Sunday, November 25, 2012

Thanksgiving!

This last week was Thanksgiving and the Millers were in town. The week started out on a high note as I found out I could get the flu vaccine via nasal mist vs. getting a shot. Yeah!
Not only did I get out of a shot, I got to have lunch with Mom and Dad! (I was very happy, don't let the photo fool you.)
Later that day someone took this picture of a fireman getting a haircut. He's a good looking fellow.
Thursday (Gooble. Gooble) was Thanksgiving. The night before Uncle Chris, Uncle Matt and Aunt Emily all came to Des Moines. Uncle Chris stayed at our house so he rode with us as we headed to Chariton for a special meal. 
We all got to eat with Grandma Margaret and Papa Jack! It was a fun afternoon.
And everyone was in good spirits. (Grandma was feeling a bit sassy and Papa Jack had some fun stories.)
I was put to work helping to wheel Grandma around. I did a good job and didn't even crash.
Before we left, I showed Grandma how I put puzzles together. As a former teacher she appreciated that I like working on them. 
After a brief stop in Indianola (which I totally slept through) we headed home and everyone kept eating. (Eating was a big theme throughout the weekend.)
Friday was a big shopping day but I didn't want anything to do with it. Uncle Chris, Uncle Matt, Dad and I had boys' time while Aunt Emily and Mom did their thing. We helped make more acorns ...
... had "breakfast for lunch" at Drake Diner then toured Wakonda Club and Bergman Academy. It was cold but I got a couple of unsuspecting guys to go down one of the slides at school. Two things emerged. 1) Static electricity building and shocking people as they go down slides is a real issue in cold, dry air. 2) This particular slide is sized for kids, not for adults. 
(Note to readers: There is a very unfortunate picture of Dad going through a tunnel on the playground that will never see the light of day. I'll let you use your imagination. Fat guy. Lots of layers. Small tunnel. Limited use of arms. One uncle pushing. One uncle pulling. One son laughing.)

Later Friday night we all went to Grandma Maggy's for a wonderful meal. I got to play with her toys and folks had an awesome time. We even got to celebrate Mom's birthday a few days early with cake. I helped blow out the candles, but they kept re-lighting. Those darn trick candles!
Saturday? Santa! Yeah! He's my main dude. He knew way too much about me, which was a bit weird, but we had a great visit.
The whole family got our picture with the big guy.
Last night, back at our house, we gave Grandma Maggy her Christmas gift as we aren't going to be together for the holiday. Her wall hanging was well received and everyone felt great that she liked it.
Today we had donuts, went to church, came home, ate then hung out for a bit. I got one more game of doctor in ...
 

... then as quickly as they appeared our guests were gone. The only thing left to do was sleep so that's what Mom, Dad and I did. Ah, the holidays.

Pierce