We Now Have Two Dentists in the Family!

Does it get any better than this?  To now have all seven children done with their college is just the greatest feeling--but, also, it marks the end of an era.  We have had kids in college for so many years that  we will hardly know what to think.  But May 21st was such a special day for Craig, Cassie, and Baby Riley.  School is done, and they are now ready to go out and face the world.

We all waited excitedly for the grand procession.

When Craig marched in, George and I were just beaming.  There were 81 dental students in his class who were graduating.  They honored seven students with the Clinical Excellence Award, and Craig was one of the seven.  We are so proud of him!

Craig is the tall one right below the arrow of the Dentistry sign.

Then when he got to have his brother, Kent, help put his robe on, I saw George with tears rolling down his cheek.  Only a dentist can robe another dentist, so this was very special.  

Dr. Copeland and Dr. Copeland

Kent's chair in the V.I.P. Section

Changing the tassels--now they are officially graduated.

The procession out.

We took lots of pictures afterwards so we could remember this day forever!

We had to wake Baby Riley up for pictures.

He wasn't too happpy about that.

Cassie has been such a wonderful support to Craig throughout these past four years of dental school.  I know he would say that he couldn't have done it without all of her support. 

All the little people at the graduation.

We had a wonderful graduation lunch where George gave a little talk about how proud he was of Craig and all of our children.  He said the next graduation he will attend will be Jeff's.  We are certainly looking forward to that day!

And where was Baby Riley during all this?  He was snoozing, probably wondering what all the excitement was about.

The only drawback about this whole occasion is that in June, Craig, Cassie, and Baby Riley will be moving to Dallas for him to start his career.  We will miss them sooooo much--but luckily, they will have Cameron and Anne and their family to spend time together.  Congratulations, Craig.  You are great!

Happy Birthday, Craig!

I can't believe our youngest son turned 29 years old today!  It seems like only yesterday that I was in the hospital for both his birthday and mine.  He was such a good one to end on because he just blended in with the other kids, and they all just loved him to pieces. They all still do!

Now, here he is all grown up with a beautiful wife and darling son of his own.  

We can hardly stand the fact that he is all done with dental school and will be moving to Dallas about the middle of June.  It just doesn't seem fair--we always enjoyed being with them so much, and little Riley is just starting to get so fun.  But we are thrilled for them and their new plans.

These were the "guests" at the party.  George had board meeting, Jeff had school, so they were unable to come and felt so left out!

With all the boxing up and moving they needed to do, we did work in a birthday party at our favorite mid-way point--Sonny's in Starke--surprise, surprise!

This time, we not only had Amy and her kids, but also Kent and Natalie and their children because they had flown out for Craig's graduation.  What a great time we all had together!

Riley looked very happy to be at his daddy's party--too bad he couldn't have cake, too!

Kent, Natalie, and Family Come to Visit

We were so excited when Kent and Natalie told us they were coming to Florida to visit and to be here for Craig's graduation. After weeks of looking forward to it, the day finally arrived!  Besides seeing the rest of the family, I couldn't wait to see and hold Baby Cannon in person.  George and I have only seen him in pictures.  He is such a sweet, adorable baby!

Jeff and Amy's kids were so excited to see their cousins.  They had such a great time together at the pool. 

Ethan and Garrett are only 12 days apart.

Ella--always the poser!  I love to have someone who loves to have their picture taken!

Being competitive is just in the Copeland family blood--here Amy challenges Kent a race across the pool.  Luckily, there is so much splashing, you can't tell who won!

   

Garrett is getting really good at catching lizards . . .

Ethan has to look it over.

But probably one of the funnest things the kids still like to do is play in the back of Papa's truck.  It never grows old!

Another event Kent's family was looking forward to was visiting their old home in Gainesville.  They lived there 3 1/2 years while they were going to dental school, then Cassie and Craig lived there for the past three.  It will now be rented to another dental student and his family.

Definitely Ethan remembered living there, but Ella was too young when they left.

Craig told Kent about a box he had left there.  Kent found his old letterman jacket and remembered the days when he was "BMOC"!  He still looks great in it!

Oh, by the way, when we went in, there was Baby Riley in his chair.  Guess what he was watching???

Sports, of course!  He seemed to really be enjoying it--definitely it's in the blood! 

Next stop--we all head to the graduation!