Although our actual anniversary isn't until August 15th we celebrated a little early. Matt told me that he was planning something, but since we were moving I assumed that we'd celebrate in California once we got settled. I am a hard person to surprise so Matt went to great lengths to keep this anniversary celebration a surprise. I had no idea that so many people were in on the plan. (Sorry Mom for thinking you were so annoying with the whole camera question 5 min. before I was supposed to be ready. Thanks Patrick for charging it all on your credit card.)
The first surprise was lunch at Joe's American Bar and Grill. This was the place we had our first date. It is downtown Boston on the harbor. It was a gorgeous day and so we ate outside. It was so much fun to sit and talk and reminisce about the last 5 years.
The second surprise was a dinner cruise aboard The Odessy ship. The Odessy was where Matt took me the night we got engaged. I had no idea where we were going until we pulled into the parking garage. Below is the ship we took. If you look closely in the background of the picture off to the left you will see the Hyatt hotel. Little did I know that later on that night we would be spending the night there!!
After getting our picture taken in front of the boat, we boarded the ship and were escorted to our table. Our seats were fantastic right next to a huge picture window. Waiting for me at our table was a bottle of champagne and a half dozen roses. I was totally surprised. Matt had already arranged for a GF meal for me too! It was delicious.
We ate dinner first and then spent the rest of the cruise on the upper deck of the boat. It was a gorgeous night and warm outside. We had so much fun since it was a cold December night when we first took the cruise 6 years ago. Here are some of the pictures we took.
It was fun to watch the sunset over the city.
As the ship was docking for the night Matt told me that we were going to complete the anniversary celebration by spending the night at the Hyatt Harborside, where we spent our wedding night. He had even packed a bag for me.
When we checked into the Hyatt Harborside they upgraded our room to a suite after Matt told them it was our anniversary. Later on they sent up a bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries to the room. The view from the hotel is amazing, which is why I wanted to stay there on our wedding night. The hotel overlooks the city.
In the morning Matt took me for cappuccino in North End at Cafe Pompeii. It was truly a complete anniversary celebration. I could not have wanted to do anything else to celebrate 5 years. We both reflected back on all the things God has brought us through and the things we've learned. It is amazing and we have so much to be thankful for. I am so blessed to have such an amazing husband.
Here is Lisa with Beckett and Ella. Ella was so cute as she watched the Care Bears DVD.
Lisa also made a cake. Thanks Lisa! We will miss you all too.
After dinner we played a heated game of charades, guys vs. girls. We are proud to say that the girls won. Caleb and Lisa made up the clues for us to act out. The theme was Matt and Christen Buman. It was hilarious to have everyone acting out all our silly quirks. :) Some of the things we had to act out were - TCBY coupons, pink Nalgene, sports fanatics, Disney Marathon, and Gators to trees. We were laughing so hard. The final tie breaker was that the girls (Lisa) had to act out and guess "Matt is dead sexy" and the guys (Dustyn) had to act out "Guacamole in Cancun."
Monday night (6-23-08) was Family Group. Emily and I happened to both wear our Gator soccer shirts!
This is mom at the end of the day saying she was tired and that I was working her too hard. LOL. We were getting slap-happy after three days straight of packing. I would not let us take many breaks. Once I put my mind to a task I have to finish! :) 
Matt turned in the final copy of his dissertation to his committee and he joined in our fun of packing. I was very grateful for his help in wrapping up all our pictures and mirrors. 
Once the truck was full (for the 1st time) the guys took the boxes to the storage unit. Lisa, Lucy, Mia, Mom and I stayed after to try and get a head start on cleaning the condo since our tenant, Joey, was moving in later Saturday night. After cleaning the bathrooms, Lisa and I vacuumed the blinds, floorboards, and fans. Mia helped my mom carry our clothes across the street to Lauren's condo. She let us live in her unit since she was not there and while her parents were trying to sell it.
When we moved into our condo, three years ago, we did not have very much furniture. While being in Gainesville we acquired too much - couches, a dinning room table, a china cabinet, and a T.V. with armoire. When we moved out we actually needed 2 storage units! Yikes. I guess it is a good thing that we rented a 26 foot Penske truck to move across the country. 
