Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Buffalo or Bust....


This was our motto as we all headed to Buffalo for the Kilian Family reunion!
Phil doing a quick round of stretches before the next potty break!

Caleb was getting a good laugh out of Uncle Phil running! :)

We didn't waste much time! When we arrived we headed out to a local park to have a cookout. The girls really enjoyed meeting their 2nd cousins! The grill masters...Phil & Uncle Chuck!
Aunt Eileen (Phil's dad's sister) was in charge of the fun! She did such a great job planning and organizing the weekend! I had to get this picture of her on the bench giving instructions for a game we were playing!
Campfire!! We stayed late around the fire with a few other family members (I'm not naming any names!!!)....and were able to see a great mini fireworks show...

Saturday we all headed to Niagara Falls! We spent the first hour (approximately) here...getting smashed pennies! :)

Jason, Caleb and Allison choosing their penny design!


Our six kiddos taking in the falls for the first time!!!
(Caleb,Maddie,Allison,Luke,Emma & Eli)
The twins! :)
Loved the rainbow!

Cousins are great...especially when it's 95 degrees and you don't want to walk anymore! :)
The family pic...

We did eventually go out on that bridge behind us for an amazing view!!

Here we are on the look out bridge I mentioned. Emma went on the Maid of the Mist boat ride with Wes & Emily...so we watched from above!

Maddie didn't want to go on the boat ride...but she had no problem sitting up here with her head thru the bars looking down....crazy child!!!!
Here's the group getting ready to go the Maid of the Mist!
And there they go....

Picture with the ponchos! :)
Uncle Chuck bought the kids some dippin' dots while we waited for the trolley! It was a much needed snack on this extremely HOT day!!!!
Plus I think he was trying to get the title of "favorite Uncle!" ....It worked!!! :)


That night we headed back to the hotel for dinner, Pizza and Wings...yummy!!! All the kids played so well together! It was fun to watch them all get acquainted!


The adults were having just as much fun on the other side of the room!!
We had a white elephant gift exchange that was quite interesting to say the least!!! :)
This was just one of the gifts of the evening....
The whole gang

After the adults were done having way to much fun...we took the kids out for ice cream!

On Sunday we all attended Grandma Kilian's church!

Here is the Ronald Kilian clan!! :)
This is Phil and most of his cousins! We missed those of you who couldn't make it!!!

Rex and Kasey's little guy, Caden! He was just to cute..I couldn't resist taking a bunch of pictures of him! :)
Our attempt at a kids group shot! :)
Phil's cousin Andrew and his girlfriend Mollie.
We all enjoyed meeting Molly this weekend! Hopefully we didn't scare her away....especially after the white elephant gift exchange! :)

Phil, the girls, and Great Grandma Kilian

We enjoyed a catered lunch at the church.

Phil and his Uncle Rod showed up with the same t-shirts!
Such an embarrassment for two high fashion figures to wear the same attire! :)
The local country store...
After lunch we all made a stop at the creek behind Grandma's house. Phil and Wes have fun memories of playing back here for hours when they would come to Buffalo for a visit as kids!
I'm not sure....but I'm positive she's up to no good!!!! :)
Uncle Jason helping Allison
The boys trying to catch minnows

Phil had to get the girls in on the traditional cowlesville sign picture!

Next Stop...North Carolina

After our trip to Buffalo we drove another 12 hours to N.Carolina to visit with Phil's Grandma and Grandpa...it's always worth the drive!
They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary a few weeks ago!!!
This year we took a quick trip to the Train museum near by.
The girls on their first ever train ride! :) It started to rain as soon as we got on! I thought these pictures were pretty cool!

The girls showing off their Caboose's on the Caboose!
All Phil's idea!!! :)

Having fun in the puddles!!
Maddie did get soaked when Emma finally landed! :)
I LOVE this picture of "Pops", Phil's Grandpa!
Maddie and "Pa" on the tractor ride!
The girls always look forward to a ride around the farm!