Friday, May 31, 2013

More from the wedding


Front of The Mackey House( love, love, love the porch!)



 I can almost hear my dad laughing at me...but I am having so much fun seeing all the different pictures from the wedding. (and I don't get tired of looking at them either...haha) I have mine, of course...then we got Josh's, now Ian's. It's fun to see things from the different perspectives. You notice details you might have overlooked...or just forgot about. Mostly I just felt myself smiling from 1 -161. Can't wait to see Gayle's, and David's and the photographers!  :)

goofy smiles for Ian (I tried moving this...but I really don't care...haha it's out of order..

 The one thing that comes to mind each time I see different photos is what a BEAUTIFUL day it was and even though I knew it at the time...when I see these I just can't believe how beautiful it was!
 I will have one post just to show all the pictures of everyone...these  few show the great looking people...haha and the nice background too.
                                                Andy, Marcus, Dan and Tim...ready and waiting....
luckily we did not need the pavilion...the back-up spot in case of rain


                             Martha and Ian....thanks to Ian for all these great photos! I love them all!
Meredith and Elizabeth (Meredith graduated from High School today! Yay!)
                                              
look at the background! Haven't seen David's photos yet

what are these three up to? haha

view through the window on the front door



as it got dark...the lights came on...adding a whole new lookEverywhere you looked...there was something nice to see.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Nice weekend

 Memorial Day weekend turned out to be beautiful. The weather is a little milder than normal for late May in Florida. There was a great breeze blowing all day...so even though it was kind of hot...it didn't feel that way at all. We had no plans for the holiday...and as it turns out neither did a whole bunch of other people we know...so we all decided we should meet down at the beach. Duane promised to get there early and set up a tent. He also volunteered to bring down a few surfboards. Scott volunteered to bring his grill...and it went from there. A little bit of this...a little bit of that...some of our friends, some of their friends and pretty soon we had about 30- 40 people down at Tampa Ave.
 I can't even remember the last time I spent an entire afternoon at the beach...but I am happy to report I did not get burnt...and it was fun. Enjoyed catching up with some people I don't see often...and I met a lot of new people. Played a little Frisbee..(.since we couldn't find a ball to play paddleball). Never went all the way into the water...but enjoyed sitting down near the edge of the water and dipping my toes in. :)

 Saturday we were down in Malabar at a friend's 50th birthday party. They have lots of great oak trees on their property....and again the breeze kept things pleasant. Other than the birthday girl and her husband...I only knew a few people...John knew a bunch...but I had a nice relaxing afternoon.
 The breeze was really blowing...Bill and Renee finally got all the candles lit...but before Renee had a chance to take a breath and blow them out...they all got blown out by the wind! Oh well!

I was hoping to capture a picture of all the Confederate Jasmine growing in this tree. It was cool...and it smelled so nice sitting underneath that tree.



 Last weekend...we went to watch our friend Chandler graduate from Melbourne High School. He and about 499 others graduated that night. heard a few familiar names....



We enjoyed celebrating with Chandler. He is a great kid. always pleasant...loves to fish with John...and somehow he manages to put up with his dad...haha. Reid is very proud of him...and he should be. Congratulations Chandler!

Saturday, May 25, 2013

We'll miss you






                                                     We lost our good friend Pat yesterday.
                                   Last August Pat was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive cancer. She had some ups and downs....and fought hard...but
A few weeks ago; there were some further complications and  Pat made the decision to stop any further treatment. She was able to come back home to Indialantic, and her sister Harriet, Chuck, Nancy P. and the Hospice team took care of her. Friday morning she had a peaceful end to a life well lived.
I will remember her as I saw her last...once at the house before her last trip to Tampa...surrounded by friends, laughing and talking like old times...and one afternoon (morning?) walking with her sister Harriet. She looked happy...if I hadn't known...I would have thought she didn't have a care in the world......and so...I will remember her just like that. Pat....things won't be the same without you.........................

Sunday, May 19, 2013

The Big Day!

