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!

Day with Kate

Trying to master the basketball game

Getting ready to start putt-putt golf


Kate and I disguised as biker guy and cool chic!

Well, the day that Kate had been waiting for, ever since Ben and I spent that day together at the concert and the zoo had finally arrived. Last week, Ben was invited to a friends house for the afternoon so I told her to pick anything she wanted to do and we would do it......It would be lying if I told you that I had not crossed my fingers for Panera, some coffee, shopping and some pedicures - BUT, she chose "The Incredible Pizza Machine" to have the lunch and play games, ride rides, putt-putt, etc.,.make a bobble head dance video of ourselves (which is hilarious) & all the fun that we could have for hours!!! She was so very excited to show me around the place, to share her fav. treats with me, tell me which pizza and noodles she thought were the yummiest, and attempt to beat me in all the games that we played. We did have such a fun time. For those of you that know Kate, you know that when she is excited about something, it is hard to contain....her little face was just beaming all day! I love that about her!!!
Also, for those of you that know Kate, you also know that at times, she does have a run of bad luck, or whatever you want to call it.
Let me explain....after you are done playing the games, you pick up the tickets from all of your winnings, and then cash them in for some very high quality prizes (I know that you parents know what I am talking about (-; ) When we arrived home, she was eager to show Ben and Doug her treasures, one of which was a glow stick. She had asked me if she could make it glow before she hopped in the shower, then it would illuminate her room all night long. I told her that I thought that would be cool. Unbeknownst to me, while I was getting Mr. Ben ready for bed, she decided that would be the time to activate the stick in her room.......one thing led to another, a minor stick malfunction (small crack in the stick) and she let out the loudest screams and wails that I had ever heard......as she came running down the hall in to my bathroom, her entire face was glowing brighter than a lightning bugs bottom, with the flourescent liquid all over left eye, glasses, nose and mouth. Of course, Ben is speechless (standing there in the shower in his birthday suit), Doug and I are trying to calm her, flush her eyes, shut the windows (so the neighbors don't think that a beating is happening at the Cairney's), all the while, trying to figure out how this has happened???
After a few minutes and thinking the thought, "Poor Sissy, why does this kind of thing always happen to her?", she eventually calmed, stopped screaming, and I ran her to urgent care so that they could examine her eye and just make sure that nothing was scratched..........
AAAHHHHH, as we drove home from the clinic, we started reflecting on the day, how much fun that we had, and even though, this is not the way we thought the day would end. It was definitely one that all of us would not forget.....maybe I will push harder for the pedicures and coffee's next time (-:
I had a wonderful time with you today Kate, I love you sweetie....you are really turning into a beautiful young lady and I cherish all of these special times with you, our quiet reading and snuggling together at night, the games that we play, all of the hugs that you love to share, and of course your dimples & giggles. God bless you sweet girl!!!
XOXOXO, Mommy

June activities

Mr. Ben has successfully completed a week of swimming lessons. Here
he is working on the backstroke....way to go buddy! The weather has been quite rainy around here, but we have had a few days of swimming weather to practice our skills.


My birthday was June 10th, we celebrated with a yummy cake and icecream - the kids and Doug showered me with awesome gifts (a new bike, bike helmet, and Cubs T- shirt! ) Being 37 is not so bad.......

Doug coached Ben on the Yankees this year and they had such a fun season. We had a great team, wonderful parent helpers, and a great group of kids......WAY TO GO YANKEES! We are getting excited for second season to start.

Miss Kate finished up second grade on June 8th....she had a wonderful year and really enjoyed her teacher, Mrs. Yokiel - on to 3rd Grade -- HORRAY!!!

Memorial Day Weekend

Kate loved the idea that she could be in "2 states" at the same time!

Mr. Ben - zipping down the slide at the Park in the Old Market

A perfect ending to a beautiful day - ice cream sundaes!

We had a fun weekend in Omaha! On Sunday morning, we decided to meet my parents (whom were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary - congrat's to them!) at my sister Wendi's house for brunch and a fun afternoon together. The kids were super excited to see everyone, and after a delicious brunch we spent the afternoon at the park, playing basketball, lawn darts, and Wii! Then we headed over to visit Cairney West (Brian, Suzy, Nick & Zach) for the rest of the afternoon and evening. It is always fun catching up with them.....and of course, getting to cuddle with their dog Sammy (especially a plus for Ben). This morning we thought we may spend a few hours at the zoo before heading back to Des Moines, but the crowds and traffic were a bit much, so we went with plan B, headed for the Old Market area and had a great afternoon. We walked over the pedestrian bridge, played at the Mall on the slides for a while and then grabbed some lunch before heading home. Kate and Ben ended their day with a yummy ice cream sundae (-: What a gorgeous weekend it was! Now Miss Kate has 7 more days of school to finish up and then summer can officially begin for her......we are all really looking forward to that!