I took a little time off the last few days to drive up to Vermont to help celebrate my youngest daughter’s graduation from college. It is a 7 hour trip and we rented a cargo van so we could bring home the contents of her apartment. It seems like we were just moving her into her freshman dorm. Over the weekend, we had the pleasure of sitting on the university green on a fabulously beautiful day, enjoying her graduation ceremonies.
It was a weekend filled with pomp and circumstance for 2552 graduates as well as…
Photo Credit: Elliot Debruyn, Free Press
…lots of well deserved smiles.
The graduation was held outside on the University of Vermont green. We didn’t have to sit through each student getting their diploma as each separate college of study had a diploma ceremony later in the day.
The weather was perfect! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL – even hot by Vermont standards. My two daughters, myself, and hubs after a long graduation day.
It was nice to see my daughters get to spend some quality time with each other, since they haven’t seen that much of each other the past few years.
The graduate just 2 seconds away from “eye-rolling” about the antics of her proud parents – me on tip toes trying to reach that cheek.
From the moment we arrived on Friday afternoon, the fun and festivities never let up. Biking tandem along with plenty of shenanigans on the Lake Champlain Causeway.
On Saturday, we browsed the Burlington Farmer’s Market, ate a delicious lunch on the grass and watched the parade of people, cute babies, and dogs go by.
Ate a Maple Creamy with sprinkles.
Strolled and shopped along Church Street where the people watching is superb. There are dozens of outdoor restaurants to enjoy great food and drinks.
My favorite being Leunigs Bistro where we celebrated after the last graduation ceremony of the day.
Burlington is a city that has a little bit of everything and there is always something to do. After eating, we went down to the waterfront and watched the sunset over the Burlington harbor on Lake Champlain. There were many people doing the same thing. It was a magical evening that felt like August.
Biking out on the causeway to the Champlain Islands is one of the activities we have done every time we visit Burlington in the warm months. My girls like a challenge and have rented a tandem bike on occasion. The first time they did, I thought they were going to kill each other. This time, they were pros, totally getting the hang of it.
The water was still a little too cold, but the heat of the day made us wish we could jump in.
One of us climbed down to stick her feet in.
After four years of visits, the trip was a little bittersweet – happy to see my child all grown up and ready to go out in the world, but then sad to be at the end of a wonderful 4 year experience along with a great place to visit.
Time to say goodbye to college life and move on to the next stage in life.
It was hard leaving. My daughter has an internship in Vermont with living quarters provided so she, I mean her sister, my husband, and I moved all of her junk stuff back home.
My car normally goes here. Now I have to figure out where to put all this stuff until she needs it again.
The weekend was perfect and went by way too fast. It was fun just being together with my family and watching my girls hang out together – just being silly sisters and having fun! No doubt about it, hands down they are the Best 2 DIY Projects I Ever Made.
It was a weekend I will remember for a long time – I think they will too…
Cindy says
Thanks for letting us come along on such a special weekend. Congratulations to your daughter!
Bettsi says
Awww….. I see how bittersweet it is, but you and your husband deserve some congratulations on raising such beautiful and accomplished young ladies!
Coastal Femme says
Congrats Diane! You should be so proud..really sweet photos.
debbie says
That was beautiful Diane!
Lea says
Great pictures! Congrats to all of you! Thanks so much for sharing a wonderful moment in your life.
Sue from Vermont says
What amazing photos, and what a lovely weekend you had with your family! The weather really was just perfect. Your photos remind me of what a beautiful state I live in . . . I must remember to appreciate it more often!
Diane says
Hi Sue- I love going to Vermont and if my daughter doesn’t stay up there I will miss visiting. We are planning on spending a few days on the Champlain Islands in July or August. I know after that I won’t want to leave. :)
Patricia in Denver says
What a wonderful weekend and a wonderful family! Congratulations to all of you and thanks for sharing.
Betsy E says
Diane, Wonderful pictures but the best was how well they matched exactly your thoughts of the day. Congratulations to your daughter, as well as you and your husband! The love your girls have for each other shows and that’s wonderful to see today! Our son (third of three children) graduated 4 years ago and some of his things are STILL here, in the garage. Take it from me, don’t let them get too comfy in your garage!
