Brady: Up to no good!

One of Brady's new favorite places to be...in the toy bucket! I've decided (not that I didn't already know) but boys are just born climbers.....holy moly this ones an action seeker!

Brady figured out how to open the lazy susan....nope, no lock for those things. He mastered the oatmeal container and looky what we have here....a mess! Interestingly enough Brett was disgusted that he'd 'wasted' all that oatmeal....now what would he eat for breakfast! Little does he know the oatmeal he eats comes in a packet!

Surveying the damage..... and he most likely flashed me a toothy, crinkly nosed grin when he looked up. He's gonna be a stinker, I'm afraid.

We have a new obsession with being under things....tables, desks, chairs, blankets, the dog....whatever is available and willing. I couldn't help but laugh at him trying to get out of this predicament....lots of grunting and head bonking.....live and learn my love, live and learn. Mommy did finally pick up the chair for the save!

Grandpa Brian comes for a visit!

Grandpa and Brett's common ground.....ice cream!!!

Addison and Papa playing with the train.

Brett, Grandpa and Brady checking out the animals at Kinderfarm Preschool. We went early on the day Dad was there so Brett could show off his school. In this barn there are rabbits, goats, kittens, and Pearl the pig.

Here they are with the horses. Rex (the mini) and Rondo.

Two of the Kinderfarm Llamas.

Reagan, Grandpa Brian and Brett.

Dad had some time off work so he came to our house for a visit. Scott was out of town so it was great to have some extra hands. The kids had a great time with Papa!! Thanks for coming Dad!

Brady discovers a candy cane!

Brady hit the jackpot the other night when he found a candy cane within his reach. He thought it was just fun to play with and to put in his mouth, then he broke it and discovered that underneath that shiny wrapped was something special tasting....peppermint! He was quite impressed with himself for finding such a treasure....but kept pretty quiet so he wouldn't alarm any big people of his find thinking they might take it away! What a stinker.

Choo, choo!

Addison and Brady got a wooden train for Christmas from Scott's folks. Grandma's sister (Rhonda) and her husband (Bill) made the train. They have a wooden toy business. We also have a barn and some trucks that they've made and the kids love them.

Can we build it? Yes, we can!

Reagan and Brett with their finished tool boxes.

Reagan helping Dad put her box together.

Brett's turn!

The kids have taken a liking to working with tools and wood, something Scott and I both enjoyed as kids as well. This summer we got them some hammers and scrap wood to pound nails into which they enjoyed. Santa brought them a wood project, tool boxes, this year.....what a smart fella he is!!! The kids had fun assembling their new tool boxes. Santa also brought some screw drivers, and other tools for them to put in their boxes. Wonder what we'll build next???

Merry Schmitzmas!

Scott's Aunt Mary Jean and Uncle Maynard are some of the most giving folks we know. They always come up with a gift for the kids. This year it was a marble run. They were a huge hit! Brett took ours to preschool for sharing day and the kids and teachers all thought it was quite neat! Brett was so proud to show it off!

The Schmitz family, January 2010.

Schmitz cousin round up......cards, naturally.....I'm sure Scott's turning around to check on our kids as he sits there and plays a game......any bets on that?

An attempt at a photo of all of the grandchildren......when things go less than perfect we conclude that, "that's how they were."

Reagan, Reiley and Makenzi playing a board game together.

We had the Schmitz extended family edition of Christmas the first week of Jan. The family is growing so much that having it any closer to Christmas is nearly impossible with everyone's commitments to their own families and spouses families. Anywho, this year it was in Roland at the community center and it turned out nice. Nice nobody had to worry about getting their house ready or wonder where they were going to fit everyone!

New Year's with the Schmitz clan

Addison and Brady getting into Grandma Vicki's magazine stash!

Makenzi and Reagan with their sundae's.

Making sundaes.

Three babies wearing footy J's....too cute.

Brett and Bella's hiding spot.....behind the Christmas tree, next to a wobbly table and all of Grandma's pretties....yikes. They managed to get in and out without breaking anything!!!

Zhara eating some broccoli......I finally got a smiling pic of her....stink pot.

Elmer Phil chowing on duck parts.....nice to try it, but I personally wouldn't make it a regular menu item at our house.

Jeff and Brett on Jeff's snow mobile. Brett preferred riding with Jeff on this sled vs. driving the little one solo.