graduation day

we woke this morning to a snow powdered lawn. a beautiful start to this special day.......

for it is nicole's graduation day......

we all gathered, along with max's family, at the 

university of colorado art and art history building 

for nicole & max's 

graduation ceremony......

nicole and max were the undergraduate student honors speakers at the commencement ceremony.....

they did a wonderful job!!!!

hurrah!

a very proud family!

(unfortunately, gabi had too many obligations at school today, so couldn't attend) 

margo, nicole, max and his lovely mom, shelly...

max's family arrived from california a few days ago and it has been wonderful to be with them again.....

                                                            happy sisters.......

we admire all your accomplishments, nicole and share in your happiness......

let's go celebrate......

so off we went to laudisio's....

to eat, celebrate, have fun and relax altogether.....

nicole & max, shelly & bill, paul & janet, casey, ben, sab & margo

what was left of a divine raspberry smothered cheesecake we shared..... 

a sweet ending to a gratifying afternoon......

home again for gabi's gingerbread house party......

at school, the last day before winter break is always pajama day.....

it is also the day gabi has her gingerbread house making party each year.......

she invites friends over to decorate houses, snack and listen to carols together......

delicious!!

ben and sebastian's friends decided they wanted to play too....

cute katie, gabi and ben

meticulous margo.....

sab, stop eating all                      
the candy, already!!                            
                                            

after finishing their masterpieces, ben and kendall headed off to the 

denver zoo lights.....