Pop Meets Stella, Baby Shower, & Vow Renewal!

{April 15-17}

Mid April was busy for us… Jeff got to come home from Afghanistan for 5 days of TDY (traveling between Fort Carson, CO, Columbus, OH, and Fort Bragg, NC in those short 5 days) and was able to take a few days of R&R onto the end of his work.  He used those days to come down to Savannah to meet Stella and hang out with Gavin!  When Lindsey heard Jeff and Starla were coming down, she jumped on the bandwagon!  We had a great weekend, packed FULL of activities.  It went by much too fast.

Saturday morning we got ready and the girls headed out to the Lovejoy's house for Jessica Miller's baby shower, and the guys all headed out for a manly lunch of hot wings and beer.  Jessica will be welcoming a baby girl, Riley Jean, in June!!  Loved all the adorable gifts she received.  Everyone met up at the Lovejoys after the shower/lunch so we could all hang out together.   We headed home later for cat naps and then it was off to dinner at Houlihan's downtown.  Little did Starla know she had a big surprise coming…

At dinner, Jeff gave Starla a sweet note and asked for her hand in marriage all over again.  Secretly we'd all been planning an intimate vow renewal ceremony for Jeff and Starla at the Infantry Chapel on Ft. Benning, the original church where they married in 1982!  All the plans were set for the following evening at 5pm.  And SHE SAID YES!

Sunday {Vow Renewal Day} was a bit hectic running around to get outfits ready, flowers picked up, music set, dinner plans finalized, etc.  But when 5pm hit everything was smooth sailing from there on out and it was a great evening.  Lots of pictures were taken, memories made, and in the end the the task was complete - a marriage of *almost* 29 years was recommitted… and the children, grandchildren, and a few close friends were able to witness this time.    

After the ceremony, we had a small reception set up at Buckhead Bar and Grille.  We had a private room reserved so it was a nice, quiet dinner.  We had one last surprise after dinner - playing their first dance song "Unchained Melody" so they could share that dance all over again!

"Cooker Man"

Thompson Square Concert

{April 13}

One of the great things about living on an army post is getting to do all the free things put on by MWR.  April 13 Thompson Square came to Benning to do a free concert outside of the Benning Brew Pub.  They sing the current hit song "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not".

We had Jason's MCCC UFL Football game that afternoon then we went to a cookout at the Coughlin's, then finished the evening with the concert.  Cara joined us for the football game and the concert.  

Gavin enjoyed a special treat - soda!

Braves Baseball

{April 9}

We were thrilled to be able to take Gavin to opening weekend at Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves!  Saturday morning we got up early to drive up to Atlanta and tailgate with family and friends before the game.  Jason made some awesome kabobs to grill.  

Joe and Cara, Austin/Jessica (neighbors), and Gary/Geri (friend from high school) all came with us.  We found cheap tickets at stubhub.com and were all able to sit together - great seats too.  Since it was opening weekend at Turner Field, they had all the kids activities open for free.  Gavin got to do the batting cages and practice his pitch.  They also let the kids run bases after the game, but we didn't stay.  It was too hot and we were exhausted!

The Braves couldn't pull a win, {Philllies kicked their butts} but we enjoyed the game nonetheless.  

  

Had to be festive :)

Jessica and Austin

Joe and Cara

Gary and Geri

Gavin was so excited he didn't know what to think!

Batting cages

Love these kids

When the Phillies started dominating the game, it really cleared out and we were able to move up to some shade to better enjoy the rest of the game!  The kids were stripped down to cool off - it was a hot day for sure.

Stella enjoying the shade

Gavin's rally cap

Fishy Face

Game over...

… and DONE!