The Maloneys!

The wedding of the year occurred last Saturday (10.12.13) when Matt married Kelly.

There's so much to say and so few pictures on my phone.

I've consoled myself about my lack of documentation - that's a good sign, really.  I had the time of my life.  I felt like a queen (hair, mani, pedi, facial, makeup...) and I watched our prince marry his princess.  It was magical.  I had no time to look down at my phone (certainly no pockets!) so I'm hoping the photographers come through...

It was a series of events, that I do not ever want to forget:

Wednesday - All day spa date with Kate
Thursday - Dinner invite from the happy couple - a thank you dinner that included only the 4 parents, held at Vino's - the restaurant where they had their first date ten years ago this month
Thursday late - Karaoke with Laurie, Steve and Dan (among others) at Miguels
Friday - Bridal lunch at the Cedar Rapids Country Club
Friday pm - Rehearsal and dinner at Shores Event Center, complete with heartfelt speeches from Shawn, Jeanne, Karin, Laurie, Steve, Dan, Barb, Kelly, Matt...and me!
Friday late - after party at our hospitality room
Saturday am - Griddle with the Groom! for the men and Bagels on the Bridegroom! for the women/children
Saturday - beautiful, modern, classic 2 pm wedding and reception at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center
Saturday late - after party at our hospitality room
Sunday - Newlywed Brunch at our home and later gift opening at Krapfl's

Two favorites

The Nearlywed Game

We had lots of fun at the bridal shower hosted last Saturday for Kelly by Kate.  It was a treat to have people attend from Minneapolis, Dubuque, Bettendorf, Des Moines, and Chicago.  Kate devised "The Nearlywed Game" - a video Q&A (thank you iMovie) with the groom that, during the shower, the bride had to also answer - very entertaining!  Kate gave bath bombs as party favors to our dear guests as they said their goodbyes.

Even my apple tree cooperated

Cake and Candles poem gift from MOG

Sisters + Champagne = Shower!

MOB, Bride, Bridesmaid

K

MOB, Bride, MOG

Rank women!

With my beautiful mom and her punch bowl

Ring Bearer's mom with the Bride

Bath Bombs...from Lush



Saturday Shower

It may be a shower, but these are tears of joy.  My thoughtful and loyal daughter, hosting a bridal shower for my kind and generous DIL2B, attended by my wonderful sisters and mother and nieces.  Not to gush, but it's just hard facts that I scored in the lucky department.

Sure hope there's dessert!

Happy birthday, Matt!

Happy 26th birthday, Matthew Ives Maloney!

I may be touring the Acropolis today (and hopefully snacking on some Spanakopita), but I'm thinking about my middle one.  I am missing our commute conversations but one of the memories that is keeping me smiling this year is how you let me in on the planning and the secret that you wanted to ask your girl, Kelly, to marry you.  And I know that special girl will do what I used to on this day, on September 27 - and I love her for that.  She will continue my tradition - of making you feel loved and special.  Thank you for letting me into your world this year, for letting me help you dig through the stones (oh, and for all the coffee on those excursions), and for including me in the shopping trip on the day you made the big purchase.  I am so happy for both of you that you have found that one true thing - the only thing that really matters - and am proud of the smart, kind, sweet, capable man you have become.  I am honored to be a part of your journey.  Sending you love from Athens today.  I love you, Matt!