Sorry for the delay in posting. We've had a busy week. Jay and I had a night alone in lovely Clarksville, Indiana (there was a convention in Louisville and all the hotels were booked). Allan and Griffith partied like rock stars with Caitlin and Rachel. Caitlin said that Griffith talked all night long.
The immigration interviews went about as well as could be expected. If he gets deported it may be all my fault. I'm not terribly well-suited for responding to those sorts of questions (Q:"Does your husband have any previous marriages? Any other children?" A: "Not to my knowledge." Q: "What?" A:"Not to my knowledge." What more do they expect? He's got about 35 years unaccounted for.... Q:"Does his family like you?" A: "I really can't speak for them, but I should hope so." Q: "Does your family like him?" A: "They seem to." It isn't as if we have asked them directly. They ask you to swear to tell the truth and then look at you as if you have antlers when you do.)
We took Allan to have his eye looked at again and to be fitted for a contact. He did very well. We put it in and took it out and he really didn't fight too much. Of course, we only did it twice and he wasn't sure what was going on. We'll see how it goes once he's figured out what's coming.
Aunt Evelyn came for a short visit and was quite impressed with how big Griffith has gotten (his face has really filled out -- I think that means he's getting fat) and how alert and active Allan is.
Allan has really picked up steam lately. His breathing has been better and, consequently, he is more active. This is manifested in many ways, not the least of which is that he, too, is learning to pitch fits when things don't go to suit him. He will now howl like a banshee when you lay him down and he tried to shout the walls down at the pediatrician's office. I blame Griffith. He's a bad influence. Still it is fun (for now anyway) to see Allan feeling lively enough to act up.
We are going to try to take Christmas pictures this weekend. The odds of everyone being dressed, clean, happy and looking in the same direction are slim, but we are giving it a shot. It may take awhile. They may end up being Valentine's Day cards by the time we are through....

Big Al

Allan and his new hat from cousin Edith.

Griffith in his new toboggan

Griff and great-great aunt Evelyn. And his new hat courtesy of cousin Edith.

The weekend recap -- Thanksgiving.

The boys have had a most excellent Thanksgiving break. The weather has been wonderful and we have taken long walks every day, trying to take advantage of it while we can.
The boys were very disappointed that the Cats blew it against Tennessee, but they wore their hats with pride any way. Who would have thought that the season would have gone as well as it did? And we still have a bowl game to look forward to. And, even better -- basketball season is ready to start in earnest.
Aunt Kathy dropped by on Saturday and immediately pronounced Griffith to be "fat" which made him laugh out loud. She also got to witness a full-on temper tantrum when he decided that his (second) lunch was late. She laughed and laughed and laughed. I think I heard her say something about revenge being sweet. I'm not sure what she meant by that, but I think she is implying that our pride and joy is just a little bit of a handful. Still you have to respect someone who knows his own mind like Grif and manages to convey it so clearly. He can pretty much roll over at will these days and scoots all over the place. He still wakes up happy as a clam and jabbers all the time. Flora swears that he says 'hi' (he does say something close) and that he said "da" today (which I refuse to accept -- it would be very ungrateful of him to do so.)
Allan has been doing just great since his surgery. His eye looks better every day and his belly doesn't seem to be bothering him at all. He still isn't eating much better, but we have been wearing him out with doctor's visits and walks and such. He did eat quite a bit yesterday for his dad -- who was feeding Griffith at the time. Allan kept watching and squawking and would suck down Griff's bottle any time his dad offered it - which then caused Griff to squawk. The two are going to be a little jealous, we're afraid. Still, Allan is a little love bug and snuggles down any chance he gets. He watches his brother when Griff is doing all of this talking and moves his mouth like he is trying to figure out how to answer him. Good luck getting a word in edgewise.
We have doctors' appts and work and immigration appointments today and Wednesday so it may be a while before we post. Enjoy the pictures!

Allan - UK hat (II)

Allan, resigned, as all Cats fans are.

Allan and his UK hat

Allan, irritated that the Cats blew it against the Vols.

Griffith in his UK hat

Griffith, doing what he could to support the Cats.

Griff in his Pooh robe

Allan fell asleep before I could give him his bath. We'll have to get his picture later.

Griffith - looking startled

Since I am always posting pictures of Allan looking like he has been goosed, I felt that I had to post this one of Griffith.

KK and the boys.

Kelly, looking like a real natural.