going back cali

try as i might i have not been able to come up with another title for this post, even though i cringe every time the song starts going through my head.
yes, i went back to california. haven't been there in years and years and now i've been there twice in two months.
i am going to try to be diplomatic with my descriptions, but feel free to read between the lines. danny, if you read this, i love you and want the best for you -honest!
okay, so i went to california at the request and insistence of my sister karen, as her son daniel was getting married and she wanted as much family support as possible. this wasn't the marriage she had envisioned for her son, nor the wedding, and as a way to cope she flew me and rachel (and cassidy) to join in the festivities. my parents were there, as was my sister missy, her husband and three of her daughters (meeghan, kaitlyn and shannan). my brother ben also made the trip. it was wonderful to spend time with all of them. cassidy didn't want much to do with anyone except me and rachel, but eventually warmed up to the idea of others holding her and entertaining her. however, she didn't even give my mom a hug until we were saying goodbye at the airport....sorry mom! i'll show her more pictures.
the wedding itself left a lot of room for some really bad jokes and negative karma... bride walking down the aisle to a "spice girls" song, bridesmaids carrying giant lollipops fashioned from styrofoam and cellophane. tatoos, piercings, low cut, high cut and very tight dresses (bridesmaids, bride, mother of bride, mother of bride's friends)...
the ceremony was short, then we waited for the wedding party to have pictures done, and the evening continued with a mexican food buffet and dancing. also included was the traditional garter retrieval, throwing of the bouquet, cutting the cake and the dollar dance.
through it all i had such mixed emotions. i want the best for danny, but was this it? can they make it the best? and the guest list...i wanted to stand up and ask "who are you people and how do you know my sweet nephew? how is that he has come to be associated with such a motely crowd?" rude thought maybe, but it was there all the same.
so my account of the wedding - not too trashy, not too classy, not what i pictured for danny. but i wish him the best and nothing less!