Day 14: In Cold Blood

All puns aside, it is COLD! The best part is that my Dad left his winter jacket in WV and he had to buy a camo vest at the dollar store!
We left St. Louis amid crazy storms to come to Matfield Green, Kansas. It is the last stop on our journey before we high-tail it home. The temp never got above freezing today so this countryside of yellow cow feed had a layer of ice over everything. It was beautiful though as this made everything shine in the brisk sunlight.
On the way into town we stopped at the local courthouse - the oldest in Kansas - and grabbed a bite to eat on main st. When we got to uncle Karl's "bunkhouse" the other owner Bill came out to greet us. Man is it quiet, calming and pretty. And that is with a train track running 30 ft behind the property!
We went on a long walk through the fields, then came in to make some Jim's spaghetti for dinner. Karl went above and beyond and arranged for a bottle of Champagne to be left in the room! we all had a sip to stay warm.
Last thing - the stars out here are to die for. The pictures don't do it justice but I think I can see every single one of them from here.
Happy New Year and I'll update you again from god knows where tomorrow night!



































- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Matfield,United States

Day 13: Gateway to the West

Today's summary will be the briefest yet.
More pictures at Big Sittee's and a walk in Ritter Park. On to Jim's for more classic food while I stayed in the car and waited for treats.
We left in the early afternoon and landed in St. Louis at nighttime. It actually worked out great that there was some fog as it made the Arc way cooler.
We are staying with Steven's sister Sarah and her husband Alex. They have a sweet house with 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 ferrets, and 2 humans. They are building an arc of their own in the back yard!

Day 12: Take Me Home Country Road

Now this is what I call a road trip! 14 hrs in the car with little to no stopping! Thankfully we stopped at one rest area so I could run around, and Mom and Dad were happy because Gramma made them such tasty treats for the road. Oni Giri and Tonkatsu!
Today's journey leads us to the wild and wonderful world of West Virginia. Where Christmas is still about Jesus and spray tans are a religious experience. We got into Big Sittee's - that's great Gramma to most other people - house around 6pm where we were inundated with carrots and hummus. After we dropped all of our bags we went down to Jim's Steak and Spaghetti house to see the rest of the family. I couldn't go in, but it sounded really fun and Dad took some really goofy photos. We came back to Sittee's and looked at some old family pictures. Check out the one at the bottom, the bowl cut in the center with the red sweater is my Dad!
Phew, long day of travel!

Day 11: Parks and Recreation

Today was non-stop, wall to wall action!
It started with Dad going to Dunkin Donuts to eat sausage pancake bites with Yuzo, which were surprisingly delicious. We got back from that adventure just in time to catch Hanzo and Grandpa Tom wearing the exact same casual wear. Boy do they look comfortable together!
However, the highlight of the day was the excursion we took to Look Park in Northampton. It was late in the afternoon and the weather was cold but perfect for a long walk through the winter wonderland. I got lots of good exercise in playing with Dad and letting Aunt Nina take me on a run with her. On a related note, I'd like to express again how much I like snow. It sticks to the tip of my giant wet nose and there is nothing better than hopping through a deep patch like a wild rabbit.
When I got home I was freezing so Mom put her old vest on me. I didn't mind and kept it on for a while.
Before dinner everyone got a game or two of Kinect's Dance Central in for aerobic exercise. It's awesome! Dad got one for Christmas so I can't wait to play at home!
I would be doing you a disservice if I didn't tell you about the homemade meals today either. We had tonkatsu for lunch - fried pork cutlets. Grandma makes them to perfection. Then Yuzo made steak burritos with fresh salsa for dinner. Delisioso.
We finished off everything by watching the Badgers beat down Minnesota in Big 10 basketball.
We leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow so gotta go to bed!

Day 10: Glitch in the Matrix

Well it's Christmas time, again, and that means more treats for me! I even had my own stocking this time! But it wasn't just my first Christmas, it was baby Hanzo's as well. He sure did make out like bandit at the Rohlich house.
My first present was a dog bed, handmade by Gramma. I tried it out all day while everyone else opened presents. Highlights of the day were Yuzo's crazy nice hoody, Tom's wine "de-can't-er," Wakako's Cuisinart and Hanzo and I's matching tree ornaments.
Even though I LOVE playing in all the snow outside, no one would let me help them shovel the driveway. Yuki shoveled her first snow ever, and the team of Rohlich's cleared the driveway in almost 15 min.
TJ and Yuki made everyone dinner while they discussed the importance of musicals, and in particular the Mikado. If anyone wants to hear a Rohlich sing, just ask them what their favorite musicals are - there were quite a few solos at the table!
We then retired to the TV room where Dad put on Make Believe for the billionth time. Everyone fell asleep.

Day 8 & 9: I Don't Know How I'm Gonna Sleep That Night

The past 2 days have been a blast! I've seen everything from Badger Snuggies to live ukulele performances to blizzards. I'm too exhausted yet again, (road tripping is tough!), to write a detailed account so please enjoy an extended picture show. Merry Christmas everyone!

Day 7: Bonus Material

Here is the video I promised!
More coming soon, sorry for the delay!

Day 7: The Gift That Keeps on Giving

Wouldn't be the Christmas shopping season if the stores were less hooter - hotter than they are!

We started off the day by going to Aunt Lauren's house to meet my cousin Lucy. She is a black lab and likes to play nearly as much as I do! Unfortunately, we have no pictures of the playtime because mom and dad were too busy playing with their niece and nephew Alice and Henry.
After a quick peanut stop, we headed to see Jessie, Morgan and their new baby Hallie. She is quite the serious baby, we got along like peas and carrots. It didn't hurt that they all kept giving me little peanut butter treats! They were so good I asked Santa for some in my stocking.
Next on the Charlottesville tour was Ben and Maggie. I was sad not to meet their dog Finch who I have heard so much about, but I had fun growling at some old man in their garden anyway.
I got taken to Lauren's for the Christmas eve party where the humans ate Uncle Christian's special collard greens and beef tenderloin while I played with Lucy. I wish I could have seen them hit the piñata and sing "the 12 days of Christmas" in person, but they took a video which is just as good...check it out!
I'm blogging about this Christmas morning because I was too tired last night. Santa came so I gotta go. More later! Merry Christmas!

Love,
Keems































- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Ednam Dr,Charlottesville,United States