Please enjoy this classic as a little present to you. High-browed it isn't, but you know it's funny! I hope it makes you smile and that you don't have a bbbblllue Christmas.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Porky Pig - Blue Christmas
Friday, November 30, 2007
November at our house!
As I sit in Detroit waiting for my flight to Amsterdam and then on to Lagos, Nigeria, I'll catch up on my memory of November.
It began with the beginning of deer season here in Kentucky and, most importantly, Kyle's first ever! He was really excited about it and has really gotten the fever. The big one is still out there but we've had a lot of fun together and there is still time left. This pic was posed but it was in our stand!
On the 16th and 17th, Kim and I headed to Athens, GA with our good friends, UK grads Mike and Heather Cecil to see the UGA/UK game in person. It was a great experience for us but not so great for Mike and Heather!
For T'giving, we all went to the house of our good friends Kim and Jerry Read. Kim's mother fixed all kinds of good food and we made a full day of it. Good food, good friends, and a lot of fun made our Turkey Day very nice.
It's hard to believe, but Christmas time is near. Here's our family Christmas card and with it here's wishing you a happy holiday and the best New Year you've ever had!
It began with the beginning of deer season here in Kentucky and, most importantly, Kyle's first ever! He was really excited about it and has really gotten the fever. The big one is still out there but we've had a lot of fun together and there is still time left. This pic was posed but it was in our stand!
On the 16th and 17th, Kim and I headed to Athens, GA with our good friends, UK grads Mike and Heather Cecil to see the UGA/UK game in person. It was a great experience for us but not so great for Mike and Heather!
For T'giving, we all went to the house of our good friends Kim and Jerry Read. Kim's mother fixed all kinds of good food and we made a full day of it. Good food, good friends, and a lot of fun made our Turkey Day very nice.
It's hard to believe, but Christmas time is near. Here's our family Christmas card and with it here's wishing you a happy holiday and the best New Year you've ever had!See you next month. Until then...
Love from,
Keith , Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake
Friday, November 02, 2007
September&October
Our September and October were both so full that they really need their own update but that's exactly why I wasn't able to get to them! So...here they are!
But the best comapny of all was Brian, Natasha, Colton, and Ashby! We had tons of fun playing our own brand of football: backyard! The cousins all played nonstop, the adults stayed up late talking and laughing, the guys went out and shot every gun I own (very manly stuff!!!), and the girls all went shopping (very girly stuff!!!). It was a great weekend!
Shortly after they left I was off to teach in Arusha, Tanzania and to speak in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was a great trip except for all the anxiety I felt after receiving word that Pops had taken a turn for the worse while I was there. The scheduled hunt fell through so we did the next best thing and took a photo safari to Tarangire National Park. Click here to see my Tarangire album.
Meanwhile, Blake has been playing flag football for the first time ever, but you wouldn't know it by watching him! I know this will probably sound like nothing more than the babbling of a proud Dad...but that guy is good! He has scored several touchdowns, including a couple that went the entire length of the field; and he has made more "tackles" than anyone can count. Check out one of his tackles on this clip.
During the kids Fall Break (Oct. 4-6) we went camping at the Breaks and had a great time. The weather was perfect and we got to do a lot of Geocaching. On Friday afternoon some good friends (the Reads) came and camped with us. On Saturday Jerry, Molly, Kyle and I ran a 5K trail run at the park. Jerry and I took 3rd and 1st respectively in our age group and Kyle won 2nd in his first race ever! 
This past weekend Molly and I ran the annual 10K here in town. We both set personal records. Molly won 1st in her age group and I finished 7th overal but only 3rd in my age group. Kyle was going to run it but got up sick that morning, which kept him and our race photographer at home. :-(
As the sun sets on this update, enjoy this pic of a recent sunrise here on the mountain. You know it's gonna be a good day when it starts out that pretty!
It all began on Labor Day weekend when our Alma Mater, Faulkner University, played it's first ever football game in of all places...Pikeville! A bunch of people from days (long) gone by came and it was a really fun weekend.
