Day at the Triathalon

Ben, Kate and Doug watching our buddies come in at the finish line

Kate climbing up the maze!
We spent the morning watching the Hy-vee kids triathalon down at Raccoon River park. It was alot of fun and we saw many friends that we were able to cheer for and catch up with. It really makes us excited for the thought that Kate and Ben may want to compete next summer - what fun! We had an awesome rest of the day bowling, dining outdoors and finishing off the evening with a game of baseball in the back yard! I thank God for awesome days like this together as a family!

Weekend in Pender

Happy Father's Day Papa Suhr!

We love you Dad!!!


My Grandma Breitbarth and baby Bourbyn Westerhold

We went back to Pender for a shower for Roger and Courtney last weekend. It worked out well that Doug was able to spend some time here with his Dad and family and we got to see Papa Suhr also. We all loved finally getting to meet Miss Bourbyn Westerhold. She is adorable - Kate was especially fond of her. We got home that afternoon and took Doug out for dinner and icecream after church for Father's Day. Even though we were a little late, we also celebrated with Papa Cairney this week with dinner in Norwalk. Doug, you are an amazing father, role model, mentor, husband, a friend - I love you and thank you for all that you do!

Thanks to all of you "Dad's" out there for all that you do too!

Shazam party

Ben practicing his tee off

I love ice cream!!!!

Kate scaling the wall

Daddy and Kate rounding turn 3.......

Shazam hosted an employee party for all of us out at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park. We had a great day! Many fun events filled our hours out there (putt-putt, go-carts, climbing walls, the driving range, bumper boats, and of course ice cream treats!) For some reason, I allowed myself to get onto a ride with our friend Jeff, his daughter Lydia, and Kate.......let's just say that I am maybe too old to be spinning in circles for an extended period of time - the ride was called "The Wizzer"....I am sure that you can imagine how I felt the rest of the afternoon! YUCK!!!

My birthday

Can you say "Dancing queens???"" Chris and I went out for a yummy dinner & martini's at Trostel's dish on Thursday night and then to Mamma Mia to celebrate my birthday. We had the best time!!!


Max Wilson, Kate and Ben at Pearson Park

Well, I turned 36 this week and had a wonderful birthday. Thanks to all of you for the birthday wishes and greetings - I really appreciated them! My day on Wednesday started with a "cheesecake" breakfast that included candles and singing from Doug and the kids - very sweet. I got a spa gift card to use from them and I am excited to schedule my massage! That afternoon, my friend Chris packed a wonderful picnic lunch for our kids, her and I to enjoy at a park here in West Des Moines. That was an awesome time! For those of you that don't know Chris, her and I were roomates in college, after college, and up until we got married. She only lives 2 blocks from me now, but with our kids going to different schools and the crazy things that come along with raising a family and working......we feel like we hardly see each other at times. So this was another wonderful gift - to get to spend the afternoon together. Thanks Chris - I love you!

Then Wednesday evening, my mother-in-law Celie made a delicious dinner & dessert for all of us and we spent the evening at the Indianola baseball fields watching Jack and Joe playball! Thank you for the meal, flowers, and all of your kindness.

What a great birthday! Thank you again everyone! And to my Mom and Dad, I want to say thank you.....without you guys, I wouldn't even have this day to celebrate! Love you both-- XOXOXOXOX

swimming lessons

Miss Kate, taking a breather


kate practicing her dives with her teacher Luke

keep kicking Kate!! great job!

swimming lessons

Here's Ben jumping off the board to his teacher "Kate" and Mr. Noodle


Ben practicing his back float

Ben getting warmed up with his buddies

Kate and Ben both completed swimming lessons this week. They were for 2 weeks and have had a great time. Now we need to keep practicing all of the fun new things that they have learned!

Brian and David's wedding

Kate, Anibal Velarde & Ben - can you say "cheese"
I just love this photo!


The Fett family with Brian and David

My sis Wendi and Jon

My Aunt Sharolyn and I

Last weekend we had a wedding in our family here in DesMoines. My cousin Brian married David Jones. He has been in our family for over a decade, but now it is official! I am very excited for both of them and their boys caden and elijah. It was a fabulous evening. The reception was held at Jasper winery, the wine and food were superb - definitely a place I need to visit again! We love you guys and thanks again for hosting such a fun evening. Doug was unable to be there with us that day. He had a great day playing golf with his brothers in the Shelby Co. JDRF golf tournament. Those four guys need to get together more often.

Last Day of school

Ben - playing around in the back yard


Kate - climbing tree's - very scary!

Today was Kate's last day of first grade - I cannot believe it! Where did the time go??? She is very excited to start second grade already - it's hilarious.......the amount of paperwork and handouts that she brought home from school is crazy. She said "Mrs. Boik gave us all of these so that we could work on them all summer long!" (-:
Kate and Ben have been busy with swimming lessons this week and are looking forward to Papa and Nanny Suhr coming to visit this weekend.
Aunt Wendi was here visiting last weekend and we all loved having her here! Thanks for coming to visit us Wendi, sorry that we did not take any photos of you ... (-:

Memorial Day

We headed over to Grand Island for a long weekend with the Stoltenberg's over Memorial Day weekend. The kids had a great time. Ben especially was caught giggling numerous times, usually at his cousin Jonny (-: The weather was perfect, which allowed us to play outside alot with water fights, baseball & basketball games and going for walks. When they were on a break indoors, Kate and Ben loved playing Wii with Wil and Jon. Nicki, David, Doug and I just enjoyed some adult time together - thanks for all of the hospitality you guys - we love you!!