Winnipeg Rye

Ever since I discovered that the 'Winnipeg' Rye bread my Grandma buys is sold at Co-op in Calgary, my whole family has been addicted. So, when it goes on sale...I stock up. That is what deep freezers are for!

Here is my latest stockpile (with a few Weight Watchers loafs thrown in for good measure, of course).

Most people buy 12 loafs of bread at once, right?

Magnificent Manitoba

Us Warenkos all descend from Manitoba. Specifically, Winnipeg Manitoba. As a child, my parents would make the trek twice a year. Once in the summer and once at Christmas. Driving to Winnipeg was just a part of life.

When I married Warren he told me he had a 'reverse bucket list'. Things he NEVER wanted to do before he died. First on the list: Drive to Winnipeg. So, when Rhys was 11 months old we flew. He was still free. It was glorious. We were there SO FAST compared to the 14 hour drive. I wondered to myself "why in God's name would anyone travel to Winnipeg any other way?".

Then along came Kyle, and Rhys was no longer free. The sticker shock changed Warren's tune pretty fast. So, our new family of four decided we would drive to Winnipeg so our family could see Rhys again, and meet Kyle.

For me, the most important thing I wanted to accomplish, aside from all the visiting, gazebo sitting, perogy eating, vodka slush drinking, and lake living, was to get the traditional picture of the boys with their Great Grandparents. All the grand kids have these pics, and I love that we get to carry on the tradition with our own kids. Same house. Same place. Same chair. How many kids are lucky enough to have Great Grandparents as young and wonderful as our two boys do? Not many, that's for sure.

Rhys grabbed the camera and took this pic.

Warren posted this on Facebook with the caption "With the Weather Channel and Great Grampas, who needs cribs?

Rhys and his cousin Alyssa, who he adores.

Action shot!

On the steam train at Assiniboine Park

At the cabin with his two cousins (meeting them for the first time),  Mason and Logan.

Holding my (big) little man.

Why do boys like to kick?

Again with the kicking.

Uncle Garnie...sorry, but the fedora looks WAY better on Rhys.

Love this kid! On the beach in Lac Du Bonnet.

About to go boating.

"Don't worry Kyle. You're safe because I've got a death grip on your crotch!

Cousin Erik, and Auntie Joanne.

Too much excitement for this babe.

I'm on a boat!

You people take way too long to pack.

Mason and Kyle

Morning hair out on the deck.

Manitoba Dreamin'

Warren is in the middle of 'his' 2 week holiday. When I try to correct him and say 'it's OUR holiday', he replies with "No, YOU'VE been on holiday for the past 11 months!". Sheesh. (But it's kinda true...).

Rhys' Great Grandpa lives in Winnipeg Manitoba and since he doesn't travel we knew if we wanted Rhys to meet him we'd be makin' the trip soon. They'll be many more trips to The Peg, but we wanted to make sure they met while Rhys was still 'a baby'.

Almost packed the baby in the luggage:

And since you all know I loves me my comparison photos...

Me and MY Great Grandpa (my Grandma's Dad), probably around Easter in 1980:

Rhys and HIS Great Grandpa, June 2010:

Me and my Grandma:

Rhys and his Great Grandma (My Grandma who hasn't aged one bit!):

I LOVE this next photo of Rhys at the bottom of the stairs. That staircase at my Grandma & Grandpa's brings back so many memories for me:

While we were visiting, it RAINED. A LOT. But we still managed to have breakfast at 'Sal's On The Bridge' by The Forks. Rhys was loving the rain:

(The construction in the background is the new 'Human Rights Museum' being built in Winnipeg).

We also had a perogy feast, drinks in the gazebo, taught my Grandparents how to play Texas Hold 'Em, enjoyed a Father's Day pancake breakfast at the Senior's Center, and my Grandma watched Rhys while we checked out The Old House Revival Company (thanks for the tip Nicole!).

On our last full day, the sun came out and we went to my Aunt & Uncle's cabin by the lake. Rhys got to sit in the wet sand for the first time and squish it in his fingers. He screamed when it was time to take him away:

My cousin Kristy & I, her daughter and my Aunt & Uncle and Rhys:

Arrived back home mid-afternoon on Father's Day, so a quick family nap, then off to a BBQ with Warren's side of the family:

Rhys' cousin Bridget LUVS holding him:

Warren with his Mum & Dad (Rhys' Nana & GranDan):

Yesterday we were having the carpets professionally cleaned, so we drove up to Kananaskis for a picnic by the water:

Blackberries & watermelon are M-E-S-S-Y! :