Goodbye Tahoe...HELLO Yukon!

After 13 years of having the Tahoe in our family we bid it farewell and welcomed a gently used 2005 GMC Yukon! It was bittersweet since the Tahoe has been on so many family trips with us. From swim meets, to recruiting trips, to family trips up to TN, and the numerous trips back and forth from Pensacola to Auburn and back it was time to cut ties with the Tahoe. In the end the Tahoe's AC stopped working (this is absolute torture when you live in the lovely South where the heat can get over 100 with the heat index in the summertime), I needed to replace a couple of tires, and some other expensive fixes that were just getting to be too high for us to pay in one service.

 Jeremy and I were trying to make our Tahoe last until Kai moved in to Kindergarten, but these past couple of months it seems like we have had to get it serviced on and received quotes on how much to fix it. The cost of fixing it was outweighing the reason to keep it rather than trade it in. I found a phenomenal deal with Lynch Nissan over the weekend (I had been casually looking for about a month and a half) and showed Jeremy online and we decided that we needed to test drive it soon since a deal like that wouldn't be there for long. I loved it! However, they weren't going to come down to what we wanted to spend on a payment, so I test drove a Nissan Murano. It too was a great vehicle, but after having a large car like a Tahoe it was hard to imagine all of our stuff in a smaller space. I sat and talked with the salesman to compare the two and we finally came to a mutual agreement on price that would work for both of us. After 3 hours at the dealership and closing time right rapidly approaching I filled out all the preliminary paperwork and left them to detail the Yukon one last time before picking it up the next day.

I went home and cleaned out the remaining stuff we had in the Tahoe. Yesterday at lunchtime I received a call from Rob at Lynch saying that everything had processed perfectly and that my Yukon would be ready to be picked up at 2pm! YAY!!

Christine and Dylan are MARRIED!!

My best friend, Miss Christine Galbavy, is now Mrs. Christine DONAHUE!! We just got back a couple of weeks after celebrating her wedding festivities at home in Pensacola. Christine and I have known each other since 1st Grade and between going to the same school and swimming on the same team (GO GPAC!). Now 24 years later I was asked to stand by her during one of the most important and special days of her life as her Matron of Honor. 

The boys and I drove down before Jeremy and we actually arrived several hours before my parents did (they were in Arizona for my dad's squadron reunion). Once we got down to the beach the boys went out to the private beach, "bakyard," to play in the water and build sandcastles. Thursday was pretty much a travel/down day since the festivities weren't set to begin until Friday morning. However, we were able to see Christine and her family for a brief visit at Beach Club. The boys were exhausted by the time we headed back to my parents house---they were passed out by the time my parents arrived back home.

Friday began all the fun activities for the wedding. That morning we all went over to Ms. Malleiro's house for a Bridesmaid Luncheon. This was a chance for a Christine to spend some quality time with her bridesmaids before the craziness of wedding festivities begin.  The food was delicioso! Great friends and a radiant looking bride made the whole luncheon a perfect affair. I had so much fun and thanks to Ms. Malleiro for hosting such a fun get together.

We absolutely LOVED this screened in patio! Great views and amazing friends!

With our new COACH sunglasses that Christine gave us!

Friday afternoon after the luncheon I ran by to pick up the wedding bands, at the request of the Bride. When I got there the sales associate showed me the bands and I shook my head approval; one titanium one for Dylan and one yellow gold one for Christine. On my way to Elebash's I paid a quick visit to one of my other best friends Katie Fox and to see her adorable baby, Isla. By the time I made those two stops I had very little time to get ready for the Rehearsal at St. Paul's Catholic Church.When I got home Jeremy had just gotten in to town and we got ready for the rehearsal. So we all dressed up and got Kai dressed up (he was the Ring Bearer). Everything was going without a hitch and everything ran smoothly. Afterwards we went back to the beach to the beach house that dinner was being hosted at. The food was again AMAZING and catered by Native Cafe at the beach. This was a great time for everyone to mingle and have a little more intimate setting than the reception. We left shortly after 8 and Jeremy and I (we dropped Kai off with his Nana and Papa after the rehearsal) joined Rob and Nikki at the Break for a couple of drinks. We didn't stay out to late since I had to be up early to get ready for the BIG DAY!

Saturday- THE BIG DAY!
We all headed in to town to Christine's parents house to get ready. It was a very relaxed setting since it was at the comfort of her parents house. We all got our hair did and our makeup did! :) My Mom even brought over some yummy finger food for us to munch on and Kristy improvised and made us a nice cocktail (Yeah for having a bar tender on hand!). Once we were all ready to go we put on our dresses. I slipped upstairs for a second just before Christine was about to put on her dress. It was nice to have a moment with her before I knew she was going to be whisked away with all the Bridal obligations that were ahead.

