Luke's tricks.

Latest and funniest being running full-speed on the grass toward a huge Wal-Mart rubber ball, launching himself over the ball, and landing on his head.

No laugh, no smile, no wince from pain; he backs up, charges forth, and does it again.


Luke has also grown leaps and bounds in the Toothbrush Bravery department, now risking his very life to put Mom and Dad's electric toothbrush in his little mouth as it vibrates his head off.


Victory dance. Feelin' goooood.


"Uh, Dad? I think I have something on my face."


Everyone around Luke must conform to his ways. If he removes his shoes, he points to everyone else and insists that their shoes come off, too. Captain of Conformity Patrol. Fortunately, Luke has yet to ask us to wear his diapers, but that doesn't mean his stuffed animals don't have to sport them.


One of Luke's favorite things to do is to build towers. He has gotten up to 17 blocks high, all by himself. He is very patient, and doesn't even get frustrated when they fall. But as they get taller and taller, he gets beside himself with excitement, and shakes his arms, grins, squeals with delight, and does "Scaryman" with his little face.


Mom's towers are a little more sophisticated than Luke's. (And you should see Dad's!)


Richie's half-brother, Bill (Clive's second child of four from his first marriage), took a cruise recently from Vancouver to Mexico, and the ship docked in S.F. for a day. So we all hung out near the sea lions, San Francisco's finest (?) attraction.


Luke enjoyed staring at Bill's wife, Andrea, pining for her glasses. Andrea is the sweetest lady, and it was so precious to watch Bill treat her like a princess. Not one chair was pulled out by herself.


Forget towers, toothbrushes, sea lions, and Andrea's glasses; even more exciting is watching pictures of "Baby" on the computer. Luke is fascinated by the idea of Lilo and Tam's little Siena, and enjoys watching their blog videos daily. He watches the videos over and over again. Then asks for "MO!" Today he screamed his head off when he woke up from his nap (who knows why), but his foul mood was cured instantly with videos of Baby.


Captivated, watching his favorite (okay, only) cousin.


Our little mechanic ate his dinner with a screwdriver one night.


"WOW." (One of Luke's cutest words. He says it usually when he is really impressed with himself, like this morning's balancing keys on his head.) (He also likes to say, "DID IT!" very clearly, very loud, very proud.)


On Sunday, Bethany turned 28, so the family came over and brought her favorite food. Pizza. And her favorite little girl. Siena. Now that we are all healthy, Luke got to meet Siena for the first time. He is definitely processing the whole thing. Our little warrior was brave enough to touch her head! "WOW." "DID IT!"


Birthday night. A pretty awkward photo. Oh well. The best we had.


And the Birthday Girl with her Baby Hippo, fresh out of the tub and haaaaapy!


Finally, a few shots of Luke in "his" overalls as he romped around Orchard Park one evening. Look at that kissable face. And the dimple on the chin!


"Oooh! I can twiddle my bellybutton!"


Shirtless, barefoot, warm hands on nice big belly; ain't life grand.