Ten and the Fourth

I think we've found a temporary solutions to the computing issue that has kept me from blogging regularly in 2014.  We'll see at least.  There's still some weeks where we do absolutely nothing of note.  Enough of the behind the scenes...onto the goings on of May, June, and July.

Mason turned 10.  I can't believe a have a kid in double digits but it's true.  His actual birthday (May 24) fell on Memorial Day weekend and we learned early on not to plan his party then if we actually wanted anyone to show up so we deferred it until the following weekend.

We couldn't let the actual event go completely without notice though.  Mason got to choose where he wanted to go for dinner to celebrate his big day and he chose Red Robin.  I think he really wanted to wear the coffee filter hat while the staff sang to him.

Showing off the cash and birthday card from Yaya and Papa Ron while his little sister photobombs.

The loving siblings again...

This is the awesome jersey Mason got from Yaya and Papa Ron!

Yup, it's got his name on the back and it's #10 for both his age and because that's the number the best soccer players wear.  Mason LOVES this jersey!

Siena, taking a break from photobombing...

Yaya enjoying some birthday fun.

Mason's 4th grade class worked hard this spring on a play "Hotel Buenavista and the Dancing Cucarachas!"  Mason had one of the lead roles as the bell boy.  He's off to the right in this group shot.

The bell boy in action.

Some post performance festivities.

The following weekend was Mason's glow bowl birthday party.

Of course it's a soccer cake.  And tres leches - a family favorite.

These little girls waited sooooo long to be able to finally eat some cake.

Happy ladies!

Happy birthday to you...happy birthday to you...

Some one got him on the nose with frosting...had to have been one of his Tios...

I saw a number of blue haired old ladies in Vegas in much the same position as these two...

Roll that Skee ball!

Dude.  Scary.

Since Mason and Luis get to go to Timbers games regularly, when the opportunity arose for some Portland Thorns tickets, I figured it was the girls turn!

Course we couldn't go in until we took some requisite pictures at the face statues outside the park.

Siena's a booger!

Huh choo!

We got to see the great Abby Wambach, though I was probably more excited at this than Siena.  Unfortunately she didn't play due to injury but she wasn't really needed as her team creamed our Thorns.

The score didn't diminish our enthusiasm any.  We got souvenirs, ate pizza, hot dogs, and cotton candy, and cheered super loud!  I had a blast with my girl (and I think she enjoyed herself too).  We're definitely planning to do it again.

And that brings us to this weekend...the 4th of July.  After making our requisite annual appearance at the Torland family 4th of July picnic, we had some bbq with my parents for dinner and lit off a slew of overpriced, yet legal, fireworks.

Someone is channeling his inner Harry Potter.

Papa Ron and Yaya!

Getting some help from Daddy to light sparklers.

"Baby you're a firework..."

And more Potter poses...

I think she's trying to look tough...

2 kids with giant California candles.

Daddy trying to pull the string on the grenade.  Unfortunately it ultimately took Papa Ron yanking and yanking...

Whew, the grenade has been launched!

This particular firework was the "Rain Dance" so of course, they're rain dancing.

Last but not least, my personal favorite, the Golden Shower.

The boys all went off to see the big fireworks show downtown while the girls stayed home and listened to what can only be described as the invasion of Normandy in our neighborhood.  Loud booming aside, it was a perfect start to summer!