Boating

On Wednesday, Chris' friend Russ took us out on his boat. We had been waiting on a day all summer to go that would fit our schedules and of course we choose the day that it rained all day! As soon as we hit the lake it started raining. We waited a bit and then it stopped for about 30 minutes. In the 30 minutes I got a few pictures before it started pouring again! It was kind of hilarious because we were on the water where you are supposed to be wet anyways, but this was major rain. It was a very wet day but we had fun anyways. Braden loved when Russ went fast and just giggled and giggled! This just confirms we need our own boat. :) We have acually been boat shopping a bit so if anyone knows of a good deal or sees one, let me know.

Fishing

Tonight was the perfect night for a little fishing. We go to this little pond around the corner from our house and it's a great little spot for catching one fish after another. I mean literally every time you drop your line in the water a fish takes the bait. They are not huge fish, but the perfect kind of fishing for the attention span of a 2 year old....well and me too. :)



That's at least an 8 pounder, right?

Zoo Trip

On Friday Chris got to go to the zoo with us for the first time this summer. Braden was excited that Daddy was going and was super excited to find out some of his friends were at the zoo too! We ran into so many families we knew Friday it was cracking me up! I think everyone decided to go to the zoo on this day.

We always have to take a carousel ride

We ran into Sarah and Tyler around the hippo area. I think at this point Braden was eating his 5th snack of the day so I got some cute ones of Chris and Tyler with the hippo instead.

Chis has a new friend

Water park fun with Tyler

Taking a little break...Do you think Braden needs sunglasses?

Playdate in Indy

On Wednesday, Braden and I met our friends Ella and Jackson in Indy for a playdate. Michelle and Anne are my friends from college so we try and get the kiddos together a couple times a year since Anne is in Valpo and Michelle is in Indy. It's amazing how much they've all grown every time we get together. They are starting to seem like the same age now compared to our past visits. Thanks girls! I had so much fun seeing you! :)

July 2009-Jackson, Ella, & Braden

July 2008

January 2008

Henry's Ark

Today Chris and I took Braden to Henry's Ark in Prospect, KY. I had heard about this place a few times this summer and then saw that Tina took the girls so thought we'd check it out. It was definitely one of those places that Braden absolutely loved and I could tolerate it for a bit but wanted to bathe Braden in the most powerful disinfectant soaps the whole time we were there! There are several animals that just roam free when you pull in. We had donkeys, emus, goats, ducks, peacocks and geese all around us and following us for some yummy carrots throughout our visit. We also got to see zebras, llamas, more goats, deer, water buffalo and a few others that were in cages (thankfully). Braden thought this was the greatest place on earth and loved feeding all of them. He wasn't timid at all and loved offering them carrots and talking to them. The best part is this place is free! There are donation boxes, but other than that, you just need a bag of carrots and a tolerable nose and you are in good shape to be on a mini African safari. :)

We met the llamas first

These Emu birds would just follow you around and hang out

We all loved watching the zebras munch on the carrots

These donkeys were cracking Braden up!

It's not everyday you see your 2 year old and husband walking between a donkey and an Emu!

A new baby cousin!

My little brother John and his wife Heidi had their 2nd daughter yesterday morning. We got to drive up this morning and go see them in the hospital before they were released. They named her Ellie Mae and she weighed 8 lbs. 5oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long. She is a little snuggle bug and looks to me a lot like big sister Aleah! I can't believe we will have one of these in less than 9 weeks...of course ours will be bigger and wearing blue...but something like this. :)

This was what Braden did during much of the visit which was fine with me! I was just happy he wasn't pushing every button in the room.

Hi sweet girl!

We finally got Braden to "pet" her but that was about it...no kisses from him

I now have 10 nieces and nephews. I am a lucky aunt!

Braden loves his Uncle John

The new parents-Of course you can't even tell Heidi had a baby. :) Congratulations John and Heidi! We can't wait to come play with the girls soon.

Bats Game

Last night was the perfect night to go to a Bats game! I couldn't ask for better weather right now being 31 weeks pregnant! I'm loving it! This was our first game this summer and we had a good time. Between the yummy snacks, the carousel, the playground, and the game, there is plenty of entertainment for Braden. :) As an added bonus, when we were walking to our car after the game we saw a firetruck at the stop sign. Braden was clearly fascinated so the men all waved to him and honked the horn. Then we got around the corner and it was parked near our car. The firefighters saw Braden coming so invited him over to see the truck and even let him sit in it. Since he's obsessed with the movie Cars, he thought the firetruck was "Red" and couldn't get over it all night long. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture but it was the highlight of the evening for Braden.

Don't you love a 2 year old's smile when you say cheese

Sitting back, wearing my shades, and enjoying a few snacks.

Dropping off Kosair's donations

Today we took Braden over to Kosair's to drop off all of the donations from the party. We kept telling him they were "toys for the kids at the Doctor's." I'm sure he wondered where the kids were since we had to drop them off in the lobby, but he still seemed excited to hand them over to the nice ladies. The Kosair's workers were SO happy and appreciative of all of the goodies so thank you again to all of you that contributed!! I think we are teaching our little ones a very valuable lesson. :)

Braden had fun loading the boxes for the Kosair's workers.

I think I said "gentle" 100 times! Can you tell my words were working? Ha!

Thanks again to everyone that contributed! We had so many goodies and I know we will be bringing smiles to little boys and girls very soon!! Feel free to forward this to anyone that was at the party or donated that you think I may have left out on email. Thanks!

More Farm Time

Tonight we went out to Chris' aunt and uncle's house so Braden could play with the animals and ride the tractor. He got to ride Bud's tractor a few weeks ago and hasn't stopped talking about it since. It's definitely the kind of place little boys love with goats, horses, dogs, kittens, and big machinery. :)

Helping Great Uncle Bud feed the goats

Chris stores his 4 wheeler out at their house so we all took it for a spin. Braden thought this was pretty lame compared to the huge tractor.

Braden's Toddler Party

Yesterday was our first "Braden's Buddies" party. Of course I guess I am going to have to change the name for next year's party to include the baby. :) Anyways, it ended up being a perfect day (no thanks to the weather channels that had me worried all day). We had a huge turnout and it seemed that all of the little ones had fun in the bouncers and on the water slide. Thanks to everyone that could make it and for all of your generous donations! We collected donations for Kosair's "ouchie boxes" which were little prizes for children that have surgeries or procedures in the hospital. I'll post some more pictures of Braden delivering the goods when we go later this week.

The set-up: We managed to squeeze in 2 bouncers, a water slide, playground, 2 toddler pools, water table, and a sandbox. :)

Tyler trying out the water slide

Seth and Jackson going down

Braden bounced off and on from 9 AM until 8:00 last night! He loved it!

Seth, Jackson, and Carson playing at the sand table

Gavin and Braden going for a ride on the glider

Carson, Emma, Kayleigh, & Seth taking a dip

Gavin, Sam, and CHRIS jumping-We had several adults jump, but I sat that part out.

Jackson, Tyler, and Kayleigh eating some snacks

Janelle got in on the action with Jackson and Braden

Jayla enjoying the water

Callie and Xavier playing in the water table

Look at those donations!!!! It was hard to get all of it in a picture. :) I can't wait to deliver our fun stuff to Kosair's. Thanks to everyone. Also, I took over 100 pictures from the party (didn't think you wanted to see all of those-ha!) so I'll try to send those out to everyone that attended so you can browse through and see your kiddos.