A few pictures were done at the house before getting on the Trolley to take us to the Church. Again, everything was going smoothly, until I got a text from my Mom saying that Kai was sadly refusing to get ready. Unfortunately, he was unable to make it, but Christine going with the flow just shrugged it off and said that's OK, and walked down the aisle with her Dad. The entire time after we sat down I kept thinking in my head "Katie, your only job is to know when to stand to join Christine and Dylan at the altar for the vows. Don't mess it up. Don't ruffle her dress the wrong way. And DO NOT trip!" Well I somehow got up to altar and fixed her dress without a problem and then I was able to witness, front row and center, her exchange vows with the man of her dreams!

The Reception was a fun affair. A lot of friends came to the wedding and the reception. It was a mini GPAC/St. Paul's Reunion! I had so much fun seeing everyone. Next MOH task-THE SPEECH! I think I did pretty good.

Married 7 years and I can't believe how fast the time has gone by!

Kristy, Christine, and Me

Love it!!

In closing (I know you all are probably waiting for this novel to end) I am so happy for you, Christine, to have found your Man of your Dreams! I know that Dylan loves you. You can see it written on his face every time he is with you. He is without a doubt a perfect match for you! Dylan, I am so happy that you are joining our crazy and fun family of friends. We are close, but we are always there for one another through thick and thin and I look at you as one more great friend to add to our group. I love you both and wish nothing, but the best for you two. Congratulations!

Mr. and Mrs. Dylan Donahue!!

Easter 2012

This weekend was jammed back with an Easter Egg Hunt at Kiesel, a couple of hours at the Playground and riding bikes, Jeremy grilled hamburgers last night, church this morning, breakfast the Hilton, our annual family pictures in front of Samford Hall, and then on to Hickory Dickory park for some more fun in the sun.

This year was different at the Easter Egg Hunt because Kai was in the 4-6 year old age group and Kaden was in the 3 and under. However, this worked out OK because Kaden was having absolutely NOTHING to do with the Easter Bunny (or the Chic-fil-A Cow for that matter). Kaden could care less one way or another if he picked up any eggs at all. Kai on the other hand picked up all the eggs he could carry (and then some for Kaden). There were a lot of people there and we got to see Evie and Azlin for a little bit.

This morning after church and breakfast we headed to Samford where we were pleasantly surprised to run in to The Malone Family! Kai thought it was so cool that his friend Ava and his Godparents came to meet him (ha!!). It was a great chance to see them for a bit and let the kids run around a bit.

I am loving this weather and how we were able to enjoy it out at Hickory Dickory today. We usually don't go to this park because it is normally so crowded that there are no parking spaces left. However, the kids loved it! The just ran around and around until we had to force them to leave.

All in all a great weekend and can't wait to have another fun Easter weekend next year.

Christine's last HOORAH as a single woman!

Last weekend I went back to Pensacola Beach to celebrate my best friend Christine's last big hoorah as a single lady!! Her sister, Lauren, Alex Colley, Nikki Bell, and Rebecca Arnold started the weekend off with a little lingerie shower at the hotel room at the Margaritaville Hotel. After a few cocktails and hanging out in the room we headed over to Hemingways for a nice dinner! This was a great time for all of us to catch up. We haven't had a night together in years it seems! After dinner we went over to the Shaker to see Kristy (another fellow bridesmaid) at work. It was good to have her take part a little even though she had to work. A short while after we headed back to the Margaritaville to meet the limo. The limo was great and we took it downtown to Intermission for the first stop.

Intermissions was fun. We started off the bar hop with having some good laughs at the bunching bag machine. After a few rounds and a lot of people watching in awe that some girls could get a score probably higher than a 500 (Christine was in the 800-900's and me and Alex in the 700-800's---the highest score being 1000) some guys challenged us in a friendly match. Girls WON! :)

Next stop was the piano bar where Christine sat on top of the piano in her bachelorette get-up and was serenaded to! So funny!

A little while later we ended up heading back out to the beach where we made a quick stop by the Shaker again before calling it a night!

The weekend was so much fun and I miss all of the girls. It has been WAY TOO long since we have all gotten together. Thank you to all of them in helping me put together a fun night out! I can't wait for all of the wedding festivities to begin in a couple of weeks! Much love to my best friend, Christine!

