exploring the empty cockpit of one of the planes

the kids and I beginning our climb across

we are almost there -- waving "hi" to Daddy down below for our picture

Ben -- our little climbing machine!
the biggest ball pit EVER!!!

human tadpoles - jumping on lilly pads!

Miss Kate - making an ascent up a slide - what a beautiful day we had!

the most challenging climb of the day

Enjoying the roof top ferris wheel

another crazy climb by the Mama (-;

beginning our climb up to the roof!

Friday was spent sleeping in a bit, watching cartoons in bed while nibbling on some breakfast snacks, sipping on some coffee and just easing into our day. The City Museum was the only activity on tap for the day and we were all very excited to explore this place. Many of our friends had expressed with much enthusiasm and excitement, stories of how amazing this place was, and all I can say is, words do not do it justice. We all had such a BLAST!!!! Doug's cousin Nate (whom we happened to run into their with his family - what a fun surprise!) said it perfectly when he described it as a life size version of "Chutes and Ladders" for people of all ages...it goes beyond anything that we could ever have imagined.

Upon arrival, we immediately headed toward the "roof top" to see the airplanes in mid air that we could climb into, connected to other airplanes with steel bridges/climbing mazes suspended 2-3 stories that you can climb inside... the bus parked on the roof (did I mention that it is hanging off and that you can walk to the front edge -- YIKES!!!) and of course the ferris wheel. Then to top it all off, you can either walk down the steps, take an elevator or slide down a "tunnel slide ( a 10 story slide)" all the way from the roof to one of the main level "caves". The building used to be an old shoe factory back in the day, so as you can imagine, you feel like you are just a little "shoe box" flying down the assembly shoot -- did I mention the bumpy landing at the end -- OOUUUCCHHH!

Kate and Ben said that their top favorite things of the day were the dark caverns/tunnels, and the roof tops activities. Doug of course said "spending time with his family" was the best part (is he a "brown noser or what?? (: ) I would have to say that first of all, I was just amazed with how tough/brave we all were climbing thru those amazing steel creations, and I hate to agree with Doug, but......it was another amazing, fun, family memory making DAY!!!!

Saturday - Wedding Day

Ben is VERY excited about his "smiley face" tator tots!

Our last day of vacation was spent celebrating the wedding of Luke and Cate. Luke is Doug's cousin and what a blessed day it was! The wedding was beautiful..... I loved the way the priest kept referencing during the homily how God has always been such an integral part of Luke and Cate's life.....always present and how his light has shined so brightly throughout their lives (childhoods, schools, families), and current careers (she is a physician and Luke is working for the college). The rest of the afternoon/evening was spent enjoying time with family over dinner, drinks and of course dancing ~~~ what a great time we had! The perfect way to finish off an amazing week of vacation!

Kate, Hailey, and Annie (cousins) -- sorry Miss Hailey if we spelled your name wrong!
The new Mr. and Mrs....

Enjoying our evening Miss Kate, getting her groove on!

Kate and Doug showing off the best wedding favors EVER -- personalized tattoo's of Luke and Cate!

First Day of School

My driveway greeting!
Totally psyched about 1st and 4th Grade

Kate and her teacher

Ben and his teacher

We kicked off the school year on Wednesday this week. Kate and Ben were both so excited and Doug and I were loving that! We could not have asked for a better day for both of them. They love the teachers that they have this year, they each have a few of their buddies in their rooms, and we are ready to dive in for another exciting year of learning!!! I can't wait to see what God has instore for both of them this year......watching it all unfold is such an amazing blessing as the parent. I know at times, there are days when they are driving each other crazy (and maybe even Doug and I at times (-;) but as I stood there, watched them hold up their "1st grade and 4th grade" fingers, I could not help but think......WOW, this time is going by way too fast! How can this be???

My friend Stephanie quoted a note in her blog this past week about something that her friend had once told her....."there are LONG days, days that seem like they will never end, but the years.....they are so short...."

I couldn't help but think that, and pray that as Kate and Ben continue to grow that I find myself cherishing those days/moments more and more as the years go by here at the Cairney house!

I love you kiddo's -- have an amazing year of school!

xoxox -- Mom

VBS - 2011 - Wild for Jesus!!!!

Sporting the new t-shirts
We thought it was so cool that there was a "tiger" jeep on stage!

the countdown for closing

I know that we had VBS in July - but I could not forget to post a few comments regarding how much we enjoyed our Wild for Jesus week. Every year, I think to myself, "this was just the best year ever" and then the next year, I feel the same way. I was able to help shephard a few of the days and I always get so much out of seeing the Holy Spirit just fill those 2,000+ kids up each and every day. Just them hearing over and over how much God loves them immediately puts a HUGE smile on their little faces, and watching them jump, sing, dance, and yell at the top of their lungs about how much they love him just totally gets to me! At closing each night, we sang the song "We believe" and the tears were just rolling down my cheeks as I stopped and looked around the room at all of the children --- singing their hearts out to the "One true GOD" - the energy in the room was so intense! The themes for the week were: Thank God, Follow God, Trust God, Believe God and LOVE GOD -- which is what we all strive to do each and every day.

In case you are all wondering, Kate and Ben had an amazing time too!! (-: They especially love watching the "big guys/gals" dance, sing and praise with all of them -- that is totally COOL!!! Thanks Hope for another fantastic week of VBS - you guys are amazing!!!