Happy Birthday Brayden!

Brayden is 3 years old today! I can't believe how quickly time has gone and how much he has blessed and enriched our lives. He is a precious Child of God and I am so honored to be his mom.

For his birthday festivities we decided to take the boys on a mini-vacation over the weekend to celebrate Brayden. When we got to the hotel Jett got on the bed and jumped up and down and shouting, "We're on vacation!"...over and over again. Pretty sure the neighbors had bad luck getting a room next to ours. For the first 45 minutes (no exaggeration) the boys jumped back and forth between beds...and had a blast! There is just this deep happiness as a parent to see your children joyful and having a good time.

We got some sweet "air" pictures. Brayden just barley made his landing on the bed for every jump, but no bruised knees were going to ruin his fun!

Jett was Air-Jordan and liked to show off all his moves.

That night we took the boys to Chuck E' Cheeses and invited Darcy and the girls to join (Darin was invited too, but he was out of town). Papa Denny, Grandma Susie and our dear friend Ginger also came for the evening...OF MADNESS. I'm pretty sure every kid in Mishawaka was there...and running. Two hours later we emerged - tired, cranky, full of indigestion and with four lousy suckers that 160 tickets won:) However our evening didn't stop there. Darcy and the girls joined us back at our hotel for some swimming. Brayden loved the water and it was so wonderful seeing him have so much fun. Jett opted for the hot-tub...none of us with blue lips blamed him and joined him after we finally got the little ones out of the pool.

On Sunday night we had Brayden's birthday party. I had so much fun getting everything together. I planned a Mickey Mouse party theme. I made him a Mickey Mouse cake, got balloons, made a banner and had Playhouse Disney games for the kids. Brayden had a great time and enjoyed playing with his little buddies and loved his gifts. Thanks everybody!


~ALL ABOUT BRAYDEN AT AGE 3~

* He knows no stranger. He is so friendly and loves to say HI.

* LOVES to play on the puter (translated...computer).

* He can count to 20...and could go further, but refuses.

* He is a back seat driver. He will tell us if we are going to fast. My favorite is when he sees a red light - he SCREAMS, Stop! - even if we are half a mile away.

* He loves to wrestle with daddy - and when he is not around he would chose Uncle Darin, Uncle Lee and Aunt Becca any day.

* Weighs 36 lbs. and is about 39 inches tall.

* His favorite color is orange.

* Loves Mickey Mouse.

* Is addicted to his passy and blanket.

* Loves to swim.

* He is very polite. When people leave he usually says, "Thanks for coming to my house."

* He is very affectionate and loves to give hugs.

* Knows all his colors.

* Knows his ABC's and can almost point out all the letters individually mixed up.

* He loves playing games.

* Loves going to Mottts and Church.

* He has an incredible laugh. It's infectious!

* He loves playing with trains, tractors, trucks, cooking, and puzzles.

* Adores his big brother Jett

* He loves "peter sanmiches" (translated - peanut butter sandwiches), cheerios, oatmeal, apple juice, pop, mac and cheese with hot dogs, pickles, gumballs, ice cream, chicken nuggets, green beans, fish crackers and tractor treats.

* He loves mommy laying with him in his bed at night...I love it too! Every night I lay down with him and he puts his arm around my neck and tells me to stay "lots of minutes".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAYDEN!