Papa and Nanny Suhr Visit

Nanny, Kate, Ben and Papa



Unknown boy?, Spike, Ben and Kate

If it wasn't awesome enough that the temperatures were in the 50's this weekend, we had visitors!!! Papa and Nanny Suhr came over to visit and we had such a great time! They arrived on Friday night as a total surprise to the kids. Doug and I were in the backyard and we heard Kate and Ben start to scream.....we thought, "Papa and Nanny just arrived, or the basketballs just started rolling down the hill and they can't stop them". It was the first thought and Kate and Ben were SO VERY excited....they were also extra pumped because they picked up Mc. D's for them for dinner - what a treat!!! Friday night we had a movie night, Saturday we spent all day outside playing, riding bikes, & going for walks. Kate had a game that afternoon and then we went out for pizza and introduced Papa and Nanny to Drake basketball. Ben was thrilled to chat with Spike again and get a quick photo. This morning we went to church, said good-bye to Papa and Nanny, and spent more time outside. Kate was invited to the Wilson's for some fun with Max this afternoon and the rest of us headed to small group. Doug and I had two very sleepy kiddo's tonight, but what an awesome weekend. Thanks again Mom and Dad for coming over -we loved having you here!!!! Have a good week everyone......

Kate basketball & Ben snow tunnel

Happy January 25th to you all....sorry that it has been so long since I have posted.....crazy!!! Today after church, we took the kids swimming with some cousins which was a great time, except for the water being a bit chilly. For any of you that truly know me well and my luck, you would understand that today of all days, a boiler heater in the pool would go out. It was fine for the kiddo's but a bit chilly for the adults. Then we went out for ice cream to top it all off! A wonderful day with family. Well, for the past 3 weeks, Miss Kate has had basketball practice and two very exciting games. She loves it and I must say, it is very entertaining. It is with an "upward" christian based basketball program and it is awesome! So far she has earned 3 stars (one for Christlikeness behavior on the court, one for having her bible verse memorized, and one for good offense). They are every Saturday until March, so if you have an hour available, we would love to have you come! Ben has been loving all of this snow that we have had. Until the beautiful day in the 40's on Thursday, both kids were enjoying the awesome tunnel that Daddy helped them build....now it's just a big pile with another fresh 3-4 inches on top from this AM.
I have been hosting a small group bible study at church on Tuesday nights "2009 Year of the bible" and it has been such an amazing experience for me.....I went into it a bit apprehensive, not ever doing this before. BUT, as always, God was there, to guide me through it all and work into his word. The couples that I am with are amazing people and they are so excited and filled with hope to explore this new and everlasting love that God has for all of them. This week's sermon and readings were based on " All in the family" the gospels of Matthew, Mark, & Luke.....how that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, especially when we are all doing and living out his will for our lives. He is so on the move right now, not just in my church, but everywhere in the community, and the world, if we just take the time to open our eyes and ears and truly LISTEN. Get to know the "real God" and he will be the reason that you find comfort and peace in your lives.
I hope that you all have a great week - Love, Keri

Two funny facts, well one not so funny:
1) I purchased my first ISU sweatshirt this weekend and I actually like it! Don't worry HUSKER fans, it is possible to cheer for two teams (-:
2) I had an X-RAY confirm that I did have a chip fracture in my arm from my fall on the ice the first of the month - yes, for those of you that have known me for awhile, my gracefulness continues!

Cairney Christmas

We went to a Drake basketball game on New Years Eve and Ben was given this little "Spike" whom he is now permanently attached too - very cute! GO Bulldogs!


Kate and Uncle Jeff with her very own Hawkeye "Boo-er" She is really brown nosing by wearing her hawkeye gear.



Ben loved his new race track and remote control car - thanks Cairney West and Papa and Grandma

The moon sand that she loves - it is cool stuff!

The Cairney Cousin pyramid

I sit here this evening and watch it snow yet again. Even though it is beautiful, I quickly want to go check my friend Stephanie's blog and read about another weekend spent at the beach in Florida. It looks alot warmer there! But at least I can live vicariously at the ocean thru the Paulson family right???

