The girls trying to keep warm!


Roasting their hot dogs!

Aloha! Maddie and her friends!


Nana was teaching the girls her moves and of course Max got in on the action. He should of known that I would have my camera and it would come back to bite him!

Here was the table place settings that we set up for their luau!

Maddie and her "loot"...from her family birthday!

This is her cookie cake she wanted. The store copied her shirt that she is wearing. Most of her clothes this year had the peace symbol on it!

Here she is at school with her "giant" cupcake taking the ritual "1st" bite!

See everyone waiting for her so they can dig in!

Miss Madison as you saw from earlier post turned 10. I cannot believe that this is even possible. She was SO excited to be Double Digits! She is such a beautiful young lady. She had some friends over for a LUAU birthday party! Little did we know back in July when we planned this party that winter would make an early appearance this year! It was fun...the girls all had grass skirts and lays. We roasted hot dogs and made smores. Now don't think I am this Girl Scout trooper...I ended up have to blip the hot dogs and smores!!! The girls didn't care they just had fun. We also took giant cupcakes to school. Nana made them for her and we sprinkled them in GREEN sugar. She is soooo into green right now! We had her family dinner..she requested Taco Salad....she knows I can cook that! She got lots of cute clothes and a digital picture frame. Brandon went and got her a new scooter. Not sure if the scooter was more of a gift for him or her. Not b/c he rides it but b/c her old one had a bad tire and everytime she rode it in the garage it made this horrid sound! It was just making too much noise while they were watching TV in the "man cave"! I hope the next year goes a little slower...I am definately not ready for her to turn 11! Still trying to cope with 10.

UPDATE: Yes...wrote this post last week and didn't get the pictures attached till now! Since then Maddie has completed her VB at the Y. She did great and got a nice big medal! She really loves playing and now we might be trying to get on a club VB team. VB was always my favorite sport..(not so much running!) so she has taken a liking to it also! Her P/T conferences were this week and of course she did GREAT! Her teacher said that she is an outstanding student and very respectable! News I already knew!

The Fan Club!

Max...making his move!

Getting Congratulations from Nana!

OH YEAH...15th Place....17.49! Congrats!

Max has been kicking but in XC. Not sure the last meet that I reported on but this weekend is All City. He is running Varsity and I think as a freshman that is quite and honor. He has yet to break 18 minutes yet but has come soooo close. That is his goal on Saturday! The next weekend is Regionals at Dodge City then if they make it to State it will be in Lawrence at Rim Rock. He also went to Fall Homecoming at NW. Told me that EVERYONE was wearing jeans...Friday night he decides that EVERYONE isn't wearing jeans so we are shopping for slacks, tie, shirts...thank goodness he can wear Joe's shoes. He looked very handsome but unfortuately I have NO pictures. I know you are asking yourself...WTH....I was very disappointed that I didn't get them. You all know I live for that kind of thing. Some miscommunication but luckily some of the girls from the group got some. Not with just he and his dad but a group shot. Now how am I supposed to crop that? I have already informed him that Winter Homecoming I WILL get pictures!! Last Saturday he ran in El Dorado. It was FREEZING and was right by the lake. He ran 18.07 and did a good job. If I were a betting girl...i know i know...I would bet that this Saturday at All City he breaks that 18 minutes. He is determined. I do think he is going thru a growing spurt. Whatever the case we are SUPA proud of him! Good Luck Max!

UPDATE: I wrote the above obivously before the City meet but am VERY proud to report that Max did AWESOME at All City! He not only medaled...as a FRESHMAN....but he BROKE 18 minutes for the 5k. He ran a 17.49 and we are still beaming. He did it in front of a crowd also. My dad's brother and his family made the trip to Wichita to witness it. Of course all of the rest of us were there also! So..this weekend we are off to Dodge to the Regionals. Expect a report next week! WAY TO GO MAXWELL THOMAS!

Mr. & Mrs. Hilliard!

The love of my life!

2/3 of the reason I get out of bed every morning!

WOW...a picture with mom...not something that happens very often!

We are in "ATW"..(after the wedding) state...EVERYTHING was BEAUTIFUL!!! The bride, the day, the food, absolute everything. I have told people that the only thing that would of made it complete was if my dad could of been with us...then I have to pause and remember..Oh was he ever! He actually had the best seat in the house..right next to grandpa/ma B & Joe's mom. We know they were all smiling down on us! Well...on with the details. Shelly was not even nervous which yes kinda shocked me! She even had a suprise for Brandon during the vows...she promised to "never root against Texas unless they are playing KSU..Notre Dame or UNC." It got quite a few laughs and caught EVERYONE off guard! The dinner was FAB...Paula out did herself...the music and dancing were of course a blast! We really cut a rug that is for sure! It was great seeing everyone even though we didn't feel like we had enough time to actually see everyone! Isn't that the way it always goes. Shelly & Brandon had a good week in Florida and got to relax. Wish we could of hitched along also..yes that is what we do! LOL! Hope you enjoy the pictures but they don't really do justice to how beautiful everything was!

She's a Beauty.....

How did we get from this......

.....to this??????

That's right. She is a beauty AND.....she is also 10 years old today! I posted on FB that I sure wish someone could explain to me how this happened so FAST! I remember 10 years ago when Joe and I brought her home from the hospital...it was hot but the heat really didn't matter. She was so precious with her black hair and so much of it! The day was filled with visitors....but what so many of us remember was seeing Max out on the playset in the backyard sitting in the fort all by himself! It really was kinda sad! Although they would never admit they really do love each other and I do on rare occasion catch them having a conversation...a civilized one at that! I hope Mads has the BEST day ever and hope she always knows that he is our favorite daughter!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDIE.....YOUR DOUBLE DIGITS!!!!!