Blackmans on the Web (log)

I earned it!

For us, summer this year started last Saturday, the day of Sam’s high school graduation. The graduation parties of friends started the week before and, in fact, he’s at another friend’s graduation party tonight, but we squeezed all his celebrating into that same day as the Centennial High School graduation ceremony, June 6. That allowed us to take advantage of out of town family to attend both ceremony and party.

To quote Jane Austen: One cannot have too large a party. That’s exactly how we do it around here! We are truly blessed with loving and supportive family and friends. Like with Alex’s graduation last year, the menu and other party plans all came from Sam. Needless to say, with fajitas and slushees on the menu and the volleyball net up in the pool, it was a fun day for everyone.

Click on the picture to the right to see more photos from the day. NOTE: There are not 200+ photos like we normally have because Scott was having as good a time as everyone else, just hanging out and enjoying the day to celebrate Sam!

Yes, I’m a little behind! Had some birthday and homecoming photos that I never got around to sharing.

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A couple weeks ago Ann and I went out to CGS to help put together bunk beds in the 5 new cabins at Main Camp. Hard work, but great to see the new cabins. Ann arranged for us to use one of the cabins for Memorial Day weekend. Sam had been wanting to share CGS with Sarah since he’s so enjoyed going there all these years. So we invited Sarah and her mom and dad to join us for the weekend.

We had a great time. Climbed to the top of Johnsons Peak, took a barge over to Hells Gate and climbed up Devils Island. We had a nice campfire on Sunday night and had “Hobo Packs” for dinner. All in all, a nice relaxing weekend

<< Click the image to see some of our weekend photos.

Spring Break this week. We convinced the kids to spend part of a day with us (harder than you might think!). We went to the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth to see a photo exhibit called The Art of the American Snapshot 1888-1978. After the museum we went to the Stockyards and had lunch. Alex was able to meet up with a girl who is going to Tarleton next year who happens to also be the niece of his guidance counselor. All in all a nice day.

Amon Carter Museum

Random pictures from the Amon Carter and Stockyards during Spring Break 2008

16 Photos

 

It’s that time of year – the YMCA Camp Grady Spruce Partners Campaign is in full swing. CGS has been an important part of our lives for nearly as long as we’ve lived in Texas.

It wouldn’t be saying too much to say the CGS has had a significant impact on shaping who Alex and Sam are as caring, engaged young people. YMCA Camp Grady Spruce’s mission is to deliver exceptional outdoor programs that inspire, build and strengthen relationships with God, His creation and each other. Visit our Campaign page to learn more. There you’ll find any easy way to donate to the campaign.

Click the image below for a recap of our Turkey Day Extravaganza. Quicktime Time lapse movie version here

Met up with David and his family and Mom and Dad at a nice house in Ft. Myers Beach. Weather was a little rainy, but we have great time. Got to see Meg and her family in Tampa on the way up AND the way down (oh yeah, we drove). Even got to meet a bunch of the Bittls for the first time in 25 years!