Happy 4th Brithday to Kai

After a quick move into our new place. Two weeks later we planned a birthday party at the house for a small group of friends and family. It was perfect! The kids had fun playing and Kai loved having his friends over for an "oversized" play date! Papa, Nana, Gigi, and Aunt Sarah were able to come up from Pensacola/Daphne and some of his closest friends.

It's hard to imagine that it was 4 years ago that we were sitting in the hospital taking bets to see who thought Kai was going to be a leap year baby or not. He was ALMOST a leap year baby, but he and the doctor had other plans, and after an emergency c-section Kai had made his grand entrance at 9:26 PM on February 28, 2008. We have never been so blessed to have a little addition to our two person family. He has changed Jeremy and I for the better and we couldn't be more proud of him in all of his little accomplishments at school, being an amazing big brother, and the excitement to learn how to play different sports.We are looking forward to many more future birthday celebrations!

Thank you all for coming to help celebrate his big 4th birthday!

We MOVED!

After being in the same house for 3 years we decided to move. We moved back in to an old neighborhood of ours. We love being back on this side of Auburn. It is slightly closer to my work and the boys daycare and we are closer to friends! We are excited to be over here again!

We were fortunate enough to have my parents come up and help us move. After a long weekend of moving boxes and organizing the new place we were settled in! Thank you Mom and Dad for all of your help! We couldn't have done it without you!

Christine's Bridal Shower

Christine's and my friendship goes back way back, like 1st Grade!  We have had so many fun times together from swim meets, beach days, parties, and trips! She has always been a person who has supported me and been there for me through thick and thin. Christine was my Maid of Honor in my wedding and has been so sweet to throw me showers in the past so I was glad to throw her a shower in return! I am so happy for her and Dylan and can't wish them more happiness and love to come! I love you both!

Lauren and I hosted Christine's Bridal Shower the Thursday before Christmas. It was great to see everyone. There were people I hadn't seen in years. It was like old times sitting around in the Galbavy's living room hanging out.  I am so excited to be a part of Christine's big day and was happy to throw her a shower.

Another Christmas party and seeing Gigi and Aunt Sarah

Gigi and Aunt Sarah came up to watch the boys while Jeremy and I went to the Annual Christmas Party. It's the first time we have gone since they moved it to the Sigma Chi house. We really enjoyed ourselves and hanging out with everyone. This is a party that my boss, Leigh, her husband and a bunch of their friends host.

The boys were happy to have some quality time with Gigi and Aunt Sarah. They always love having them come to see them!

Christmas and party

My parents came this weekend and we went out to Jubilee Farm to pick out our Christmas tree. The boys had so much fun seeing all the farm animals. We had just gone to Sophie's birthday party last month and so they were so excited to see the horses, goats, sheep, and pigs. Kai has gone on the pony rides, but Kaden has never warmed up to the idea...that is until today! After seeing Kai ride the horse Kaden got on and rode his first pony! He looked so happy and comfortable! I don't know if it was because there weren't that many people there, but he definitely looked at ease!

That night Jeremy and I went to his work's Christmas party at Moore's Mill Golf Club. It was great meeting some of the people he works with. After the party Jeremy, myself, Brian, Michelle, Ryan, and Ashley all headed to the Irish Bread Pub for some drinks. We had a fun time!

I love Christmas time and getting together with family and friends!

Veterans Day weekend

This was such a fun weekend! I took the boys down to Pensacola so we could visit with Gigi, Aunt Sarah, and Aunt Katy (she was in town with our nephew Finley!). We drove down on Friday and on the way in we stopped by the Fox's house to see Katie and her new baby, Isla. She is adorable and I think looks just look Katie. We didn't get to see Pat since he was out with his dad and brothers.

After dropping our stuff off at my parents house we headed over to Aunt Kay's house (Ginger and the girls stayed there that weekend). We got to see Uncle Mike (Aunt Kay was up in North Carolina visiting her newest grand-baby---Morgan had a baby girl!) We had a good time catching up with Katy and meeting our newest nephew/cousin. Finley could not have been a more perfect! He is definitely a spitting image of Josh with Katy's lips. The boys loved meeting him, but after realizing that he can't play around with the boys, they played with Aunt Sarah and Gigi.

Saturday we hung out again and then got ready to head over to Fairhope to take family pictures by the Duck pond. We got some really cute pics of the boys. The boys had fun running around the beach and playing with their football (that later drifted off...). I think the highlight though was when we went to downtown Fairhope to get some ice cream.

Sunday we hung out together a little after church and then the boys and I said our good-byes and head back to AU.