Weekend at the Stoltenberg's

Wil, Jon, Kate and Ben
We had an open weekend a few weeks ago so we got off work a few hours early on Friday afternoon and headed West tothe Stoltenbergs! It had been way too long since our last visit, and I was missing all of them horribly....even though I doubt that they would admit it, I think that they had been missing me too (-:
Anyway, the kids were super excited to see one another and immediately began some very fun cousin time playing kickball, baseball, etc.,.Our weekend was spent at the pool, park, playing games, dining on some delicious culinary fare that we created, and mostly......enjoying quality family time with one another! I have no idea where my head was when I forgot to bring my camera to the pool. Mr Ben has now mastered the art of jumping off the diving board and swimming to the side! It is so fun to watch him, as he is very proud of this new accomplishment.
Thanks again Stoltenbergs for everything and the great memories......next time, there will be more photos!!!

Girlfriends

Ben and the Fitzke kids - having an awesome time in the pool!

Ben, Kate, Reed and Leah (hiding)

Ben, Me, Tina and Ethan

Ethan, Ben, Kate and Hannah

I was so blessed the last two weeks of July to get to spend some quality time with 2 of my best friends from college, Tina Holdsworth (Bissen), Kay Fitzke (Laaker). After very fun Cairney and Zimmerman reunions, the kids and I visited both of these families and the kids had such a great time, and it was wonderful catching up with the girls!! Even though we do not get to see each other as often as we like, it was like there was no time lost....ironically, someone had told me that it was "national girlfriends day" on one of those Sundays. How blessed I was to be able to spend that time with them. Tina and Kay, thank you both for your hospitality....those children of yours a such amazing little people (which is no surprise!) we had a blast with you all!

~~~~~Love you both

*** sorry that I did not get any photos of you Miss Kay!

Cubs season

Our crazy CUBBIES!!!


even though it was very hot, he really liked playing catcher too

He loved sliding in at every game

Nice big hit Ben!

Ready to scoop up a grounder!

Well, as another season of baseball drew to a close for Mr. Ben and Coach Dad, we loved watching him and his passion for the sport continued to grow deeper and deeper. Even though we had a few games that we a bit hot on the temperature dial, Ben was very excited for each and every game......when asking him his favorite highlights from the season....he mentioned a nice stop and play at 3rd, and then the catch that he caught from his good friend Luke. Luke was at 3rd, made his out there, and then threw it all the way over to Ben at 1st and Ben caught it with as Ben says "my foot stayed on the base and I caught it MOM!!! " His face was priceless and those two little guys did amaze a few people in the stands with their play!

Great season Ben!!! We are proud of you buddy!

A visit to the Velarde's

Ben, flying down the waterslide....who says kids need aquatic centers????

Isaiah, Kate, Noah (neighbor) and Ben

the kiddo's singing "Happy Birthday" to Miss Becky

a neighborhood game of baseball

Olivia, Josiah, Kate, Ben, Isaiah, and Lucas

We were so fortunate to have a few days this week with no plans, so the kids and I decided to head up to Minnesota to visit the Velarde's. For those of you that do not know....... I am talking about my cousin Becky. Her and I have such a special bond....being only 33 days apart, even though she grew up in Guthrie Center, IA and I in Pender, NE.....when we were together we were inseperable! Spending weeks together every summer, long weekends during the year, college visits, Spring Break trips, Girls' weekends, etc.,. you name it, we have probably done it! I love her dearly. Her life story currently has her located in Lonsdale with her husband and kids, but of course, I cannot help but dream about the day that we live closer (even if that is the retirement villas on the ocean) (-: We were actually neighbors for a short time after we were both married and that was great, BUT, as life would have it, she headed North. Six children later, we still love spending special times together, the dynamics have just changed a bit.....now we juggle diaper changes, bath times, training wheels, nap times, sibling quarrels, elementary school, trombone lessons, baseball games, endless snacks, potty training, etc,.,. but we are loving every minute of it! Still, this week, we managed to sneak in a quite walk together, quality chats, cheetos, a glass of wine, a few beers, and of course chocolate cake....how can you have a birthday party without that (It was Becky's birthday on Tuesday when we arrived).

Kate and Ben immediately meshed in with the rest of the neighborhood and had such a fun time playing baseball, going to the park, riding bikes, playing with the water slide/pool, playing Wii, kickball, movie night, etc., We can't wait to go back!!!!

Thanks Velarde's for all of your hospitality this week...many more birthdays Miss Becky...I love you ~~~~~ Keri

Crash, Boom, Bang - 4th of July - Benny Style

