Rain delay ...

I think spring has finally sprung. Look at what was on our back porch a few days ago!

Mom, Dad and I had a busy few days so I did my best this week to help around the house. One thing I do is make sure the doors are locked.

Thursday night we went to Denmark to help out with our friend Clayton's auction. It is a really big deal and both Grandma and Grandma have been working really, really hard. Unfortunately, after a big effort to pull things together Friday we were rained out Saturday. Mom and I just hung out at the house and I did some cleaning until everyone finally got home.

We were all so bummed about the auction that everyone decided just to have a family play day. Grandma got out some cool new toys and I got to work.

After watching me play with the balls, Grandma had an idea and enlisted Uncle Eric to help get things set up.

Thanks Grandma! This was an awesome treat!

After a long day everyone was ready to put the postponed auction behind them and get out of the house. Mom, Grandma and I went to see Clayton and hang out for awhile. Once we arrived I remembered exactly where Clayton's room was so I just took the lead ...

I got out some of my toys to show Clayton and he seemed impressed.

Our day ended with pizza at Sorrento's in Ft. Madison. The pizza was good and the people around us were really friendly.

This morning I spent lots of time riding my toy horse around I can make it go all by myself but need to be careful because sometimes it bucks!

I wanted to go outside and look at the farm. Everyone bundled up and Uncle Eric served as my tour guide. This shed is for the baby calves so they can relax without having to worry about the bigger cows. They looked really comfortable!

After that we went into the barn and Grandpa brought us a baby calf to look at. This one is just a day or two old and is walking already! Wow, I didn't walk for months!

Next we talked about tractors and which one would be best for me to help plant in. (I like this one in particular because the controls are well designed and I'll have plenty of visibility to monitor both planter operation and follow my row guide. I just have to convince Grandpa.)

Finally, he and I climbed up on one of Grandma and Grandpa's big bales. We were really high in the air!

Grandpa works really hard to make sure his cows and calves are happy and healthy. I liked seeing a mommy cow and her calf. I know how much I love my Mommy so I can relate to how good a kiss from Mom feels.

We'll be back next week for the auction!

Before we left town, Dad took the opportunity to introduce me to a "kiabo". He felt bad that it wasn't a "potty house" from our friend Howie, but this "porta potty" didn't have a line and, since the auction was postponed, was clean. (Note to self, don't let Dad try potty training in one of these!)

And finally, I'd like to share a blog which is a favorite of Uncle Chris's and has quickly become a "must read" for both Dad and I. Check out mnmlist!

Love to all ... and when in doubt, break out in a rousing rendition of "God Bless America".

Pierce

A quick week ...

Time sure flew this past week. I managed to go to school all five days and that sure takes it out of a guy.

Saturday I got to go see Grandma Maggy for awhile. She made me an awesome sandwich and I played with Millie.

Last night Mom, Dad and I went out to eat and ran into our friends Mara and Jeff! We had a good time and caught up on things before going our separate ways. (I think Mom and Mara planned a "girls' night out" while Dad and Jeff planned a golf outing. It was funny to me as the ladies thought they were being so subtle and the guys thought they were being sneaky. I can Dad's speech now ... "Honey, can I golf with Jeff next week?")

One of the things I like at Hyperion (other than the chicken strips) is the number of TVs. I was able to monitor two basketball games at once which made for an enjoyable evening.

Today I got to go to the doctor for my cough. I got some new medicine and to play with cool medical instruments!

I promise a longer update next week, gang. (Can anyone provide a good definition for the phrase "holy freeholies"? Dad is fixated on it and it is driving Mom nuts.)

Later!

Pierce

Catching up with lots of folks ...

It was a pretty busy week! I was sick and stayed home from school for a couple of days. Grandma Maggy and I hung out for awhile. Dad's cousin Ellen stopped by. I went to a birthday party. I played in the snow. Dad, Mom and I went out to eat. I visited Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Miller. I met our neighbor Debbie's new dog Max. (You get the picture. I wore Mom and Dad out.)

Forgive the poor photography, Dad was rushing to get a shot of me after I turned the TV on and used the remote to change channels. Seeing this caused both Mom and Dad great pause.

Saturday was my friend Avery Andersen's 9th birthday party. All the older guys went bowling but I hung out with Avery's Dad Steve ...

... his Mom Sue and the rest of the Andersen clan. Mike and Kendall were there, too!

Avery was kind enough to share a piece of his birthday cake ... it was good!

