Tri-Dub Reunion Weekend

"The 'Unfinished Block P' serves as a reminder that even after graduating from Purdue, our experience is not over. Rather, we carry through life our numerous memories, friendships, lessons learned, and skills acquired. The "Unfinished Block P" is an emblem encouraging all Purdue students, alumni, and friends to treasure all that Purdue has blessed us with and to keep the Purdue experience close at heart, not only for ourselves but for all that we loved here and for all those students who, for various reasons, did not get the opportunity to complete the Purdue experience. In essence, the real Purdue is not simply the physical facility or the location of the University, but the cumulative and lasting impact and wonder of our interactions with faculty, staff, other students, and all the events that occur during our time together. Once a part of the experience, we are all eternally Purdue."

This weekend finally arrived! After talking about it for years, all of the planning and preparations were finally in action. The Purdue crew was finally getting back together (outside of a wedding) on campus!
For those of you who do not know, the group originated our freshman year from all of the guys as they lived on the same floor at Shreve Hall, 3 West...and thus become the 'Tri-dubs'. I just happened to live on the same floor, only the girl's side, 3 East ;) After graduation, us and the Thorne's were the only ones who stayed local and everyone dispersed across the country. I can't get over what a great group of guys they are. Everyone has their own quality they bring in, and although they are all very different, they make it work quite well. It has been a pleasure to see Kellen and his buddies 'grow up' together during and after our experiences at Purdue. I am proud to be a 'Tri-dub Wife' :) After all of these years and distance, everyone is able to get back together and pick up where we left off last.

Kevin and Ashley (Seattle) flew in a day early and stayed with us.
I made a little welcome basket in their room, complete with Purdue readings :)

Relaxing before the crazy weekend begins

I made fresh peach cobbler with peaches from my parent's yard


Friday morning we got up and Kel and I showed them around the area before heading up to Purdue. The rest of the gang arrived Friday afernoon/evening and there was a comfort felt as everyone came trickling in.

These were in our hotel room on campus

Tom and Laura (Tampa)

Rich and Luca (Chicago)

You know who we are :)

Some things never change....thanks Tom


Tri-Dubs
Then (2000)..... just babies!

...and Now!

we are still missing a few...Ardy couldn't make it because he is currently in Ghana in the Peace Corps. we missed you are so proud of you Ardy!
we also missed Ross (Chicago)

The lovely Gretchen and Laura

Just like old times... hanging out at our favorite place, Jake's

It was so so so nice to have everyone together again!

our boys

...then a reality shock that we were old: my little bro met us....HA


Saturday we got up early and headed to our old tailgate lot, the IM fields... AT 7 AM! I had to get this shot b/c the sun was just starting to come up as we were setting everything up. Since everyone else was flying/driving from a distance, Gretchen and I decided to be in charge of the tailgate (with a lot of help from her gracious parents, too). A couple months of planning and a much-used Google document later, I think we were very successful!

True fans right there!

Gretchen and I made these yummy sugar cookies for the tailgate. It was a labor of love but totally worth it!

Jason built a sweet extension to hook on his tailgate for all of our grills/stoves
That is a huge pot full of gravy ;)

My parents were there too!

It was so much fun to hop from our tailgate to there's

Kellen built these corn hole boards just for this weekend. Another labor of love!
On the lower right hand corners are the School of Engineering and Nursing logos for an added touch.

We had 4 cars and 3 tents.....quite the set up!

Game time!

Purdue Boys...I love how they are all wearing the same shirts only different color

Group shot celebrating the victory over Ball State!

After the game we went back for round II of tailgating

Gretch and I decided to walk back to the hotel instead of drive...and as we walked back on 3rd street this view of campus and the bell tower reminded me of the view I had every morning walking onto campus from my dorm. It brought back some good memories :)

The night after the game...everyone had sunburnt faces!

After going out for a bit, all of us decided we'd rather go back to the hotel and play cards and just hang out....is this a sign we are getting older?
I'm not sure but I enjoyed it just as much.

Sunday we woke up, went to breakfast, went to bookstores, and walked around campus as people started heading out for home. Kellen and I stayed back after everyone left and went to the civil engineering and nursing buildings, found our composites and favorite classrooms. It was so comforting and relaxing to decompress together after the crazy, but fun weekend with everyone.

We are both hoping that things calm down for us this month. Over the last 2 1/2 months, we have traveled every weekend but 2! Looking forward to lazy evenings and weekends as the weather gets cooler (I HOPE). I can't believe I am going to say this, but I am done planning things for a little while!