Well, that saying, "A picture is worth 1000 words" pretty much sums up this post......What started out as a wonderful evening celebrating with all of the Cairney's at Papa and Grandma's, ended up with a visit to the West Des Moines ER for Mr. Ben. He of course was having the time of his life, playing with all of his cousins, games, basketball, hide and go seek, tag, air hockey...you name it, they played it on Sunday night. BUT, one little slip off the bed and bump went his head! Thanks to a very speedy transport upstairs by a very strong cuz Nick, we applied some pressure to a bloodly little head, assessed the situation, and decided that our evening of fun had come to an end. Off to the ER we went, but we did get to see some amazing fireworks en route from Indianola to West Des Moines. Thank you Daddy for driving us there safely. Ben was such a trooper throughout this entire ordeal. He was so very brave, but at the same time asking tons of questions about what was going to happen when we got there, would there be shots, would he have to stay there all night etc.,. Once we arrived, they assessed the situation, cleaned the wound, applied a lidocaine soaked bandage to numb the area, a "ninja head dressing (as Ben called it) and about 2 hours later -ABRACADABRA - 2 staples and we were headed for home!


The only bummer of the deal is that we cannot swim for 7 days (the staples will be removed next Tuesday morning) Baseball started up again this week. He had a great game Tuesday night, but no batting for him this week. I think the hat and helmet would be a bit much......Great plays on defense in the infield/outfield for Mr. Ben - GO CUBS!!!
We were all so thankful that God was watching over us and Ben during this time, we pray for a speedy recovery, and hope that this is not the beginning of a trend for our very active, rambunctious 5 year old guy, that is usually trying to keep up with the big guys! We love you buddy - XOXOX

Pender Centennial Celebration

Kate, Ben and I dressed in our centennial outfits (my mom even made dresses for the dolls)

My sisters - Wendi & Nicki

I also had a great time with my sisters this weekend. A big thanks goes out to Doug for staying with the kids both Friday and Saturday night so that we could go out with all of our friends from high school that were in town for the celebration. We had such a great time! It is not very often that the three of us get to spend time together, so we all really cherish it. This was kind of a sneak peak of a trip that we are taking out to California in September to celebrate our cousin Tina's wedding - that is going to be so fun!

A side note on my sister Wendi, she recently passed her Nebraska nursing board exam - so she is officially an RN!!! Way to go Aunt Wendi - We love you and are very proud of all that you have done to achieve this!!!!!

Pender Q125 Celebration

Cairney West conquers the Pender Fun Run 5K and 1 Mile Race

*Brian, Nick and Zach drove up from Omaha that Saturday morning to run the 5K and 1M race with all of us......they all did great and grabbed some medals while they were at it. It was very fun to have them experience a little bit of Pender with us. This was Zach, and Ben's first official race. I think they are hooked on the "running train" now too (-: Way to go guys and thanks again for driving up!


Ben and Kate enjoy visiting Papa Suhr down at the Grasshopper shop while he is working. Here they are trying out a few of his mowers!


Ben, Papa Suhr, Kate and Nanny Suhr all dressed up in our centennial outfits for night on Main Street celebrating "Old Town Pender"

The 2 cool guys....I just love their hats!

Ben, Kate and Nanny Suhr

We were so very blessed with some free time away from work and activities and spent the last week of June in my home town of Pender, Nebraska. The town was celebrating it's Q125 and alumni reunion. There was so much going on! The highlight for me was that we were able to wear the centennial dresses that my mom had made for my sisters and I 25 years ago for the 100th celebration. Is that awesome or what?? Kate and I were teasing each other that ours were a little "tight" but we made it work.....and it was so fun. Ben was able to wear some of my cousins vests and hats, so him and Papa looked right at home as well - completely dressed for the occasion. My dad has been growing this beard since last Fall and he looked great! It was definitely one of the longest ones in town. The kids and I enjoyed riding our bikes everywhere, going for walks, jumping on the trampoline, playing bingo, baseball, swimming at the pool, pancakes at Popo's, catching up with old friends, and most importantly, tons of quality family time. Going back to Pender is so very special to me, knowing that my kids are getting to enjoy and love all of the same things that I did as a child, for all the same reasons.....the simplicity, genuineness, and freedom of small town life. I have so many fond memories of growing up in Pender, and LOVE that Kate and Ben are making more of those too, each and every time that we go home for a visit! Thanks Mom and Dad for such an awesome week.....we had a blast and we love you both!