Almost on the train

Just a quick update: I'm in Decorah with my mom, staying and playing with my COUSINS! I barfed twice Monday, but feel OK now. Mom says she's ready for some help from Dad. It'll be weird to see Dad going to work with a tie on every day. I get on the train in LaCrosse Friday night and we'll see Dad in Sydney, Mont., 23 hours later!

Goodbyes

I am moving for the first time since I came home from St. Luke's Hospital nearly 19 months ago. My Dad ("Dada") is already in Helena, ready to put on a tie and go to work. Mom and I are riding the train out at the end of the month from Iowa. But first we had to say goodbye to our little blue house and our friends in Duluth, like my buddy Esme. We were born the same night at St. Luke's. We hope to see each other for our second birthday.

Christmas sledding

We found a nice hill near Spencer, Iowa and did some Christmas Day sledding. I did get a little disenchanted when I got snow in my face after one run. But we went back to my Aunt "Son-as" house for prime rib and all was better. Happy holidays!

Christmas tree

For $5, we went to the snowy woods and found a nice, little fir for our Christmas tree. I'm actually doing a fairly good job of keeping my clams off the ornaments.

We're moving!

That's right, my mom and dad are taking me to Helena, Mont. That's where they lived for four years and got married. (Ole is a Helena native, too.). Dad is out of newspapers (for now) and will be working for theState of Montana's legislative audit division -- making sure state government is working like it should. I'll miss some of my first friends and my little blue house. But I bet I'll make lots of new friends.

Soul!

I do know how to say my name -- with gusto!

Feeding 'O'

I also like to haul his food bucket out all by myself!