Grutz says, "DESTINATION:IOWA!" or "Nolan likes bins and good books."

Homeward bound!

We'll be traveling to Iowa tomorrow for a visit.  Nolan and I are very, very excited.  Nolan's been reading up on Iowa lately, because, well, what 15 month old doesn't like reading about Iowa?!

"Dad, I had no idea.......Iowa......it's, it's....wonderful, words fail me.  But I can say, without hesitation, that I am stoked!"

Toys?  We don't need no stinkin' toys.  We have bins.

Grutz says, "Why yes, Nolan's always up early for the vernal equinox, because he's got the SPIRIT!" or "Yes, you have to wear Iowa Hawkeye gear. Why? Because I said so. Go Hawkeyes."

Saint............Nolan?
I'm not saying my boy's sacred or holy.  But a halo is a halo.  And preforming miracles.

"So let me get this straight, Dad.  You want me to turn water into to beer?  I can't see any harm in that...Ummm wait, what would Mom say?  Oh, 'our little secret', riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight (wink)."

"SHAZAM!!!!!!!!!" (Poof/flash/smoke) "OK, Dad, there's the beer, what's next?  Make you a world-class guitar player AND put us on a 50 acre farm/retreat on the banks of Mississippi?  On the Iowa side, of course.  Hmmmmmm, gonna have to stretch for this one....."

"Seeeeeeeeeeeeee?  My teeth are clean.  Can I get down now?  Yes, Dad.  I know, I know.  You don't have any cavities and blah blah blah blah blah blah. I mean, bless you, Dad." 

Grutz says, "What's better than St. Patrick's Day on the 17th? Carleen's birthday on the 14th!!!!" or "Life is good."

Mornings are good.

Nolan loves his homemade berry waffles.

"It's quite simple, Father.  By using this device called a 'fork', one can eat without dirtying one's fingers.  Even you can do it."

Visits are good.

Carleen's Aunt Mary Jo visited this weekend and it was a blast.

Fun times with Mary Jo!!!

Project with Dad are, well, enjoyable.

I try to get some projects accomplished.  Completion is often elusive.  But hey, it's the trip, not the destination, right?

"Wow Dad!  These shavings are awesome!  But you know what's NOT awesome?  Turtlenecks.  Veeeeery fattering, I mean, flattering.  Ahem."

Lastly, tomorrow is my wonderful wife's birthday.

Let Carleen know how special she is on her 33rd birthday.  Yep, life is pretty good.  When the worst part of my day is putting up with Public Radio* fundraisers, my life is pretty damn good.

* We've given, have you?  Iowa Public Radio and Chicago Public Radio.