Thanksgiving Day

We gathered at Erin's - all of Ron's family (plus extra in-laws!), me, and Marshall (Alayne was in Oklahoma with her daughter and family; Teresa and Mike were helping Taylor convalesce from her hernia surgery).

And Jack has another "ball adventure," learning to play pingpong!


Alex enjoys the whole event!

Jack loved the "Kids' table"!

A proud Papa with his kids!

Thanksgiving Preparations

We spent a busy Wednesday afternoon and evening cooking in preparation for Thursday's festivities. Jack was a big help!
And, when he got bored, we had a parade! It was great good fun!

Jack has a sleep-over

Jack came for a sleep-over on Thursday night. In typical child-fashion, I was only just turning around in his parents' driveway for our trip to my house when this little voice came from the back seat, "Are we there yet?!!"

Jack is introduced to the Grandchildren's Hot Chocolate Ritual - "very carefully" - from his great great grandmother's Hot Cocoa set.

Two candles? It must be a birthday! Can we light them? And then, of course, we have to sing the birthday song - twice, once for each candle (he arbitrarily picked Taylor and Trey to be the birthday honorees!)... and blow them out. Finishing, he looked up at me and said, "Now the cake..." Sure, Jack!

Off to the Aquarium!


And, of course, the typical kid-trip-home. Here is sleeping Jack with his new buddy, The Big Shark!

New Laffitte Kid Pictures

The kids grow up so quickly! Here are Jack and Alex - Jack in the midst of his "favorite things" and Alex trying desperately to MOVE and keep up with him! I commented to Jack that she is getting so big, and he said, "No. she's not - she's LITTLE!" 'Nough said!

Veteran's Day Adventure Part I

Coco had a sleep-over at Granny's on Monday night. She had great plans for our time together, including all our "old traditionals" - dinner at Chuckee Cheese and hot chocolate out of Great-Great-Grandma's 100 year old chocolate set (VERY carefully!), to which she added a new tradition. "I want some ice cream, Granny." "I'm sorry - I don't have any ice cream," I replied. "But you can make some," she said. "You can make EVERYTHING!" And so we did...

Veteran's Day Adventure Part II

After a 5:30 a.m. wake-up and two bowls of ice cream for breakfast (what are grandparents for?!!), Coco and I head out to pick Jack up for a day at "Fo Fo Figilly's" children's indoor play area. A great time was had by all (and Granny was exhausted!)...

A Day at Disneyland

It was a beautiful day today - low 80's, sunny and clear. Erin, Jack, and I went to Disneyland, and Jack had a ball! His favorite word was "Again!" - and again, and again, and again! Fortunately the park wasn't crowded, the lines were non-existent or moved quickly, and he was able to do things again - and again! and again! His big favorites: the Jungle Boat Ride and the horse-drawn trolley up and down Main Street. Jack lasted an amazing FIVE hours, so the ride home should have been one long snooze!