swearing in ceremony

A couple weeks ago we went to Dan’s “swearing in” ceremony where he took an oath to be ethical, uphold the constitution and a bunch of other things...  So now it’s officially official. :)  He’s a(n) attorney/lawyer/esquire, take your pick!  The packet of information Dan received about the ceremony said, “This is the final and most significant step in becoming an attorney.”  That really got Daniel’s goat, most significant, like law school or the bar were insignificant and this little ceremony was a bigger deal.  Ha!

So anyway, we were fortunate to have both of Dan’s brothers and their wives and children come to support him on this significant day!  Unfortunately, we were not early enough to get seats together… so we sat apart and then met up for dinner afterwards.  Thanks for coming guys!  Our good friend Jake came too, we did actually sit next to him. :)

While we were waiting for it to begin, Sophie was in good spirits… and Tessa was not.

Dad came to the rescue!

The ceremony is considered a special session of the Colorado Supreme Court, and the people in robes behind the black table are CO Supreme court judges.  We were in the Denver Performing Arts center downtown where the symphony plays.  The key note speaker was Governor Ritter (who just lost his re-election last week).  The speakers went quickly (which we appreciated!) and then the graduates all stood and raised their arms to repeat the oath.

Sophie wanted to raise her hand too.  She’s getting awfully grown up!  One of her favorite things to say to me is, “Mom, I’m getting taller and TALLER and TALLER and TALLER and TALLER!!!”  (with more volume and excitement with each word)  I always tell her, “No, just stay my little girl ok?”  Sometimes she says yes, but usually she says no.  Darn.

 

Here we are afterwards, a happy little family!

Here’s Dan with his friends from school, aka- “the Mo Row.”  Look at them all grown up!  2 things I think are entertaining about this photo:

1. You can tell all of the wives were trying to take a picture at once because each guy is looking at a different camera, and
2. Dan is the only one still wearing pleated pants… can’t change his mind!  My man will not wear flat front dress pants.  Is he the last man on Earth that won’t give in?  Does anyone else share my plight? 

Well, I guess he can wear what he wants, he’s earned it.

Let me just add a funny little story:

The very next morning Dan went to court for the first time (his office didn’t waste any time!).  He was a little nervous it being his first time but was all together confident he knew what to do.  As he was waiting in the courtroom for his case to be called he was reviewing the case to make sure he was prepared for the proceedings.  The Judge called the case:

Judge:  “I call {some name} vs. {some name} (Daniel’s case)

Dan:  “Yeah.”

Judge:  “Yeah???”

Dan:  “Yes??”

Judge:  “Yes???”

Dan’s thoughts… always yes never yeah… hmmm what does she want me to say?  He was drawing a blank.

Judge:  “This is the time where you tell us who you are.”

Dan: “Oh yeah, Daniel Chapman bar# …. representing …”

Then he went through the rest of it without a problem.  Funny thing is he was telling me about how court would be for him the night before and told me exactly how this exact part would go.  Since that day he’s been to court probably a dozen times and hasn’t had any more problems.  So I figured I needed to document this one, just in case it’s the last!