We went to the Fall Festival at a nearby church for Halloween. Carter dressed up as Pablo from the Backyardigans. We got alot of comments about him from different people...they thought he was cute. Gail had on a little one piece outfit that said "Baby's First Halloween" on it (Carter wore it on his first Halloween). Carter played some of the games that were there for his age. Frank and I took turns helping him with the different activities. We let Carter play in a few of the different moonwalks they had. He wanted to go back in as soon as he came out. We ran into a couple of friends of ours that we knew from church. We stayed until the festival was almost over and headed home. Carter had a good time, however, Gail was ready to leave the moment we got there. When it came time to give Carter a bath tonight, he didn't want to take his costume off.

(Be sure to check for additional pictures in the Halloween 2006 photo album)

Gail and I went to Florida this past weekend to attend my grandfather's funeral in Florida. Frank stayed behind at home with Carter since it was an unplanned trip. Frank and Carter took us to the airport and saw us off. It was really hard to leave them. Carter said bye to me and he said "I love you mommy". It nearly made me cry, it was so sweet. Gail and I took off for the gate to catch the plane and were able to preboard after just a few minutes of waiting. Gail did pretty good on the plane. I gave her a bottle while we waited to board. We got on the plane and before we got off the ground, she spit up all over my lap. So, for 2 1/2 hours, I had wet pants. Coming back, mom, dad, and Cathy drove/rode down to Orlando with me to see me off. Gail was so tired by the time we got to the airport. She fell asleep before I got through the security area. She slept until about 15 minutes into the flight. I gave her a bottle when she woke up and played with her for a few minutes. Shortly after that, she went #2 , so for an hour and a half, I had to try to cover the smell up so that others around me wouldn't notice. I didn't have any way to change her. Fortunately, I had a blanket that I could wrap around her. I changed her as soon as we got to the airport. When we arrived, we met up with Frank and Carter in the baggage claim area. Frank waited with the kids while I got my luggage. About the time I got back over to them, Gail spit up all over the floor with a hundred people around us looking at us. We were embarrassed and in a state of panic all at the same time.

Aside from the airplane ride, the funeral went well. The viewing was Friday evening and I got to see Grandpa for the last time. It was hard to see him lying there, but I knew that he was in a better place and that he was no longer suffering. I got to see alot of the family from my dad's side. Many I haven't seen for a long time. Grandma was really tickled to see Gail. I think it really cheered her up. After leaving the viewing, it was starting to sprinkle outside. We were all worried that it was going to rain on Saturday when the buriel was taking place. It rained hard all night and it didn't seem like it was going to let up. Well, when we got up on Saturday morning, it was cool but the sun was out and the skies were clearing up. By the time that we got to the cemetary, the weather was beautiful. We were all really happy about that. After the funeral was over, we all went to Grandma's and spent time with the family and had some lunch. It was nice to get aquainted with everyone again, it's a shame that it had to be under these circumstances. But, I am happy that I was able to go to be there for my family, especially for my dad and my grandmother.  

My Grandpa Griffin passed away around 4am this morning. I didn't get to spend much time with him since I moved to Texas, but I will always remember the times when my family visited him and my grandmother when I was a child. I remember playing with grandpa and looking at all the things that he had made. He liked to make things. When I was a child, he made me a cradle, and my grandmother made me a Raggedy Ann doll and a quilt and pillow to put in it. I passed it on to my niece when she was a little girl, so that she could play with it. I will always remember that and cherish the memories of the times we spent together. I know that he is with the Lord now and is in a better place. We will miss him and he will always be in our hearts. 

                               Memories with Grandpa

Gail has started rolling over as of a couple of days ago. She slept on her tummy for a good while and she mastered rolling over onto her back. Now she is trying to get the hang of rolling back over onto her tummy. I watch her in the monitor and is so funny to see her struggle so much to get back over onto her tummy, but she is doing it. She is still doing good with eating cereal. She has been reaching out to things and can definitely recognize the bottle because once she sees it, she starts going bananas. She has been clinching her hands together and often sucks on them when she is laying down or sitting in her bouncer or in her carseat. We've started putting her in the Exersaucer so that she can move around and play. She didn't like it in the beginning but now she will sit in it for a little while especially when Carter is playing with her or near her.

Carter did good last week at school. He fell asleep on the couch from about 5 - 6:00 that evening, so I gathered that he didn't get any sleep at school. We are hoping that he did just as well today and took a nap. (smile) He is 28 months today! 

(Be sure to check for additional photos in the Family Photos album)

Carter was invited to another birthday party yesterday. Paul, the son of Laura and Joe (here in Houston), turned 3 years old this past week and had his big party yesterday at Beyond Bounce. We forgot to take the camera with us so we weren't able to get any pictures of Carter or the party. Beyond Bounce was a fun place for the kids. It had all these moonwalk things that you could climb on and slide on or just jump in. Adults were able to get on some of them (well, they were on them mainly to help the kiddos). The kids had a great time. I know Carter did. We were lucky to get him out of there. --- Carter also started preschool at a nearby church here in Houston (he has been on the waiting list). He started on Thursday and will only be going on Thursdays until an opening comes up on Tuesdays, then he will be going both Tuesdays and Thursdays. I am glad that he is in for at least one day during the week for now.

Gail is doing good. For the past few days/nights, she has been sleeping on her back, finally. This helps us out a great deal because we don't have to go in to turn her over everytime she rolls over on her back. It was a bit rough for a while. We have started her on cereal and she is doing okay with it so far.    

Gail is now 4 months (as of Saturday). She had her checkup this morning with the doctor and the doctor said she is doing good and doing what she should be doing. She weighed in at 13 pounds and she is 23 3/4" long (she was 9 lbs 9 oz and 21 3/4" at her 2 month checkup). We are to start her on cereal and fruit and vegetables now. The fun begins! Hopefully she will do as well as Carter did. We didn't really have any problems with him. When we got to the veggies, he wasn't too thrilled about the peas, but he pretty much ate everything else you put in his mouth. (smile)

(New photos posted in Family Photos album)