Ross Business School Graduation

From Wednesday, April 28th until Sunday, May 2nd, we took over 500 pictures. I decided to break graduation up into two posts so the number of pictures wasn't so overwhelming.

After Wes' soccer practice on Friday, April 30th, everyone but Mom Hanks (who graciously stayed home with the kids) headed up to the business school for the Dean's Reception and a tour of the b-school. After that, we went home, had lunch, and then headed to Crisler Arena for the business school graduation!

Brian with the fancy "M" ice sculpture in the lobby of the business school.

Mom and Dad Swensen, Brian and Natalie, Jennie and Mike (my sister and bro-in-law).





Brian and his sister Janna in the law quad near the b-school.





Mike and Jennie got this Camero as their rental car and since it was the perfect color for Michigan (and a nice looking car), Mike chauffeured Brian to graduation.

Grandpa Swensen, Wes, Sydney, Aunt Jennie, Grandma Swensen, and Mike walking to Crisler Arena. Everyone was so great to take care of the kids so I could take pictures and see my husband graduate!

The family that came to support Brian and his accomplishment!

Here come the graduates!

Where's Brian?

Dean Dolan making a speech.

It's almost Brian's turn to walk across the stage.

Shaking Dean Dolan's hand. I think that makes it official. Well, that, and verifying that he passed all of his classes. :)

Back to their seats!

Grandma Hanks took care of a sleepy Audrey.

Kisses for the Daddy with a Masters Degree!

Congraulations Brian!

Wes' First Soccer Practice

Last Friday, the Grandparents Hanks and Grandparents Swensen came to see Wes' first soccer practice (today should have been his second, but it's pouring down rain). We signed him up for the preschool soccer class through our Rec and Ed because we thought he would really enjoy it. It was just okay for him last week. We'll see how he likes it the next time.

Brian and Sydney walking to watch Wes' practice.

Wes is likely the youngest kid out there (and shortest), since he just turned three and the ages are 3 to 5. There are three British coaches (accents and all), so I guess it's really official soccer. :)




They mostly just kicked the ball around the whole time, which made Wes a little bored, I think.

He had a hard time understanding directions with such a big group. Plus, he's never had a coach before (teachers, yes, but a "coach" is a new concept). He sort of got it figured out as practice went along.

Water break!

Sydney enjoyed playing with her grandparents and collecting dandelions.

Pretty Sydney!

Ford Museum and Greenfield Village

On Thursday afternoon, Mom and Dad Swensen flew in and met the rest of us at the Ford Museum. Once there, we split up. Mom and Dad Hanks, Janna, Audrey, and Wes went to the Ford Museum (while Brian went back home to get the tickets to the Ford Rouge Factory Tour that I forgot), then they all went on the factory tour. Mom and Dad Swensen, Sydney and I went to Greenfield Village.

Audrey sleeping in her car seat.

Aunt Janna and Wes in a Ford.




Grandpa Hanks and Wes.





Grandma Hanks and Wes.

Aunt Janna, Wes, and Grandma Hanks reenacting the first flight at Kittyhawk.

Wes and Grandpa Hanks. I think Wes was in heaven with all of the personal attention!

This house is the reason we went to Greenfield Village. This is the birthplace of one of our ancestors, William Holmes McGuffey, who started the McGuffey Readers. Henry Ford had McGuffey's home moved from Pennsylvania to Greenfield Village. Apparently, "Henry Ford cited McGuffey's Readers as one of his most important childhood influences."

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Greenfield Village is a period village where people dress up and demonstrate and talk about things of the time. Ford brought houses and buildings from all over the country to create Greenfield Village. He was definitely a man with a vision! Here Sydney is watching some of the machines in motion.

Sydney with Grandma and Grandpa Swensen.

Sydney loved these hats. She kept wanting to wear them and wanted Grandma to wear one too!

PS: This hat shop was right across from the Wright Brothers' bike shop that Ford brought in from Ohio, where they built the first airplane. The plane was then shipped (via train) to North Carolina where they had the first successful flight at Kittyhawk. I'm sure Brian and I will learn more about that after our move to N.C. in a couple months!

Grandma Hanks' 50th Birthday Party

Wednesday, April 28th was Mom Hanks' 50th birthday! After the 5k, we went home to celebrate!

We decorated the house with caution tape for the party.

Wes, Grandma Hanks, and Sydney.




Beautiful Grandma/Mom Hanks among her party decorations.




Putting the candles in quickly before the yummy cake (that Brian made, by the way) started dripping!

Singing "Happy Birthday".

Happy 50th Birthday, Grandma/Mom!

Run Fit 5K + Wes' First Race!

After Grandpa and Grandma Hanks and Janna and Audrey got in, we all headed to Novi for Wes' first Kids' Dash and so Janna and I could do the Run Fit 5k.

Wes was so excited for his race. We were getting him to the start line and he said, "Oh no! My race is starting!" He ran with his friends Jude and Carter (and Brian). It was a 200 meter dash, which can be a pretty long distance for a 3-year-old, but he loved it!

After the Kids' Dash was over, they had a mile run for the older kids and he wanted to do that one too. He was having a great time!

He was quite excited about his medal.

Pure little boy joy. :)

Chugging the post-race water!

Then it was my turn! Here I am coming into the finish of the 5k.

Janna crossing the finish line in her first 5k since 8th grade! And her first post-baby. She did awesome!

The runners: Natalie, Janna, and Wes.

The support team (minus Brian who is taking the picture): Grandpa Hanks, Grandma Hanks, and Sydney.

Some of our friends ran the race too: Steve, Jonelle, Marti, Shawn, Natalie, Janna, Jude, Carter, and Wes.

I finished with a time of 21:53 (not a PR - by 33 seconds - but I didn't expect one). That's a pace of 7:03. Here are my stats:

Division Place: 4 of 45

Sex Place: 13 of 206

Overall Place: 58 of 368

This was my last race with Jonelle until...who knows when for sure? I tried to hang with her during the race, but couldn't after the first mile (I've only been running once a week since National). Jonelle came in first in our age division! She rocks. I'm sure going to miss having her as my running partner (motivator, friend, inspiration, etc...).

MBA Kids' Graduation

We kicked off the graduation festivities with the MBA Kids' celebration! I have been so impressed with the business school at Michigan. The kids and partners programs are really amazing. It is so nice of them to have a "graduation" for the kids!

Wes is ready to celebrate!

Our family!




I love how "jumping" for toddlers is basically just falling.

Carter, Hayden and Wes had a great time running around and playing together.

Brian walked with Sydney and Wes across the "stage" to meet the Dean.

Dean Dolan shaking hands with the kids.

Sydney "reading" the certificate she got for graduating from the Ross MBA Kids program.

Dean Dolan was so great and took time to chat with everyone and take pictures. Brian's had a great opportunity to get to know the Dean this past year. I don't know him well, but I think he runs a pretty great business school!

Wes and Sydney in front of the Ross School of Business.