Second, on to the storytelling. Vegas was amazing. The wedding was amazing. The Mix Lounge was, as you might have guessed, AMAZING. The whole experience itself was both new/exciting, as well as entertaining and memorable. Wedding story starts here...

Foremost, there was meeting and greeting a la Mandalay Bay convention hall. My mom and dad went all out for this. From the awesome party bags with our wedding date, to the chocolate poker chips with Chinese calligraphy with our names inscribed, to the outstanding dimsum appetizers, to personalized nametags with sweet pictures and sayings for EVERYONE and lastly, the really sweet/tear jerking wedding slideshow containing contributions from both friends and families [they all donated pearls of wisdom with regards to marriage]. I was even fortunate enough to witness a 'first' in my lifetime [Don Goon taking, scratch that, leading a shot of vodka with us young guns] Also, I want to make sure not to forget the brilliant toast by Cole after he was 'three sheets to the wind'.

The wedding was short and sweet. I don't care much for those long and lengthy ceremonies with tons of singing, readings, and blabber, that no one really remembers. Even at a mere ten minutes [fifteen tops], there was plenty of time for me to soak up the moment, get all sweaty with nerves waiting for the doors to open [so I could see Emily for the first time that day in her beautiful white dress], hold hands and stare into my wife's eyes, say our vows, and have the reverend say a tidbit about love/marriage and how we're the happiest couple he's ever seen, evar [maybe he didn't say that but he was thinking it].

I was even able to do a pretty good job remembering what steps to do in what order. Walking down with mi madre y padre, check. Walking with my mother in law, check. Shaking her father's hand as he 'gives' his daughter to me, not-so-check. That's alright though, no one pointed/laughed/snickered except for those who know what was supposed to happen. We also got a video of the ceremony which I am really glad for [when you are up there (at the altar) everything is kind of a blur. I don't remember the faces of the guests, nor what the room looked like, nor where anyone sat in the chapel. All I can really remember is looking into Emily's eyes and feeling as happy as I have ever felt to be marrying such a fine woman :) So anyway, having a DVD to re-watch how it all went down, and re-live the moment, is a good thing.

Alright, enough of the sappy stuff. Moving on to the reception. The mix lounge was AMMAAHHHHZING. The view was incredible, la comida - scrumtulescent, and much quality time with the guests was had. Our photographer was super friendly and she took lots of amazing photos of people overlooking the strip. Dan the man also proposed a fantastic toast, both inside and outside the Mix lounge with just us guys. Dan, I sure am damn happy to be your son in law.

Post reception, the remainder of the trip was typical Vegas extravaganza special. In N Out burger [I went three times in five days], Orleans buffet, Palace Station buffet, lots gambling, late nights, and booze. I love you, Vegas.

Enough wedding talk. The week after the wedding happened to be my birthday. Happy 25th to me. No but seriously, my insurance reduction for morphing into the 25-30 age bracket AND for marital status, thank you Allstate [-$$]. Also, because my new wife is so amazing and understanding, I was able to spend my first married weekend away with the boys up North. You can check out the updates from that man meat celebration special here:

I just got back from honeymooning this week. We Goons packed up our cookies and flew to Palm Springs, CA. [Thanks again to my very generous and loving parents for lending their timeshare to us honeymooners] Our Palm Springs home away from home was at the Shadow Ridge Marriott. From the minute I drove up past the flower and palm tree covered entrance, I knew it would be a fantastic vacation. The unit was a 2BR, 2BTH, kitchen, dining, living, all in one kinda unit. Let's just say it was way nicer and bigger than the house I currently live in, so that was a treat.

My wife and I spent the majority of our honeymooning soaking up the 70 degree temps, swimming in the pools, hottubbing, being as gluttonous as possible at the local Mexican, sushi, Italian restaurants, movie watching, beating the crap out of our rental [Sebring convertible YESSSSSS], and checking out the Living Desert Zoo. It was our first trip together, as Goons, and boy was it a good one. Pics here:

[note: yes, I did in fact model, poolside, shirtless, for my new wife and the rest of the people at the pool...when you're married, you can get away with these kind of things. You've been warned]

I know I sound like quite the softee in this dgDOTcom update but, I am seriously thankful for the generosity of both our friends/families. No words will ever convey my gratitude but I sure hope you all know how much we appreciate you in our lives.

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