Residency Graduation

 Two words: FINALLY and HALLELUJAH!! I really thought this day would never come, but it did...finally! To celebrate, the department does a little graduation ceremony that includes a nice dinner, a speaker that they fly in, a golf tournament the next morning followed by a family barbecue/swim party. It's something we look forward to every year and it was so fun that this year we were the honorees!! The evening dinner and program was great and memorable. Blake's department chair, Dr. George Brindley composed a song that he sang with this guitar featuring all three of the graduates. He also shared advice on 25 ways to be successful and happy. Blake and I felt we are doing well on the things he suggested, namely: marry the right person the first time, always have a savings plan no matter your budget, focus on what matters most--your faith and family. Blake was given his certificate of completion and given a collegiate chair (I think that is what it is called) with his name on it. I'm excited to see that displayed in his office one day. It was a wonderful evening we thought would never come!

Blake and the famous Dr. George Brindley: Department Chairman. He specializes in joints and tumors

Clint Beicker (Blake's twin, everyone at the hospital always gets them confused, even after five years!, John Roaten, and the one and only Blake Clifton.

The graduates and the "crazy" (I didn't just say that) sports attending/body builder.

Blake and his fancy new chair

Blake and Dr. Mark Jenkins--great man and great teacher. He will be missed. He specializes in Trauma and is the Program Director.

Looky there!! It's official!

Shelley Roaten, Amy Beicker, and Cami Clifton, the three Ortho Wives graduating this year....yes we are graduating too!

More of us, though not all of us. Back, left to right: Michelle, Sarah, Amy, Trina, Shelly, Cami.

Having fun at the family BBQ

 Every year at the family BBQ they have the same guy come and cook prime rib and (can't remember, something good that is beef :), and baked potatoes in a giant smoker. The food was delicious as always and it was topped off with ice cream sundaes with all the mix-ins to go with it. The kids enjoyed swimming while the adults mostly visited. This program also has a tradition of having the chiefs roast the other residents. The best one was how they roasted one of the residents that has been dating his steady girlfriend for at least three years by giving him a fake engagement ring. Both his reaction and his girl friend's reaction was priceless!  Maybe it will finally get him to pop the question and tie the knot :).