Halloween

I know it's an odd way to start out this week's update but Mom, Dad and I have gotten into this little game we play after I take my shower. Mom wraps me up really tight in my towel and I walk from the bathroom to my bedroom. While I'm wrapped up I take on my alter ego ...

... a super hero named BABY BURRITO!!!!

Anyway ... Wednesday Westminster's high school kids had a family Halloween night. All of the older kids put on games and there was a lot of candy. I'll definitely be back! Here I am at the first game I tried. (Dad kept making jokes about fishing for Jesus but I was actually just fishing for candy and toys.)

I wasn't sure who this dude was supposed to be but the "drop clothes pins in a vase" game he and the snow princess were running was a lot of fun and I did well.

And, let's be honest, you couldn't have a "family-friendly" church-sponsored Halloween event for us kids without horseshoes.

The grandparents were awfully nice and I got two Halloween cards this year.

Friday was a fun day at school. Lots of treats. A parade. A party ... and Mom! It was fun having her volunteer to help my teachers.

There was story time.

Here I am taking my swipe at a pinata we had at our party after the parade.

And, while I wasn't the one who busted it open you can only imagine the pandemonium that ensues when a pinata breaks around a dozen two- and three-year-olds.

I've been taking a lot of pictures lately but keep forgetting to aim up. Huh ... I need to work on that.

Dad and I went to church on our own this morning as Mommy wasn't feeling very well. (She's fighting the same cold Dad and I are. Ugh. Our family is a lot of fun to be around right now if you're into hacking, wheezing, snot and phlegm.)

After church and some piano we headed off to the pumpkin patch for a family outing.

I was able to pet a nice cow. She seemed disappointed that I didn't have any corn but hey, you can't always get what you want and I didn't have hamburger on my breath so she should be happy, right?!

I also took Mom and Dad on a hayrack ride out to the field. Once we got off the wagon there were some cool things to do. Here I am (with Mom's help) racing the pedal cars. (As you can see, I am totally destroying the woman behind me.)

After several attempts this is, sadly, the best we could do for a pumpkin patch family photo.

Then Dad and I took some time to survey the land and pronounce it good. (Before catching a ride back to the barn.)

Mom was hoping for a Christmas card photo but I just wasn't feeling it. I needed to get back to farming.

A little known fact ... all the best farmers drive using their right wrist.

After the pumpkin patch we came home and I didn't take a nap. I did manage to Skype with Grandma Kathy and Papa and they thought I had lots of energy. Soon enough it was time to start trick-or-treating. Mom dressed up like Mom. Dad dressed his belly up like a pumpkin and I was Pierce the garbage man!

One of our first stops was at Will's house. He's the coolest dude on the block.

Steve and Carolyn were very generous with the candy!

And a last stop on Allison ... Debbie's house! We then rushed to the Dillons, a couple of other friends and then Grandma Maggy's.

A spider and a garbage man!

Mom and Dad were so proud. My trick this year? Touching my brain with my tongue. Yeah, me!

The night was capped off with snacks and some nice conversation with Grandma Maggy. I was tired but trick-or-treating 2011 was a lot of fun and a great success!

I hope y'all enjoyed your own monster mashes!

Pierce

Two weeks are better than none!

Sorry, readers, for the missed week. Hopefully this update covering two weeks will make up for it.

First, I have to show this great shot of TWO garbage trucks crossing right in front of our house! What are the odds?!?!


Mom and I watched the Fletchers kids for awhile when they had a day off school. Grant is so much fun, and he can read now!

I think his brother and sister enjoyed watching us, too.

I've really got into talking on the phone. In fact, I surprise Papa and Grandma Kathy almost daily with a phone call. But, my attention span is still quite short so the calls are kind of short - just an update on the daily status of our farm operations.

They resurfaced the road a few blocks away so we went to watch. There was lots of equipment to watch.

And then I came home and recreated the scene with my own rollers and uniloader!

Grandma Maggy came over and we caught up over dinner and presents mom and dad brought back from London.

Last week mom and dad introduced me to Great Harvest pizza in Ames - and Asa came along, too!

