Fall Festival

Friday night we attended the Ortiz Fall Festival. This is the first year that I have not volunteered to work at a booth, but I didn't think that Emerson would want to stand in one spot for an hour or two. Good thing I didn't volunteer. I don't think we stood in one spot for more than a minute. Emerson dressed as a kitty as a tribute to her cousin Miriam.

Miriam Elizabeth Halloween 2002

Ryan was happy to see the Jesse and Anthony as soon as we arrived. Jesse was a football player and Anthony was a robot. He and his dad made this amazing robot costume complete with lights. Tony, the boy's dad, came as Igor from Ghostbusters. I think you can tell exactly why Anthony won first place for 4th and 5th grade.

Bday Party

To top off our very busy Saturday, we went to the Conder house for Kallan's 8th birthday. The kids had a great time playing and McKenna and Emerson spent the entire evening together. McKenna is Kallan's cousin and she is a doll. Emerson loved being the center of things and didn't seem to notice how little she was with all of the big kids. Mendy had several activities planned and Cody grilled out awesome hamburgers and yummy hot dogs.


The kids played football

Birthday Boy Kallan

Little Brother Kason

Ryan throws a long toss

Never appreciated how hard it is to get 8 kids to look at the camera.


McKenna shows Emerson how to use the flashlight during the scavenger hunt

The kids brought all of the candy to Mendy to divide up.

Emerson watches Kason get the candy

She loves her pink pumpkin flashlight!

Superheroes!


Throwing spiders on the cobweb game

Kallan gives me an intense face while showing off his birthday cake.

Mendy made sherbet punch with a jello hand

Homecoming Parade

Saturday morning kicked off with a grand parade down N 16th and Campus Court. We found a great place across from the library and my mom was able to meet us. I have struggled with Abilene parades the last few years because they have turned into nothing but a new car show. ACU's Homecoming Parade was anything but a car show. This parade was awesome! It had the Big Purple Band, cheerleaders, athletes, Homecoming Court and Coming Home Court, and Social Groups galore. I was in awe at the costumes, singing, and dance routines that paraded in front of us. By far, this is the best Abilene parade I have been to in many, many years. It was fun to get all dressed up in our ACU best. I bought Emerson this cheerleading outfit my first week working at ACU and she did NOT like it--not one bit. It took a lot of coaxing to even get it on her that morning, but once it was on, she loved it. She was such a big hit everywhere we went.

Homecoming Chapel followed the parade and we had designated seats on the floor. Dr. Money presented the big check showing how much money the Class Reunions (4s & 9s) had given to the University since their last reunion. It was great to see! It was neat to be involved with all of the activities and I can't wait for next year.

ACU Homecoming 2009 Carnival

Our first ACU Homecoming was the weekend of October 16th. Friday afternoon I was able to attend Chapel and it was wonderful. That evening Brad met me with Ryan and I picked up Emerson for the Homecoming Carnival. It was a blast! It was not too crowded and the kids loved everything there.

We also attended the Chemistry Circus and it was terrific. Both kids enjoyed all of the experiments. Emerson sat for an entire hour and only cried once (the students walked in with fire extinguishers and they were noisy).

All four of us were completely exhausted when we finally left campus, and we can't wait until next year.