But the best comapny of all was Brian, Natasha, Colton, and Ashby! We had tons of fun playing our own brand of football: backyard! The cousins all played nonstop, the adults stayed up late talking and laughing, the guys went out and shot every gun I own (very manly stuff!!!), and the girls all went shopping (very girly stuff!!!). It was a great weekend!Shortly after they left I was off to teach in Arusha, Tanzania and to speak in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was a great trip except for all the anxiety I felt after receiving word that Pops had taken a turn for the worse while I was there. The scheduled hunt fell through so we did the next best thing and took a photo safari to Tarangire National Park. Click here to see my Tarangire album.
You can also watch this short video clip I shot. The elephants aren't the only dirty, smelly animals captured here; listen close and you'll hear Pat McIntosh and Mike Reese!
Molly's soccer season is quickly coming to a close. She has had an outstanding year and her team is still undefeated.
Molly's soccer season is quickly coming to a close. She has had an outstanding year and her team is still undefeated.
Meanwhile, Blake has been playing flag football for the first time ever, but you wouldn't know it by watching him! I know this will probably sound like nothing more than the babbling of a proud Dad...but that guy is good! He has scored several touchdowns, including a couple that went the entire length of the field; and he has made more "tackles" than anyone can count. Check out one of his tackles on this clip.
During the kids Fall Break (Oct. 4-6) we went camping at the Breaks and had a great time. The weather was perfect and we got to do a lot of Geocaching. On Friday afternoon some good friends (the Reads) came and camped with us. On Saturday Jerry, Molly, Kyle and I ran a 5K trail run at the park. Jerry and I took 3rd and 1st respectively in our age group and Kyle won 2nd in his first race ever! 
This past weekend Molly and I ran the annual 10K here in town. We both set personal records. Molly won 1st in her age group and I finished 7th overal but only 3rd in my age group. Kyle was going to run it but got up sick that morning, which kept him and our race photographer at home. :-(
You can see my online training log if you'd like. Here you can see how much I've run and where I've run. Leave me a comment telling me that you will check it periodically...because even if you don't, just thinking you might will keep me motivated!
As the sun sets on this update, enjoy this pic of a recent sunrise here on the mountain. You know it's gonna be a good day when it starts out that pretty!Happy Birthday Bro!
Until next time...
Keith, Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake
Sunday, October 14, 2007
In Memory of Pops
IN MEMORIAM
William Edward Sikes
Nov. 10, 1942 - Oct. 14, 2007
William Edward Sikes
Nov. 10, 1942 - Oct. 14, 2007
I used to know him as Willie but when the kids started calling him "Pops", I did too. Early this morning Pops slipped into eternity at his home with his beloved daughters nearby. The past 6 weeks were difficult for him and the rest of us too, but we are thankful that the effects of the strokes didn't linger any longer than they did. He is missed already.
I learned several things from Pops .
>The vaule of a simple, uncluttered life - "stuff" didn't excite him.
>If a good guy shows interest in your daughter, don't interfere - he was always good to me.
>The value of doing little things for people when you can.
>You might as well do some living before you retire because retirement may not last long.
The suit I will wear to the funeral is a special one to me. Years ago when things were pretty tight, I mentioned in passing that I needed a new suit. Later in the visit he gave me some money and said he wanted me to have a new suit. Now my closet is full of nice suits, most nicer than the one I bought, but that one is a special reminder of a man who liked to do things for people when he could.
>The vaule of a simple, uncluttered life - "stuff" didn't excite him.
>If a good guy shows interest in your daughter, don't interfere - he was always good to me.
>The value of doing little things for people when you can.
>You might as well do some living before you retire because retirement may not last long.
The suit I will wear to the funeral is a special one to me. Years ago when things were pretty tight, I mentioned in passing that I needed a new suit. Later in the visit he gave me some money and said he wanted me to have a new suit. Now my closet is full of nice suits, most nicer than the one I bought, but that one is a special reminder of a man who liked to do things for people when he could.
Any man with 2 beautiful daughters who loved him and cared for him to the end; 7 healthy and happy grandchildren; and more friends than you can count was truly blessed!
