Pumpkin Carving

Lots of pumpkins and spooky lanterns

Braden's talking for the camera...he's not shy! Then he "sings" using his hand which Grandma Wilmes tought him awhile ago.

Learning to Eat with a Spoon

Braden is learing to eat with a spoon. It is 50/50 as to how much goes in his mouth vs. on his body! Thank goodness for bathtime!

Smart Little Boy

Braden loves his toys and has gotten quite good at putting the rings on the cone (even if Dad puts them in order)!

A story for all my fans

Braden loves to talk so we caught him on tape!

Learning to walk

We love to watch Braden learn to walk.
He is so proud when he takes a few steps.
Aaron and I have him walk back and forth between us.
It has become a nightly event!

"Crash and Laugh"

"8 steps and counting!"

Deanna Rose Farmstead

The Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead

We had a great time taking Braden to the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead. Braden had so much fun and will have even more fun when he is older and can walk/run around. We saw a bald eagle, bobcats, a hawk, goats, chickens, cows, sheep and many other farm animals. Braden was not scared at all and got right in there with the goats and sheep. Must be because of his dog Riley. It was a gorgeous day and an a nice family outting. I'm anxious to go back!

Braden's 1st Birthday Party at Daycare

Thanks Mary Beth and Grandma Karin for a great birthday party at daycare! Mom made some "hostess" cupcakes to share with all of Braden's friends.

Braden's 1st Birthday Party

Braden's 1st Birthday party (video's are in three chapters)

FAMILY

All of our family came to celebrate Braden's 1st Birthday! Grandma and Grandpa Gens came all the way from Ohio and Uncle Robert surprised us and came up Saturday night from South Carolina! Hurricane Hannah didn't stop him! It was great seeing everyone and Braden LOVED the attention that he received! THANKS everyone for coming!

OPENING GIFTS

WOW! Everyone was so generous! Braden has so many fun things to play with. He really got into opening the gifts and never wanted to open the next present as he wanted to play with the one he just got. Dad had to sneak them into his new toy chest while Mom distracted him with another gift to open. Braden loved all of his toys and has really enjoyed them! THANKS for your thoughtfulness!

CHOCOLATE CAKE

Yummy! Braden waited a whole year to experience chocolate cake and he loved it. We tried a little bit of ice-cream too but that was too cold and he spit it out. No hesitation on his part...he dug right in and shoveled it in. At times he even used both hands to keep it coming! Uncle Robert summed it up nicely saying that he was definitely mom's son...."he was messy but neat". While getting it all over his high chair and face, he did not fling it on the walls, floor or rub it in his hair. Thanks Braden....you are mommy's little boy! THANKS for all the laughs!

Birthday Cake

Birthday cake - mom and dad were so excited about this cake because it was just like their wedding cake. Chocolate cake with raspberry filling.

Isn't it cute....just like my invitations and partyware. Mom likes to coordinate!

Braden's One Year Photos

A slideshow of the photos from Braden at one year old! He was not camera shy and had fun. They turned out great with too many to choose from!

Peek-A-Boo

I see Braden!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

We had fun celebrating Daddy's birthday on August 22nd. Grandma and Grandpa Wilmes, Uncle Mark, Aunt Angela and my cousins Kylee and Hunter all came over. It was fun!

Swimming at Grandma and Grandpa Wilmes' pool. It was a beautiful evening and a lot of fun.

We all went to the park near Grandma and Grandpa's house. Boy was it neat. There was a water station for Braden to play in, swings and slides. I'm sure we will be back many times to visit the park again!

Braden and Mom visited Grandma and Grandpa Gens at the end of July (24th - 27th). We were able to meet some of Grandma's friends, went shopping, saw hot air balloons and best of all, Braden was able to see Grandpa's big fish! We also celebrated Grandma's birthday which was special. It was a fun weekend that went by fast!

Braden had fun eating his cookie. He has really begun to learn how to chew or at least gum things up until they are a complete mess and all over his hands, face and high chair. It is fun to watch him chomp away....the clean up is another story!

Splish Splash!

Braden's first time to the Lawrence swimming pool was a success! He LOVED it!
He was a little apprehensive when we got there as you can see in the video. Once he found his green duck he was OK. He then began to get daring and went after his duck which mysteriously found its way out of reach (was that mom's doing?). After that the water was fun and he began to splash, crawl and explore. I even swung him around on his back and got quite a few giggles....sorry no shot of that as I needed both hands. We had a blast and will definitely be going back!

Braden and his train

Braden loves to stand and "walk" across the fireplace ledge. Every chance he gets he pulls himself up on something. Here he is showing off on Sunday July 6, 2008.