I know that many of you don't actually believe that Patrick is part Latin, but now we have the pictures to prove it. These are not hired actors; this is the Nicaraguan side of the family. Patrick's father, Alejandro, is originally from Nicaragua. But, many of the aunts, uncles, and cousins live right here in California, and on July 28th we had the pleasure of attending a "mini" reunion at Roger and Claudia (aunt) Pena's house in warm and windy Barstow, California. We actually left on time on Saturday morning, and we would have arrived at the designated 12:00 p.m. start time, but there was a horrible accident on the I-15 North that left us sitting in a very hot, slow moving traffic jam for about two hours. Most everyone else was caught in the same mess, so when we arrived at the Pena's FOUR HOURS after we left home, the rest of the family was just arriving too. We were greeted with the customary kisses, hugs, and choruses of, "Ay, que linda!" that we are usually met with whenever we walk into a room of Latin women with our children. Roger and Claudia prepared a delicious meal for us, and we stuffed ourselves and visited with the family for several hours. It was all pretty standard conversation until, for whatver reason, I mentioned the formula for converting fahrenheit to celcius (temp. in degrees minus 30, divided by two). This spawned a full five minute routine by the comedy/ weatherman team of "Steve Lightning" and "Mauricio Thundercap" who entertained us with their take on the 105 degree weather we were sitting in and finally ended when they decided it was "just hot, no matter how many times you divide it." While all of the adults were entertaining themselves with their newfound knowledge of temperature conversion, the children were all inside watching TV with their new favorite uncle, Alex. This is Alejandro's 21 year old son, who the children absolutely adored. We decided that there were several reasons for this: 1) he rarely tells them "no" and never yells at them 2) he allows himself to be used as a jungle gym 3) he is a giant, and what kid doesn't want to make friends with a giant? The fun had to end sometime though, and we finally headed out of there just in time to see the pink and silver sunset creep across the desert sky.
Almost the whole gang - Patrick, Madeline, Stephanie, Shanon, Morias, Jacob, Mauricio, Roger Jr., Julian, Alejandro Jr., Paulina, Ana, Talia, Jose, Desiree, Daniella, Joshua, Veronica, and Steve
The cousins & their spouses - Shanon & Mauricio, Stephanie & Patrick, Steve & Veronica, Ana & Jose
Just the cousins - Roger Jr., Patrick, Veronica, Mauricio, and Jose
Just the Kids - Fiona, Paulina, Morias, Julian Madeline, Talia, Daniela, Viviana, Jacob, and Fabricio Jr. (who technically belongs in the cousins picture above, but is masquerading around as a kid)
This picture represents just one of the many, many, many highly breakable and expensive looking items decorating the floors, walls, tables and shelves of the Pena home. The coolest part about it was that Roger and Claudia did not seem to have a single care about the fact that a dozen or so kids were running around their house and flailing their limbs about in close proximity to their beautiful and precious collectibles. Amazingly, not a single thing was broken or damaged.
The many faces of the Martinez Men - Alejandro, Fabricio, Mauricio, Jose, Patrick & Fabricio Jr.
Ana & Fiona
Fi with her Uncle Alex and Grandpa Alejandro
Tia Claudia and Roger Jr.
One of many Martinez Families - Viviana, Shanon, Mauricio and Jacob (where's Julian?)
Mommy and Baby Fi try to stay cool
"Blue Steele"
Paulina, Talia, Desi, and Daniela slurping up some ice cream
All done!
"What are you lookin' at?"
Daniela and Talia
Viviana trying to escape
"Cheese!"
Roger Sr. @ the BBQ
Nothing is more fun than trying to get two babies to look at a camera and smile at the same time.
The party's out here ya'll - the kids enjoy their ice cream and chips with Tia Claudia
This looks like mischief in the making. I think this is shortly before or after Jose caught these three chucking rocks over the wall into the neighbor's yard.
Alejandro and Patrick
Trouble with a capital "T"
Desi, Maddie, Paulina, and Daniela flying around in the background. This is Maddie's new bucktoothed picture taking face. It annoys me to no end.
Much better, Maddie - M and the friendly giant, Uncle Alex
Roger Jr. and Viviana
Fajima, Claudia, and Ana
Huggin' Cousins
Mrs. Martinez, Mrs. Martinez, y Mrs. Martinez
Father & Sons
This picture represents just one of the many, many, many highly breakable and expensive looking items decorating the floors, walls, tables and shelves of the Pena home. The coolest part about it was that Roger and Claudia did not seem to have a single care about the fact that a dozen or so kids were running around their house and flailing their limbs about in close proximity to their beautiful and precious collectibles. Amazingly, not a single thing was broken or damaged.
Ana & Fiona
Fi with her Uncle Alex and Grandpa Alejandro
Tia Claudia and Roger Jr.
One of many Martinez Families - Viviana, Shanon, Mauricio and Jacob (where's Julian?)
Mommy and Baby Fi try to stay cool
"Blue Steele"
Paulina, Talia, Desi, and Daniela slurping up some ice cream
All done!
"What are you lookin' at?"
Daniela and Talia
Viviana trying to escape
"Cheese!"
Roger Sr. @ the BBQ
Nothing is more fun than trying to get two babies to look at a camera and smile at the same time.
The party's out here ya'll - the kids enjoy their ice cream and chips with Tia Claudia
This looks like mischief in the making. I think this is shortly before or after Jose caught these three chucking rocks over the wall into the neighbor's yard.
Alejandro and Patrick
Trouble with a capital "T"
Desi, Maddie, Paulina, and Daniela flying around in the background. This is Maddie's new bucktoothed picture taking face. It annoys me to no end. 
Much better, Maddie - M and the friendly giant, Uncle Alex
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