Columbus Adventure

Last weekend, Mommy, Daddy, and I went on a good, old fashioned road trip.  It had everything: long hours in the car, playing car games to pass the time, eating at greasy spoon cafes, hotel stays, local museums, playing with grandparents, and, best of all, FOOTBALL!

We drove to Columbus, OH, which is an 8 hr trip in one straight shot so we broke it up by stopping in Indianapolis, about 6 hrs from Iowa City.  Although mommy and daddy were concerned how I would do in the car, I impressed everyone by being a perfect traveler.  I was just so happy to be with my family, I didn't care we were stuck in a cramped vehicle.  Actually, I had lots of legroom, which is pretty easy for someone whose legs are barely a foot long!  We watched other cars go by and looked for tanker trucks, cranes, big trucks, and called out the colors of the cars.  Daddy opened my Richard Scary book "Cars, Trains, Planes, and Things that Go" and pointed to cars in the book that we saw on the road.  I would shout out "same" and laugh.  What a cool game.

Then, I got to watch movies in the car.  If you haven't done this, I highly recommend it.  Daddy brought his computer, plugged it in to the power socket in the car with a special adapter, and we fired up some DVD's.  We had a little trouble finding something I liked, until they put in "Madeline".  Watching an animated version of my current favorite book was pretty much the perfect drug.  I was fascinated and glued to the set, not even noticing that a hundred miles flashed by.

After dinner at Denny's in Peoria, we made it to Indianapolis.  We stayed in a really nice English hotel downtown (The Cantebury Suites- check it out if you ever go there.  Daddy's stayed their three times and says its the best in town).  I got to cuddle with mommy and daddy in our big king bed in the room, which I thought was great. Mommy and daddy aren't so sure- daddy got a fat lip when I head butted hum and mommy woke up with bruised ribs thanks to my kicking.  Oops.

The next day we went on to Columbus, where we met up at the hotel with Dad-dad, Boppy, Uncle Chris and Aunt Chloe. Uncle Steve and Aunt Beth, and my great aunt Joan and great uncle Rainbow (aka Ken).  We all had a wonderful lunch together and I got to watch some football with daddy.  Then mommy and I went shopping with Boppy while daddy went to the USC-Ohio State game.  USC won!  YAY!

On Sunday, we left Colmbus after breakfast and drove straight to the Indianapolis Children's museum.  I knew we had found the place for me when I saw the outside: two giant statues of dinosaurs!  We saw an exhibit on King Tut, and I was very interested in the statues.  We saw an exhibit on dinosaurs and I was most impressed with the pterodons.   They alos have a really cool museum store.

I told remember much else, since I slept most of the way back..  We did stop at Denny's again, so I would have more options for dinner.  Silly mommy- I picked the mac and cheese as always!

This is from the museum here in Iowa City!

Autumn Display

I love fall!  I really like collecting interesting leaves and cool rocks.  But I also like collecting "deer eggs".  Mommy and daddy say that they are acorns, but they are like eggs because they have a hard shell and contain the seed for growing a baby plant.  I call them deer eggs becuase they are the deer's favorite food.  Maybe that's why we have so many deer around- we have lots of trees in our yard that produce the acorns. 

Here's my display of cool acorns along with a pupkin that Granmimi grew for me.  Thanks Granmimi!  We have named the pumpkin "Archie".  I also have two nice pinecones and I am always looking for more. 

The workmen recently put rails on the bridge.  This is good because now the puppies and I are allowed to play out there.  We're not in danger of falling off the edge anymore.  Skye and Denali love hanging out on the bridge while I collect rocks in the driveway and daddy works on the lawn, pulling "bad plants" (weeds).

A Busy Weekend

Mommy and daddy and I were home all weekend, playing with Skye and Denali, watching football, and making yummy food.  Yesterday, Granmimi came over to help us make a kennel for Skye and Denali in the backyard.  We also finished the limestone deck outside my playroom!  Yay!  Just in time for fall and the amazing colors that we will enjoy.  She also brought over a whole basil plant that mommy ground up into pesto.  We put three jars away in the freezer to enjoy later this winter. 

Gran sent us this picture of Skye's homeland. the Isle of Skye.  It is very pretty, but I think Skye is happier (and drier) in Iowa. 

Here we are enjoying the football games.  I like cuddling with daddy on college foorball saturdays!

We have some exciting vists coming up- we are headed to Columbus, OH this weekend to see Dad-dad, Boppy, Uncle Chris, and Uncle Steve.  And Grammi and Dad-dad Chang will be here next week.  YAY!