Branson Vacation!

Vacation with our friends the Westbacks. We had a great time! Magic shows, train rides... and tons of FOOD!

Fall family session

~ Here are some pictures of a friend and his family. They are just a ton of fun and the little one is getting to be so much fun. Thanks guys, I had a great time with you all.

Don't you just love St. Louis in the Fall?!

Happy Fall everyone! This is my favorite time of the year. Not only for James and my birthdays, but cooler weather and sweatshirts! Today was a great day at the park, and we took some pictures of the kids. They are just too fun!! Enjoy!

Fall Festival

We went to the Fall festival here in town. We had alot of fun! They made Home Depot projects, listened to music,and rode a train. It was such a beautiful day! We could not have asked for a better day.

Baby Samantha

Welcome Baby Samantha!! She was born today at 1:20 am. She is so beautiful. Congratulations to the proud mommy, daddy and big sis Taylor!!

We are so glad that you all are safe and well!

Kurt, welcome state-side! You were missed!

Col. Phillip C. "Pappy" Rawlins

Col. Phillip C. 'Pappy' Rawlins (91) passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2008 in San Antonio, from complications with pneumonia.

History: Born in Milburn, Oklahoma (January 20, 1917). Moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma (1920). Graduated with honors, Ardmore Sr. High School (1935). Enrolled in ROTC, Oklahoma A & M University, graduated with honors (1939), commissioned 2nd Lt., US Army Reserve. Called to active duty, 23rd Infantry, Ft. Sam Houston (1939). Married Mary Patricia Bartley (1940). Transferred to Army Air Corps (1942). Completed Flight School (1942). Assigned 77th Troop Carrier Sq., 435th TCG (1943). His 77th trained the 101st Airborne Infantry, Ft. Bragg (1943). Arrived England (1943) & trained with 101st until D-Day. Became Squadron Commander (1944). His 77th TCS participated in all seven Airborne Operations in ETO during WW2, including Bastogne. Returned USA (July 4, 1945). Air Inspector School (1947). Air Command & Staff School (1948). Air Instructor, Infantry School, Ft. Benning (1948-51). Revised curriculum for Air-Ground Operations School, Southern Pines, N. Ca. (1952). Chief, War Plans Group, Far East Command, Tokyo (1953-56). National War College (1957). International Affairs Division HQ, Pentagon (1957-61). Chief War Plans Division, JUSMG, Madrid (1961-63). Vice-Commander, Andrews AFB, Md. (1963-67). Clark AB, Philippines: Base Commander (1967-68); 6th Air Division Commander (1968-69); and 13th AF Inspector General (1969). Commander, 1131st Support Group, Bolling AFB (1969-70). Retired USAF (January 31, 1970). Divorced Patricia (1973). Married Lt. Col. Sally Hayes (1974), (D) (2001). Remarried Patricia (2001).

Skilled pilot: Flew 28 accident-free years, in peacetime & in combat, piloting 17 different aircraft, from gliders to 4-engined types, including trainers, utility, transports, medium & heavy bombers, jet fighters, and became a 'Mach-Buster' in Korea. Decorated Veteran: Received 17 medals including Presidential Unit Citation, French Croix de Guerre, Bronze Star, Air Medal (5th Oak Leaf Cluster), Legion of Merit, AF Commendation Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster). Earned Master Winemaker Certification (1975): Produced & bottled 13 varieties of wine & champagne from 1971 thru 1986. An avid golfer with 6 handicap; Andrews AF Base Champion (1967); Marshalled Texas Open Tournament 11+ years. Scouting: 17 years service; Troop Leader, Tokyo (1953-56); Troop Leader, Arlington, Va. (1956-61); Spain-Morroco, District Commissioner (1961-63); Scoutmaster, 11th World Jamboree, Athens, Greece (1963), and 6th National Jamboree, Valley Forge, Pa. (1964); Prince George's Co. District Commissioner (1963-67); Philippine District Commissioner (1967-69); Recipient of 'Silver Beaver' award (1966). Civic Duties: Rotary Club, Philippines, Member (1967-69); Honorary Son of Angeles City, Philippines (1969); Kiwanis International, Southern Prince George's County, Charter Member (1972), and Club President (1973-74); Kiwanis International, Texas-Oklahoma District, Outstanding Lt. Governor (1977-78), Honorary Life Member (1985), Governor (1986-87), Foundation Chairman (1992-93), Legion of Honor (25 years service) (1997), Key Club 'Hall of Fame' (1998-99); Freedom Foundation, President, San Antonio Chapter, (1988-90).

Authored & Published five books: 1) 'A Man Called Pappy' (Autobiography, 1990); 2) 'Red Light, Green Light, Geronimo' (History of 77th TCS in WW2, 1992); 3) 'A Walk Down Memory Lane' (Testament to his Mother, Josie Rawlins, 1994); 4) 'A History of Texas-Oklahoma District, Kiwanis International' (1996); and 5) 'The Lay Minister's Manual' (rewritten 1997). An active member of Church of the Resurrection, Episcopal, San Antonio, as; Lay Reader (20 years), Vestry Member, Senior Warden, Accolite Master, Trainer & Manager of Lay Ministers.

Family: His beloved Mother, Josie (104) (D). Wife: Patricia. Children: Ginger (D), Penny (D) & Phillip. Grandchildren: Kathy, Ann, Terri, James & Stephanie. Great Grandchildren: Josh, Jessica, Jacob, Vanessa, Alison, Jonah, Kyle & Abby. Sister: Helen. Her Children: Andrew, Rena & Val. Her Grandchildren: Rob, Alex, Hunter, Ashton, Josie & Grace. Wife: Sally (D). He is greatly loved and shall be sorely missed. Godspeed.

(Obituary by Phil Rawlins)


PS. There is a link to a video of some of the service on the right side of the page under "our Links". Click on our video's.

Kid portraits

Hey!! Today I took some kid pictures for some friends. They are so precious. The little one is 2 weeks old. Aren't they cute?!!!

Aunt Christa Visit

(Abby took this picture)

Con-va-der- belt slide as Jonah calls it.

"Climb every mountain..."

There was no singing on this mountain adventure

Trying on Hats in St. Charles

Eating cookies on the river front in St. Charles

The first 5 min Christa was in the house!!

Aunt Christa came to visit! We had a blast! We were very busy packing in a whole lot of fun. We went to St. Charles, to the park... garage saling... out to lunch...

Thank you for coming! We miss you already!

Rams day

All we have to do is DANCE, DANCE!!!

Abby sticking her nose up because she wanted a picture with just her.

It was St. Louis Rams day at school. All I have to say is "Go Bronco's". But it was non-uniform day and it had to be Rams... Go Bronco's!! ....

God's Rainbow

This is from Jonah's art class. He made God's rainbow. The purple part he said is God's throne and the rainbow underneath is Jesus' throne. It reminded me of Rev. 4 "...Immediately I was in the Spirit, and there in heaven a throne was set. One was seated on the throne, and the One seated looked like jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that looked like an emerald surrounded the throne..."