Our trip to Austin, TX

We recently returned from a very fun trip to Austin, TX to get together with Jesse's family for Passover. We stayed with Jesse's Aunt Linda and Uncle Rich, and essentially the entire immediate family on Jesse's mom's side converged on their house -- Jesse's parents came from Woodstock, his sister Dahlia and her boyfriend Bryan came from Brooklyn, his Aunt Joan came from Manhattan, his grandparents Hilda (Oma) and Sam (Opa) came from Florida, his cousin Avi came from Irvine, and his cousin Nicole didn't have to travel far since she lives in Austin. Fortunately, Linda & Rich have a pretty big house, so we all fit, though it was definitely crowded. This is the second year in a row that we've all reunited in Austin for Passover -- last time around, Mateo was just a fetus, a few months in the making.

As you'll see from the photos, Mateo had lots of fun -- we did too, of course, but this blog is really about him, so here are 28 photos (in honor of today being Jesse's 28th birthday) from the trip:

Ready for the Texas sun in his new sun hat.

Mateo loves the swings.

Mateo REALLY loves the swings!

Baby you can drive my car.

And baby I love you!

Mellowing out in his stroller.

A rare quiet moment.

Mateo checks out the sleeping arrangements in Austin. (Mateo sleeps on this little bed, called a Snuggle Rest, which sits atop our big bed.)

Happy, because we just went swimming in the pool across the street.

Playing with his ear in the arms of Auntie Dahlia.

Auntie Dahlia loves the playground, too.

Anita teaches Mateo about Matzah at the Passover Seder.

Mateo's first Seder (outside of the womb).

Mateo enjoying himself on the floor right next to the Seder table, trying on Daddy's kippah.

The whole clan (except Mateo, who was napping). From upper left: Rich, Randy, Linda, Barbara, Hilda, Sam, Joan, Anita, Jesse. From lower left: Nicole, Avi, Dahlia, Bryan.

Mateo loves reaching for things.

And he loves standing (and walking with a bit of assistance).

And he loves Oma!

Sitting on Daddy's shoulders. What a great view from up here!

Mateo with two of his obsessions -- glasses and water bottles. All that's missing is a cell phone and some car keys.

Testing out the water.

After a cool dip in Barton Springs.

Are you taking a picture of me?

Let me show you my double chin (there is a neck down there somewhere -- you'll just have to take our word for it).

Cute from any angle.

Flying high with cousin Nicole.

Mateo's first train ride.

The trunk of the car is much more fun than the car seat.