Treasure the moment! These pics are from the last time the kids and I ever saw Pops. We could never have known!
We will miss you Pops!
You can leave a comment for Kim -kinda like an electronic funeral guest book.
Funeral arrangements: Greenwood Funeral Home, Montgomery, Ala.
Visitation - Tuesday (Oct. 16) 6-8 pm
Funeral - Wednesday - 11 am
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Will Sikes Memorial Scholarship at Backwoods Christian Camp to help a child (or more) attend camp every year. The address is:
BCC, P.O. Box 939, Lineville, AL 36266 - be sure to note that it is in honor of him. Thanks!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
August
Welcome to the new and improved version of our family blog!
August has been a little slower and a lot hotter!
The kids are back in school and life is a little more normal now. (The pics are enlargeable.)
On the 18th Molly and I ran in a local 5 mile race. We both did fine and had a lot of fun together.
This month I had the opportunity to meet Kentucky's governor. He is a very impressive person (fighter pilot, physician, congressman, and now governor) and I was impressed with what he had to say. I had a minute to talk to him and am convinced that all our Kentucky-resident-blog-readers need to get out and vote for Gov. Fletcher Nov. 6.
How do you beat the Aug. heat? Head for the lake!!! That's what we did on the 25th. We went to Jenny Wiley State Park where I pulled the kids in the tube, we picnicked on the shore, and then turned off the motor and jumped in!
Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see a new addition to the blog.
August has been a little slower and a lot hotter!
The kids are back in school and life is a little more normal now. (The pics are enlargeable.)
On the 18th Molly and I ran in a local 5 mile race. We both did fine and had a lot of fun together.
This month I had the opportunity to meet Kentucky's governor. He is a very impressive person (fighter pilot, physician, congressman, and now governor) and I was impressed with what he had to say. I had a minute to talk to him and am convinced that all our Kentucky-resident-blog-readers need to get out and vote for Gov. Fletcher Nov. 6.
How do you beat the Aug. heat? Head for the lake!!! That's what we did on the 25th. We went to Jenny Wiley State Park where I pulled the kids in the tube, we picnicked on the shore, and then turned off the motor and jumped in!Be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see a new addition to the blog.
Upcoming in Sept...Blake starts flag football, Molly's 1st soccer game of the year, and Keith goes to Tanzania and South Africa (9/12-25).
Until next time...take care and God bless,
Keith, Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
One Wild July!
We have had the busiest, funest, goingest month ever! I'd better get right to it! (all pics should be enlargeable - just click)
We began the month by going to Chattanooga to meet Annika and Jonas Bengtsson and their
children. They are longtime friends of ours from Sweden and were in the States for a few weeks. While we were there we took in Ruby Falls. They are such good and fun people that we always have a great time with them. We spent half of our time in disbelief at 1) how well the kids get along even though they didn't really know each other or even speak the same language; and 2) how we all ended up with so many kids! It seems like yesterday when we went to their wedding and there was only Molly. Wow, everyone else sure is getting old!
This month both Molly and Kyle attended Math and Science camp here at the college. They had a great time! (Apparently it's a lot more fun than it sounds!) This is Kyle competing in the egg drop. They had to design something to catch an egg from up to an 18' drop.
One day my ole (and old) buddy Harlow and I took the kids to see some really neat antiques. Most of them were local things especially pertaining to coal mining. Here the kids are sitting in a really old buggy that Harlow helped restore. That Harlow can do anything!
On the way home we stopped by the Cinncinati Bengals training camp to take in some football and get some autographs. That's the back of Kyle's head. Go Bengals!!!...and stay out of jail this year!
Here you go Matt! Here's the much-anticipated pic (at least Matt wants to see it!) of the new ride I told you about in the last update. Shown sitting by her big brother.
We rounded out the month, and the summer, at West Virginia Christian Youth Camp just outside the thriving metropolis of Pennsboro, WV. The entire family got to go this year and we had a blast! There were 150 from 9 states and we couldn't have had a better week. To make it even better, my buddy Mike Reese and I biked the back roads every morning and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and wildlife.
