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

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