Cottey College; Founders Weekend 2012

The first weekend in April I made the trek to Nevada Missouri to Cottey College for Founder weekend 2012. It was my 10 year reunion.  I have been looking forward to going for....I want to say 10 years, but it was probably more like 5.

There were so many great friends there.  It was so great to see them.  The thing that hit me the most was that when we went on a tour of the dorms...they smelled the same.  The suites, and especially the kitchen.  It was nice to know that we did not stink it up when we were there, it was just part of the building.  Somehow it felt as though we just came back from  break, but all of us had new lives, that didn't break our connection to each other or the college.

When I was a student and Founders weekend came along it was so overwhelming all these women coming back, telling stories of when they were at Cottey.  It really felt like I was a part of this very very special group of women, and I was so proud!  That feeling was present at this Founders as well.  As I saw the classes that came after me, I hoped that they felt it too.  I don't think you need to spend much time at Cottey to know how special  place it is.

All the ingredients are there; The PEO support, the location, the spirit all make this unique college what it is.  I wouldn't have had it any other way.

The weekend flew by.  I took my Time-Laps camera and made a video of the weekend.  I like to think I captured the time passing quite accurately.

Surprising the Pickle

Caroline (far left) and I both found out we were pregnant on the same day.  We decided to revel the news together while we were taking a photo.

It was a lovely day and the pieces all fell into place.  We all walked down to Wedge and Fig and had lunch.  Andy and Jules were able to join us (photo takers!)  Since it was so nice and sunny, it was not hard to convince the girls that we should take a group photo in front of some daffodils.
 
  Jules started taking photos, after a few I said, "Caroline is pregnant"...no reaction.  Then Caroline said, "Melanie is pregnant too"... no reaction. I asked Caroline, "Why don't they believe us?" Caroline Answered, "I don't know"  Then Reesha chimed in, "They are not kidding!"

Then they started to get it...Kelly kept looking back and forth at both of us, Carrie Ann started asking, "Seriously? Seriously?"

Jules was able to capture it so great!

I did take a bit for it to hit everyone.  Caroline is due 5 days after me!  So crazy.  The girls are pretty excited for both of us!

Surprise we are Pregnant BBQ!

To announce that we were expecting we invited our friends to a BBQ party we called:

MEAT + 1

We told our friends we wanted to kick off the spring right with a good old fashioned Meat Party, Where meat is the main attraction.  The + 1 was explained away by telling our guests to bring a + 1.  Bring a dish to share and a friend!

It worked great!  They didn't suspect a thing!  To capture the fun we had our friend Deb come over first to take photos of  us breaking the news.  So of course, Deb was first:

 Erin made my favorite face ever!

These guys didn't even crack. 

 I asked Adam if he brought buns to the BBQ,

 Since he didn't I told him it was OK,

I had one in my oven.

 Part of the fun was timing our reactions with our friends!

 Oh Brothers who make the same surprised face.

 Charlie was the sweetest!  His girlfriend knew for months and didn't tell him!

  Proof that Katelyn CAN keep a secret!

 YAY!

So fun.

A + M = 3

Andy and I are expecting!  We are due September 1st.