This week mom went to Chicago with Grandma Maggy for a quick trip. Grandma Maggy was a great tour guide and had lots of stories to tell along the way .... including showing this house where dad lived when he was even younger than me!


They also met up with cousin Ellen and had dinner with her. Three Miller gals in downtown Chicago at night ... what could go wrong?


Mom took me to our local library this week, and I picked out three books.

But, I was more interested in the equipment outside than the books inside.

Yesterday, I strolled while mom and Grandma Maggy walked in Race for the Cure (and daddy operated as chauffer). There was pink everywhere - on people ...

on cranes ....

and even on garbage trucks!

Last night the Fletchers came over for dinner. Grant and I had a great time - playing ....

and building a fort ...

and decorating Halloween cupcakes ...


Here's a video to take us out on (Thank you Cleveland, Good Night!) ...

Pierce

Back at it ...

Okay gang. Once again sorry for the delayed blog post. I promise that things are back to square and weekly updates will be happen regularly from now on.

Mom and Dad are home from vacation and we're back from a weekend in Denmark so life is back to a regular routine.

I continue to find little things that Mom and Dad bought in London and this past week I uncovered a guitar-shaped spatula from the British Music Experience. Needless to say I was thrilled and immediatly put on a concert in the living room.

Wednesday Mom, Dad and I drove to Osceola so Mom and I could take the train to Burlington. It was a lot funner than driving and I can cross a trip on Amtrak off my bucket list. Okay ... buy my ticket ...

... then wait on the platform ...

... hop on in and get comfortable. Like I said to the conductor, "This train doesn't have a face on it?!" I guess I was wrong in thinking that, like Thomas, all trains had faces. (Oops.)

Mom snapped this picture as we were rolling through Chariton.

"Hi, Grandma! Good to see you. Thanks for picking ... me ... up ... zzzzzzzzzz"

Well, I'm glad I got that nap out of the way because there was lots of field work to do and I found, upon my arrival that my help was needed.

I got Papa headed in the right direction with the beans then went with Mom and Grandma Kathy to Kathy's Pumpkin Patch (no relation). It was a very nice place.

I got to ride on a hayrack ...

... play in the corn ...

... and dig in the sand.

They also had things to climb on!

Okay, back to work. This feels like home.

Now, put away the camera. Papa and I have work to do.

This photo is one of many featuring the four wheeler. Uncle Eric was home this weekend too. He's a great guy to hang out with!

Friday night everyone loaded up and headed to Nauvoo where everyone was shocked to learn that Asa and I shared a unique skill. We can touch our noses with our tongues! Awesome!

The next day was the annual God's Portion Day festival in Denmark. It's always a good time but this year was extra special because it was my first time in the parade. (Notice who was doing all the work while Papa just smiled and waved at folks.)

Uncle Eric drove in the parade too.

Dad, always wanting to be different, chose to drive a 4020 that's a lot like Papa Jack's back in Chariton.

After the parade comes the annual Denmark UCC noodle lunch. Dad thinks it's about the best lunch of the year. I didn't notice as I was too busy talking and playing.

Once lunch is wrapped up the auction begins. I found lots of kids and toys to play with. (By the way, a ton of potash (delivered) goes for $900 at this auction.)

After the day's festivities everyone but me hoped for a nap. I hoped for more time outside and rides on the four wheeler. Please, Grandma?!

Please Mom?!

Uh, that's okay Dad ... you can go and ride on your own.

Today I got up bright and early to push Grandpa into the field. In nice weather like this there isn't any time to waste. We have to get those beans out of the field!

Grandma made everyone an awesome lunch and I got to eat in the field. Uncle Tim was there and we had fun. He's a great guy!

This a nice, tight wrap. Who baled this?

When you're in the cab there isn't time to be silly. I work really hard to make sure the RPMs are where they should be, the monitor is okay, the head is the right height, the ground speed is good, the combine isn't too full and we're being as efficient as we can be.

Oh, one last thing ... I won second place in the tractor category at this year's parade. (Notice the envelope clearly saying that I was the winner, not Grandpa.) Since I won money I'm no longer an amateur and am now Pierce the professional parade tractor driver!

That's it for now ... much love to you all.

Pierce