rodrigo family reunion

 

 earlier this month, my parents and a few of my mom's cousins hosted the rodrigo family reunion.  they put so much thought and effort into every detail...it was truly remarkable.

 

 

we started the day by learning more about our great-grandparents and their trek to america from holland.

 

finn was able to meet more cousins!

my favorite part was watching a video of my great-grandmother taken just three months before she died.  it moved me in ways i didn't expect.  and as i listened to her familiar voice tell her life story, i soon found myself wiping tears with my dress.  she talked about saying goodbye to her father and sisters when she moved to america- and how it meant goodbye forever.  she talked about the boat ride with five children, including a one year old.  she talked about losing her husband.  she talked about losing her daughters.  she talked about what travesty frozen foods are.  and how much she loved each of her children. 

 

it felt like she knew this was her last message.  and it was hard to watch the emotion on her children's faces as they watched this video.

 

it shook me.  i will never forget it.  a true, family treasure.

there were games and wine.  and incredible food.

my grandma and three of her siblings.  this picture makes me kind of sad.  there once was thirteen.

my mom and some of her cousins. 

 

and a really bad group picture, but at least we have one.  i wish we would have thought to take this as the sun went down!

and my favorite picture of the night.  we ended with a bonfire that included singing and the telling of old family secrets.  it felt magical to be sitting there under the stars...

 

insta dump

 

::  i am not sure he could be much happier.

 

 

:: or any more funny.  and how about those little underwears?  

:: i adore his serious face as much as his smiley face.

:: we ventured to chico for a little photo shoot with the ever talented kristen privett.  and so naturally, we also stopped at the sierra nevada factory. 

 

::  it seems that i lucked out with a baby who likes the water.  thank the heavens. 

 



::  finn's first fair was a success!

::  sometimes finn has a bad day.  it happens to us all.

 

::  each of these pictures just slay me.  he is too much!!  i think he really enjoys food.  hmmmm...  in other food news, finn has expanded his palette and enjoyed his first pb&j yesterday.  it was a hiiiiiiit. 

 

::  oma came over last week and finn was so excited he spent thirty minutes jumping in and out of her lap and bringing her new books to read.  it was so tender to watch.

::  now that my dear husband has a normal work schedule, i am afforded dates with the lady friends, sans baby.  it is just what the doctor ordered.  along with a mimosa or two. 

:: twins, cozy coupes, sleeping babes and a vanilla milkshake.  all good things.

 

::  i busted out some of my favorite old heels now that my feet have finally returned to their pre-pregnancy size 8.5.  it hurt and felt great - all at the same time.  and me and the mister's new favorite couple shot.

 

::  we finally ditched the baby bath.  why didn't i do it months ago? 

::  finn's first visit to the nut tree.  ryan and i couldn't contain our excitement to introduce him to the carosel.  finn was shaking with anticipation as we waited in line.  we talked about what his first trip to disneyland will be like...oh my....dreaming....

::  we took the boy to nordi's and got him his first pair of stride rites - the shoes of my youth!!  finn's new kicks inspired him to try some yoga positions.

::  i tried to imagine what would make finn happy on his first birthday...and i figured animals and a picnic with blueberries were the key.  and after that, i let him run around naked. 

:: mowing the lawn, a playdate with friends, "where is finn?" and his face when daddy gets home.
 

 

:: we got finn his first set of legos.  i am secretly hoping that this fuels an obsession.  

 

:: and lastly, finn on his tricycle. in typical boy fashion, he likes to go fast.  real fast.


 

lately...

::  we celebrated finn's first birthday.  he and i had a picnic at the zoo, came home and took a long nap, and then i let him spend the afternoon running around naked.  when daddy got home, we gave him his first taste of ice cream and a candle.  i made a wish for him.  it was a good one.

 

::  we enjoyed a couple playdates with the cutest twins on the block.  and their big brother. 

 

 

:: we went swimming at mimi and pops' pool. 

 

 

::  i turned around for one second and returned to this sight.  i died. 

 

 

::  playdate :  caldwell style.

 

 

::  oh these boys... finn was mystified by little hunter. and liked to kiss him.

 

::  finn and papa had a special moment.

::  dylan and finn love them a little park time!

::  we decided to do something special for finn one day and took him to see the ducks.  except he thought the stale bread was for him.  nonetheless,  his animal obsession continues. 

:: we battled one sickness after another.  poor baby.  ear infections and other disturbing, contagious ailments.  so we spent a large part of august and september cuddling, sterilizing, nursing and eating grandma great's jam.  jam makes everything better.

 

::  brenna gave finn his first official hair cut!  he looks like such a handsome little lad and it was a good lesson for me:  haircutting is not one of my strengths.

 

::  and lastly, our darling boy at the park earlier tonight.  finally, back to his healthy self and feeling quite happy about it.