Katie's wedding

To be honest, I don't think it could have gone any better.  I had one of the most enjoyable weekends of my life - spending time with my family and celebrating its growth as Katie and Paul exchanged their wedding vows.

We celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday at my grandparent's house with four generations of Caniglias, Callahans, Sanders, and McGoverns spread throughout the house.  Like millions of families across the country, we reunited and caught up with each other's lives.  Much of our extended family still lives in Omaha, so they see each other regularly, but I get to catch up only every other year or so.  I see my cousin's little children grow by leaps and bounds in between reunions.

Friday morning, we skipped the shopping to watch the Nebraska-Iowa game together.  Nothing like going to a bar at 930 on a Friday morning!  Despite the game being close, Nebraska pulled through to advance to the B1G Ten Championship Game this coming Saturday (I am going!)  Friday night, we had the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner.  Neither Katie's nor Paul's extended family live in Arizona, so most of the out-of-town family came to the rehearsal dinner.  The meal was fantastic, the company superb, and my speech for Katie and Paul well-received.

Saturday was the big day and you couldn't ask for better weather.  Highs in the low '80s and sunny.  Gotta love Arizona in November.  My older sister's boyfriend (met him for the first time - nice guy) took me and my Dad for an old-fashioned trim and shave at the barbershop.  Although the barber scraped my neck raw, it was pretty nice to be pampered.  The one minor hiccup of the day was that the bridal party arrived at the church about 20 minutes late.  Not a case of cold feet, just traffic.  (The wedding party had to get ready at the reception hall because the church was being renovated and didn't have changing facilities there).

Admittedly, I was more emotional at the wedding than I expected.  Watching my father help my little sister out of the limo in front of the church, I started to tear up a bit.  I hadn't yet seen her in her dress and she looked so beautiful.  Memories of her growing up flashed through my mind.  Once we were in the church, I first walked my Mom up to the front (she looked great from her surgery 6 weeks ago.  She moved around great and never had to use her oxygen the whole weekend).  Then I went back to walk back down as a groomsman.  I teared up again when my Dad starting walking Katie down the aisle, but then the entire church stood up and blocked my view, so I didn't get to really see them walking up.

The reception was absolutely fantastic.  The DJ was phenomenal.  The drinks were flowing.  The food was delicious.  They had a photo booth where people could go in and take pictures.  We somehow fit all the cousins into the booth for a photo.  We had everyone doing Turkey Baster Shots.  At the end of the night, they had a party bus to take people back to the hotels and to Mill Ave.  Really, just a fantastic night.

I wish Katie and Paul all the best.

Thanksgiving at Nana and Nanus

Go Big Red!

The last photo of the five Caniglias - looking sharp before the rehearsal dinner.

Dad helping Katie out of the limo.

I sneaked this photo during the wedding.

The bride and her parents

In the limo on the way to the reception.

Paul is a huge pro wrestling fan and Katie surprised
him with a groom's cake shaped like a wrestling ring.

Everyone dancing 'Gangham Style.'  When Katie and Paul watch the wedding view in
20 years with their kids, this will be what they are embarrassed about.

On the other hand, turkey baster shots will always be awesome!

My parents dancing

When you show up at a bar in your wedding dress, you get invited on stage.