the one where my brother graduated.

it was a big weekend for this family.

off to taylor we went!

with more than a little excitement... all to see this kid graduate.

from college.

so less of a kid and more of just a grown up brother.

check out some pictures of it all:

 where we got engaged.

 polar pop excitement!

 dc love.

 new science building?!

 there it is.

 and there he is!

 the original four.

 well look at us.

 with cousin josh.

the two kids expanded to three! (plus a grandkid...)

i love taylor.

and my brother.

and having a brother with a degree.

from taylor.

the best of both worlds.

taylor and fun fall life.

welp.

taylor was all i dreamed it would be.

check it out:

 spent a lot of late nights at this place...

 reason number 1 billion i love taylor: they love kashi. i love kashi. match made in heaven.

 alumni license plate covers. doi.

 a ride on a golf cart. beyond thrilled.

 a pickup filled with pop. only at taylor.

 walking campus.

 reade.

 olson.

 so many memories. my old room.

 loving life. waiting for ice cream at ivanhoes.

 yeshhh.

 duh.

 delish. and WAY too hyper.

 playing games. drinking drinks. loving life.

 happy birthday linds! enjoy your yummy/ugly brownies, over the hill balloons, and whoopie cushion!

and then, matt and i celebrated fall last night...

 perfect evening? i think so.

we love life.

adios, taylor university.

as much as i love taylor university, i love not owing taylor university any money even more.


we are DONE with undergraduate loans.
holy crap. i'm pumped. it's possible! less than 2 years after graduation.
living poorly has it's benefits!


now, on to... car, my graduate school, matt's medical school.
we sort of like spending money on school. 
we're geeks to the core.

highlights. like the magazine.

homecoming2k10highlights.


1. FRIENDS.
so many of them to see. such a beautiful thing. got WAY too little sleep... that's the name of the game. clearly we're not in college anymore, because us four girls had to take a nap on saturday. yikes.


the fun included:
-handy andy. of course. sitting there, talking, for hours... as many people came through.
-ivanhoe's. twice. magical.
-running (or attempting) the homecoming 5k. at 8 am after going to bed at like 3 am. poor decision. but good memory.
-mi pueblos.
-bdubs.

 before attempting the dreaded 5k.

ivanhoes. these girls complete me.

sure, most of it consists of food. that's my life. but: so many great talks, catching up, and funny moments were packed into one weekend.


somehow, a lack of sleep caused me to get oh-so-refreshed.


2. got to see the new science building they're creating. better than that: got to tour it with hard hats and everything.

3. matt finally let me go back to the place we got engaged. there was even the remnant of a candle on the traintracks still. talk about memories.

 we're standing right where he got down on one knee. i love it.

at the exact place. making motions as if i'm birthing babies. not sure why.

overall, taylor is still all that it has always been.

so much joy.

so much depth.

so much friendship.

mmm. makes me tear up just thinking about it. which, i'll have you know, i didn't do all weekend. okay, that's a giant lie. but there are just so many memories. i can't help it.

homecoming 2k10.

i love taylor university.

last year, i would think about it nearly daily. several times, i cried about how much i missed it.
(sad, but true.)

i no longer think about it daily, but still often.
and tomorrow, i get to VISIT. something i've only done one other time.

HALLELUJAH.
i cannot WAIT for a weekend of these things:

.laughter
.handy andy
.ivanhoe's
.joy
.TONS of incredible people
.payne's
.bdubs
.being at the union
.eating at the dc

ohmygosh. i could go on and on.

let it be said: taylor is the best place on earth.

i'll be back after having my had the time of my life.