"OH" Christmas Tree!

 How big do we really think this tree is??

 WOW -- HUGE!!!  Kate can barely reach to put the decorations on

 Ben is rocking the ornaments, with much help from our good friend Kara on the lights.

 "TA - DA"  Cairney Christmas Tree - 2012

 

We try to keep things as entertaining as we can at this house...and picking out the tree is no exception  (-;  This year, while doing some shopping at costco, I noticed that they had some fresh trees for sale. "How easy would this be? Picking up the tree along with milk and the other weekly items??" I knew that it was not going to be some memory making event (like when we have chopped it down at the tree farm), but little did I know, this tree would be monumental too! We got our ticket, put the seats down in the van and headed toward the trailer.  The tree expert asked us how tall we wanted it in the 7-9ft. range, I said "at least 8-9 ft - we have a large room and high ceilings".  Unbeknownest to me, not only was it a TALL tree but also very WIDE and we had no idea about this until we cut all of the twine and it just kept unfolding!  It definitely caused all of us to chuckle and reminded many of us of the Christmas vacation movie.  Take note of the weights on the bottom of the tree stand.  Doug graciously donated these off of his weight bench for 5 weeks since it did tip over once(prior to lights and decorations -- thank you God!) at about midnight one evening. Believe it or not, Doug and I were even able to laugh about this!!!  (-;

Once lit, decorated and securely in place, despite the ENORMOUS size...this is probably the most perfect, beautiful tree that we have had.  Like the song says, "Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree, how beautiful your branches!"

Thanksgiving weekend

 Cairney boys card game

 Our successful packaging team --Way to go everyone -- job well done!

 

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  We were very blessed to celebrate with some of the Cairney/Jensen family this weekend.  We kicked off our celebrations with church on Thanksgiving Eve, the perfect way to refocus on our blessings and reflect on the many things that we are SO thankful for.  Thursday morning we headed down to Papa and Gramma's for a delicious feast, fun family time filled with card playing, laughing, dog walking, football, etc.,..it was such a gorgeous day!  Then last evening we finished off our many reasons of  "thanks" by packaging over 2,800 meals to be sent all over the world and fill the tummy's of many hungry children and adults -- praise God for this amazing gift! And thanks to everyone who pitched in and helped.  Not only did we accomplish amazing things, but had such a fun time doing it.
As many of you may have noticed, Miss Kate is missing from our pictures this weekend. She was able to catch a ride back to Papa and Nanny Suhr's and is spending some extra time getting spoiled by all of them...what fun she is having!!!  Thanks to them all for hosting her a few extra days (-;  can't wait to hear all of her stories. We all missed her here, but we know she has had a great time!

Concert

 Our pre-concert chat session with the bands

 Excited for our VIP seats and for the evening to begin!

 Ben's new favorite band - "rend collective experiment"

 Our family favorite -- 10th avenue north

audrey a.

After a busy weekend back home, we headed straight to Ames for a family concert. Doug and I had surprised the kids with these tickets and VIP passes for their birthdays. We were all excited! The evening started off with a question and answer session with all of the bands and opportunities to get to know them all a bit better (which was so fun).  Then we took our seats and the music began. It was called the "struggle" tour and had many messages within the music all evening about the many struggles in life and how we need to always rely on God.  How true, and often times, why is it that we forget this??  It was an evening that we all will never forget, and even though Ben was so exhausted from the evening, I know that as he slept in my arms for the last hour, the music was touching his heart and soul!!  Kate even ran to the front couple of rows for the last 2 songs - way to go sis!!! 





Wedding & picture weekend

Ben and Papa - walking "hand in hand"

 family pictures

 Always lovable and often crazy kiddo's

 sisters

Nanny, Kate and Papa looking "snazzy" for the wedding.

Happy Halloween

 Two football players - ready for tricks or treats??

 Whoever said that there are not "good witches?"

My pumpkin masterpieces for 2012

We had a great night for trick-or-treating here this year (a.k.a Beggars night in West DesMoines). It was a bit chilly, but a fun time was had by all.  I would still say that the top candies for the Cairney house are Reese's peanut butter cups (Kate) and 3 musketeers (Ben).  I could not convince anyone to carve pumpkins with me, so this was my best effort. I must admit, the "welcome" pumpkin turned out much better than I would have ever thought --it was well worth the sore wrist (-;  Happy Halloween to all of you little spooks! 

An afternoon with the boys

 Football in the backyard with friends

Cake, ice cream and pizza!!! Isn't this what all 8 year old boys want to celebrate with??

A week after the official day, we were able to have a few boys over to help Ben celebrate turning 8. He finally got his warm & sunny day!  They had such a great time playing football, giggling, running around, going to the park and snacking. Ben chose a Chicago Bears cake but we did not get a picture before the devouring began  (-;  it was pretty yummy though! 





Half Marathon - am I crazy??

My friend Angie asked me in September while we were on a walk one day to do the half marathon with her in October. Half marathon??? I thought as we continued along.....I knew that I COULD do it. I had done it before; BUT that was in 1998, not only 14 years ago, but 2 kids ago (50+ pound weight fluctuations off and on for those pregnancies) two knees and hips that remind me almost daily that I am closer to "40" now than I was "20" then.  I pondered the thought for a moment as she awaited my response....then I of course said "sure, why not!" and the training began. I really did not have much time, I had already been attending some cardio circuit classes at the Y a few days a week, but I did add a little more running in on my off days.  October 21st arrived and our family calendar had many commitments for that day: Doug was scheduled to teach KQ at church, Kate had a soccer match out of town, etc., so I knew that I would not have them along the route to support me.  In perfect God fashion, he blessed me with the most beautiful Fall morning that anyone could have asked for.  He was all the support that I would need!  I picked up Angie and we headed downtown to join thousands of our closest friends (-; early that morning and hit the streets of Des Moines. It was going great, not only good weather, tons of supporters, bands, snack/drink stations, etc.,. but then Angie had to leave me around mile 8 (for a family commitment) and I finished the last few on my own. Constantly I was reminded that I was NOT alone. There was a "team Philippians" shirt that I continued to see along the route which constantly reminded me from verse 4:13 that "I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me" and how true that was.  As I persevered on thru miles 9,10,11,12, and 13 with my legs cramping often, my feet and hips aching constantly, I knew I could do it.  Then as I crossed the finish line I saw my brother-in-law Jim, cheering me thru and that helped SO MUCH!!! Thanks for being there Jim (as I know that you know exactly how I was feeling).   
After getting home I chatted with my friend Angie a while later. She was anxious to hear how it went and then of course asked "Next year, we will do the whole thing together next year.....right?"  Who knows....I guess we will just have to see..... (-;   but I do know one thing....all things are possible!