found...

Don't you love the little mischievous smile? It's as if to say, "Mommy I know I just got my clothes all wet, but it's so much fun, and I'm only sorry that you caught me!"