Happy 4th of July 2009

Happy Independence Day!

Matthew with Grandma and Grandpa Bruce

Grandma and Matthew on the Bruce family golf course.

Papa Bruce, Uncle Adam, Daddy, and Matthew watching the Rodeo

Daddy and Matthew on Papa's tractor - Matthew is so fascinated with trucks and tractors.

Matthew smiling at Papa Bruce's horses.

Grandpa Durkin and Andy's UB at dinner. UB says "Matthew drinks like an irish man by the way Matthew swigs the sippy cup."  

Grammy Durkin is talking to Matthew at dinner.  

Matthew with Andy's Uncle Pat and Aunt Mary Helen

Matthew enjoyed the fire trucks at the 4th of July parade.  He was a little scared of the sirens.

Andy & I enjoying a mai tai while visiting with the family

Daddy and Matthew at Devil's Lake

Matthew playing in the sand at Devil's Lake

Matthew traveled to Michigan to see the family and celebrate the 4th of July.  We flew out on Thursday to start the long weekend with the Durkin's.  Matthew played in the sand at Devil's Lake Yacht Club.  Andy thought that was neat since he used to go there as a kid, too.  On Saturday, we headed to the Bruce's and Matthew enjoyed his first rodeo.  He also rode on the golf cart at the Bruce family golf course.  The weather was perfect at 75 degrees.  

Matthew is getting a little more stubborn with wanting to walk and he does not want to be picked up sometimes.  The good thing about him walking so much is it seems that he needs 2 naps lately.  One in the morning and another late afternoon.  Matthew is saying more words all the time.  He said "dog" this weekend and it's the first time I heard it.  He was playing with Pepper and Stanley at the Bruce's and he was jabbering up a storm.  His new thing is to throw a ball to Rusty and watch him chase it and he was trying to do the same with Pepper but she wouldn't do it.

Matthew was a trouper on the plane.  On the way there, he slept a little but he was mostly restless and our plane was delayed a little so that didn't help.  Andy had to stand up with Matthew to keep him from crying a few times.  Andy woke Matthew up from his nap at daycare when he picked him up so he was already fussy before we boarded the plane.  Matthew slept all night long at the Durkin's and Bruce's - What else could we ask for?!  And then Matthew slept about an hour on the flight home and he was in the best mood.  He didn't cry at all.  It seems that Matthew is learning the ropes with traveling - for now at least!