Graduation ceremonies

After 3 years of full time study and juggling work in the pharmacy as well,  the day finally came for Sarah to graduate! She achieved outstanding results to receive her Bachelor of Nursing. Her graduation ceremony was held on March the 7th. We all gathered at the Entertainment centre for official photos (which none of these are!)... 

 



Kelsie and Teagan also graduated as teachers

 

There were a few categories from ECU graduating but mainly Nurses and Teachers ~ each distinguished by the colours on their robes. They were all placed in groups  and lines for the official and traditional march through town...



 

Study buddy Megan

 

 Then we all gathered inside to watch the presentations. It was a proud moment for us all as we watched Sarah receive her degree...

 

Two days later we headed to Perth to UWA for Janelle's graduation ceremony. She also achieved outstanding results during her 6 years of study for her Bachelor of Medicine degree with Honours...

It was a beautiful balmy evening in Perth and Winthrop Hall looked lovely with the lights at dusk...

 No march past for this graduation ~ all the graduates walked along the stunning balcony...

And filed into their designated seats. It looked great seeing them all sitting there in their Graduate (Mortarboard) caps...

 

Empty seats for all the dignitaries and professors

 Eventually it was Janelle's turn to receive her hard earned degree...

 After some more official photos it was time to relax and enjoy the celebration...

Very proud parents...

 

So just like that all those years of study, lectures, assignments, prac and stress were over and we are so happy and proud of  both girls achievements and dedication to their chosen studies. We wish them well in their future careers!





February

February saw the start of the "milestone" celebrations  that would be occurring this year.  Mum and Dad J celebrated 65 years of wedded bliss. What an amazing achievement! We took them out for lunch and then they featured on the television news bulletin. At Sarah's 21st we had cake and presented them with letters of congratulations from the Queen, Prime Minister and local members of parliament... 

 

 

After a long wait Janelle finally got the keys to her new townhouse. It was a very exciting time for her. We went and helped her move in...

 

 

 More stairs to negotiate!

 

Woolworths finally acknowledged my 15 years of service with a presentation and supper. They even lashed out and gave me flowers, chocolates and a gift card (and some more long service leave)...

 



 

One of my favourite bands the Eagles toured Australia again. Even though we have seen them twice in concert already we couldn't resist going to listen to them again.  We had great seats and as always it was a fantastic night...

 



We decided to switch my sewing room to one of the spare bedrooms and make my old room the home office. I have certainly collected  quite a bit of fabric and bits over the years and I did actually toss some out...

 

We celebrated Janelle's 25th birthday in her new unit. She was a little emotional...

 A nice family pic (apart from my static hairdo!)...

 

 



Sarah's 21st

Our baby turned 21 in February. Sarah's birthday fell on a Thursday and she managed to get sometime off work to come home and celebrate. So many gifts to open on her special day!... 

And I presented her with her 21 years of life scrapbook album which she loved (and I breathed a huge sigh of relief that it was finished!!)...

 We enjoyed a lovely family dinner to celebrate...

 

On the Saturday we had a "High Tea" afternoon tea with friends and family...

 

 

The traditional "lift" with Kelsie and Teagan

Georgia, Georgia, Sarah and Megan

 

Sarah was gracious enough to let her special day extend to 2 more celebrations. With all the family around we celebrated Nic and Dan's engagement (from last year!)...



 

And Mum and Dad J's 65th wedding anniversary and Sarah presented them with congratulation wishes from the Queen, Prime Minister, Govenor General and some local government representatives...

 

 

Janelle tried really hard with her signage on the blackboard (maybe she should stick with being a doctor!)  It was a lovely day and that's our 3 girls 21st birthdays done and dusted!



January

We had a quiet night at home to welcome in the new year.  2015 is going to be a busy year of milestone celebrations in our family!   Our first big change is Sarah moving out of home to live in Perth to do her graduate nursing year. Sarah and Nathan found a unit to rent close to Hollywood Hosp. We hired a trailer and helped them move...

 

 It was certainly hard work getting the bigger furniture up the stairs!...

It would still be another 2 weeks before they officially start living there but at least all the furniture is moved and set up.

 

We have been enjoying the hot summers days walking along the beach...

 



 

Sadly we had to remove a palm in the back yard so that we could get the caravan in to its undercover area easily. It was chopped down and removed in no time...

 I have been enjoying the beautiful scent of my beautiful Frangipani flowers...

 

 

Sarah modelled for one of her co workers who is starting up a makeup business and Nicole did the photography. Sarah looked beautiful and the photos are stunning...

 

 

After putting in an offer to buy her first property back in November, and having to wait for her first pay slip, Janelle was finally able sign paperwork so settlement could be processed. It was a very exciting time for her ~ even though she was half asleep after just finishing a long nightshift in the emergency department...

 On Australia Day we went to Perth to do last minute shifting for Sarah and Nathan and just like that we were officially "empty nesters!"   We called into see  J & G as by sheer coincidence Teagan also moved out on this day! So here we are sad that our 5 daughters have left home...

 But not too sad for long!   (well maybe just a little)...