Lots to see

As promised, many photos from this weekend.

We have been back "home" today for the O'Rourke family reunion. The boys did great -- slept most of the ride down and back. They were pretty good in church (Griffith did decide to run through all of his tricks -- snorting, making engine noises, laughing and blowing zerberts) and great for the dinner -- even if it was a little loud and crowded with all those fertile Irish. Griff was Mr. Gregarious and couldn't get enough of all of the activity. Allan, on the other hand, was a little overwhelmed (or underwhelmed) by it and decided that the thousand-yard stare was his best defense. He and his cousin Bailey have that in common.

When not surrounded by hordes of unfamiliar people, Allan is more and more talkative and active. He is making lots of new sounds -- guh and kuh and something that Flora swears is Da-dee. He's getting better and better at defending himself against the attacks of his brother and regularly snatches things away from Griffith (usually immediately after Griff has taken it from him). He now has twelve teeth and has two more about to come through (that's three more than Griffith has). I'm going to have to look up how many baby teeth you are supposed to have. If he gets many more, he's going to have to start a second row -- isn't that what piranha have?

Griff is not a full-time walker yet, but he is up to nearly half time at least. The record of unassisted steps now stands at thirteen. He is proceeding immediately from walking to climbing, much to our dismay. Last night as we were trying to have dinner, Jay and I looked down to see Griffith clinging by his fingers (white-knuckled) to the table (like a mountain climber) with both legs wrapped around the table leg, trying to get a toe-hold to pull himself up. Great. Just great. And irritating. It isn't like he will actually EAT, so why is he so desperate to get up to the table? At this point, though, he is all boy and all toddler. We think of him as The Id -- all appetite, no conscience. He is getting better about sharing with his brother -- at least two or three times a week we will watch him actually give his brother a toy. This is usuallyfollowed by him whacking Allan in the face, but, still, babysteps. And Allan does tend to be a bit dramatic -- screaming like he's been scalded. Griffith now knows that is not going to end well for him and he spins and skeedaddles whenever Allan starts to howl. Griff is all like, what? I don't know what he's yelling about - - I wasn't anywhere near him.