Trip to Poughkeepsie, NY with Uncle Mike

Uncle Mike had to take a trip to a place called Poughkeepsie, NY for his job. It wasn't going to be very exciting, but Brownie came along to keep Mike company. Here's Brownie looking out of the window from the airplane:

There was already snow on the ground out east, but they were expecting another snow storm as well. Mike had to land at a smaller airport and then drive up to Poughkeepsie. It was dark and rainy at first, but then it started snowing. It kept snowing too. Mike wanted to visit a martial arts school that night, but classes were canceled due to the weather.

Mike had to work all day, but Brownie was able to use the internet in the evenings from the hotel:

The plan was for people leaving early the next morning to drive down to a different hotel that's closer to the airport. The drive took nearly twice as long as it was supposed to because of the snow that just kept coming. This is a picture from that drive. (Uncle Mike shouldn't be taking pictures while he's driving.)

Mike's flight out was canceled so he and Brownie had to spend another day at the hotel. Aside from not being able to come home, it was pretty relaxing. Brownie had time to catch up on some of his reading while Mike did some work on the computer.

Finally. Mike got home in the late afternoon the day after he was supposed to. Jeannette's brother Wally, his wife Natalie, and their baby Mason were already there visiting. Here's a picture of Mason, he's seven months old now.

That's it for now. Brownie is really looking forward to Spring so he can get outside and do some yard work.

Brownie Eats in California

Uncle Mike was off to Berkeley, California last week for a work trip. He and Brownie spent most of the time in the hotel so there wasn't much in the way of sightseeing. Just down the block was a really great hotdog restaurant though!

Later in the week, Brownie and Mike shared some sushi. Brownie had such a hard time with the chopsticks he ends up getting a little sauce on his paw!

Hopefully next trip there will be more to see. Brownie recommends taking Alaska Airlines rather than American though. The seats have just a little more leg room.

Brownie goes to Seattle

Aunt Jeannette and Uncle Mike recently took a trip to Seattle to attend Jeannette's friend Jessica's wedding. It was a great time and Brownie got a lot of pictures taken.

There was a big pig made of beads in the hotel lobby!

On the second day there, we call went to the Seattle Aquarium to see the fish, otters, and seals. These clown fish live among coral for protection.

That night we went over to Chris and Emily's apartment where Brownie got a picture with their sumo wrestler statue. Isn't he funny with the hat and glasses on?

Jeannette and Brownie are looking over the menu at Duke's Chowderhouse. The seafood out west is really really good.

We finally made it to the wedding reception and Brownie almost got eaten by this big metal fish!!

After escaping the fish, Brownie helped out by setting up the name cards for everyone to get when they arrived.

Mike and Jeannette got to see at the first table since Jeannette was in the wedding. Everyone had a good time at the reception.

On Sunday, we took a trip out to Snoqualmie Falls, about 30 minutes east of Seattle.
We always love it when we get a chance to go to Seattle, so hopefully we can make it back again next year. Where will Brownie go next?

Summer Projects

It was a beautiful day out so Uncle Mike decided to take some pictures in the yard and of a couple projects he's working on.


This little oak tree was grown from an acorn that fell from the tree at Grandma and Grandpa's house. This year it started outgrowing it's little fence so Mike upgraded it to a new little white picket fence. Can you see Brownie hiding behind it?
Grandma helped pick out these purple flowers when she was visiting. They're growing inside of an old apple tree stump.

Brownie's hiding in the butterfly house that Mike is making for Grandma. It's taking a really long time!

This is one of Mike's other projects. What do you think he's building?

Brownie Goes to North Carolina!

This past weekend Brownie went with Uncle Mike and Aunt Jeannette to North Carolina. (Have your mom and dad show you where North Carolina is on a map.) Mike and Jeannette were going to Bald Head Island off the coast to see one of their friends get married. In order to get there you have to take a ferry. Brownie waited for the ferry with them:

There are no cars on the island so to get around everyone drives golf carts. Our friend Joe that was getting married rented a golf cart that looked like an expensive car:


Later that same day, we made friends with a crab on the beach.


The next day we visited "Old Baldy." This is an old, unused lighthouse on the island. Lighthouses are tall towers with bright lights in the top that help guide ships along the coastline.


We climbed all the way to the top of the lighthouse to see the great view. Brownie is looking over at the marina where the ferry dropped us off on the first day:


Mike, Jeannette, and Brownie had a really nice, relaxing time on the island.

Grandma and Grandpa visit Mike and Jeannette

If you remember, Uncle Mike hurt his pinky finger so Grandma and Grandpa went to Champaign to visit and help out. The cat post needed to be wrapped with rope, Grandpa and Jeannette took care of this while Brownie supervised. He's down there in the shadow.


Here's a closer look of Brownie helping out with the hammer.

Shortly after that, Grandma was outside transplanting a plant. She's really good at it, so Brownie just sat close by and watched.


Mike really appreciated everyone helping out and hopes everything is going well in Quincy.

St. Louis

Uncle Mike and Aunt Jeannette took a short trip to St. Louis last Thursday and took Browning along for the ride. They didn't bring the camera but were still able to take a couple pictures with their cell phones.

Brownie was riding in Mike's shirt pocket all evening, here he is in front of a fountain outside of Union Station:


This is the view from our hotel. You can see a community garden right outside, Union Station on the right, and the St. Louis Gateway Arch all the way in back. Ask your mom and dad about the arch!