Braden's First B-Day Party

We had Braden's 1st birthday party yesterday!!!  Thanks to all who came to enjoy the fun.  I never thought we could have fit that many  people into our house.  Braden received lots of new toys and new clothes (I think we need to add on). 

The first year has gone by way to fast.  It is amazing to look back at his pictures to see how he has developed.  We went from just a little itty bitty boy to a little guy who already runs around the house after the dog.  It is crazy to think how fast this past year went, but we treasure those little moments that are soo precious. 

We put a "smash" cake in front of B yesterday and he really did not want anything to do with it.  He liked all the camera flashes going off like he was a movie star.  I then put his hand in it and he thought about it long and hard before his other hand entered to just squish the cake in his fingers.  He still did not want to eat it.  Finally Grandpa Ed put some in his mouth and that was it...he fell in love with chocolate cake and buttercream frosting!!! (Moms Favorite)  It was immediate bath after the cake. 

Braden has lots of cousins and uncles he was able to enjoy playing on the swing, the sand box, and the slide with all of them.  He will have many to look up to as he grows.  We could not have asked for a better day to enjoy with family.  Once again, thank you for being such a special part of our lives.

Love
Jeff, Abby, and Braden

Start your journey to end Breast Cancer

Please Join Me in my quest "Making Strides Toward A World With More Birthdays" and the American Cancer Society.

If you would like to join my team or donate please visit the site below.

Thank you!


http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/MakingStridesAgainstBreastCancer/MSABCFY11GreatLakes?team_id=763787&pg=team&fr_id=28067

Handmade Puzzles

I just went to this ladies website and pretty much fell in love with her puzzles!  These are all handmade puzzles painted with non-toxic paint and finish.  They are all wooden and very child friendly, some are even educational!  I encourage you all to check this out!

We are Walking

Over the past week out little "B" has learned the art of walking.  It was so amazing to see the begining of last week he was pulling himself up and walking around the furniture.  He  then would take 2 or 3 steps a few days later (he is very motivated with food).  By Friday he was walking 6 or 7 steps.  Then yesterday my mother calls (she had not seen him wlak yet) and says he walked 11 steps from his room down the hall.  Over the holiday weekend Braden and mom traveled to Eagle Lake to see the fireworks with Grandma Francee and Grandpa Rick.  They were displayed in the middle of the lake on a barge, Braden really did not watch a whole lot of the fireworks he was more interested in the little kids on the boat next to us oooing and ahhing.  We then spent Saturday on Cedar Lake at Keith's lake house; Chase, Jamie, and Lil were there for the festivities.  Braden and Lil played more in the bed of rocks then anywhere else.  There was the water, toys, and other little kids, but those rocks were the most interesting thing.  Saturday evening mom, dad, and Braden traveled to Papa Denny and Nana Debbie's Lake (Clear Lake).  Braden went for a boat ride around the lake and enjoyed walking up and down the length of the boat.  Sunday was a blast.  The Aunts and Uncles came with the cousins and we played in the water all day.  Braden really did like the water, but the sand was his favorite.  He sat in the sand and played with a truck and shovel, while watching all the kids and dogs run and play.  We watched the fireworks that night and spent the night.  Monday mom and dad did not have to work, so we woke up and Papa Denny made a wonderful breakfast.  We went home and spent the rest of the evening relaxing and then watched Avatar (what an awsome movie).  We had a wonderful weekend with family and friends and Braden has succeeded with walking, but we still have no teeth!

Parents Photo Faves

Please vote for Braden again this week!! Vote once daily until 6/20/2010!

Parents Photo Faves

Parents Photo Faves

Braden has made it to another week of voting. Please follow this link and vote daily until 6/20/2010. Thanks!
Parents Photo Faves

Starke Co. Relay For Life

Tonight starts Starke Counties Relay For Life events.  It is going to be soo much fun.  A bit of rain and some hot muggy weather, but nothing we can not have fun in!  I will let you all know how the night goes!