We began the month by going to Chattanooga to meet Annika and Jonas Bengtsson and their
children. They are longtime friends of ours from Sweden and were in the States for a few weeks. While we were there we took in Ruby Falls. They are such good and fun people that we always have a great time with them. We spent half of our time in disbelief at 1) how well the kids get along even though they didn't really know each other or even speak the same language; and 2) how we all ended up with so many kids! It seems like yesterday when we went to their wedding and there was only Molly. Wow, everyone else sure is getting old!
We slowly made our way back from Chattanooga (the Bengtssons headed for Disney) stopping and goofing off. One highlight was going thru the Mayfield Dairy tour . Of course we had to top it off with some fresh ice cream! The kids thought it was very funny that I had to cover up to that point that it looked like I was wearing a burkha!
This month both Molly and Kyle attended Math and Science camp here at the college. They had a great time! (Apparently it's a lot more fun than it sounds!) This is Kyle competing in the egg drop. They had to design something to catch an egg from up to an 18' drop. 
Again this year Blake participated in the Future Champions football camp. That's him going out for a pass.
One day my ole (and old) buddy Harlow and I took the kids to see some really neat antiques. Most of them were local things especially pertaining to coal mining. Here the kids are sitting in a really old buggy that Harlow helped restore. That Harlow can do anything!The 26th-28th we all headed to Cinncinati for a mini-vacation. On Thursday we hit Kings Island where we had a perfect day! The threat of rain kept the temps perfect and the crowds low...and it didn't rain! On Friday we just goofed off. Meanwhile, back at the motel (it's a really big place - see for yourself www.starwoodhotels.com/sheraton/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1542&EM=VTY_SI_cincinnatinorth_1542_overview ) we were right smack dab in the middle of the biggest wedding party this side of Bombay! It's always fun and educational whenever we go anywhere! (no pics - sorry!)
On the way home we stopped by the Cinncinati Bengals training camp to take in some football and get some autographs. That's the back of Kyle's head. Go Bengals!!!...and stay out of jail this year!
Here you go Matt! Here's the much-anticipated pic (at least Matt wants to see it!) of the new ride I told you about in the last update. Shown sitting by her big brother.
We rounded out the month, and the summer, at West Virginia Christian Youth Camp just outside the thriving metropolis of Pennsboro, WV. The entire family got to go this year and we had a blast! There were 150 from 9 states and we couldn't have had a better week. To make it even better, my buddy Mike Reese and I biked the back roads every morning and enjoyed the beautiful scenery and wildlife.Well, how's that for a full month?!
Until next time...love from,
Keith, Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake
Keith, Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
June update
BIG #7!!!This month we celebrated Blake's 7th birthday! It's hard to believe but it's true... This year he wanted a "dog party" where every guest could bring thier dog. It was interesting! We had 15-20 kids and 6 dogs who got along just fine most of the time.
One game that involved whipped cream turned into an all-out whipped cream food fight! Everone had a great time.
BIG RACE!!!
A few months ago Molly decided she wanted to try competitive road racing so we signed up for a local 5K. Not only did she finish (in style I might add) but she won her age group! We must be the first father-daughter team in the history of Pikeville racing (???) to each win their age group. We are pictured here with my good buddy Mike Cecil.
BIG TRIP!!!We ended the month with an anniversary (17th) trip to Culebra, Puerto Rico. Culebra has been home to Taino and Caribe indians, host to Columbus, and a hideout for pirates. But for us it was simply paradise! Can you imagine having either of these beaches to yourself?! We had both!
Every place and every time of day were beautiful!
One of the highlights of the trip was scuba diving, which neither of us had ever done before. It was incredible and I was bummed when I ran out of air and had to quit. What a unbelievable world it is down there. In this pic we are a few feet from a sting ray who is buried in the sand. His eyes are in the center (in front of my knees) and his tail goes all the way out of the picture to the right. When he left he swam right past us. Click on the pic and you'll see that I'm trying to get closer and Kim is pulling me back!
