Two big boy things ...

Hello, everyone!

I did two big boy things this week. For starters I went "cold turkey" and quit using my pacifier! I'm proud to report that I'm on day six of being completely pacifier free. (Now I just have to figure out how to get off the patch.)

The second big boy thing I did was get my first pair of shoes with laces! Mom took me shopping Tuesday and I wore them to school Wednesday. They are really comfy and stay on my feet all day long.

Wednesday after school I got to show them off at Grant's house! Mom, Dad and I took some food down and hung out with the babies (here I am with Nolan) ...


... then Grant and I ran and ran and ran around the house.

This weekend was special because I got to see lots of people. Grandma and Grandpa Houston came up! (It turned out to be a good thing that we didn't go to friend Chelsea's wedding after all.)

We played for awhile ...

... then I had Grandpa show me the new tractor books he brought!

Then another visitor arrived ... Carol Alton! (She's an awesome lady and I really enjoy spending time with her.) After we had lunch, she, Grandma and Mom went to HomeShowExpo 2010 while Grandpa, Dad and I hung out at home.

While the ladies were gone, Grandpa and I played tractors in the basement and had a lot of fun!

We also watched my Baby Einstein video about farming and tractors first thing this morning ...

... before I had Grandma Kathy read a tractor book.

After all of the discussions about tractors we decided to go to the park for awhile. Grandma and Grandpa helped me on the slide ...

... then Mom worked on her artistic photography.

Finally, before heading home I gave Grandpa a tour of the school grounds. Perkins Elementary is where I may go in a few years!

We got home and Grandma Maggy stopped by with her friend Linda. They were going to Chariton today.

I took a bit of a snooze then Mom had a great idea ... the wading pool!

I really enjoyed it. Thanks, Mom!

The day ended perfectly with ice cream from Snookies.

In the words of the great philosopher Porky Pig ... "That's all folks!"

Much love ...

Pierce

Another busy week ...

Sometimes it feels like I'm awfully busy for a guy my age. Oh well, I get to meet new people, do fun things and generally have the run of the place so I shouldn't complain.

Wednesday I got to spend time with my new friends Kiersten and Zach Maertens. Kiersten works with Dad at Flynn Wright and Zach is an elementary school teacher. Mom and Dad went out to dinner and I showed these two the ropes. (Hopefully they had as much fun as I did.)

Friday after school the rain once again interrupted my playtime. Mother nature must be mad at me ... everytime I want to outside it is either raining or too hot.

Saturday we packed up and headed to Chariton to help Uncle Chris and Katie work on Grandpa Mike's house. Grandma came along and brought Millie! It was fun to ride in the car with her ...

After a long morning of hard work we had lunch at Great Grandma and Great Grandpa's house. I've often heard Dad, Uncle Chris and Uncle Matt talk about Grandma's "magic bed" and never understood ... uh ... wait ... I'm so sleepy ... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ... oh, okay, now I get it. What a great place for a nap!

I didn't realize that the first tractor on the farm was purchased after Great Grandpa was out of high school (a brand new Farmall B). All of us learned a lot this trip thanks to some great story telling.

After the tractor talk I felt the urge to spend some time on the 4020 then Dad gave me a ride on the lawnmower. It was pretty cool but I don't think you could plow or move hay with it.

Saturday night Uncle Chris and Katie spent the night with us. The next morning we hung out and I was able to show Katie my AC hat. (She liked it.)

Yesterday afternoon Dad unloaded the car and I got to play with his wooden train set from way back in the early 1970s. (That was a long, long, long time ago.) Mom helped me put it together and we enjoyed ourselves!

Given Grandpa Mike's interest in photography it is no wonder that I too like to have a camera in hand. This is the first picture I've ever taken on my own! (I call it "Daddy Blur". Prints are available for sale through my agent and gallery.)

Mom also took a photo and had a steadier hand than me.

After a long afternoon of playing Dad was getting sleepy and started rubbing his eyes. That made me tired and the two of us rubbed our eyes together. I then noticed that he needed help so I jumped right in. (He was appreciative.)

To wrap up the weekend we went to a bar-b-que at friend Mary Day's house. The Dillons were there and I played with Maguire in the yard.

Until next time, my friends ...

Much love to all.

