Ben -- Fall Soccer

Big throw in Ben
Going for a GOAL!!!
Dribbling around his opponents, "fancy footwork"

Coach Matt and his fearless Chargers!!!

Ben had a fantastic soccer season this Fall. He loved playing each and every game & was excited to cheer his teamates on. He is just one of those kids that was made to run, especially when there is some sort of ball involved. One of the things that impressed me the most this year was his ability to make the corner sliding goal kick while falling down the majority of the time. (-: If I was only a video expert, I would definitely have tried to capture this. Maybe next year.... When asking Ben what his favorite part of soccer this year was he had this to share "

A visit to the pumpkin ranch

Ben and Cael on the hayrack ride
Kate ziplining over the haybales -- GO SISTER!!!

Our fire pit for smores and hotdogs -- very toasty!!

working on finding our way thru the corn maze -- thanks for your help Daddy!

Kate, Ben and friends....

Last year we were introduced to some very cool pumpkin patches and corn mazes in our area. This Fall we decided to try out the pumpkin ranch and we had such a fun time. The kids invited a few friends and we spent a beautiful evening playing, running around, ziplining, exploring corn mazes in the dark, telling scary stories around the fire, eating hotdogs, YUMMY smores and picking out pumpkins. A fun time was had by all and I think that we may even revisit this one next year!

For me, my favorite part is just being outside of the city lights on a beautiful evening with my family and not a cloud in the sky. The kids made multiple comments about "how dark it was" and "look at all of the stars"......a perfect way to spend an evening, appreciating all of the gifts that God has given me!

Ben's birthday

Birthday buddies -- Ben and Grandma Cairney
making sure that he gets all of those candles

working on the new Lego set

SO excited about the new LEGO CITY police set

and a couple of new footballs!!!!

Ben was excited to start his birthday.....waking up close to his exact birth time that morning he immediately tore into his gifts! He LOVED his new LEGO's and footballs, and was also blessed with many other gifts, cards and phone calls that week. For dinner we went to visit Papa and Grandma C. (as it is also her birthday on the 18th) and spent the evening celebrating with them and Uncle Jim. Ben was very detailed in what kind of cake that he wanted, "I want it to be 3 layers of DARK chocolate cake with white frosting in between each layer, then chocolate frosting over everything with rainbow sprinkles on the top!" and believe it or not, I was able to do just that. He loved it and it was very good! May you have a fantastic year being 7 buddy. You are such a special boy and I am very blessed to be your Mom -- I love you!!!! XOXOXOX

Kate's birthday

Today is her special day -- ### 10

She chose a chocolate/peanut butter ice cream cake from Cold Stone Creamery and our good friend Kara treated us to some gourmet cupcakes too!

One of the many phone calls of birthday greetings from friends and loved ones.

The "morning do" on the birthday girl.....excited to open her gifts as soon as she woke up. She especially loved her new book, her favorite treat from Costco (chocolate covered Acai berries) and a Harry Potter Lego Set.

Miss Kate was very blessed to have a fantastic 10th birthday. I went to school and had lunch with her, then we invited some friends over for dinner and ice cream cake. She is very excited to be in double digits now and had a great day! In true Kate fashion however, she was quick to add...."It has been a great day, but I cannot wait until next year when I will be 11 on 10-11-12...won't that be cool for my golden birthday!!"" that's our Kate, always looking forward to what is coming next (:

We love you sweetie girl -- many more birthday blessings to you and I thank-God each and every day that he chose me to be your Mom --- XOXOXOX

Birthday celebration in Grand Island

Thanks Aunt Nicki for the delicious pumpkin cupcakes!! Make a wish Kate.....
"10" years old and loving the birthday decorations!

May all of your wishes come true Ben!

"Suhr" cousins: Wil, Ben, Kate and Jon

Aunt Nicki and the birthday kiddo's making some cookies.

We took full advantage of having a Monday off of school over Columbus Day and headed West to visit the Stoltenberg family for the weekend. Aunt Wendi and Scarlett (puppy) were able to join us for a few days too so that was great! The weather was less than desirable for most of the weekend with cool temps and rain, but we still had a blast! We were able to watch Wil play his last game of football for the season, played catch, went on walks, played "headbands" and laughed harder than I have in a long time (: and mostly, just enjoyed quality time together.

They all made celebrating Kate and Ben's birthdays early very special too with awesome decorations, delicious cupcakes and of course, some new Husker football jersey's, T-shirts and sweats. Thank -you guys for everything that you did to make the weekend great... We love you all!!

#10 for Miss Kate

Who would have thought that 10 years ago this little blessing came into our world at only 5#7oz??

Kate chose an icecream cake for her special day and Kara K. brought cupcakes to share for the party.

Chatting with her long distant friends and family -- wishing her many, many more birthday blessings!!

She had been waiting for this book -- a must read for you all too!
Happy birthday my sweet girl ~ We love you -- XOXOXO

Kansas City outing for Kate & Doug

Kate and Doug
Kate and her Aunt Lynne

their tailgating view of Arrowhead Stadium

Kate had been hoping all week that her request to go with her Dad, Aunt Lynne, Uncle Jim and cousin Jack to a football game in Kansas City would be granted.....and on Thursday night - we told her that she could go and she was STOKED!!! I don't know if I have ever seen an almost 10 year old girl that excited for 6 hours in the car and a foot ball game. Of course, with Kate, she was excited about the football, but very excited also to just be with everyone (and of course the tailgating snacks (-;) They went to watch our cousin James (who plays for Northwest MO. State) /vs/ a big rival of theirs Pitt St....and conveniently enough, the game was being played in an NFL stadium -- how cool was that??? It was a beautiful day and it sounds like they had a great time, except for the fact that the bearcats got beat ~~ bummer!!

All in all...I do think that Kate is getting hooked on football road trips....she already loves going to watch all of her cousins play everything! That's our little "sporty spice" Miss Kate!!

playing catch with Jack - another highlight of her day!