Wedding Weekend

Just two weeks after AJ graduated from Georgia Tech, he and Anna-Grace got married.

All those months of planning, which seemed like an eternity away at the beginning of their engagement in April 2012, snuck up and clubbed us with its swift arrival and departure.  I never remember time flying so fast.

My family started arriving on Thursday. Mama Jane flew in from Louisiana.  Ed and Austin drove in from Louisiana.  The rest of the Ed Hornes couldn't come--Emerson was in the middle of eighth grade exams.  And cousins Bill, Suzanne and Andy came from San Diego- what a treat!!!

Friday was a blur as I prepared for "my" do--the rehearsal dinner.  First we had the bridesmaid's luncheon--

With lots and lots of pretty girls...

Anna-Grace with her mom Sharon and grandmother Audrey. Lots of lovely ladies- both body and soul.

And, of course, there's our lot...

There were a few hiccups along the path that afternoon--but we got through them just fine.  With help from my EXPERT rehearsal dinner coordinator, Shana Faulkner,  I didn't have a thing to worry about.  And Susanne and John's house was the PERFECT setting.  (Sharon's brother was in charge of the photos, and I will get them when I post them...I swear I hardly remember anything, except everyone says they had a great time!)

And so, the big day arrived.....

Peace and Quiet

As I said, the month of May was the busiest month of my 52 years of life.

This is the only peaceful moment.

It is also the only photo I have of the rehearsal dinner.  More on that next.

AJ's Georgia Tech Graduation

I'm so proud of AJ for so many, many reasons...but this was a special day.

AJ managed to "get out" of Georgia Tech in 4 years (something of a feat in itself!) by going to school year 'round and missing out on most of the summer family cruises.  His hard work paid off with winning the H. Fukuyo Memorial Scholarship Award.  It goes to the graduating physics student having the highest average in the department.

So on May 4 (a rainy Saturday afternoon) we gathered at the graduation ceremony to watch half of Georgia Institute of Technology's graduating class receive their diplomas.  The class was divided into morning and afternoon ceremonies to save us having to sit through all the graduates!  Hooray!!

Mascot Buzz entertained the crowd before the ceremony.

                                             

The Schools processed into the arena.

The School of Science was the first group to be seated!

He had gold and white honor braids- meaning that he was graduating with "Highest Honors"-the English equivalent of "Summa Cum Laude".

Some of the graduates were quite clever with their mortarboards.  Electrical Engineers seems especially creative.

It was quite a crowd.

Now before we get to AJ, a little explanation on Buzz, the Georgia Tech mascot.  Obviously, there are several "Buzzes", as a mascot appears at every athletic event, and most social events.  But the student identity of Buzz is a closely held secret- like a super secret society.  Only at the graduation ceremony is it revealed that the student was Buzz.  And it is revealed by being escorted across the stage by another Buzz..... AJ's class half had TWO Buzzes graduate. The first one was carried across the stage...

And the second was ridden jockey-style across the stage.

Finally, it's AJ's turn.  ( Indulge a very proud mama here....)
Waiting at the bottom of the steps ...

Appearing on the jumbotron...

Having his photo snapped by the professional photographer...

And heading back to his seat.

Tassels were moved and AJ became an Alumnus of Georgia Tech.

 Balloons!!

 Afterward, two very excited ladies had their photo taken with the grad!

It was a very proud day for me.  Now it's onto UCLA and an astrophysics PhD!!!

A VERY BUSY MAY

As I reach the last day of May 2013, I can say that, without at doubt, this month has been the busiest of my 52+ years.

Let's see...

AJ's Graduation from Georgia Tech
Alix finishing her freshman year at Georgia Tech
AJ and Anna-Grace's wedding
Going to Savannah with Andy Killoran
Driving back to Louisiana
The beginning of Alix's debutante summer season.

I am exhausted.  But I want to write about it before I forget it.

And, LORDY, I hope that someone took photos...especially of the my rehearsal dinner for AJ and AG.   I didn't get the chance to take even ONE. Nope, not even ONE.

As a matter of fact, this is the calmest I ever managed to be the whole 31 days.

Out at Susanne's and John's shack before the mayhem commenced!!!

Hang on and enjoy!!!

Be Happy

Just a quick thought as my son AJ goes off to take his very last final exam as an undergraduate at Georgia Tech....