Another highlight was the snorkeling. We were amazed at how much life lives in such shallow water. Pictured here is a school of fish that came near us that I swam up to. The entire school was at least 3 times what can be seen in the pic.Well, that's our June in a nutshell. We hope everyone is having a great summer. Take care and God bless.
With love from,
Keith, Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake
Monday, June 04, 2007
One busy May!
This may have been our busiest month ever! But it was much better than busy - it was great all the way around. Here's how it went.3-5 Kim and I were invited to present a Marriage and Family seminar in Montreal, Canada. This is a place and people we know well and were happy to go there again. There were no field trips this time (inside joke) but it was good to see Guido again! (Another inside joke!) Thanks to Nana and Pawpaw for keeping the kiddos.
8 We entered the world of Teenhood! Molly turned 13 and was treated to a surprise party (does she look surprised?) to celebrate the special occasion. 
9 We had another important birthday - Nana's! Happy birthday Mom!
10,11 I accompanied Kyle and a bunch of other students to Cinncinati for an overnight trip to the Newport Aquarium http://www.newportaquarium.com/ and King's Island http://www3.paramountparks.com/kingsisland/#actions. This was a reward to the select group of students who scored very high on last year's standardized tests. Way to go Kyle!
11 Blake was in his Kindergarten play starring as a stuntman. He is 2nd from the left in the pic. Blake had a great year and is rarin' to be in 1st grade. Well...not exactly rarin', but ready anyways.
13 We celebrated the love we have for our Mothers!
15-28 Keith Blackburn and I went on a mission trip to Zambia (via Johannesburg) and Ukraine.
It was a very successful and completely uneventful trip. Quite amazing considering the "numbers". Here they are:
It was a very successful and completely uneventful trip. Quite amazing considering the "numbers". Here they are:24,828 flight miles
14 days
12 flights
9 places in which I spent at least 1 night
9 places in which I spent at least 1 night
8 airports (several more than once)
5 countries (US, Netherlands, S. Africa, Zambia, Ukraine)
4 currencies (Dollars, Rand, Kwacha, Gryvna)
3 languages (Bemba, English, Russian)
1 lucky guy!!! (Me)!
25 The last day of school!
26 Molly played her last soccer game of the season. They had a great year and, as usual, Molly played great!
29 I got my new car! It is an 81 Mercedes and only has 203K miles! She's a classy European gal who hopefully has many miles left to give. Blake likes it because it has a sunroof! Me too!
Until next time...love from Keith, Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
April update
April around here has been about as full and as good as it good be! This update actually begins with the final days of March when Kim and Becky Johnson met in Gatlinburg for a few well-deserved days without husbands, children, and responsibilities. From all accounts they had a blast. Molly probably best summed it up when she told me, "I'm glad I'm not there because I'm afraid they're acting a lot younger than they are!"
Then the kids and I met up with Kim in Lebanon, TN where I was to preach for several days. We had a great time seeing our old friends and catching up a little. Pictured here are the kids with there friends and our family with good friend and blog-watcher Beverly Newman.
Also, we were able to see my "cousin" Arusik as she just happened to be in Nashville at the same time. We all spent the day together and had a great time!
This is the 2007 version of the Easter morning picture. It's amazing how much the picture changes every year!
On April 21stI ran the Charlottesville Marathon. This is my first marathon and I was amazingly slow! But, it was a beautiful course (the entire area is incredibly beautiful), I had a perfect not-cloud-in-the-sky day to enjoy being outside, and I can say that I finished the most physically and mentally demanding thing I've ever undertaken. More pics can be viewed at http://www.brightroom.com/go.asp?19316055
This probably isn't the best thing for your body but I really enjoyed the discipline if the training regimen and the excitement of competition. I'll do it again (and faster)!
Many of you know that Molly enjoys writing poetry and I want to share a sampling with you.
The Soft Summer Nights
by Molly Kasarjian
The summer moon, so big, so bright
the lightening bugs glow, so alive in the still night.
The gentle summer breeze flowing freely through the trees
and a far off cry of a bird saying goodnight on the soft, sweet summer night.
That has me ready for summer evenings on the deck!!!
