Winnipeg, Continued.

If you are checking this page for the first time in a while, you may want to scan below for yesterday's blog entry. That's our first set of pictures from Winnipegland. We'll be posting Canada pictures in spurts, since large chunks of time to complete a task are impossible to come by when you have a baby on your hands (or on your hip) (or on the floor eating dropped food) (or trapped under the kitchen chair) (or in the bathroom unraveling the toilet paper) (or lifting up the toilet lid and reaching inside)...


In Winnipeg, Luke loved playing with the "Explorer," the little car Richie got when he was one year old. It was neat to see Luke playing in the house where Richie grew up, in the same rooms and with the same toys, and even the same age at the same time of year, since they were born only one day apart.


Whee! Another little car, just his size. Usually he didn't ride this one, though; he pushed it down the hallway, practicing his "walking." After a while his legs would buckle and he'd fall to his knees. But that didn't stop him. He'd cruise along, pushing the car while zooming along "knee walking." He could walk on his knees with this toy at lightning speeds.


Something seems dangerous about combining a baby and a baseball bat.


Another toy Luke loved in Winnipeg was "The Bead Thing." This entertained him for a loooong time. Looks like it may have entertained Grampa, too.


Even more exciting, though, were the non-toys. Like wooden spoons.


And remotes.


And rocks.




And the telephone. (Notice he's standing up with no support... He started doing that a lot toward the end of our trip. Exciting for the parents, grandparents, and auntie. He didn't notice or care.)


Luke showed off his many tricks for Gramma. Tong tricks were a new skill acquired in Canada.


When the weather got cold in Winnipeg (it eventually did), Luke kept himself entertained indoors. Sometimes he'd look up at us like this when he knew he was doing something naughty.


He also required us to help keep him entertained by... Yep. Reading. We can now read all of his books with our eyes closed, as Richie demonstrates here. (Yes, we were TIRED.)


"Won't SOMEONE read 'Giggles with Daddy' to me again?"


Luke's not the only eager reader. Hailee joined in for an early-morning read of "Goodnight Moon."


Truly, Hailee was the sweetest thing, and provided great entertainment. When scanning through our pictures, we always laughed when it came to this one. What a change of pace: Luke, Luke, Luke, Luke, Flying Hailee, Luke, Luke, Luke...


Richie joins the flying fun.


"I'm gonna get you..."


You become like those you hang out with...


Luke definitely did his fair share of abusing poor Hailee during our stay in Winnipeg. He regularly pulled her ears, poked her toenails, squeezed his deathgrip on her skin to try to stand up, and yanked her tail.


Good thing she knew how to fight back. (Don't be alarmed. This is just a yawn.)


She may yawn instead of fight, but she took her guard-dog duties seriously, keeping a keen eye on the street for burglars (and squirrels).


Oh, DO you?


Not just Hailee herself, but Hailee's doggy toys were entertaining too. (Not to mention delicious. Luke and Hailee shared much slobber over the course of two weeks.)


Pals.