The Blue House of Crazy: Cornell

We left KC on Wednesday morning, bright and early. Glad we did because it took us a while. Between having to find a Walmart in Boonville, MO for a tarp, to the multiple bathroom stops for the kids, it took forever to get to Louisville. We made it in time for a yummy home cooked meal from mom. Thursday morning, we loaded up again, minus the dogs, and headed to Ithaca. This time, the drive was less eventful. We made it in 11 hours. We had a goal to get there in time to meet up with Paul and his fiancee for dinner. We made it in plenty of time.

Unloading the truck into the dorms was a fun mess. Got a good size room, which was good since the girls were sleeping on the floor and Nate in the pack and play. The dorm was a confusing mess tho. Who ever designed it was definitely on some time of drug. Our room number was 9234. building 9, floor 2, suite 2, room 4. Really?? So that's why you have to be smart to go to Cornell.... just to find your room! Our room was by a door out so we thought it would be easy to park the truck outside the door and unload. Great idea until we set the fire alarm off. :) Got unloaded just in time for happy hour! Unfortunately, I forgot to take a pic of the dorm room. Forgot to take a lot of pictures at Cornell. Hard trying to keep track of three kids and socialize.

Thursday night we went for pizza and since this year was the biggest reunion in 15 years... it took forever to get dinner. Which turned out to be a theme most of the weekend. By 10pm we gave up on eating our pizza as the kids melted down. Made the haul back to North Campus and we all crashed by 10:30pm. I doubt Joel has ever been asleep that early at Cornell! :)

Friday, we had breakfast and then off to stroll around campus and downtown. Joel had a mission to find a new jacket and was told by his co-workers he needed a new hat. We managed to buy something at all three stores we hit. But did get Joel a new jacket and hat. Even found him an NCAA tourney shirt. All the kids got something.... even Joel picked out a shirt for me. Mission accomplished. Afterward, we wandered downtown looking for lunch. Found a new (well since we've been there) Indian restaurant and hit up the buffet. The waitress was very impressed our kiddos ate! Afterwards, we walked back to the dorms in hope of a nap. Not so much.

So off to Happy Hour. Luckily, there were many kids, so the girls had a blast running around so we got a little time to be social. Then a big group of us headed off to The Pines for dinner. I'd never been there but was told great burgers. And were they right! Unfortuantely, it was super crowded and had to wait. We finally get seated..... and WAITED and WAITED. We were sitting with another family and doing our best to keep the kids calm. But somehow... we ended up being the LAST table served. Are you kidding me. Thankfully our kids were great and the meltdowns weren't bad. Being the last table worked out because we let them run while we ate! Another late night! I told Joel I'd stay with the kids and he could go off to the tents for the party. But he wandered in not too much later and crashed.

Saturday was the big day at reunion. Full of activities. And the inlaws were in! Get a little help and then babysitters for the night. Started the day with a yummy breakfast, then met the inlaws. Walked around campus and hit the Bookstore again. I wasn't looking forward to lunch since the last "box lunch" I had at reunion was HORRIBLE. But to my surprise, it was really good. Right after lunch was "Fun in the Sun" for the kids. They had all kinds of activities, I was really impressed. There was a huge inflated obstacle course, a clown, crafts, a DJ, and of course Ice cream! Elly loved the Cornell mascot that stopped by and Nate danced to the Marching Band. Jocy was off running around with her new friends. We were one of the last to leave and by this time we were all a hot sweaty mess! Nate and Elly passed out on the way back to the dorms. The inlaws headed back to their hotel for a nap before the kids and I had hoped for one too. Unfortunately, the 20 minute cat nap was enough for them.

Now you will be bombarded by pictures.....