April Happenings at the Cairneys

We had the privilege of walking with our nephew Jack and all of his team in support of his fight against diabetes at the JDRF walk downtown a few weeks ago. It is such an amazing event to be a part of, and for us, just another great way to let them know how much we love and care about them all! Congratulations Jack to everything you have accomplished, to each day that you have to "deal with" your sugar checks, your site rotations, people questioning you on "how you are feeling? what you are eating?" etc.,.. We love you and pray for a cure!!!!

Kate, Papa Suhr and Ben showing off their tinker-tow creations (great windmill guys!) Nanny and Papa came over on Good Friday to spend a few days with us before our Easter Sunday celebration at Aunt Sharolyn's with the Suhr family. Church on Friday night was absolutely amazing, then on Saturday we spent the day playing, attending a neighborhood egghunt/brunch, baking pies, salads, and enjoying time together.

Gabe & Max, Ben, Caleb and Kate excited to show off the eggs that they were getting ready to hide for the kids at CFUM. This year our small group (aka "Life Group") from church was able to sponsor an egg hunt downtown. We filled 1000 eggs, helped hide them and enjoyed watching the kids go CRAZY!!! As always, with any mission project, you expect to be giving so much to others, but really in the end, we walk away with being the ones that receive the blessings....just seeing the expressions on the kids faces was wonderful! We missed the rest of our group that was not able to be with us, but so appreciated their help with the eggs.

Mr. Ben made these "Wacky glasses" one day at school, and surprised me with them. I was in the kitchen, peeked in at him to find him in his usual after school pose (playing his DS game) with these on, acting like nothing was different - too cute!!!

Just the kids at the JDRF walk

Bridal shower for Wendi

Josiah helping Wendi open gifts Becky with Olivia (showing off her new "big girl panties")

Mom, Wendi, and Cindy Loftis

Nicki, Wendi, Kate, Mom & I

Our Aunt's so graciously hosted the shower for Wendi -- Sharolyn, Karen, Bonny, "T" (Wendi's God Mother) and Aunt Lynda

We spent the weekend in Pender a few weeks ago celebrating with Wendi and Jon. She had a bridal shower and it was so much fun all being together again! Some of Jon's family was able to make the trip up so that was also great getting to show them around Pender and getting to know them a little more. Wendi is so very blessed to be gaining such an amazing group of people that she will be able to call her "in-laws" but more importantly, a second family! There is just no better blessing.....the wedding day is quickly approaching, and May 7th will be here before we know it! We are all so very EXCITED -- what an amazing day that will be!!!!!!

St. Patrick's Day parade

Before the parade - Ben, Wil, Payton, Max & Kate
After the parade - check out all of the BEADS!!!

We were able to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with the Wilson's and the Cooper's at the downtown parade on Thursday afternoon. The weather was amazing and we all had a great time. I guess our spot was "prime location" for catching beads!!! You just can't have enough........luck of the Irish to you all this Spring!!!

Weekend in Omaha

Kate and Jon
William and Benny

We spent the last weekend of Spring Break in Omaha celebrating a bridal shower for my sister Wendi (her wedding is in May), playing at the pool in the hotel, and spending fun times with grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and getting to know the Loftis family a little better before Wendi and Jon's wedding. They are wonderful people and we all had such a fun time together! Wendi is so very blessed to have all of them in her life and we can't wait to celebrate with them in a few months.

Who knows what happened to my photography skills on Saturday afternoon at the shower.....I did not take one single picture which is such a HUGE BUMMER!!! ( I guess being a hostess and photographer don't go hand in hand.....The party was so fun, Wendi looked amazing as ever, and not only was she showered with gifts, but she has such a wonderful support circle of friends, co-workers, mentors & family members -- what a blessing!

Putt-Putt and Blank Park Zoo

enjoying the fish at the zoo

Kate was very proud of her hole-in-one
Ben getting all lined up for his shot
I remember when Ben used to fit inside of this little aquarium circle at the zoo

An afternoon at the Pappajohn Sculpture park

The kids imitating "Moonrise East"kids at play
The three story Nomade made of steel cut letters

This just gives you an idea of how big this guy really is - this is probably my favorite piece

Spring Break 2011 -- "Stay"cation

Ben loved the "Ball Wall' at the Science Center
Kate & I on the pedestrian bridge

They sure look little!

Kate proudly showing us her lego creation

Ben - aka the Mona Lisa

It was Spring Break all last week for West Des Moines Schools and we decided to make our time here at home more of a stay at home vacation. I had taken the week off of work and the kids and I decided on some fun events to fill our days. We spent some time at the zoo, the Science Center, having lunch downtown, walking miles and miles (according to Kate & Ben) around downtown along the river and across the new pedestrian bridge, putt-putt golfing, exploring the outdoor Pappajohnsculpture park, playdates with friends, going to a movie, playing football, playing tennis, playing basketball, riding bikes, building forts, making cookies, playing games, shopping, going to the St. Patrick's Day parade.....WOW - is anyone tired yet?? We had such a fun time!!! Many fun memories were made, and I cherished each and every minute!!!