Homecoming 2011

Baylor Homecoming...it's one of my favorite times of the year.  I absolutely LOVE that we live in Waco and can enjoy the festivities every year without having to load up and travel...plus it also means we get to play host to all of our family and friends who come into town.  I loved Homecoming while I was at Baylor, even more after I had graduated, and I think it is the best now that Ethan and Evan are old enough to enjoy it.  It's so cool that they will be able to say they grew up going to BU homecomings.

This year was awesome because two of my three college roommates came into town.  It is rare that we are all together and it is so much fun getting to see them {especially now with a full house of crazy kiddos running around}.

We started our night by heading to Uncle Dan's for yummy BBQ and then it was off to the bonfire.  I knew we probably weren't going to last the entire night so I wanted to get there early to enjoy all of the festivities before the boys got too cranky.

In the SUB we got to visit and have our picture taken with the Baylor Bear mascot.  Ethan was in awe and complete heaven.  We could have stayed there ALL. NIGHT. LONG!  He gave him high fives and showed him his best sic 'em bears.  Evan on the other hand FREAKED out...screamed so loud that everyone turned to see him.  He couldn't get far enough away from the Bear fast enough.

We also went and saw the real Baylor Bears which Evan was much more excited about...another place we could have stayed all night long.  They loved watching them walk around.

After seeing the bears we hung out outside and let the kiddos run around...which they were quite happy to do.  Emma {my roommate Heather's oldest one} kept an eye on the little ones and made sure they were entertained.  Of course when there are electrical cords running around everywhere it doesn't take much to entertain 2 two year olds.

The boys had fun watching and listening to the band and cheerleaders when they came in.  Ethan had a perfect seat and could see everything from Jeff's shoulders.  We made it to just before the bonfire was lit and decided to go home to put the tired kiddos to bed...I'm so glad they loved every minute of the night {minus the bear for Evan} but knew we needed sleep before getting up early for the parade.  Next year we will try staying for the whole bonfire...which I know they will love.

Kim, Me, Emma, Evan, Heather and Ella.

The next morning we headed over to Baylor bright and early for the parade.  It was a perfect morning for the parade...the sun was out but it was still cool...not hot or humid or freezing, but absolutely perfect.  The E's loved seeing the big bear balloon, floats and all of the cars and trucks but mostly just loved getting to hang out and run around.

Of course Mater and McQueen had to be a part of the festivities too.

We enjoyed our Dr. Pepper floats...Evan had a few sips and then went on his merry way running around and playing.

Ethan on the other hand didn't stop until his was ALL GONE...little one loves his ice cream and Dr. Pepper and when the two are combined...PURE HEAVEN!

First he started with the spoon...

And then realized the straw was a better option.

Family Pic...blurry but still cute.

Our attempt at a group picture of the kiddos...Ethan and Ella were having none of it.

Evan, Emma and Brynn...the cooperative children.

When the parade was over we headed to our car by way of the floats so we could see them up close...my favorite was KOT's Radio Flyer float filled with huge toys and blocks that said "sic 'em."

This year the game was a night game which was awesome because it gave us time to eat lunch and let the boys take a quick nap.  We are usually trying to rush from one thing to the next every year to make the afternoon game.

We had fun tailgating with the E's...eating burgers and chips and drinking lots of sweet tea.  They love the band and loved watching them come in along with the Baylor Line.  It was the first game they had been to all season and it was fun getting to watch them take it all in.  The boys and I stayed until halftime and left Jeff at the game to go home to bed...they were exhausted after a long fun weekend.

Ethan doing his "sic 'em bears."

It was such a fun weekend with all of our family and friends...I look forward to Homecoming every year and it always goes by so quickly.  Can't wait for next year!