California here we are!

Super thrilling coming back to the US this time, as we are coming for son B’s wedding to the lovely Miss S.  We arrive five days before the Big Day.

Los Angeles is in the middle of a serious drought. There are frequent news reports of forest fires and an increased number of brown lawns.  

We take in the wonder of familiar culture, and seek out milkshakes and burgers and bagels and decent coffee.  Comfort and convenience are so readily at hand.  

Seen:  a long line for donuts and the above-mentioned coffee

Other marvels: The standard household washing machine--four times the size of ours and four times faster.

And apparently everyone needs a security guard 

Heard, with wonder:  “gluten free vodka”—advertised on NPR! 

And here are some of the TV offerings in LA:

• ·         Sexy adult toy shopping
• ·         The Twilight Zone
• ·         World’s Dumbest Performers
• ·         Cougar Tom
• ·         Hot Tub Time Machine
• ·         From Mommy to Hottie
• ·         Million Dollar Baby
• ·         Skin Wars

On to wedding prep!  First stop, tuxedo fitting

Next, silver shoes for mother of the groom dress (it's a Cinderella thing)

And checking out the venue with the lucky couple

Son Cam arrives and we are off to the tuxedo shop again.

followed by the obligatory In n Out stop

And then it’s time for the rehearsal !

K and boys

T and M 

K and more boys

the gazebo

M watching the action (or lack thereof?)

Practice makes perfect

Done!

Time for the "rehearsal dinner," hosted by the parents of the groom for the immediate families and wedding party.  We had a very nice meal at the Wokcano Restaurant in Burbank.

Family!

Proud mamas!

Bride and her Dad

Sisters

Friends

The couple

And capping off a perfect day, a friendly beer competition, Suds Smackdown, pitting home brews brought from across continents, by father and son. The event was emceed by the incomprable Yousif M, aka brother of the bride.

Here, beer experts confer:

And the groom trying to influence the panel judges--the uncles and father of the bride

T's brews:

 The judges in action:

One of T's wins!

And so does one of C's but it's all good!