After the party we came home and I played in the snow a bit. We've gotten well over 60" this winter and had a lot of melting this past weekend.

This picture shows how high the snow is on either side of our driveway. I thought this was a lot until I talked to Steve yesterday (he lives in Atlantic) and saw the snow in Chariton today. Wow!

Mom and I played "king of the mountain". She was pretty easy on me and I won!

Today we went to Chariton. What a fun trip! Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa are really cool to hang out with and didn't get mad at all when I explored their house.

This is a picture of me being held by Dad while looking at a picture of Dad when he was about my age. Jeepers.

Toodles, everyone ... have a great week.

Pierce

A quick post ...

Dad didn't intend to post this week (he's trying to post every other week in 2010), but after Grandma Maggy caught this bit of video yesterday he thought he should share it right away.

Millie really made me laugh!

Pierce

Huh ... it snowed again today.

We may set a record this year. According to published reports we've received close to 53" of snow and more came last night! To beat this brutal winter and to breathe some life into my tired little bones Grandma Maggy, Dad and I went to the Botanical Center last weekend.

We ditched our coats and I got to go exploring ...

... there was a waterfall and a Koi pond ...

... and lots of plants!

It was a nice way to spend a cold morning. While we were there Mom and Grandma Kathy were in Las Vegas. It was a fun "girls' trip" and they enjoyed exploring the sites.

Friday they got to eat outside at the Paris.

And Saturday they met up with Mom's cousin Mike!

The real reason for the trip was a concert Saturday night at the MGM. George and Reba! While Reba kicked his rear in the costume change department George didn't disappoint.

Mom's already looking forward to seeing them both again in April when they come to Des Moines.

After a long day of travel on Sunday Mom and Grandma finally made it back home. They missed Dad who left that morning to go to Tucson for meetings. Grandma Maggy stayed with me until they got home and really saved the day!

Grandma Kathy stayed for a few days and we played and played and played.

Tuesday we went to see Clifford The Big Red Dog. I wasn't really sure what to think so I spent a lot of time walking around.

I did manage to get some shopping done, so that was good.

The next day Grandma Kathy told me all about pineapples. (What odd fruits.)

Dad finally got home Thursday and we met him at the airport. (I was really embarrased because I was in my jammies ... Mom didn't believe me when I said we could run into someone I knew.)

He was really happy to see me. While he was in Arizona he took lots of pictures ...

... it looks like a nice place but a lot different than Iowa!

Dad was really happy because he got some golf in with friends in between meetings. Here he is with Nick, Brian and Matt.

After so many days away and with the family finally home yesterday was a day for cleaning and laundry. (I'm a big help.)

Finally, Mom and Dad went out with Mike and Kendall last night so Grandma Maggy came over. It was a nice end to a busy couple of weeks.

I think that's it for now. Have a great week, all!

Pierce

Play-Doh ... YUCK!

Dad was gone a couple of days this week so of course we got 6" of snow!

Monday I got my hair cut and Grandma Maggy came along. Things went well and I'd like to think I charmed everyone at Pope's.

Afterwards we went to Mustard's and I got my favorite ... a grilled cheese sandwich from the kid's menu.

Dad got home Tuesday. Wednesday Grandma Maggy came over so Mom and Dad could go out for dinner. We had fun and it was nice to get away from the folks for awhile. (They say they enjoy an occasional dinner without me but in reality I'm the one that needs some time away from them!)

Thursday the postcards Dad sent me from his last couple of trips finally came in the mail. Mom has promised that she'll send me a postcard from Las Vegas next week so I'll have even more to add to my collection!

The rest of the week was pretty uneventful. Saturday Dad met up Steve, Mike and Bryce to go bowling in Atlantic. The general feeling was that none were ever going to make their living bowling but fun was had by all.

Mom and I hung out at home and enjoyed a quiet afternoon. I got to call Grandmpa Dave and catch up - I get the sense he may be lonely since Grandma Kathy is spending so much time with me.

We had craft time and Mom gave me some Play-Doh to try.

My Heaven's ... how can people play with this crap?!

Hey! Look! Justin, Amanda and Grant Fletcher came over for lunch today.

As often happens when guys get together talk quickly turned to cars and golf.

And who knew?! The area where shelves are going to go is a nice place to shmues ... this was a great discovery as Grant and I had a lot to catch up on.
Finally, I heard a saying today that just made a lot of sense. In the words of our great friend Justin ... get off the fence before your crotch starts to hurt. (I think this is generally very good advice.)

Until next time ...

Pierce