The Killian Cattillion!!

This is the name of the huge party my parents throw every year to celebrate my dads birthday, Graci's birthday, Maddux's birthday and of course America's birthday! It was crazy hot but so much fun. Franklin and his girlfriend were in town and Franks high school friends band played. To top it all off the night ended with a fireworks show! We stayed way to late, drank enough water to water a lawn and ate way too much food, but fun was had by all. Here are a few pictures of it all....

 Mr L.A. himself ladies and gentlemen...Franklin.

 Fun in the pool....notice the super fun makeshift play land/waterslide!! Thank you Maw maw and Paw Paw!!

 The birthday boy enjoying the water!!

 The neighbors circle, I grew up with most of these people. This year Mom and Dad had around 75 people total!!

 The other birthday boy enjoying himself with a childhood friend.

 The band, they were amazing!! We will be attending many more of there shows around town!

 Franklin and his girlfriend Kim, we like her!!

 Poor Paigey... to much fun in the sun.

 Maw Maw, Graci, and Uncle Frank Frank breakin it down!!

 Graci got to improv with her Uncle on the piano, they sounded really good!!

 Uncle Frank Frank was singing, Graci thought he was a bit loud!

 Frank playin with the band.

 Maddux and Sam the two six year olds!!!

 Paw Paw, Maddux, and Graci blowing out their candles on their cake.

and then Paw Paw thought an icing fight was a good idea, the kids agreed!

Happy 6th Birthday Maddog!!!

Yep today is the big day my youngest isn't so young anymore!! Time flies, and I am so thankful for my funny, sweet hearted boy that God entrusted to us six short years ago!! He woke up and requested homemade waffles for breakfast. We all slept in a little late after my Mom and Dads 4th of July/dads bday/maddux bday/graci bday party last night. After waffles he opened up our present since I won't be at the all boy/daddy birthday party tonight. After two and half years of asking for one, Maddux opened up his very own Nintendo ds!! Then he disappeared for the next two hours! He also got to open his aunt Beth and uncle Dave's present, a Vermont made teddy bear, which was o so soft and he loved! Uncle Andrew also got him another one of his all time loves, another pillow pet!! It's only noon but I think he would say it's been a pretty good birthday so far. I will post party pictures later but here are some early day bday pictures!!

 Opening the Vermont Teddy Bear!!

 His name is Blue Rasberry and he is super cute!!

 The bumblebee pillow pet! Maddux's two loves...stuffed animals and video games.

and the ds... all this combined made for the ultimate birthday gift opening experience!!

VBS 2011 Gold Rush!!

Friday was the kids last day of VBS at our church. As usual it was a busy week but they had a blast and our friends kids the Mahoney's joined them for the week. The theme was Gold Rush Rock of Ages. As usual our church went over and above in every aspect, it was amazing, and we are so thankful for everyone that worked so hard to make it what it was. The kids learned so much more about Jesus Christ, our Rock of Ages!! Here are a few pictures of the fun!!

 Maddux and Graci in their western get ups!

 The entrance to Gold Rush City

 Maddux's group was called the trackers and this is where they called home all week.

 We are thinking of building one of these at home!!

 This is the general store, the whole sanctuary was turned into a western town. Each day the kids got to go in and shop, make crafts, learn about missionary s  and dance.

 On parents night they had a good ole' bbq for all the parents and kids.

 Graci riding the....hay??

 and Maddux

 Parents night in the town!

 The outlaws (aka, the teachers) that needed Jesus were hung up all around the church. Thankfully they were all redeemed by Christ by Friday!:)

 This was a funny picture hung in the front hallway of the church. Every year our church comes up with a mission for the kids to bring money for all week, there are contests between all the classes to see who can bring the most. These are the Allens pictured here riding in the mining car, they are part of a ministry called Campus Crusade. Recently they felt God was calling them to participate in the same ministry only to a whole new group of college kids...in California! So this year the kids mission was to raise money to help move their ministry. Each day it showed how far they were from Missouri and how close they were to CA, depending on how much was raised. This was Thursday and they look pretty close!!!

This was the Corral in the town where you could learn to square dance!

texas pictures as promised....

 Maddux and Nate realizing that the blow up beds might  make a good wrestling ring...

 and the wrestling ring in action.

 The boys and I waited outside while Sara and the girls enrolled Lucy at her new school, it was quite sunny as you can see!

 The Alamo!!

 It was actually fairly cool for Texas that day. Sara, the kids and I did some touristy stuff that morning and attempted to get it all done before the temp passed 100 and nap time, we were successful!!

 The boys at the Alamo...

 and the girls.

 The grounds were beautiful at the Alamo, I was amazed how big it was, and at the fact that all of it sits dead center of a major city!

 The grounds again.

The river walk.