 Saturday night after our get together...I was feeling a little nervous. John was a little upset with me because we had been a few minutes late to the rehearsal dinner. He hates being late...and felt especially bad that we were late to something so important. Due to circumstances mostly beyond my control...someone stopped by our room, someone needed shoes, someone needed medicine...etc,I was running behind schedule. Everything was fine and we had a nice dinner...but there was a little tension in the air. I'm guessing it was nerves....on all parts...but I was feeling a little out of sorts when I went to bed. Later John and I talked about it and decided everything was fine and the next day was going to be great. I felt a lot better. Martha and Bridget had planned to take a walk in the morning....I decided to join them. John got up early to play 9 holes of golf with Tom and some of the others...so I could do whatever I wanted. When I got downstairs...Martha and Bridget were already off...but surprise, surprise...Mark had just arrived! (we weren't sure if he was going to make it). I knew my way around...so I decided to take a walk anyway and maybe catch up with the other two. I never did find them...too many different routes to take...haha...but I had a nice walk. The air was cool...upper 60's and it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day.( At one point the forecast had called for rain on Sunday...then it changed to possible rain in the morning...but as it turns out...the rain was gone and it was a beautiful morning.) As I walked along, I heard the church bells ringing and I felt completely calm and happy. I got back and got ready to meet everyone downstairs for breakfast. The cafe had set aside a section of the dining area for our group. We figured trying to go out anywhere would be a challenge since it was Mother's Day. We all enjoyed a nice relaxing breakfast.
 Meanwhile upstairs the ladies had arrived to work their magic. Megan had arranged for two people to come and do hair and make-up. Aunt Martha had told her that was going to be her gift...she told Megan to make sure they made us all beautiful!
 We had fun listening to music, talking, etc. Megan was very calm, cool and collected. It was great! a few people stopped by from time to time to say hello and the morning flew by.
                                          
 We headed to the Mackey House at about 2:30pm. Megan, Marcus, Brenna and Jeni, Dan and Tim were already there getting ready. The girls were in the Bride's room...the guys in the Groom's room. Once Megan was dressed...the bridal party went to get some pictures taken before the wedding ceremony. (we hoped to cut down on picture time after the ceremony) I had a few last minute things to go over with Dave, the DJ and John and I got the photo "booth" set up.
 Then................it was time for some pictures! I didn't have my camera with my during the ceremony or reception (for the most part) but I got a few pictures beforehand. We were out in front for these pictures.
proud Dad


Marcus, Uncle Andy(who married them) and Megan

pretty flowers all around

the bouquets

 Back in the Bride's room we sipped on champagne...(some of us anyway...Megan didn't want any) Catie, Jeni and Megan posed for some pictures under the cute banner Jeni got for the shower :"Soon to be Mrs. Nealley"
Jeff who took lots of pictures for us...joined us


And then before we knew it...it was time for the ceremony. The parent and grandparents were seated...the bridesmaids and then  to the sounds of Ho Hey by The Lumineers...Megan and John came down the aisle.
the groom and his family

and the other grandparents

Brenna , Aunt Sandy and Anne

            look at the pretty green tress in the background. It was PERFECT weather...a beautiful day!
the grand entrance

photo booth fun

Jimmy Buffett theme


John, Brenna, Dan, Marcus, Megan and Brian enjoying the best man's toast

I only got teary eyed a couple of times....this was one of them John and Megan danced to "Ballerina Out Of Control" by The Ocean Blue. At one point they almost changed it...because more than one person said "How are you going to dance to that song?" They both tried to come up with alternate songs...but ultimately decided to go with their first choice...Megan used to dance with John (on his feet) to this song...and she always said she would dance with him to that song when she got married. When they started dancing...it was perfect...and that got me teary eyed.
Megan and Marcus's first dance was great. I did not capture a picture...but his mom and sister did. They looked like pros! Megan looked so completely happy...Marcus (who doesn't really like to dance that much) had a big smile on his face and it was so much fun to watch! After that we had hours of dancing and fun! I think just about everyone got up to dance at one time or another. Then we had the send-off....we lined the stairs...lit our sparklers and waved good-bye as Megan and Marcus rode off in the Bentley. I didn't get any pictures of the send-off...so when I get some...I'll be sure to put them in!