Belated 4th wishes

We have been crazy busy getting the new house ready and the kids had a nice 2 week vacay in Colorado with Yiayia and Bompa while we were at it. We went up for the 4th to collect the children and enjoy a little getaway ourselves. They had a really good time swimming, eating at fun restaurants, seeing a movie, and hanging with their cousins, aunts, and uncles. Grayson told me that he didn't want me to come get him, he was perfectly content to stay another week. I don't think Matalley would have survived much longer. She has been attached at the hip the last few days and her excuse whenever she was denied something or a little uncomfortable was, "I want my Mommy!"

Everyone thinks Matalley acts just like her ProYaya. Not sure what all that entails, but she is determined. One incident included Bompa pretending to throw Matalley's sunglasses out the car window as they were driving after Matalley frustrated with the fit, threw them on the ground. She spent 20 minutes repeating that Bompa threw them away and refusing to admit that she had thrown them down first. She is also very independent, "Me do it myself!" She has just enough charm and tease to pull it off too.

Grayson and Nicholas were BEST BUDS. I honestly never heard them fight and they kept each other entertained the entire time. I had another "teachable moment" when G arrived at the parade Sunday morning not wearing his matching July 4th shirt or hat. While it was partially my fault for completely spacing the attire, I refused to go back to the house to get anything. Poor G was overtired and not in the mood to be taught about his own responsibility (major meltdown ensued). GUILT crept in for sticking to my guns.

We went to the rodeo (or radio as G says) and a great Neil McCoy concert and enjoyed some beautiful fireworks. Sadly ProYaya and ProPompa's dog was hit and killed by a car right before the fireworks so it was a sad occasion. Matalley, who saw the whole thing, will tell you that Casey is broken. Despite the loss, we had a good time with family and even enjoyed some Casa Bonita fun on my birthday (Bompa thought he'd never have to go back when he last went 23 years ago, but alas, there are grandkids).

Now for pictures, enjoy the slideshow!