Pierce.

TRACTOR!!!

It was another weekend of travel but this time it was to Denmark to see Grandma Kathy, Grandpa Dave and Uncle Eric.



He let me drive his truck for a bit on Saturday and I had lots of fun. (I wonder how long it will take him to reset all of his buttons, dials, etc.?)



Saturday was also a time for celebration as Grandma turned 60 this year. The whole family met at a nice Mexican restaurant and shared many a laugh.

Once we got back to the house presents were offered, cheescake was eaten and everyone had a good time.

Mom says that this picture sums up the weekend. Everyone is holding still and staying in focus except me ... I really felt like running a lot and you can't fault me for wanting to stay active, can you?!

Grandpa also got gifts. He "retired" from the Denmark Volunteer Fire Department this year so I helped him unwrap some things.

Sunday was a beautiful day and so I concentrated on making sure all of Grandpa's tractors were working properly.

Yep, that one was good ... how about this one?

Oh, yes, we probably should check out Grandma's while we're at it ...

This tractor even has a seat (and seatbelt) just for me!

Thanks, Grandpa ... I sure liked the rides!

Have a great week, everyone!

Pierce

A sad week for lots of folks ...

I'm sorry to say that I went to my first funeral this week. My Grandpa Mike passed away on the 7th and the past week has been a blur of tears, laughter, family and travel.

Uncle Chris came into town on the 8th and it was great to see him again even if it wasn't for a good reason. We got to play and catch up a bit on Saturday when I went to the farm with Mom and Dad.

He, Grandma and I spent time in the house looking over things and I did my best to keep everyone smiling and occupied.

I also got to visit my Great Grandma Margaret who is the sweetest lady ever. She was sad but still gave me some fun things to play with and spent time with me.

Dad walked me around the farm a bit and I got to sit on Great Grandpa's 4020! I really liked it and was sad when Dad said we had to go.

Uncle Matt and Aunt Emily got into town Saturday afternoon and after my tractor fun got an "uncle ride". I laughed and laughed because Uncle Matt was being silly.

We went back to Chariton on Sunday for the visitation and got to the house early which gave me time to explore. Grandpa Mike was passionate about photography and I found one of his tripods. It was a lot of fun to figure out and I bet he could have really helped me take good pictures.

Dad's cousin Eric was at the farm with his family and I got to meet his son Ethan for the first time. He was a nice fellow and we found that we had much in common.

All of the things I did got me really worn down so I found a bed and just crashed. It felt good to sleep.

Sunday at the visitation I was able to finally meet the Pierce family! They came all the way from Austin and I got to know Dad's Uncle Ken. What a cool fellow!

Monday was the funeral so Mom, Dad and Grandma didn't go to work. Before we left Des Moines I got to watch the garbage truck and it was awesome!

Once everyone got to Chariton we looked at photos, told stories and relaxed before the funeral. Here Dad's cousin Robin, his Aunt Penny, Uncle Matt, Aunt Emily and his cousin Mark hanging out.

I really liked seeing these guys again. I love you so much Uncle Chris and Uncle Matt!

There were lots of family and friends around the house which helped Grandma Maggy, Uncle Chris, Uncle Matt and Dad a lot. Here you see Uncle Mike's best friend Ed Kees and Dad's "brother from another mother" Steve Andersen.

Mom made a bunch of food and we all had a nice meal then headed off to the funeral. It was really sad but I got to see Grandma Kathy, Grandpa Dave and Uncle Eric. They came to help and support and I really liked being with them. I know Dad and Mom appreciated it, too.

Afterward the burial and a reception we said our goodbyes and headed back to Des Moines.

I liked riding in the car with Dad's cousin Mark. He lives in Austin but spent time on the farm when he was younger and had lots of stories about Grandpa. He also had sunflower seeds ... yum! He rode back with us to Des Moines Monday.

Monday evening we had a nice dinner. Everyone was really, really tired and hungry but there were lots of laughs.

To top off a crazy few days everyone went to Grandma Maggy's band concert Tuesday night. Uncle Matt and Aunt Emily "cut a rug", much to the chagrin of Uncle Chris.

So, there you go. I only met Grandpa Mike once but, after hearing about him all week I think he and I might have really gotten along.

Love to all.

Pierce