birthdays and weddings

in april, my cousin steve turned 40. it is something of a family tradition to have a big birthday bash at that age, and my brother kicked it off for our generation by having a big luau in hawaii. having grown up on oahu, steve decided to continue the theme with a colorado luau.

the weather did not cooperate, but we had a great time. my sister kathy decided that she had been the 'good girl' of the family for too long, and stirred up all sorts of old sibling rivalries.

in september we went to wyoming for my nephew's wedding. the day we left--just hours before--I was layed off from my job. the 17-hour family drive to and from wyoming was tense. on the return trip my sister and I had a screaming fight, a knock-down-drag-out that I don't think we'd had for at least ten years.

but overall the weekend was great. we went for a hike in the grant tetons, just outside jackson.

my nephew dennis and his girlfriend arnica had gotten married just weeks before, but they eloped away for a private ceremony. michael and nicole got married in real wyoming style. the mayor of jackson presided, with a mustache that puts yosemite sam to shame. all the grromsmen and michael bought new jeans for the event, and nicole came in a horse-drawn carriage. afterwards we had the best brisket I've ever eaten and danced in the barn: it was fantastic.
mike and mayor	the ceremony	1930s tour bus