It's that time of year again.

It's hard to believe it's November. The holidays are upon us. There is too much food. Too much to do. Too much going on. (Okay, I'm starting to sound like my Dad who is widely believed to be a curmudgeon.) 

Anyway, since there wasn't an update last week I have catching up to do. Last Saturday it was so nice that Dad cleaned the garage while Mom and I cleaned her car. It always feels great to have a clean car. 

I even got the back for her.

That night we had dinner at the Fletchers. The guys farmed ...

... while Karlin just hung out being cute. It was a fun night!

The weather changed the next day! Holy cow. Mom had to get out my winter coat so I could stay warm on the drive to school.

A whole week went by with lot of activity but none of it worth photographing. Friday I didn't have school so Papa and Grandma Kathy came up and we hung out all day long. I even got McDonald's, a trip to Pump It Up and time at the park out of the deal!

Uncle Eric came Friday night and brought a lot of his toy tractors and fire/law enforcement vehicles with him. There were so many toys I didn't even know where to start!

Luckily Uncle Eric, Papa and I got into the groove Saturday morning and were able to work through some training scenarios and lots of vehicle accidents. I think the department will be ready for the next emergency.

Remember last Saturday when it was so nice that I could clean Mom's car? Then Monday when it was so cold I had to wear my winter coat? Well, it got nice again. We ended up going for a long drive and visited the tressel bridge. I got to take my bike.

It was windy on the bridge!

Papa and Uncle Eric were nice enough to give me shoulder rides on the way back because I was tired of riding my bike. 

A stop at Hickory Park in Ames?! Heck ya! After we ate we toured Ames and it was cool to hear about Iowa State. Dad and Uncle Eric graduated from Iowa State. Papa Jack and Papa Harley spent a bit of time there. Second cousin (and cool guy) Asa goes there now. I think I might like to go there in the future! When I brought it up everyone in the car said that they would support that decision. (Mom did mention that Central Collage was nice, too.)

After a nice car nap we made a quick stop at the park for some swinging before heading home.

Mom, Uncle Eric and Papa tried to go see a movie but it was sold out so they came home and everyone  just hung out. Snacks? Yes!

Farm toy catalogs? Yes!

Today was beautiful. I didn't know this but tossing a football around in the backyard is an important Thanksgiving tradition for lots of families. Uncle Eric, Papa and I had a great game! What a blast! (I may try and get Uncle Matt and Uncle Chris to do this next weekend when they are in town.)

Let's eat!

Grandma Maggy joined the crew and we had a wonderful meal. Uncle Eric brought an awesome ham. Mom made the 24 hour salad and pie. Dad made green bean casserole. It was a lot of food! 

Afterwards I got to open a couple of cards and everyone headed home. It was sad to see people leave but Uncle Eric left some toys behind so I'm going to take advantage.

Mom, Dad and I enjoyed a Miller family nap this afternoon. It was needed and helped us have a pretty mellow night. Since I don't have school this week I spent a lot of time finding and typing letters on the computer so I don't get out of practice for Mrs. Dean.

Have a great week!

Pierce

Lots of treats!

This past week was Halloween, a party at church and boys's weekend. I got to do lots of stuff and got lots of treats.

My first treat was getting to dig into a pumpkin and pull all the guts out. FUN!

I think Mom and I carved a pretty good pumpkin, if I do say so myself.

Tuesday night was Beggar's Night in Des Moines so the pumpkin was put on the front step. Mom called and made sure a fireman was on hand as she lit the candle.

Oh wait ... I'M THE FIREMAN!

I LOVE my costume uniform! It was perfect to trick-or-treat in. First we did a few houses on the block, then went to Maguire's house. My joke? "What does a fireman have in his soup? Firecrackers!" (I don't want to brag, but my joke got big laughs all night.)

We hit a couple more houses then ended the night at Grandma Maggy's. It was good to visit her and catch up a bit.

Wednesday night was a party at Westminster. The senior high group had games and lots of candy.

 There was even a turtle who was working the shell game. (Get it? Turtle? Shell game?)

Thursday morning Mom left for Washington DC with Uncle Eric. Dad and I were left alone ... by ourselves ... with nobody to tell us what we could or couldn't do. PARTY! Mom was awesome and left me a present to open each morning. (She didn't leave Dad anything.)

Friday morning I woke up early and Dad took the opportunity to go try out the new Dunkin Donuts in West Des Moines. Nothing like donuts for breakfast!

I had a "thumbs-up" day at school that day, probably because of the donuts. After Dad picked me up we went to the park then stopped at the library and grabbed a couple of movies.

Yeah! They had Bob the Builder Roads and Bridges!

But, before we could watch it we had to change Firefighter Fish's water. It really stunk and I think my poor fish was happy we did it.

Saturday Dad and I went to see Grandma Margaret and Papa Jack. It was a quick visit but a good one. I did some farming on their floor, jumped on their bed and told them a bit about school. That afternoon I had my first school friend birthday party. We went to the bouncy house place and it was fun! Here I am going down the slide.

Here is the group. We all had a good time.

There was cake afterwards! Sugar!

Today Dad and I went to a breakfast at church then helped clean up afterwards. I moved chairs and tables and was a super big help. 

Oh, and just to prove that Mom really did get on a plane and go on a trip (and didn't just get a hotel room to herself in West Des Moines and relax for four days) she sent this photo of she and Uncle Eric in front of the White house. I didn't think it was a real house because it didn't have any political yard signs, but Dad said that someone lives there and will probably stay there for the next four years.  Mom thinks he's moving out after Tuesday.

                                                 

Later, gang!

Pierce

Catching up to do.

I owe my readers a better update than they got last week. So, you're going to get a couple of weeks worth of material this time around. I've been working really hard at school on my letters and am proud every night to come home and show Mom and Dad what I can do.

Last weekend Mom and Dad had things to do at the mall so I got to play on the elevator in exchange for being good in the stores.

As some of you saw last week we had a lot of leaves fall. This happened after this picture was taken. Last weekend it was sunny and nice and we just had a few leaves so I was able to handle them with my tractor. Mom helped get my blade attached. (See Uncle Eric? I have a new blade, too.)

This tractor has just enough "Pierce Power" to do the job.

Then it happened. A rain and some wind and EVERY leaf in the county ended up on the ground. Drat.

Thursday I didn't have school so Mom and I headed to Incredible Pizza. We had the place to ourselves!

One of my new favorite games? Whack-A-Mole!

When we got home that day Mom helped me do crafts. I got to paint myself green!

Look at my foot!

That night I was saving the world in my fireman uniform and was able to help this poor fish with his (her?) dinner. Firefighter Fish meet Firefighter Pierce.

Yesterday our neighbors got a new driveway. There was a uniloader, a dump truck and a cement truck ... I watched for hours and was able to use my own equipment to pour a driveway by the stairs.

Tonight was the Halloween party at Wakonda. I hung out with Grant White and saw some other kids from my school. I picked out a pumpkin.

Stopped long enough for a family picture, thanks to Grant's Mom.

Once we were inside I decorated my pumpkin.

And loaded up for a hayrack ride around the course. It was a fun time (even if this photo doesn't look like it)!

That's it for now, gang. Much love to all ... 

Pierce