Memorial Day & Labor Day Travel

I need a change of scenery. Not a permanent one, but something in the form of a vacation. Or two. So Dave and I decided to plan 2 trips, one mini and one major.

For our Mini-Memorial Day getaway, we decided to fly to Nashville and visit two very good sets of friends/couples. Stephanie & Trey live in Nashville and Nick & Erica live in Clarksville; both Steph and Nick were in our wedding this past Fall and both have been friends with us since high school. We love them, and their spouses, too!

Nick just returned last month from serving our country for over a year in Afghanistan. Luckily he was able to come home on his 2-week leave in November for our wedding, but he had to go right back afterwards...boo. But now he's home for good...yay! (Or at least for now.)

We cannot wait to see his new home he shares with his wife Erica and baby Sarah in TN.

 

And Steph has been one of my best friends since freshman year of high school on the volleyball team. We both got married in 2008 were each other's bridesmaids. 

It will be great to see her again, too.

Now as for our Major Labor Day Getaway... drumroll please...

Dave and I are planning our first trip abroad and will be going to ITALY!

Much, much more on this to come, but I need to book our flight before we begin to plan many more details.

It think these two trips will be just what we need and will give me so much to look forward to this summer. If anyone has any Italy travel trips, please do share!

2008 was Great...Bring on 2009!

Happy New Year everyone!

2008 was filled with many great memories for me, especially on the wedding front. Not only did I marry my best friend in November, but two of my best friends also got married this year. I was lucky enough to be a bridesmaid in both weddings.

Steph & Trey: May 31, 2008

Julie & Kyle: October 11, 2008

And of course the highlight ;-)

Me & Dave: November 8, 2008

A little background on my group of friends. There are 7 of us girls that have been friends since freshman year of high school (with the exception of Julie & I who have been friends since 3rd grade!). Until I entered the professional world, I never really realized how highly uncommon it is to still be so very close to a group of people that you began your friendship with so long ago. Out of the 7 of us, we live in 5 different states and are each in the same city altogether only once, maybe twice a year. One of those rare times was at my wedding this year. I felt so very lucky that everyone was able to travel to be there for us so close to the holidays:

While our distance is great, these are the type of friends that still never miss a beat when we finally do get together, no matter how long it has been and I am truly blessed and grateful to have them in my life.

So now in 2009, we will celebrate many milestones together. Our 10 year HS reunion is in August (yikes), as well as the wedding of Susan and Carlos in the Fall:

...which will make all seven of us officially "old" married ladies!

So here's to good friends and good times in 2009. I can't wait to see what else this year brings to our marriage, and also our family & friends.