And I close with the latest Blakism: As he and I are riding down the road he asks, "Dad, if I throw an eye crusty on the ground, is that considered littering?" Now that's funny!
See you next month!
Love,
Keith, Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
March update
Hello everyone!
We taught 18 students in the Chimala School of Preaching and enjoyed every minute of it. We were impressed with all the work going on there (schools from pre-K - 7th grade, a hospital and clinic that see 20K per year, etc.) It was a great trip all the way around!
Kyle is also having a good school year and just finished a long basketball season. His team won the chamionship last night to complete an undefeated season. They never even had a close game! He's shown here sporting his rec specs and his brother's rabbit ears!
The past 2 months have been wild and wooly and an update is long overdue - so let's get right to it!
The first 2 weeks of February found me in Chimala, Tanzania, East Africa. This was my first time to visit this part of the country and I was surprised at the beauty. Having only been in the northern part of the country I had never seen such greenery before. We even saw gigantic waterfalls. Everywhere was green and beautiful.
We taught 18 students in the Chimala School of Preaching and enjoyed every minute of it. We were impressed with all the work going on there (schools from pre-K - 7th grade, a hospital and clinic that see 20K per year, etc.) It was a great trip all the way around!NOTE: I've always taken old ties from here to give to the students there. A few years ago I began just wearing those ties before I gave them away. The benefits: I don't wrinkle and dirty my ties & I get a kick out of putting together classic combinations like the one in the picture!
On to the family:
Kim has been as busy as ever with pre-school as the year is coming to an end (That's hard to believe!)
Molly is continuing the have a great 7th grade year! She has been on the honor roll every grading period and recently competed on the Future Problems Solvers team (part of the Academic Team). They placed 2nd in the region and 3rd in the district. She also began soccer yesterday.
Kyle is also having a good school year and just finished a long basketball season. His team won the chamionship last night to complete an undefeated season. They never even had a close game! He's shown here sporting his rec specs and his brother's rabbit ears! Speaking of... Blake has had by far the best year in his long and distinguished academic career! He's reading like a pro and has been busy learning his lines and songs for the kindergarten play.
So, all is well here. We think of you all often!
Love,
Keith, Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Happy New Year!
We hope that everyone is off to a great new year already. There is something reflective about the ending of a year, which is good, and something exciting about the prospects of a brand new year, which is even better! Here's how we ended our 
'06.
We had a great Christmas holiday this past year. Both on our annual Alabama pilgrimage and our Xmas at home. Altogether we drove over 1200 miles, did Xmas 4 times, and ate ham so many different times that I'm singing "Blue Christmas" like Porky Pig!
As always, it was a great time of the year to enjoy our family.
We have had such warm and beautiful weather this winter that I decided we had to do something that we've never done before in the winter: go camping!
So, I took the pop-up out of the garage and drove straight to the campground at Yatesville lake State Park. On Dec. 29, 30 the kids and I enjoyed not-a-cloud-in-the-sky weather, hiked trails, rode bikes, threw footballs, gathered firewood, cooked all our meals over the campfire, made s'mores, laughed around the campfire, played card games by flashlight, and made some memories that will last forever. I have a story on each of the boys that will make us laugh for years!
That's all for now. Take care and God bless.
With love from,
Keith, Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake
'06.We had a great Christmas holiday this past year. Both on our annual Alabama pilgrimage and our Xmas at home. Altogether we drove over 1200 miles, did Xmas 4 times, and ate ham so many different times that I'm singing "Blue Christmas" like Porky Pig!
As always, it was a great time of the year to enjoy our family.
We have had such warm and beautiful weather this winter that I decided we had to do something that we've never done before in the winter: go camping!So, I took the pop-up out of the garage and drove straight to the campground at Yatesville lake State Park. On Dec. 29, 30 the kids and I enjoyed not-a-cloud-in-the-sky weather, hiked trails, rode bikes, threw footballs, gathered firewood, cooked all our meals over the campfire, made s'mores, laughed around the campfire, played card games by flashlight, and made some memories that will last forever. I have a story on each of the boys that will make us laugh for years!
That's all for now. Take care and God bless.
With love from,
Keith, Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake
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