Homecoming 08!

First of all, let me say "hello" to some of my new (or should I say returning?) blog readers! I'm glad you're back!! :)

Okay, late as usual, here is my update on our big Homecoming weekend! Two weeks ago, we got to spend the weekend in Abilene for my 10 year reunion from ACU. It was packed full of events to attend, and people to see.

I am probably biased, but we have one of the most unique classes and our bonds are so strong for being gone 10 years. I just felt like I could pick right back up with many of them and have meaningful conversations without the awkwardness of years that had passed. (I think the blog world has definitely helped that too!)

On Friday, we got to go to chapel and lunch with Cailee, and I might add that chapel was SO GOOD. I got a lump in my throat as I was standing there singing praise songs with thousands of college students...I thought, could I really have been gone this long, when it feels like I should still be here? And then to glance around and see old classmates of mine with their kids brought me back to reality. We are much older, and our lives are more complicated. But, it was great to be back on campus and see the wonderful traditions that still continue.

After that, we had Queen's Tea. Kendyll and Carlie got to join the other special women in my family for this event, and felt VERY special and grown up. Many, many pictures were taken...and many, many cups of sugar-filled tea were drank by my little munchkins.

Cassie, me, Cailee, and my mom (and Carlie sneaking in the side!) We missed you , Cortni!!

Cheri, Grandmother, and Aunt Carol, along with Kendyll & Carlie:

Carlie with two of her favorite people ever...

I was also excited to see so many of my close friends from college who got to come in early enough for the tea. No one has changed a bit! And, that made it even better!! We made quite the scene with our loud laughter, and other disruptive noises. :) We can all thank Jane Talley for those good times...as usual.

Following the tea, we darted over to the Homecoming Carnival. This year was supposed to be bigger and better than ever...and I guess it was. They had a petting zoo, laser tag, rock climbing wall, bounce houses, games, face painting, and food! But, because their parents talk too much, the poor girls had to settle for a painted cheek and that's all. Yes, that's right. My kids did not get to do anything else because we found too many people we wanted to talk to. :) But, they didn't even know what they missed. They had fun playing with their best friends, the Morelands, and hanging with their aunts and cousins. And, hey, they had a corn dog or two, so isn't that worth it?

We then traveled to our sweet friends, the Sullivans' house, who were brave enough to have our class AND our kids over to hang out. It was a wonderul couple of hours of getting to catch up with so many people! And, our kids made a ton of new friends!! Here is one of the only pictures I took from that event. The girls who were left at the end of the party...

Saturday morning included Siggie breakfast and then the parade, where the girls got to ride with me. They were most excited about this part of it, and did a great job shaking their purple & white pompoms and waving at the crowd. It was fun to have them by my side. :)

And, speaking of the parade, is this not the cutest little purple parade watcher? Great pic, Cailee!Chapel was next, and all I can really say about that was I did not fall down the stairs!! We attempted another family picture, and this is the best we got. Most of the time, it looked like this. Can you tell by Daddy's face how much fun we were having with AK?!

But, Abby Kate enjoyed running free in the coliseum with her pompoms. Future Wildcat in the making!

Saturday night was our official Reunion Dinner, and without meaning to sound like a broken record, it was another reminder of how much I love these people!!! Here are a few of the pics I got of some of us...

Rob Fitz, Sara (my roomie), Matt (her hubby)and Jenn (you made the blog, friend!!! TWICE!! see below!)

Jenise (my other roomie!) & Me

The "Random Restaurant" Gang (minus Angie & Clif...Ang, I wish you could have been here! We missed you so much!!)

So, it was a full weekend, and completely exhausting. But, so much fun for Mark and I and the kids. Thank you to all of our sweet family who chased these three little ones all over for us and were there to give them naps so they weren't total bears. :) And, thank you to Kristen, George, and Carrie for giving us the best bed-n-breakfast in Abilene while we were there! We are very thankful for you all!