Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Bracken Mannion, M.B.A.

After 5 long years, 2 kids, a mortgage, and a commercial real estate appraisal license, on 19 December 2008, Bracken finally graduated from Sacramento State University with an MBA in finance! When we moved here in 2004, we never imagined it would take so long, and there were many times along the journey when we both thought about him quitting, but overall, it's been a great journey. It won't change anything in the immediate future, but it's nice to know we have a safety net.

His graduation was held at Arco Arena where fortunately, the concession stand was open. That giant bag of popcorn certainly helped keep the girls occupied. They managed to keep it together pretty well for the first part of the ceremony. Fortunately, Bracken was on the front row of MBA candidates, so I was able to hear his name called and see him walk. I was amazed at how choked up I got. It was much more emotional than I expected it to be. I'm just so pround of him. After that, though, the girls were done. We spent the rest of the ceremony doing laps around the top level of the arena.

I did get one picture of the giant screen where you can kind of see Bracken. He is the second head from the left.
Here's the proud graduate after the ceremony. Doesn't he look smart and handsome?

Bracken and his parents.

Our special family. Why do the kids have to look so special in important pictures?

Daddy and his girls. And to think, he wanted to wait until he graduated to start our family. Good thing he changed his mind on that one.
We also took the opportunity of his graduation to make a little announcement to his family via his cap. I guess I should ammend the original sentence of this post. It took 2 1/3 kids to get him to graduation. Yup, we're cooking up number three.







5 comments:

Kimberly said...

Yay for Bracken and yay for another baby!!! Congratulations on all counts!

David Mills said...

That totally cracks me up that picture of Chloe. Special is the right word. Why do kids do that. Thanks for the laugh! Nice picture though of Bracken with his parents. That one you should give to them in a frame.

Talk to you soon!
Ashley

Tanja said...

Congratulations!!!What hard work to graduate period, especially with a growing family. Baby #3 is fantastic news. Sounds like 2009 is starting our great for the Mannions!

Missy said...

Woo-Hoo! Congratulations Bracken!! We're rediculously proud of you too. It's been a long hard road and LOOK AT YOU NOW!! All grown up! *sniff* Way to go!!

Sandy said...

Congrats, to all of you! I'm sure its such a relief to have school behind you now - way to go, Bracken! And Ruth -- yay for #3!

P.S. - the "special" picture of your family had me laughing out loud - it looks like Chloe just ate a lemon:)