Back at it ...

The past couple of weeks have been crazy busy! I did squeeze in a fun trip to see Uncle Eric, though. Mom, Dad and I got to his house late last Friday night and spent a lazy morning Saturday. Mom and I caught up on a couple of old "Saved by the Bell" episodes and it was quite a nice bonding experience.

Saturday, Uncle Eric took us to the best place ever! If you haven't been, you have to check out the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park. We spend a long time there and I saw lots of animals, played with tons of stuff and made a vow that yes, I would return!

If I was a cow, I don't think I could sneak up on anyone if I had to wear one of these. However, I can see why they are so popular with musicians.

I met several new friends. Animals are really cool!
Pumping water was fun. Dad splashed Mom but I was told in no uncertain terms that I couldn't post a photo.

And, finally, just when I thought it couldn't get any better?! This place had sand!

Ah ... nothing like a good Fruit Chiller after a long, hot day.

In addition to being a police officer, Uncle Eric is a volunteer fireman ... his office(s) are so much cooler than Mom and Dad's!

His work wardrobe is pretty awesome, too!

There also is a very cool playground by Uncle Eric's house and we played there as a group Sunday morning. A good time was had by all ...

This playground even had a curly slide, which has quickly become a favorite of mine.

Adults trying to remember how to play hopscotch ... nothing funnier!

Don't you hate it when you pick out a great outfit then you find out a friend, co-worker or, in this case, Dad is wearing almost the same thing?! Geez, Dad ... get your own cool outfit and quit copying mine!

Thursday we hung out with Grant! He is just about ready to welcome a little brother and a little sister to the family. He really helped me at McDonald's and at the playground and I know he'll be an awesome big brother.

I really like that the trash cans thank you every time you use them. I was able to get a lot of the pesky mulch from this particular playground and put it where it belongs. While I don't do it for the recognition a simple "Thank You" is very nice.

Last night we went and hung out with the Dillons for awhile. They had a lot of great food and Maguire shared his "big boy" toys with me. I need to stock up on Matchbox cars and dinosaurs. His dad and my other friend Steve are participating in the Hy-Vee Triathlon today so it was an early night.

Today Grandma Maggy picked me up and we went to the birthday party of a co-worker's son. Very cool! There was a lot to do and I met several new friends.

That's it for now ...

Later!

Pierce

Opposite corners ...

This was another busy week. Dad had his annual Okoboji guys' golf trip so Mom and I went to Denmark to visit Grandma and Grandpa. For several days the Miller family was about as far away from each other as we could be and still stay in the state of Iowa.

My week started with a haircut. I was feeling a bit shaggy and with warmer weather at hand I asked Mom to "even it out" a bit.

Dad left Wednesday and that evening Grandma Maggy came over. I showed her my efforts in the yard ...

... then we went to Snookies for some ice cream.

Mom and I left on Thursday after school. Before getting to Denmark we stopped in Iowa City to have dinner with the Waldschmidts. I got to play with my friend Lauren, meet her brother Max and play on some fun things at the mall!

This trip was the best! I love tractors and trucks so Denmark was the place to be. Friday I got to watch some really huge machines work at Grandma and Grandpa's new house.

From a distance I could help direct things and the guys doing the work seemed to appreciate my opinions.

"Grandpa Dave, I think they need to put more slope in that line ... "

I also got to give my two cents on home remodeling questions ... "Grandma, I think I'd go with dovetail joints for your wooden floors."

Mom and Dad have been helping me practice my animal sounds and I got to test my mooing skills with Grandpa's cows. They are a LOT bigger in person than they are in my books!

Saturday was trash day and I think the gentleman from Floyd's did a fine job for Grandma and Grandpa. I can relate to his quest for a clean, orderly world.

A visit to see Clayton is always a lot of fun for me and I got to show him one of my books this time. He seemed to really like it!

Mom, Grandma and I also paid our respects as it was Memorial Day weekend. My Great-Grandpa Harley Houston served with honor and that makes Mom, Uncle Eric, Grandma and Grandpa really proud.

If you look closely, to Grandpa Dave's left, you'll see me in the tractor. IT WAS AWESOME! (He'll be able to tell where I rode with him this fall as those rows may not be as straight as the rest of the field.)

