April 26, 2008

Kylee greets her grandpa.
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What a beautiful day! Kylee and Joe could not have asked for better. The wedding was in Red Rock Conservation Center about 20 miles outside Las Vegas. With the wedding party in the limo, Ralph and I hitched a ride with Barbi, Kwandee and Sam. We flew out across the desert on the freeway until the Red Rock casino seemed to erupt from the desert floor. Immediately after turning to the park, the terrain began to change and huge outcroppings of -- you guessed it -- red rock jutted up from the ground. Spring in the desert is an amazing sight. Wildflowers of burnt orange and deep purple bloomed from amid the rocks as if a professional gardener had placed them.

Here comes the bride.
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We stopped at a picnic park and, once everyone arrived, headed up the hill on gently climbing boardwalk. I say the ascension climbed gently, not so the climbers with high heels. My stride being somewhat shorter than the others, I couldn't take a natural step without putting my foot so that every fifth or sixth step sunk my heel between the boards. So, here comes Grandma with her mincy little tippy-toe steps for a small distance before she makes an abrupt stop, one leg outstretched in front, the other held in the back like a prisoner in chains. I realized my thoughts (what the hell was I doing out here in the middle of the desert in these stupid shoes?) were not in keeping with the day, so I developed a little mantra, "I love Kylee, I love KYLEE, I LOVE Kylee," Whoops! Caught again.

What am I doing in the middle of the desert in these stupid shoes?

The "cheese stands alone." Joe waits patiently.
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But, we all made it and, as you can see from the photos, it was a gorgeous setting.   Kylee and Joe represented a gentleness  amid the prehistoric rock formations. I think nearly all of us cried to see our "little bird" all grown up.

Afterwards, we all (17) met for dinner at the Trevi in Caesar's Palace for a very fine Italian dinner. I'm going to shut up now and let you enjoy the pictures.

Love to all,

pdb

Big sister Jodi during the ceremony.
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