Shaklee Independent Distributor

Please visit my website for a healthier, cleaner, and safer home!
Love the Fosters
Shaklee

First Ride

 I entered Braden in the Parenting Magazine Cover Contest.  Please go to this link to vote for his cuteness. 
http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/photo/314726 voting ends 6/13/2010, but you can vote every day!

This is the photo out of six they chose.

Summer Fun

Braden Summer Time Fun

I love taking pictures of little body parts.  I plan to put this in black and white.  Braden loves to be on the horse with dad and really loves to be outside.

Braden's Day at the Farm

Braden spent yesterday with my mom and family.  They were at Aunt Nene's cleaning up for a friends graduation party.  I have been told Braden was really good....I have no idea what they let him do.  When I went to Hamlet to pick him up last night, he was no where to be found.  My little brother, Dalton, had a baseball game and my sister, Alysha, was helping in concession.  So, Braden was helping in concession as well.  Alysha finally brought him over to see me and he was a dirty little pig.  It looked like he had been playing in the mud.  He was so cute!  He was styling a white onezie and his Nortre Dame sport shorts.  Oh, Dalton hit a homerun during his game, it was great, and he was a happy little fellow.  I think he will my little farm boy.

Dog Sitting

So, back to the dogs.  I intended on posting something daily about our adventures, but to tell you the truth they have been pretty boring.  They slept with us every night, they laid around during the day, and well that is it.  They do however love to be out side.  Nutmeg is a bird chasing fool, she would sit in the middle of the lawn just waitng and then all of a sudden she was off like a bolt of lighting.  Nutmeg could run from sun up to sun down and not be tired.  She is the enegizer doggie.  Ginger just sniffed around and would lay in the sun.  They really have been great for us, oh they love to chew on the horses hoofs after they have been trimmed off...that was gross.  Well, dad comes home today and I am sure they will go home tomorrow.  It will be nice to have a bit more room in the bed, they do not move for anything.  I think Braden will miss having them around, he would pull their ears, share his food, and crawl after whatever toy they might have.  But, rest assured he will visit grandma and grandpa to play with the girls.

Dog Sitting

So, last night started the week of dog sitting for my dad.  He has a Puggle (Ginger) and a Daschund (Nutmeg).  A few things about these two.  At  home they do not sleep in bed with anyone, they are not allowed on the couches, they are not allowed in the kitchen. 

Night One:
Well, we have had them for a night and lets see...Jeff and I slept with Ginger, Nutmeg, and Jez (our lab).  To say the least it was a crowded queen size bed.  But, before we went to bed at 11 or so, I could not find Ginger.  Nutmeg was in Ginger's cage, I looked under blankets, on furniture, under the pool table, could not find her.  I finally went to the bedrooms.  She was not in Braden's room or the office.  The last place to look our bedroom, where I flipped on the light and who was laying in the middle of the bed....Ginger!  Yeah the dog was found, since she would not come while I was calling her name when looking for her (I guess she was to comfortable). 

So, we get ready for bed, Ginger all ready there, Jez jumps up to join, and Nutmeg running around the bed like crazy, because the bed is to tall and she can not jump up.  I grab her and the dogs and I go to bed.  A bit later Jeff comes in...there lay all there dogs and his wife.  There really was not room for him, but he managed to push his way in, that is after he took a picture to send to dad!  I am sure I will have more stories to tell with the days to come!

Follow up to Shaklee Party

Friday night turned out to be a great time of laughing, eating, and chating!  I think everyone was out of our house around 10:30.  It was great!  Thank you to all who attended.  If you were not able to please visit http://www.abbyfoster.myshaklee.com/ if you would like further information.  It was amazing getting to see my old co-workers and their little ones.  I finally got to see Emilie run around with the other kids, Makaila was running around playing, I think Braden just sat and watched all the chaos.  Those are the best times!

Shaklee

I am soo excited about having my first Shaklee show tonight. I have about 15-20 people that are attending (mostly family). If you are not familiar with Shaklee it is a company that has all natural products. I go interested in their cleaning products, because it is safer for Braden. They not only have cleaning products, but they have nutrition, vitamins, childrens, and beauty products. If you are one that wants to be green please visit http://abbyfoster.myshaklee.com/us/en/.