Diane says
Hi Betsy – I thought after my oldest came home from college I would have a plan, but now both are graduated and I have all their stuff :) Hopefully over the next few days we will box it up better and store it in the basement. Her sister will be taking all her stuff into her new apartment come August – so I think there may be hope and I won’t be stuck with it forever.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
Congratulations to you and your daughter, Diane! I’ll bet she’s very excited to be done. Love seeing all the smiles during your fun time. That tandem bike is great. My in-laws had one in Florida and years ago my hubby and I gave it a try. It looks like you had perfect weather, too.
Toni says
Diane- I just love seeing the photos from your special weekend- great memories!!
Leonora says
You’ve photographed this milestone beautifully. Congratulations to your daughter!
Mary says
Your daughters are just lovely. Congrats to your new graduate on a job well done! And congrats to Mom and Dad too, for lovingly supporting and surviving the last 4 years. :~) We love Burlington and since we live only about 2 and 1/2 hours away, we go several times a year to hit the farmer’s market and shop, eat and of course, people watch on Church Street. (it is superb, isn’t it?) Leunig’s is our favorite, too. All of the food is outstanding, but their duck pate and the poutine are to. die. for. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful and emotional weekend with us. Best of luck to your daughter with her internship!
Diane says
Thanks Mary-
It is so nice to hear from readers in Vermont. Burlington is such a great town – I just love going there. So much to see and do and all in walking or biking distance. I think after 4 years we pretty much tried to do it all. We plan to take a mini vacation out to the Champlain Islands this summer. I know I am going to fall in love and never want to leave. The first time we went to Leunig’s our daughters didn’t like it, as their tastes were not cultivated :) Now they love it as much as we do.
Merri Jo says
Congratulations! Your photos tell of a fabulous family weekend. It’s such a blessing to have adult kids who enjoy doing things together!
I laughed as I read the caption of the garage pic to my husband. He liked to tell people that first we paid for all their stuff and now we have to store it! :-)
Diane says
Hi Merri Jo – We are all in good company – with all our kids stuff. I may threaten them with the words “Garage Sale” if they don’t claim it after a certain time period.
[email protected] says
What a sweet post. You must have such a feeling of accomplishment! Beautiful weekend and beautiful family. Thanks for sharing.
Diane says
Thank you so much Rita and for the comment you left me on an earlier post. I read it and wanted to get back to you, but got overwhelmed with things I had to do that I didn’t have much time to return comments that week. Just know your words meant a lot to me.
Shirley Nichols says
Congrats! The pictures are breathtaking! Thank you for sharing with us!!!
[email protected] Nikiforoff Designs says
Thanks for sharing this important milestone in your family with all of us! I have two boys, both in the Air Force, and they too are the best DIY projects I’ve ever done (with hubby of course). ;-)
Congratulations to your daughter and your whole family :-)
Diane says
Thanks Connie – Do you get to see your boys much or are they both far from home now?
[email protected] Nikiforoff Designs says
We don’t get to see them too often. :-( We got to see our oldest son & his wife a year ago and the other son, wife and daughter in February. Hopefully we’ll all be together here this summer :-) One son is in CA but getting stationed in Germany for several years. The other son is in NE and will probably stay there for quite some time.
[email protected] says
Congratulations to your girl – you must be so proud of her! I loved seeing all of the pics of your time together!!
xo
Ashlyn
christine says
The last picture says more than words.
Diane says
Hi Christine – I love that one. I quickly whipped out my iphone to take the photo when I saw what they were doing. I didn’t think it would come out since the sun was setting, but it is now my favorite.
Lynne says
Congratulations grad! Great post Diane . . . Feel proud and happy . . . she is ready to face the world! Well done . . .
Centsational Girl says
Oh how proud you must be! Congratulations to you and to your daughter, hope you got a little R&R during all the excitement!
Kate
Diane says
Thanks Kate – Yes we did get a little downtime, plus I didn’t log on to my computer at all. Just a peek at my phone once a day :) It was very relaxing. It is now Thursday and I finally feel back to my normal mode