Halfway There!

Last weekend Matt completed the finals for the second semester in his MBA program. That means he's halfway done! Wahoo! The University of Florida gave him a whole 13 hours to celebrate before he had to go back to class.

We marked the event with a cupcake party. Adelaide and Melinda had a lot of fun putting together the cupcake gator. And, he was still mostly recognizable by the time Matt's delayed flight came in, despite an "emergency" tail amputation in the wake of a snack attack.

See you later alligator - or not, because we ate you.

We took advantage of the holiday weekend to further celebrate Matt's halfway mark. Sure, classes are back in full swing and he had to spend a good chunk of the holiday doing homework, but he had an adorable helper.

Yep, she's using the mouse as a phone

 (Grandpa, she's calling you.)

Matt took a couple hours off from reading to help Melinda take the kids to a local farm. Eleanor slept through most of the adventure. Adelaide was pretty excited... right up until the moment she actually saw the animals:"Piggies scary! I don't like them. Cows are scary. Chickens! No! NOOOOO!" 

Fortunately, the farm had a playground. We looped around the animals quickly and then let Adelaide find her inner-rancher on kiddie tractors. She had a great time.

Here's something that doesn't moo or quack.

Melinda's parents contributed to our "halfway" festivities by sending Matt an Omaha Steaks gift package - thus securing their spot on the "best in-laws ever" list.

A whole cooler full of delicious.

Fire up the grill!

Just 7.5 more months of maxed-out schedules, sleepless nights and no vacations to go! We may celebrate the finishing of the degree with a family trip or just a looooooong nap.