Last weekend we flew back to Texas to celebrate two graduations – Michael getting his bachelor’s and Brandon getting his master’s. The trip from LAX > AUS on Thursday was easy enough, and Brandon’s parents picked us up so we could stay in Belton for the night. Our first dinner request? Whataburger, of course.

Friday morning we left bright and early to make it to College Station in time for the College of Architecture hooding ceremony for master’s and Ph.D. graduates. Besides Brandon, Nesh Rao (this semester’s only MFA graduate) was the only other Vizzer at the ceremony.

Since both Michael and Brandon were graduating from the College of Architecture, we got to walk in the same ceremony and only make our family sit through grad once (whew!). Michael looked sharp in his Corps uniform – he looked just like the pictures of Brandon’s dad and uncle walking the stage. Dr. Loftin complemented Brandon on his bowtie when he shook his hand. Before we knew it, Brandon’s second college graduation was over.

After the ceremony, Brandon’s parents held a dinner party for their boys at the Hilton, where we ate, opened presents, and got to spend some lower-key time with family. It was an honor to have so many loving friends and family come together to celebrate the end of our time at A&M!

Saturday was full of moving boxes from one place to another–getting Mike a head start on moving out and the last bit of Savannah’s stuff out of her old house. A box of chicken fingers (we haven’t had any since we moved to California?!) gave Savannah the energy to snap some photos of little Luke, and Brandon dropped by the Lab to see some friends and watch an old action movie. We ended the evening with a lovely dinner together before heading back to Hadley’s for bed.

Brandon bought a cowboy hat to take back to Burbank. I guess it’s true that you become more Texan after you leave the state!

Brandon’s mom, Mike and Emily met us at the airport on Sunday to pick up the car and wish us farewell. We miss all our family already! Our flight landed early, our parking shuttle pulled up right as we stepped out of the terminal and our drive got us back to the house less than an hour after we landed. That was a pleasant cap to a wonderful weekend full of achievement, family, love and memories. This being our first trip back to Texas since we moved, we’re just realizing how great it is when you can go home to visit and come back home and they both feel equally comfortable.