Birthuation Festivities!

Not only did Meghan graduate from high school this past Saturday, she did so on her 18th birthday!  It was a fantastic day filled lots of smiles and happiness, and maybe just a couple tears.  It is so cliche to say, but where did all the years go?  Meghan is 18 now!  She will be off to college in just a few short months.  I can barely wrap my brain around it just yet.

My parents came to visit and watch their first grandchild walk across the stage in her cap and gown.  Graduation was held not at her school, but downtown at Reliant Stadium, where the Houston Texans play football!   We had lunch afterwards with Meghan's best friend, Natalie, and her family at Hillstone, which was new to us.  Very good!  Then to cap off the day, we had a small gathering of good friends to celebrate the gradu-birthday.  Meghan was so happy all day! It was a very joyous occasion.

Here are pics from the day:

 To celebrate Meghan's birthday, I created a candy table instead of having a birthday cake.  We had ordered a sheet cake for her graduation and we certainly did not need two cakes.  And Meghan LOVES candy.  We had been viewing different candy tables on Pinterest for a long time, and I knew she would love to wake up to one on her birthday.  She was thrilled!

 Claire and Meg on the drive down to Reliant Stadium.

 We've arrived! 

 Klein ISD graduates all four high schools here on the same day.  Klein Oak's ceremony was 12 noon.

Excited!

 Anna, Meg, and Claire

 The processional....Meghan is between the two people in the foreground.

 The entire graduating class of 2011....888 kids!

 Throwing the caps in celebration.

 Meghan walking out.....the short one.  :)

 Meghan and best friend, Natalie. 

 The girls.  Can't believe our oldest is a high school graduate!

 Family photo!

 Meghan and Natalie at lunch afterwards.  So happy!!!  Meghan celebrated with a filet mignon.  :)

 Back home again after lunch.  I had to get a picture of Meg in front of her candy table. 

 Her birthday gift was a birthstone ring from James Avery to replace her class ring that she probably won't wear much longer.

 And her graduation gift from us was a Vera Bradley laptop backpack with some "how to survive freshman year" books.  We also snuck a check in one of the pockets hoping she won't have to call home and beg for money right away.  :)

 Cake time at the little party we held for the girls.  Yes, we served the infamous Costco cake!

Meghan and her friend, Jace.  They have been buddies since they were 1st grade and kindergarten students.  Now Jace is a high school senior!

It was a fantastic day!  Big smiles and lots of laughter and high fives!  I didn't get too emotional, but I was bursting with pride.  And now I am really excited for Meghan to go to the University of North Texas and begin the next chapter of her life.