After my ride I had lots of questions and Grandma Kathy was very patient with me. "That? That? That? That?" (You get the picture.)

While I hate to brag I have been working out a lot. Notice the rock hard abs and muscular pipes!

Everyone got back to Des Moines Sunday evening. It was good to be together as a family again.

This afternoon we wanted to do something outside so we went to Saylorville Lake. I got to watch boats and get a stroller ride on a trail.

We also had a really fun family picnic. It as a great way to spend the afternoon.

Mom says it is the Miller in me ... I just think it is common sense ... potato chips are cool!

Have a great week, everyone!

Much love ...

Pierce

Say it ... don't spray it ...

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since I did a full update. In that time, Mom and Dad went on vacation, I got to stay at Grandma Maggy's, Grandma Kathy came up, I had a couple of days at home with Mom, watched lots of people with lawn mowers, went to a 40th birthday party, played tractor in the basement, played outside and enjoyed myself a lot.

I could share a ton of photos but will keep this brief.

Here are Mom and Dad in Santa Fe. They went with Uncle Chris and his friend Katie and Uncle Matt and Aunt Emily.

As I mentioned, Grandma Maggy and Grandma Kathy hung out with me while Mom and Dad were gone ...

... and I got to spend great time with Mom for a couple of days. I helped her plant her gift from "Mommies and Muffins" then we went to Gray's Lake where I got to watch someone mow.

Thursday was a regular school day but I got to wear my cool Rush t-shirt! Mom got it for Dad as a birthday gift but it's really my shirt. Dad likes it a lot and my teachers think I'm pretty cool.

Friday I hoped to get in some golf but had a heck of a time lifting the clubs. Eventually I just gave up and decided that I'd play some other time.

Saturday was a good day. I got to watch Dad mow ...

... then we headed to Atlantic for our friend Steve's 40th birthday party. (All of Dad's friends are getting really old.) He had the best party ever with a bouncy house, a couple of dogs, lots of gravel to throw, food and other stuff! After climbing on his tractor for what seemed like hours and dropping as many hints as I could I finally got a ride!

Steve also has the coolest rolling trash cans! I'm going to have to push Mom and Dad to get one of these! (Get it, push ... get it?!)

And finally today was a pretty mellow day. After church we had lunch with Grandma Maggy then the family had a quiet afternoon ... did you know that Dad makes a great obstacle course for playing tractor! He doesn't even get upset when I spray him!

Have a great week!

Pierce

Singing in the bathtub ...

Bath time is fun time ...

Have a great week, everyone!

Pierce

A day for Mama Llama ...

This was a fun week. Dad traveled for a few days so I got to go to the airport and get him on Wednesday ...

... then eat at Jethros ...

... then act interested as Dad tried engage me in a debate over who is smarter, Neil Degrasse Tyson or Stephen Hawking.

There is no debate, however, over who wins in a battle of noggin vs. cement driveway. Driveway 1. Noggin 0.

Friday was a very special day. Mom got to come visit me at school for an event called "Mommies and Muffins". It was a cool way to kick off Mother's Day weekend!

Saturday we loaded up and went to Pella for Tulip Time! It was a surprise, but Grandma and Grandpa were there too. We got to watch the parade together. It was cold but everyone had fun.

After the parade Grant, Amanda, Mom and I took a photo by the Central College sign just like last year.

Grant and I were bigger in this photo!

I admit it, Pella wore me down and I slept hard on the way home.

But, after a cat nap and snacks I perked right up ...

... so I could watch Dad mow the yard.

Finally, after keeping my card and gift a secret all week today was the big day. Mother's Day! I have the best Mom ever so I worked really hard to make sure her day was a good one. I told Dad to make coffee when she got up and I tried to be extra cute this morning before we went to Grandma Maggy's for lunch.

Grandma Maggy got a good family photo during our visit. (She was really nice and let me play with Millie, fed me great food and even let me take a nap on her bed!)

I love you, Mama Llama!

I hope all mommies have a great week. Thanks to Mom, Grandma Kathy, Grandma Maggy and Great-Grandma Margaret for all you do!

Much love to all ...

Pierce