Anyway, it is gorgeous and I am quickly reminded of the beauty that god creates thru a fresh layer of snow on the ground. I especially enjoy the fun that it brings all of us as we get to play in it!

We were blessed with another wonderful weekend with family last weekend as we celebrated Cairney Christmas in Indianola - thanks again to Dick and Celie for being such gracious hosts and preparing such fabulous food all weekend! A fun time was had by all......and once again reminds us that we just don't get together often enough - the kids are all getting so big - 10 total with ages ranging from 4 - 15.

Happy New Year and finished kitchen

Happy 2009 to all of you!!!! I hope that you all had a wonderful kick off to the New Year today. At this house, we were all a bit sleepy after partying with the Wilson's, Wheeler's, and Cairney's last night. For those of you that know me well, you will be proud to know that I was awake until 12:05 - it's a miracle! The kiddo's crashed at 1100, no wonder they were a bit cranky today. If only you could have seen their faces when they had to have a time out at Hy-Vee in the produce section because of fighting - too funny! We had a fun time though (-: Always fun to be with friends.....little Mr. Wheeler definitely takes the cake for being the most entertaining.....that boy is hilarious! Ron and Paulette better be recording his antics (-:

And for the kitchen, here's a couple shots of the finished product - I still love it!

Also, congratulations to all of you Hawkeye fans on your win today - and WAY TO GO HUSKERS!!!!!!! GO BIG RED!!!!!!!!! GO BIG RED!!!!

Birthday club dinner

Thanks to the ladies for battling the blustery wind and coming over Tuesday night to celebrate a belated Christmas dinner. I had a fabulous time and cherish all of your friendships SO much - what an amazing group of women you are! Nancy, we missed you - and wish a speedy recovery to Leland.

Christmas 2008

Mommy and the kiddo's

Ben, warming up in the van.


Kate and Mommy, getting ready to make another
run down the hill.


Silly times with Daddy


The hit of the day - "grow capsules"

By now, you have all probably received our belated Christmas letter. I hope that you enjoyed it and welcome to our blog! I really feel pressured now to keep it updated (-: My hope is that you all had a wonderful day on Thursday celebrating Christ's birth, just as we did!
Ben and Kate were both very excited on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Miss Kate woke is at 2:30, 5, 6 and finally Daddy got up with her at 0630. She could not contain her excitement! Ben had a bit of a cough and was not feeling the best this week, so we let him sleep in a little, which was pure torture for Kate! They both loved their gifts, but the highlight of the day were the 99 cent capsules that you dissolve in warm water and then you watch what foam creatures they turn into....I tell you what - it truly is the simple things around here! Other highlights for Kate were her new HSM PJ's and a beagle webkins. Ben also enjoyed his new race track and bridges for his Thomas Train track. Doug and I loved the presents that the kids made us in school - those are always my favorite!
Then after lunch, we headed to the sledding hill and enjoyed a fun day of sledding, played some board games at home and ended our awesome day with a family movie night! We are truly blessed.....Kate and I went to Chrismas Eve church together and Pastor Mike's message was amazing as always. The church looked beautiful in candle light and then the true meaning of the season really shined through - which is, even if people are feeling down due to unemployment, the economy, poor health, etc.,..you have to let Jesus be in your life - let his birth and all that he does for you be your "HOPE" in all of this - he loves you and will be there for you, even when you think there is no one! May God bless you all this season and throughout the New Year.

Christmas in Nebraska

Kate requested that all of us with "glasses" have a photo
taken together! Ben chose to opt out and Papa loaned a few
of his old pairs to William and Jon.


Kate, William and Jonathan working on the gingerbread house


We spent last weekend in Pender, celebrating with the Suhr's and Stoltenberg's and had a great time! The weather was a bit chilly and windy......they have so much snow there it's crazy!!!!!! Even though it was cold, we still managed to try out the new sleds that the kids received from Papa and Nanny - thanks you guys, they are so fun!!! For a new twist this year, they also decorated a gingerbread house - it turned out really cute - thanks "T" for that gift. When we got home, we were all very thankful and blessed to have traveled safely, and spent quality time with family. More fun memories were made, and I love that. Thanks again Mom and Dad for everything - we love you!!!