Girl's weekend

My dear sweet Becca! (my cousin)

Becky, Kay, Colleen and I at the game

Colleen, me, Tammy, Chris, Kay and Becky

This past weekend I had the extreme privilege of spending some quality time with some girlfriends from college, highschool and my cousin Becky. First of all, thanks to all of our husbands and families for helping out with our kiddo's so that we could make this trip happen! I cannot begin to tell you how much fun that we had. Tammy (in the Husker jersey) had never been to Lincoln for game day before and really did not even consider herself a HUSKER fan. But she is married to one and is currently pregnant with a baby husker fan I am sure of it! I do think that we converted her this weekend. She was such a trooper hanging in there all weekend & we love her for it! Even though the game did not go as we had hoped, we had such a great time! Some of us were cold, wet and even a bit wind blown at the game, but it did not matter. Our weekend was filled with shopping, laughing, yummy snacks, laughing, beverages, laughing, a little sleep, singing & dancing at our favorite hang out "Sidetracks", and did I mention laughing??? Some of us had not seen each other for over a year so there was alot of catching up to do. Our friend Jen was only able to meet us for Friday but that was wonderful too!!! She witnessed Tammy catching her first Husker fairbury hot dog from the "Weiner slinger" at the Embassy Suites and that was priceless - too funny! Maybe one of those you had to be there moments, but still priceless to us! Sunday morning came way too soon, as we headed our seperate ways - thanks girls for the wonderful memories from the weekend - I love you all so much and am so blessed to have you in my life!

A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart ~~~~~~ Keri

More birthday photos

We all have loved playing this game almost every night!

The traditional Cairney spanking machine - when it is your birthday. You have to crawl through the tunnel while everyone spanks you....the kids of course love it!

The Cairney cousins (only 3 out of 10 are girls) - Cassie, Kate and Elly

Ben was so very excited to open his very own Webkins - he loves this little hippo and promtly named him "lightening" - thanks Cairney West!

Ben's birthday

Ben and Kate blowing out their candles at the Fall birthday celebration at Papa and Grandma Cairney's house - check out those cakes! Not only were they totally cool, but so delicious too! Thanks again Celie for making those.

Mr. Ben getting his 5 year measurement - he has grown over 2 inches this past year - WOW!!

He was very excited about his black power ranger costume - here he is showing off the mask.

Ben, pondering his birthday wishes as we all sang to him the morning of his special day. What I wouldn't give to know his thoughts at this moment. I know that I love having you in my life and feel so privileged that God has chosen me to be your Mother - I love you so much buddy and hope that you had a wonderful birthday! XOXOXOX - Mommy

Kate turns 8

Getting her yearly measurement - looks like she has grown 1 1/2 inches since last year

Kate and her balloons

Doing the skating limbo

Friends: Abigail, Breighlyn, Kate and Kaitlyn

blowing out her waffle candles before church

Miss Kate had a wonderful birthday today. As I sit hear and look at the clock on the computer it is exactly 8:34 pm....the exact time of her birth eight years ago. Doug and I had no idea of the amount of joy that little 5# 7oz peanut would bring us.....watching her grow for the past 8 years has been such a privilege for us as parents. We should have known that it would be hard to keep her on task with routines since she arrived 4 weeks before her due date. Sure, at times, we just want to scream when we have told her for the 100th time to do something, but then just have to laugh as she smiles and says "Oh yeah......that's what I was supposed to be doing!" For those of you that know her, I am sure that is very familiar. We have seen her fall completely in love with reading, riding her bike, spending time with friends & family (even her little brother), eating (-: , and most of all just being Kate and hanging out!

Today, she chose to take 9 girls skating and we had a great time - I couldn't decide who was having more fun, me or the girls as times. They all did so well, and were such a joy to be with for the afternoon.

Tonight, Kate picked pizza for her birthday dinner and then it was an early bedtime for all due to pure exhaustion of the fantastic day. Thank you all for the birthday greetings, gifts and well wishes for the day - we thank God for Miss Kate each and every day. We love you very much sweetie girl - I hope that you had a wonderful birthday - Many More!

Love, Mommy XOXOXO

Snow on October 10th - YIKES!!!

Our backyard

Two crazy kiddo's loving the snow

Kate's first snowball of the season.

We could not believe our eyes when we woke up to snow falling on Saturday morning. The kids were so very excited. Immediately, we dug out our winter gear and went out in our PJ's.....HOW FUN!!! They loved it - and I must admit, it was beautiful. Kate's soccer match was cancelled though, so that was a huge bummer. Doug and I were the most excited to be part of history in Iowa. This was the earliest measurable snowfall here since the 1884.

Wedding photos

Ben loved wearing this tuxedo! Is he the cutest little ring bearer or what?

Ben, Kate and their good friend Jake

The beautiful bride - Stephanie with the kids

All dressed, waiting around during pictures

Daddy and the kiddo's - they all looked so cute!!!

We had the extreme honor of being in Brett and Stephanie Larson's wedding last weekend. Stephanie's family used to watch Kate and Ben on Monday's and Fridays, so they have spent tons of time with them over the past 4 1/2 years. We were all very excited, but anxious to see how they would do, especially Ben. As you all know, he does not like to be the center of attention, and at times can be very introverted. BUT, once we got the tux on Saturday morning, he did not want to take it off! Kate did a great job being the flower girl, & loved her dress (as you all know, she is more of my "sporty spice" kiddo, so it was very fun seeing her so fancy) - she looked beautiful! Doug and I were very proud of both of them, and survived the day..........just as Pastor Mike said in the sermon, but most of all "Love"....Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is LOVE! That feeling was felt the entire day as those two amazing families celebrated the union of their children - May God Bless you Brett and Stephanie and thanks again for allowing us to be such a special part of your day!