parents weekend '11

We just got home from Charleston, SC to see Evan for Parents Weekend at The Citadel. 

What a moving weekend.

The knobs (freshman: called knobs because their heads are bald like door knobs)

go from Cadet Recruit to Cadet Private

and the seniors get the convented Citadel ring at the ring ceremony.

The weather was perfect...especially for the cadets that had to wear wool.

 It was breezy, cool and skies that were "Citadel blue"...PERFECT!

We met up with Evan on Friday at the tennis center. He was sooo tired!

 It was so emotional seeing him after two months. 

The ring ceremony was first on our list.

The cadets and families lined the streets...

...and after the bagpipers came through

all of the seniors walked to the beat of drums and clapping and cheering from the crowd.

This is Evan (in the middle of each picture) standing with other knobs cheering the seniors on.

I know that it must feel like an eternity, but you will

be there sooner than you know it E!

 The seniors are on their way to the ring ceremony.

They are marching in front of Evan's Battalion in this picture.

This is a brand new "monument" that shows a replica of the ring.

At night it lights up. It is displayed proudly at the entrance!

After passing by this guy (which is NO EASY FEAT)...

btw, Evan loves him but he just scares me!

...we went out to eat and checked into the hotel.

It was a good thing that I loved this room and its decor

because this cadet was TIRED and we spent a lot of time here!

catching up on his zzzzzzzzzz

He also was happy to see a little of this the short time that he was awake:)

On Saturday morning, after the pipers opened up Batallion I, 

the parents were allowed to go inside the barracks.

Evan is in Battalion I, Bravo Company.

This is his corner of the world this year.

This is Evan proudly showing his uniforms and organized drawers!

 This is his roommates bunk, Evan sleeps on the top bunk.

Here is his desk...I see your pix Lizzy:)

Not a bad view on a beautiful crisp sunny morning! This is his view.

He faces the parade grounds.

Next, we got to meet some of his friends.

Evan and his friend George...over emphasizing bracing!

I even got to see some of my new friends!

They have a board with all of the athletes name on it in Bravo.

Evan's is under tennis!

They have a board with gold stars on it too and he really wants to see his name there.

It is for those cadets who score 3.7 or higher. He is on his way!

These boots are holding down one of the most important things...

The flag that the knobs of Bravo Co. made for their seniors!

It was then time for the fourth class ceremony.

Evan is in the back row (third from the left).

The other companies in Battalion I ( Alpha, Charlie and Delta)

have their ceremonies at the same time.

I took these before the ceremony had started.

 Here they are bracing and they have to stay that way until each and

everyone gets their B (for Bravo) pin.

It truly looks like that would hurt...but it has improved his posture!

This is the part where they salute and then receive their pin.

Proud dad looking on!

 Evan is still third from the left in the back (now front row) because they turned to face Cadre.

Twenty very loud push-ups!

Proud parents!

 He went from 4th class system to...

 Cadet Private Bravo Co.

He didn't get a ring for it, but Todd got him a new watch!

It was soon time to say good-bye. We said it through tears at the tennis center.

This is the floor of the center.

We are so proud of you Evan!

You are definitely going down the road less traveled but there will be many that have traveled the same road and will always be there to

support you in life at the end of this journey. It is truly a brotherhood!

I had such a great weekend...it went a little too fast but, we'll see you soon buddy!

Love you!!