Knights and Princesses - October 25

Tonight was the fall carnival and the kids were so excited to wear their costumes. When the girls decided a few weeks ago that they wanted to be princesses, the boys quickly decided they should be knights, so that they could protect their sisters.

Picking Apples - October 23

We met Noni for a visit to the apple orchard outside of Lubbock. The kids had so much fun...
picking apples...

eating apples...

and posing for pictures!

Happy Birthday, Monique! - October 21

Monique had everything she needed for a great monkey birthday party...

monkey cupcakes...

a purple monkey balloon...

friends...

and presents!

Butterfly Catcher - October 19

Colter headed outside one day a couple weeks ago with our butterfly net and came back in with a beautiful butterfly. Since that day he has been catching butterflies every afternoon, keeping them our butterfly jar overnight and letting them go the next day only to repeat the entire process again. The funniest part is watching him stalk the butterflies through our flower garden. He is really good at sneaking up on them!

Future Cheerleader - October 17

Sabrina is our little cheerleader. She has taught herself to do cartwheels and watches the cheerleaders closely at the football games so that she can copy exactly what they do. Look at that smile!

Our Gourd Family - October 15

(left to right): Sabrina, Monique, Colter, Wyatt, Mama, Daddy and Zane

To Walk or Not to Walk! - October 12

Zane is starting to walk more these past few days. Now when he wants to go somewhere he stands up and takes a few steps before falling down. After he falls down he usually just crawls to wherever he was going. The kids love watching him walk more and are constantly cheering him on when he stands up and takes a few steps.

On the Field with Daddy - October 10

Danny was the team doctor for tonight's game, so Wyatt, Sabrina and Colter got to sit on the field with him. Sabrina love watching the cheerleaders and they all enjoyed meeting the Bobcat.

"In the Sharks" - October 10

Monique: "Help! Help! I'm in the sharks!"

Colter: "Don't worry, Monique. I'll save you!"

Colter: "There - you are safe now!"

Our Aquarium - October 7

The kids have been asking for a dog (well, everyone except Monique who is still deathly afraid of dogs!), but we just aren't quite ready yet. So Danny decided it was time for an aquarium. The kids enjoyed helping Danny pick out the plants and the fish. But their favorite thing about having an aquarium is feeding the fish!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Craig - October 6

Wyatt was visiting Noni and Papa the day of Uncle Craig's birthday and he decided that he needed to buy Uncle Craig a present. He thought Uncle Craig could use a new flashlight and after looking carefully selected the package with two flashlights. "Look Noni, one flashlight for me and one for Uncle Craig!"

Wyatt's Special Weekend - October 4-6

Wyatt had lots of fun during his special weekend at Noni and Papa's house. He especially enjoyed...

visiting the greenhouse with Papa...

fixing his own pizza for supper...

and playing with Abi.

Wyatt's First Soccer Game - October 4

Wyatt played his first soccer game today. Danny and I were both a little anxious about how he was going to do in an actual game. He tends to get pretty distracted during practice and has always struggled in social situations when he feels overwhelmed. He did a good job keeping up with the pace of the game (although near the end he yelled over to me, "Hey, Mom! How much longer?") and even managed to kick the ball a couple of times. Most importantly he had fun and can't wait for his game next week!

Rocky Mountain National Park - September 22-28

We had so much fun on our trip to Colorado. Check out Danny's blog (www.griffisfamilyoutdoors.blogspot.com) for lots more pictures!

Colter's Special Weekend - Sept. 19-21

Each of the kids is going to get a special time in Lubbock over the next few months. Colter had the special privilege of going first (being the middle child he needs to feel extra special from time to time!). I have decided to send the camera with each of them so that they can share their favorite moments with us. Here are some of the highlights from Colter's weekend with Noni and Papa...

fish sticks and mac & cheese for supper

picking apples at the apple orchard

going to the Texas Tech football game

Football Jerseys - September 19

The boys' football jerseys finally arrived and they are just too cute! They can't wait to wear them to the next football game.

Weekend at Noni and Papa's - September 12-14

The kids and I didn't know if we were going to make it to Lubbock this weekend after they got almost 8 inches of rain on Thursday. Friday morning every highway into Lubbock was closed, but by Friday afternoon roads were opening and we decided to make the drive. We had such a fun weekend playing and shopping with Noni and Papa. I am so glad the rain stopped we were able to make that drive!

First Steps - September 13

Zane is still not really walking, but he has been taking more and more steps. The problem is that he thinks it is really funny to fall down, so often he just stops and falls instead of walking more. He is such a youngest, always trying to make everyone laugh!

Like Father, Like Son - September 8

Danny has been practicing for his bow hunting trip next week. The kids are all very curious about his trip and keep asking lots of questions, especially Colter. So none of us were surprised when Colter chose a toy bow set for his "fair toy" ( a special treat from Noni and Papa). He loves to practice shooting just like Daddy!

Castro County Parade and Fair - September 6

Our fair weekend continued with the parade and fair events on Saturday. Here are the highlights...

The kids love collecting candy during the parade.

Danny and I won several ribbons in the photography competition.

Zane had his first snowcone (with the help of Noni and Papa).

The kids loved riding on the "train."

Our favorite fair lunch is the yummy beef fajitas.

And our fair experience wouldn't be complete without a trip (or two) down the inflatable slide!

Friday Night Lights - September 5

Tonight was the first home football game of the season. Here are our little Dimmitt Bobcats ready for their first game...

Sabrina: "Look Mom, this is what the cheerleaders do!"

Wyatt: "Just because we have football shirts on doesn't mean we are going to play football."

Colter: "But someday we will!"

Colter: "Look there's the Bobcat!"

Junior Tractor Pull - Septemer 4

Tonight was the first night of the Castro County Fair, which can only mean one thing - the junior tractor pull competition. Wyatt and Sabrina were both old enough to participate this year. They had fun participating and we had fun cheering them on!

Busy Boy - August 30

Zane is a busy little boy. Here are some of his favorite activities during a normal day at home...
Even with a playroom full of toys, Zane always seems to gravitate to toward the cars. He is such a boy!
Zane has been watching his older siblings use crayons and often crawls into the playroom, pulls out crayons and paper and starts drawing!
Zane loves playing with his "kitchen toys" while I am cooking. He even pretends to stir and eat his "food"!