I arrived on the 3^rd …landing in Billings after a stop in SLC from LA via Delta… a decent flight but crammmmped ! grabbed my bags an picked up my rental car at the same time … very convenient airport !

I took the scenic 70 mile drive according to Jen's instructions…to Red Lodge, Montana. And outside of a swing through Gardiner, MT my first trip to Big Sky country. Winding up into the Hills and Mountains of Red Lodge I realized why the newlyweds would want to be here. I drove through the quaint western town of Red Lodge and just a few miles beyond I came to the resort of the wedding party.

I checked in and got a note to head to town for rehearsal Pizza dinner … I walked in on both families, the Barettas' the Crains' and friends chowing down and drinkin beer at this *all you can* eat pizza place !!! What fun…we rehearsed and rehearsed the downing of pizza and sucking suds …(for me lemonade!).

After slamming pizza an beer we all went down 2 blocks to the local bowling ally for a Crain vs Baretta Bowling match !!! now here is the way to get to know your new family ! We bowled Gutteered strrruk and split our way into the record books of prenuptial frivolity … I did not know everything was computerized as far as the scoring went …which didn't really matter as we were just in it for fun…I think … a rematch is scheduled.

On the return to our lodging Renee and Jennifer had me laffing so hard I had to pull the car off the road for the tears … these two kids (women) will make your sides ache ….just don't say anything stupid !! We ended the night by putting the finishing touches on the wedding room décor and table settings and went to bed …for tomorrow is The Wedding Day.

The Photo session scheduled at 2:30 PM was done with the back drop of the Big Outdoors, with all the families getting into the picture…It was my first time to meet my new Grand kids to be Kaitlin and Josie…just the sweetest little dolls ….in their fancy wedding dresses !

Colleen and Jim showed up just in the nick of time for wedding photos with the Beautiful Bride Jennifer Kaye and Handsom Groom John, Marlene, Mom (Grandma Crain) Renee, Linda and I …for Jen's side.

The sound of Wedding bells was nearing as we all gathered in the rows made special for the occasion by Jennifer. At the stroke of 5 PM the vows were exchanged with tears and laughter as John & Jennifer expressed their Commitment for one another (without any gawd bless this an that yeaaaaa). There was a special ceremony for Jennifer with Kaitlin and Josie that I really felt a deep sense of connection with Jennifer and her caring for her inherited daughters…My new Grand KidsJ

After the wedding we all mingled until the Buffet dinner was served … the dinner was very good …but while we were eating the wedding cake fell over and we had no one to blame!

After the dinner we had a small roasting of the Bride an Groom with Renee the MC ….she is such a super sister and not to mention ham behind the microphone….we roasted and toasted then we danced , well some of us danced and danced …the kids all had a great time rockin an rollin to be sure !!!

After the dancing we moved like a herd of turtles… cleaning up and getting ready to go view Fireworks back in town…

Soooooo off we go in a couple of vehicles with designated drivers. We saw the last of the fire works as we hit town … then our first stop was to watch Jennifer in her wedding dress ride the mechanical bull that was set up in the middle of Red Lodge… one horse red neck town! With everyone around town watching the fire works after the fire works …Jennifer … Rodeo on this bull …and right after John …Ridin like a Champ … both of them won huge reflecting belt buckles (NOT) … fortunately Corinne had a camera and took pictures...for posterity.

Next our entourage of 12 managed to get into the Snowy something or other Cowboy bar an den of barely legal frothing revelers who upon seeing Jen an John in their wedding attire hoisted them to dance on the bar top!!! We all went on as if this was the only normal thing to do… And it's waaaaaay more fun than watching the Bride an Groom drive off in some car after the wedding this was spontaneous merriment at it's finest . Jen an John danced on an on mixed in with the local barely legals …hoping to find a …bull to ride

Meanwhile Renee, the "other" designated driver challenged me to a silly game of Foooos ball in the Beer Hall …well lemme tell ya ….i was humiliated over and over … I had no idea in Alaska, where Renee had been living…that that's what they did to amuse themselves during six months of darkness! … I am still feeling the emotional beating I took and then two guys challenged us ….o my gawd we were grist! But we had fun and I learned how to play a bit a Foosball …

We managed to survive the mud 'n blood 'n beer bath with our clothes on, Wedding party with FireWorks and optional buckeroo contests … we made our get away back to the Stiffling Hot Hacienda hotel … and Sleeeep, in some cases pass out ! Till check out an we all headed back to Billings ….where more fun awaited as I got the Billings tour…(story to follow).

This was the most fun wedding I have ever been to or in … I think more folks would get married if it was this much fun.

CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU JENNIFER AND JOHN .