It's my big one!

My first birthday party was this past weekend ... it was AWESOME!

Mom worked really hard baking the cakes and getting everything ready.

There were cool party favors for everyone and by all accounts the event was a success.

Grandma and Grandpa came up from Denmark. Uncle Eric came from Gardner, KS.

Wholly Crap! Uncle Matt, Aunt Emily (Texas) and Uncle Chris (California) surprised Mom, Dad and me by coming too!

Justin, Amanda and Grant Fletcher stopped by ...

... and so did Annette!

She and Grandma Maggy enjoyed going through my photo albums.

Everyone seemed to like my new room (the basement remodel was debuted) and tried really hard to answer the quiz questions Mom put together.

Grandpa won the quiz and a box of Cherrios!

Next came gifts! Mom, Dad and Grant helped me unwrap things and keep everything organized.

Folks were so generous!

Grandma helped unwrap things, too.

Chris tested the lift on my toy firehouse.

Grant made sure the trucks worked properly.

Uncle Matt figured out the cool gear toy from Annette.

The cakes!

This isn't a short video, but I'd like to think it will be worth your time ...

Yum!

The damage ...

I think this was taken during trip 481 up and down the stairs. They really are my favorite toy right now.

482

The Houstons!!

You may not be able to tell, but right as this photo was taken I grabbed a big handful of Mom's hair just to keep things interesting.

Aunt Emily is fun!

Mom and Dad seemed to have a lot of fun this weekend. Mom worked really hard to pull everthing together!

With so many people taking so many photos of me I thought I'd turn the table and see how they liked it.

Before Matt, Emily and Chris headed to the airport Mom wanted to put on a bit of a show. We listened as she and Matt played a duet.

Having family around is great.

I still can't believe that this many people came to my birthday party! It feels like I'm a pretty lucky guy.

Have a great week everyone!

Pierce

Grandmas are the best cooks ...

I'm coming off seven days in a row of Grandma cooking. Between Grandma Maggy bringing food over while Uncle Chris and Uncle Matt were visiting and Grandma Kathy feeding me during our visit I don't think I can eat any more! It feels like I put on 5 pounds ...

Chris and Matt were over Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights. We played a lot with the toy set Santa gave me.

We also ate a lot.

Ugh ... the Miller boys. I'm pretty sure Grandma Maggy is going to Heaven cause she already served her time raising Dad and my two uncles.

Wednesday was a fun day. Chris and Matt came with me to my haircut. I was scared at first as I though they may be the ones with the scissors ...

... but Becky stepped in and saved the day as always!

I don't usually call out my own photos, but in the business we call this the "cover shot". An instant classic. A photograph that sells CDs, makes the cover of Rolling Stone, draws in fans and ends up as a poster on the walls of dorm rooms 50 years from now. (If only Chris, Matt and I were in a wildly influential band.)

You know, smart phones are a blessing and a curse. I like to stay in touch, but it feels like I can never get away. This is how we spent much of our time together.

After a great day with Chris and Matt we hit the road. Mom, Dad and I drove on I-80 with thousands of our closest friends and finally arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's place around 8 o'clock. They were so happy to see me that I got to eat in the living room!

Grandma asked me to help her get things ready Thursday morning and I was glad to help.

A spread fit for a king!

The only problem? I worked so hard helping Grandma I fell asleep.

No worries though ... folks saved me some food. After my nap I got to eat my first Thanksgiving meal. Not bad! I even got a card!

Grandma Kathy found this amazing train set. As you can see, it kept four generations of guys pretty busy. Guys never outgrow a good train set.

My phone wouldn't quit buzzing all weekend. People, I love to stay in touch but keep in mind that I pay by the text!

That evening I held court for Mom, Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Eric, Tim, Jill, Asa and Lacy. We all had a lot of fun and I even took a couple of steps! Mom and Dad missed the first time but saw me do it again later. Unfortunately they missed the photo so everyone spent the rest of the night trying to recreate what all considered to be a pretty cool thing. I tried to keep everyone entertained and seemed to pick up a new nickname. I'm not sure why, Dad kept calling me a golden nut. I suppose it is my blonde hair and my crazy disposition.

Friday morning I helped Clayton move some things into his new place then we all had lunch. I think it's cool ... both Clayton and I are getting new rooms at the same time!

Grandma Kathy is brilliant. This water heater box was a hit! (I asked Dad not to post all the photos he has of old people's rear ends poking out of the box while they played with me.) If you want to see something funny, watch Dad try and back out of the box ... that was a hoot! Here I am playing with Uncle Eric Friday afternoon.

Saturday morning I wore my John Deere shirt (thanks, Donna!) and teased Grandpa a bit. He got out my Allis Chalmers hat and thought it helped my outfit.

Eric gave Mom and Dad permission to turn my car seats around! Now I'm facing forward and have a lot more room. This was a big improvement ... thanks, Uncle Eric!

When we got home Mom opened her birthday presents from Dad and I. There was a theme ... George and Reba. (Mom says it is going to be the concert event of the century. Dad thinks Live Aid back in the day may have the George/Reba tour beat, but Mom says he's crazy.)

Mom, Dad and I had the whole day to ourselves so we just hung out enjoying each other's company (and waiting for the carpet guy). This afternoon Mom and I did a fun art project. I think her intent was that I draw something on the paper but my muse told me to draw on myself instead. (It was a performance art kind of day.)

Remember gang ... when life gives you lemons say, "No thanks, I'd prefer a nice piece of pie."

Pierce

A week of new things ...

I had a great week! Friday came quickly and after school I got to go meet a special new friend. At first I was a bit nervous but Mom talked me into introducing myself.

As it turns out, I didn't need to be nervous at all. Santa was a cool guy! I crawled right up to him and he read me a book ...

... and gave me a new toy!

Mom, Dad and I even got a family photo. Santa rocked!

Saturday was a busy day. That morning Andrea came over while Mom and Dad worked on my new room. Mom and Amanda spent time together in the afternoon and that night Grandma Maggy came over as Dad's cousin Ellen and her husband Keith were in town. They went out to dinner while I stayed behind and ran poor Grandma ragged.

Today Uncle Chris from California and Uncle Matt from Texas came to visit! I hadn't seen them in a long, long time and. They brought me new toys and greetings from the people of far away lands.

Uncle Chris and Uncle Matt were a lot of fun to play with. They got down on the floor with me and we had a blast.

You're never quite sure what may happen when Dad and his brothers get together. In this case, drawing on Dad's love of lyric opera, Uncle Matt's classical training and Uncle Chris's extensive experience in international musical theatre the three broke into "The Barber of Seville" by Rossini. Figaro! Figaro! (Nothing new here ... once odd always odd I say.)

We had a wonderful meal together and it was good to catch up with everyone. (Aunt Emily - I wish you had been here too.)

Grandma Maggy baked Mom a birthday cake and we all shared some great laughs at the table. Uncle Chris and Uncle Matt couldn't get over my new "throwing things" trick. (Sorry guys, I hate to tell you but holding my arms down won't help. I've got freaky-strong pipes.)

The evening ended with a tour of my new favorite room.

That's it for now. Have a great week, all!

God save the Queen ...

Pierce