Champaign is also a city ...

We took another road trip this week. I'll report on that later.



First, I have to say that I take my studies seriously and was very good about getting my homework on Tuesday. My assignment was to decorate the green guy and I used glue, scissors, stickers, markers and crayons to get it done. Mom and Dad checked my work. (They didn't do it for me, they aren't like some parents who do their kid's cutting, coloring, etc. for them. I mean seriously, how do you expect to get along in the real world if your parents have to do your cutting and coloring for you?!)



Anyway, Thursday night was open house at school and I got to show Mom and Dad my projects. Here Mom and I are with my teacher Chelsea. She's cool!

That night we left for Champaign, IL and the wedding of the year. For some reason Mom and Dad were concerned about a six hour car ride and "did something they never thought they would do". They bought me a DVD player! Sa-weet! Woo-hoo! Awesome! Thanks to my new best friend I was able to relax and watch a tractor DVD while we covered some miles.

After driving for about four hours we stopped for the night. Let's just say that I "wasn't feeling it". I tried and tried to tell Mom and Dad (and the rest of the hotel) that I wasn't tired but they wouldn't listen. After a couple of hours I finally just gave up and came to the realization that my parents weren't going to listen to me.

Friday morning we finished our journey and had some time to kill so we made a stop at McDonald's playland. (Trust me, there's a reason why there weren't any photos.) I thought it was pretty cool. Mom kept talking about another "thing we thought we would never do" and Dad said some colorful words.

A little later we were greeted by a gaggle of Palzkills doing what they do best ... hanging out in a hotel lobby!

After visiting and catching up everyone retired to their rooms to get fancy. The ceremony was beautiful and I found out something about myself. I cry at weddings. (In my case I cried as Dad carried me out of the sanctuary because I was being too loud.)

The reception was quite nice. (Jeanne and Howie can throw a par-tay!)

Since we were at such a nice place I felt like I needed to work the room. I made sure that Grandma, Papa, Uncle Eric, Mom and Dad all got to spend some quality time with me.

There was another party planned Saturday night so we got dressed up again and hit the town! Here I am with Uncle Eric on our way.

This time the event was at the University of Illinois. All the Palzkills were there. Grandma's sisters stopped for a minute to take a photo ...

... and Dad decided to get all lovey-dovey in public. (Not cool, Dad. I have people here I'm trying to impress.)

There was great food, drink and dancing. Since Grandma's leg still hurts Mom danced with Papa ...

... while I kept her company at the table and enjoyed some very good Grandma lap time.

After awhile I just couldn't stand it anymore and had to "bust a move".

Finally Grandma couldn't stand it anymore either and did a bit of dancing. First with Papa ...

... then with Zach Palzkill and me. (You may remember Zach from the pacifier "incident" at last year's Palzkill event in Wisconsin.)

Everyone was in great spirits so Mom decided that we should try for a family photo. Dad and I weren't into it and I think she was annoyed.

Oh well. She got over it because today, on the way home, we made a stop in LeClaire to drive by the home of one of our favorite TV shows, American Pickers. We weren't expecting much but hit paydirt. (In the words of Mike and Frank, we "popped" on something!)

We happened to catch the crew while filming and saw some great stuff while meeting Mike and Frank!

Danielle was there, too!

Mike and Frank were so nice. What cool, mellow and real guys. Mom and Dad were thrilled and I have to admit that I was impressed.

Well that's it. I'm off to my crib. I'm pooped. Mom is pooped. Dad smells like poop. Tomorrow it's back to school and another week of adventures.

Pierce