Matthew Days

We Traylors are an average family and we celebrate most of the major holidays exactly as you would expect: We have turkey for Thanksgiving, we decorate a tree for Christmas, we waste hundreds of dollars on explosives for the Fourth of July, but this year we decided to do something a little different for Memorial Day.  In fact, as far as Lilly was concerned we didn't even have a Memorial Day, she chose to call the entire weekend "Matthew Days".  So, that is the holiday that we celebrated this past weekend. 

Bryan's 17 year old nephew came up for the race.  For those of us who live in Indiana there is only one race, but for you non-Hoosiers that is the Indy 500.  Bryan has been dreaming and talking for years about taking Matthew to the race.  For a long time Matthew wasn't old enough to enjoy it, and when he was...he lived in Germany and that seemed like a long and expensive trip just for the weekend.  So, this year, with Matthew in the US and and old enough to travel alone, Bryan was finally able to extend his invitation.

What Bryan hadn't counted on, of course, was that now he would have to share his buddy with two other people.  One of which was beside herself with excitement about Matthew's arrival.  She woke up on Thursday morning and wished Bryan, Jack and I a "Happy Matthew Day".  Then, told all of her friends at school about Matthew's impending visit, and of course, wished them all a happy holiday.  Later that evening while Jack and Bryan went to the airport to collect our guest I took Lilly to her T-ball game.  During the game she came over to ask me if Matthew was here yet.  When I told her that, yes, Daddy had picked him up, she wanted to abandon her team completely and walk off the field.  I said 'no'.  When we finally got home from the game Lilly insisted on waiting outside to greet Matthew and wish him "Happy Matthew Days".

Thursday night we hung out at home, had pizza and played outside.  Friday Bryan and Matthew went to the track for Carb Day, and into the garages thanks to some passes from a friend, while the kids and I swam.

 Even though he has his license they wouldn't let him have the keys to this car.

 Or, even sit in this one.  I believe this is Tony Kanaan's actual race car.

 Later that night we all met up for dinner and playing...and more celebrating of Matthew Days.  Lilly took advantage by having Matthew read to her every night.  Every time she asked for one more book the answer was the same..."yes". 

 Saturday was the true "Matthew Day" as the kids got to spend the entire day with him.  We packed a lunch and headed to the water park where Matthew acted as playmate...

 and, security detail for Lilly.

Jack obviously didn't remember Matthew from the last time he saw him, but it didn't take him long to start celebrating Matthew Days by following Matthew around and saying, "Matt Matt Matt".

 After the water park we spent a lazy day in the pool, where everyone, including Bryan, who was starting to get a little jealous at this point, got to swim and play with Matthew.

 Needless to say, by the time we got home everyone was tired.  Jack took a nap, and Lilly watched a movie while Matthew slept.  I'm sure Matthew won't be too happy that I posted this picture on my blog, but it was too cute not to share.

 Then, of course there was the race.  I sent my camera with Bryan hoping that he and Matthew would forever capture all of the memories that they made at Matthew's very first race.  They did, but this was the only picture of the two of them...the rest are of cars going by and the crowd.  I didn't even save most of them on my computer.

We had a great "Matthew Days" and can't wait to celebrate next year, although hopefully we'll have a "Morgan Days" before the end of the year.  But, don't worry Morgan, you won't have to go to the Brickyard.  "Morgan Days" will be less about racing and more about shopping and theater.