Winter Trips to the Zoo

Parker and the parents in the zoo bus at the playground inside the zoo. Given the zoo's close proximity to our house, nice weather, my sister is a Zookeeper and the fact we have a yearly pass makes this destination a no-brainer for a weekend outing! Generally Parker and I go...but this weekend, Shawn joined us!

Here's Parker's attempt at hiding - no really, he thinks he's invisible as long as his face is hiding. Shawn and I always play along. Parker will do this several times too as if we didn't figure it out the first time where the kid was!

An additional 10-15 cm of snow

For all those folks that don't live in an area where you get snow....here is what an additional 10-15 cm of snow looks like. Here's a picture of us opening our back door. Shawn's leg is included for perspective! It was January 28 and we got a huge dumping of the white stuff. By this point, I had already shoveled more this winter than all last winter!

Here is the side of our house, back door on the left.

Our house before shoveling....

And after shoveling.

Parker and Shawn loved playing in it!

The snowbank was so tall, I was hard pressed to find Parker!

Child labour at its finest! Go Parker Go!

Shawn's Birthday and Surprise Revealed!

The Edinger's went for dinner to celebrate Shawn's 33rd birthday! Even though it was Shawn's birthday, we also used the occasion to let Shawn's side of the family know Parker was going to be a big brother. Shawn and I made a shirt for Parker that said on the front side "Guess What?" and on the back it said "I am going to be a big brother in July 2011". Trevor and Danielle figured it out instantly as soon as Parker whipped off his jacket...Shirley and Miles...took a bit longer...we had to draw the shirt to their attention! When we used the same shirt to let my parents know the next night, Tracy said "you know it's a boy!?!" We said - no, regardless what the baby is, Parker was going to be a big brother! Like Shawn always says, he can tell who I am related to! My Mom actually stopped Parker to read his shirt however she said "Hold on, I have to get my glasses!" Next time, we will have to use 35 point font on the shirt for the grandparents!

Tracy and I picked up this massive chocolate chip cookie from Fargo when I was there for a conference. I couldn't believe the cookie place actually drew the bronco head on the cookie! Shawn loved it...I didn't want to see another chocolate chip cookie for awhile after eating this thing! Ugh!

Parker's First Skate!

Shawn and I bought Parker bob skates...here is his very first skating experience at the Forks this winter...he only went for a few minutes...afterwards we went tobogganing!

Parker the Manitoba Moose Fan!

Shawn and I were shocked how much Parker loves Manitoba Moose games! Shawn and I have been to more Moose games this season than in the Moose's 15 year-career in Winnipeg! When Parker goes to the game, he has to have pizza...or has he calls it, Peepas! Notice, Parker Manitoba Moose shirt says, Edinger 1/2!

Auntie Joyce's Birthday at the Shanghai

After being in business for decades, the Winnipeg Chinese food restaurant landmark was closing their doors! So fitting that all the Parks' and the Oblinski's head there for Auntie Joyce's birthday! Apparently when Cristen and I were babies...we would throw rice in the air so it would stick on the ceiling at this place...where were our parents? Apparently not at the same table...maybe they were hiding under the table in embarrassment! So after taking a few family shots, I think I finally got everyone (except Shawn, Parker and I (we are in the picture below)) in the freakin' picture! So starting at the left front....Tracy, my Mom, my Dad, Cristen, Elisa, George, Vanessa, Richard, Darryl, Auntie Joyce and Uncle Walter. After a very yummy meal, we tried burning down the restaurant with sparklers on Auntie Joyce's birthday cake...you can see the before and after picture...we were all surprised we didn't set off the fire alarm somehow!

Christmas with the |Edingers!

Shawn, Parker and I went to Danielle's and Trevor's house for our third Christmas gift opening extravaganza! Everytime we head over to D&T house, Parker always has to play on the air hockey table...here he is with his Nana and Poppa!














Parker had fun opening his gifts in his Christmas stocking. He got a lot of chocolate! You can tell in the next few pictures because he has chocolate-coloured lips!









Danielle and Trevor, awe!














Parker racked up several Thomas the Train items...including not one, not two but THREE long-sleeved Thomas shirts from his Nana and Poppa! I could never find these shirts if my life depended on it, however Shirley and Miles had the golden shopping touch! He also got a few videos and Danielle and Trevor bought him a motorized Thomas the Train set! OMG! Parker was so excited! He drove that little engine all the time! Talk about blowing the parents gifts out of the water this Christmas! Thanks everyone! Parker is one lucky little boy!

Christmas in Victoria 2011 cont.