Mud Everywhere!

Last week all seven of us went to the grocery store. It was a long trip - mostly because we were out of pretty much everything and also because it always takes longer when we all go. However, even though it was a long morning at a crowded store they were so well behaved. When we got home from the store we started putting all the groceries away and the kiddos asked if they could play in the backyard. It had slipped my mind that it had rained the day before and we had puddles in the backyard... once we realized it we couldn't say no after seeing their excitement over all the puddles.It was a huge mess with mud everywhere (I don't think their bath will ever be the same) but it really was a joy to see them all playing and enjoying the mud and each others company.

 Here is an overload of pictures from our mud adventures... 

Grae discovering the first puddle

the three little ones just sticking their fingers in

not too messy yet

Conrad learning how deep the puddle was

Grae thinking its pretty cool

this is her face for when something is yucky - a lime she put in the mud then pulled out

and this is her face after eating the yucky lime! lol.

messy girl

trying to help wipe the mud off her face

pink and brown do look good together

I can just hear her saying, "But Mom, I'm not done with the mud"

Conrad was a happy boy

playing with toys in the mud

Bubba's dirty hands

Grae climbing in for a mud bath

loving it

found a yucky truck in the mud

Shortie's feet

happy girl

she thought she was pretty funny

stage two of naked girl - this time its bath time

the aftermath by the door for dirty feet and clothes

Shortie was making mud pies in their kitchen

Grae's car - she crashed in the fire pit and ran

the pretty blue jay that joined our afternoon 

Little Sister

sisterly love

silly girls

Grae wasn't so sure about shoes - she's a Schroeder afterall

Zekie wanted to take Grae for a walk  - such a good brother

Bunk Beds

For about a year now the three big kiddos have been asking for bunk beds, I think Zekie has just gone along with the two older ones without really knowing what he was asking for. However, we told them we would consider once we moved. 

So once we moved we were on the hunt for some good bunk beds. Most are short and not very stable (well unless you want to spend a couple grand for each). We found these ones and loved how tall they were, the kids can sit straight up in the bottom bunk and not hit their heads... they are great! Plus we loved the ladder not being attached on the bottom bunk so it makes it easy to make the bottom bed and it looks pretty awesome too. It was a workout to put them together (our electric screw driver needs a new battery so it would only charge a tiny amount and then die). There were 26 wood screws on each frame (that would be 156 total) that took some muscle, and then the ladders were the hardest part to put together... my arms were sore by the end but the kids were so excited that it made it totally worth it!

15 boxes! yikes that's a project!

Zekie showing me how to put it together

first bed finished!

I see you

putting the beds together pooped him out. asleep on the stairs again

Daddy Time

next generation to take over the family business (like our lack of tv stand... we are still looking for one we really like after not moving our old one)

boys helping make masa for our tamales. Love my huge mixer - all of that masa  would not fit in our kitchen aid. thankful to have both!

some of my pretty flowers that Jon surprised me with

One of my favorite times of the day is when Jon gets home. Regardless of what kind of day we've had, waiting for daddy to get home and then when his car finally pulls up - the reaction of the kids and Jon always melts my heart. We all go to the front porch and wait for Jon. Looking, waiting, and hoping for him to be home. When his car turns down our block all the kids freeze, wait for his car to pull up to a stop, wait for it to turn off (its our rule) and then they run to his door bursting with excitement. 

There is no down time for Jon. Some Dads (and Moms) get home and need their down time before going into full Daddy mode. Not Jon. That's one of the many things I love so much about him. He jumps right into the "Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad" mode. Everyone has a story to tell him. There are ouchies to be shown, coloring pages to display... so many things for Daddy to take in all at once, and he does it wonderfully. It really does melt my heart!

on the look out for Daddy

she realized I was taking pictures and came over and said "cheeeeese" 

she is so not camera shy

Shortie showing me how strong she is

and he's home - RUN

so blessed!

love it!

peanut butter cake face!

nose scrunch

me and my baby

fun days

so lots of post to come with lots of pictures. I've fallen off the blogging bandwagon so tonight I'm updating with a bunch of pictures from the past few weeks. 

morning cuddles with precious Grae

super hero Zekie

all five kiddos in one picture! having fun in the yard

handsome Mocha Dog, and love Conrad's face. They were watching the top of a huge trash truck go down the alley

Conrad slurping up his avocado pasta

banana thief

Conrad fell asleep on the stairs

Bubba fell asleep on the floor

and Zekie fell asleep on the floor --- why did we just buy new bunkbeds? they all like the floor

bedhead - last time in the port-a-crib before the big bunkbed - we already moved out her real crib

happy girl. I love that as soon as she sees us walking in her room she says "Hi" all excited