Viva Las Vegas #4: The Big Day

"Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that." ~Michael Leunig

So it was finally time for the big day.  My family being a bunch of rednecks, we may have been just as (...more...) excited about the Kentucky Derby as the wedding!  Several of us headed over to Hard Rock early to bet on the horses and stake out our viewing spot for the race.  The old men all kicked the day off with bloody marys.  I started early with Seven and seven.  Might as well get it started right.

The Gaming Room at Hard Rock

We all bet based on owners and trainers and post position.  Dad and I got a little of our money back on the 3rd place horse, but the big winner of the day was Aunt Evil Kineval who bet on the #19 horse, riden by a rookie jockey at 35-1 odds because she liked the name, "I'll Have Another."  Good choice--she won!  I did, however, win the next race that I bet on a long shot ridden by J.R. Velasquez.

Me and my two favorite guys watching the Derby

Since we were in Vegas the night of the big Mayweather/Cotto fight, I figured I should bet on it as well.  Turns out, I should stick to the horses.

After that somehow it wound up being just the immediate family grabbing some lunch.  So the four of us had a nice lunch together, and then I got a phone call from Little Cowboy who was ready for me and Soldier Cousin to take him swimming.  We were the chosen ones because he had deemed us to be "The Fun Group" the night before. 

Aunt Delta Dawn joined us and when Little Cowboy insisted she get in the pool, she obliged.  Here he is counting her toes (she only has four on one of her feet).

She was officially added to The Fun Group

So after all that fun, it was time for a wedding. Or so we thought. As we all gathered around and snapped a few photos, we learned that the venue was running an hour behind. Not a problem for us, I just announced loudly that our family would all congregate in the bar. And so we did.

Mom made a new friend with the random drunk guy walking by.

Mom and Little Cowboy

Little Cowboy showing Baby Cousin's girlfriend his tux...
Earlier in the day he said, "Tiff, do you think Jordan will
stop being in love with Baby Cousin and be my girlfriend?"

Family Photo

We took over the bar.

Dad's side of the family, including Conductor Cousin's date, "The Ugly Stick"

Waiting out the ceremony start

Finally, an hour (and a few drinks) later, it was show time. The ceremony was really beautiful with great flowers and lights and Little Cowboy in his tux. We won't go into the fact that the "preacher" could not even read first Corrinthians (seriously, Little Cowboy could have done better) and that when he was asked about it by one of Moomoos cousins there was almost a fist fight. Unimportant details.

Eli walking me down the aisle.

Waiting on Moomoos.

Moomoos walking down the aisle.

Love this one.

He kissed the bride.

The whole group.

Love them.

After the ceremony before the reception, the happy little family snuck off with me for a few photos. I was pretty excited about how these turned out!

Love this.  Love love love!

This one is my favorite.

Poor Little Cowboy.

Oh, these two kids....

Too bad he doesn't like jumping on the bed!

He wanted to turn with Aunt Tiff.

And then it was reception time, which included some champaign, cake and lots more pictures.

Smashed it in her face.  Good job, brother.

First dance.

Little Cowboy dancing with Moomoos.

Us, Hepburns and Ski Trip Family.

Like father like son.

Dad's side of the family.

Mom's side of the family.

All the crazy cousins from both sides.

Love this shot of Moomoos and her siblings.

 Stay tuned tomorrow to hear about the post-ceremony night out on the strip!