Reunion in Rialto

Momma Post: Ruby and I had our first "girls' trip" this weekend, traveling with Aunt Anne to Rialto, California. Flying was a whole new adventure with Ruby this time. She was much more aware of her surroundings, curious about the air vent and light switches, food cart and snacks, and lunging across Anne's lap to look out the window. The purpose of the trip was to attend Grandma Martha's sister Auntie Barbara and her husband Uncle Jimmy's 60th Wedding Anniversary celebration. The occasion was a good reason for the Federsohn sisters (starting from the left, Barbara, Mary and Grandma) and their families to gather for a reunion. Grandma and her sisters grew up in La Puente, California. While Mary and Barbara settled in nearby communities, Grandma and Grandpa eventually settled on a farm in Phoenix, Oregon to raise our branch of the family. Our opportunity to visit with our Southern Californian relatives have been limited over the years, but Grandma has stayed close with her sisters and those ties extended into the hospitality we received.

Our travel plans were mainly orchestrated by Uncle Tom and Aunt Anne, who made sure we all arrived in one piece. In Ontario our family stayed at aHoliday Inn with Auntie Mary and her daughter Cousin Betsy. I accepted that Ruby's 7:30 pm bedtime would cut short my evening visiting, but was thankful during the day for several family members entertaining Ruby while I took care of my needs and relaxed. This being our first trip without Matt/Dad, I discovered how much of a "team" Matt and I are when it comes to parenting.

Auntie Barbara and Uncle Jimmy live in a classic California 50's ranch subdivision with tree street names in Rialto. A city whose identity is split between the commercialized Route 66 cutting through and the picturesque bungalow lined boulevard, Riverside. A large bogenvia frames Barbara and Jimmy's front yard.

The relaxed celebration took place at the Best Chinese Buffet. Ruby had a little separation anxiety at the restaurant, which curbed me from loading up on sweet n' sour pork. Rather the focus was on conversation with Cousins Bonnie, Peggy and John and watching Ruby gum fortune cookies and glass noodles. Back at Barbara and Jimmy's house for cake and ice cream, Ruby continued her acquaintence with the cousins closer to her size. Cousin Melissa shared new sign language words to add to Ruby's vocabulary, such as, "momma", "momma's milk", "grandma" and "grandpa". The evening wrapped up with long goodbyes widely practiced in the family.

As the pictures demonstrate, Ruby could barely contain her excitement about meeting her cousins, kissing Cousin Julia and wagon riding with Cousin Ella.