Evey at the Abe Lincoln museum

Wish we would have had more time... This was on our way from Wheatfield, Ind. -- but we did have some fun there in Springfield, Ill. OK, honestly, I was stressing because I was worried Evey wasn't the right age to learn about Lincoln, plus we still had a long ways to go.

But we were all smiles in the kids' area! Isn't she beautiful???

Jones and Jones

Me and my pal Rees Jones, the Open Doctor. Rees is awesome, he takes care of me. I do think he's the greatest living golf architect.

Spidey!

Perhaps the best gift I've ever found for the kids following a biz trip!

Back to the grind

Well, Thanksgiving went fast... now back to the real world. I've got one day in the office, then I'm off to Orlando for the 2nd annual Golfdom Summit. So much to do before I leave, though.

Our trip to Wheatfield was great. Saw everyone, from my Uncle Allen to Dave Birch, Larry and Mary and Mike and Marilyn, and of course Bea and Junior.

Boydee was a hit with everyone. He was in full-on charmer mode all weekend. We heard on more than one occasion that "Boyd is a great name" and we agree. All those folks in Wheatfield knew my dad since he was a little kid, so they enjoyed meeting his namesake, I could tell.

Evey's favorite thing about the trip was that she got to spend so much time with her cousins, including the 12-hour drive coming and going. They watched lots of movies, including disc three of the "Dungeons & Dragons" cartoon series from the '80s that I introduced her to (now all three kids are hooked!)

It's good to be home, though. We rode up in two cars, 10 people strong. It was correctly stated at one point that "you can't ever make 10 people happy." That was maybe even the motto after day two.

Maybe the best part of the trip was also one of the simplest: me and my family, Jessica and her family, and a mini-football. We walked about six blocks of Wheatfield, pointing out to the kids where Grandma Iris used to live, where Jessica and mom and dad used to live before I was born, where the haunted house was. The weather was nice, maybe 60 degrees. Me, Mark and Jett kept throwing the ball around while we walked.

Another great moment: Lary and Mary, Dave and Ginger, Mom, Keith, Mike and Marilyn, all sitting at a table together, chatting. I told Adro that that group probably hasn't all sat together at once in over 15 years. It was nice of everyone to come out and visit with us, and it was definitely nice of Mike and Marilyn to let us do it all at their house.

I've got photos of all of this, but I'll have to post them later, as the camera is currently more than 10 steps away, and it's late. Included here is a photo of me and Bubba taken a few weeks ago, moments after we gave him a haircut on the back deck.

Thanksgiving plans!!!

Man, I'm PUMPED for this year's Thanksgiving! We're road tripping -- the whole family -- to my birthplace, Wheatfield, Ind.

And when I say the whole family, I mean THE WHOLE FAMILY. My family... my mom... my sister's family... my M-I-L... even my sister's dog might be making the trip! I might go buy a goldfish, JUST SO I CAN BRING HIM TO INDIANA WITH ME!!!

I need to go to bed now, but I wanted to mention how excited I am for Thanksgiving 2012.

***

In other news, Boydee now blows kisses.

Also, Evey likes to pick him up, yell "Horsey!" and then run around the living room shouting "Giddy up! Giddy up!!!"

Boydee loves it. It's equal parts terrifying and adorable. Like most of parenthood.

Spider-Chairs

Spider-chair, spider-chair... does whatever a spider-chair does!

This is a photo of Evey and Boydee sitting in there somewhat matching Spider-Man chairs. Boydee prefers Evey's big Spider-Man chair and she will share once in a while.

Super Friends

Check out Boydee... he's even in character, just like Batman -- BROODING!