Kyle's 12th birthday party!

Kyle's Birthday party was so great that I couldn't wait until the next update to post these pics and videos. A decent snow came (finally) and forced us to change our plans. We quickly decided on a snow-fun party and the games we had planned are saved for another day.









Our fun in the snow crew:













These video clips are short, but may take a moment to buffer. First is the birthday boy followed by his favorite brother and Dad.

We've never had a better party and we couldn't have a better son!

Bye for now...

February

Our February rolled along quite nicely! Feb. in Kentucky means one thing: basketball! Here I am at the PHS game with my buddies Blake and Clayton. Kyle's team is finshed for the year. The team wasn't good, but Kyle really was!

It is also the month of love. 6 of us went to the Smokies for a Marriage Retreat and had a blast! See the webalbum (to the right) for more pics.

Blake and I love to watch cartoons in bed! Arthur and George are our favorite early-morning-turn-the-volume-low-so-we-don't-wake-Mom companions.

Even though I'm ready to "soak up the sun", I still wish we would have at least one decent snow this year but it hasn't happened yet. This is the best so far, but even this Florida-born boy knows that this isn't very good.

On the 28th, Kyle turned 12! We can't believe it!

He is a great young man and we're very proud of him. His party will be Mar. 8 so pics will come in next month's update.

BTW, Kyle and I found this great party game website while planning his party.

I'll close this month with another incredible sunrise from our deck.

Be sure to check out my new blog! (link at top right)

See you next month!

Love,

Keith, Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake

A Good Start to the Year

Our 2008 is off to a slow and uneventful start...and that's a good thing! After a wild-n-wooly second half of '07, we have welcomed a saner start to this year. Of course I'm sure that'll change soon.

Kyle and I have been busy with basketball. Our team isn't quite the roundball version of the Bad News Bears, but let's just say that we've made sure that all the other teams have a win under their belt! Isn't that benevolent?! What they need is a better coach! (BTW, don't you love the way they all try to look serious and tough?!)

Molly's 1st academic team competition went well with them coming 2nd in the region which allows them to go to district competition on Feb. 14. You go girl!

I spent a few days (Jan. 20-23) preaching in Tazewell, Tn. Not much to do there but it's pretty, the people are nice, and I stayed in a great place on the lake.

>Here's my new toy. I'm hoping to have a chance to baptize it next month in Zanzibar! Look for some great underwater pics in the coming updates.

>Be sure to check out the new "Webalbum" section to the right, just under our family pic.

>Just in case you want to know...I wrote the first chapter in this book.

>See you later! I will now go enjoy my last 2 weeks of under-40-dom!

K,K,M,K,&B

A December to Remember!

As you may remember, the last update (not counting Porky Pig - sorry Porky) was posted on my way to Nigeria. That trip went fine and all is well. While there, they honored me with a custom made outfit. Groovy, ain't it?!?! This is what most men wear and it was a very nice gesture. It included leather sandals and matching pants. Kim and the kids laughed their heads off when I modeled it at home!

Shortly after I got home Molly participated in the annual chorus Chrsitmas concert. That's Molly in the middle behind the microphone. It's a big chorus (less than half is shown) but she is the prettiest and most talented of all!

In another annual tradition, Kyle's basketball team played at the East Kentucky Expo Center during halftime of a high-school tournament featuring teams from all over. On Sunday (1/6) they will play there before the East Kentucky Miners game. The Miners are a CBA (think NBA minor league) team. I'm coaching Kyle's team this year and I'm really enjoying it.

I HAVE to tell this story! Kim and her buddies (the Fantastic Five) did their usually holiday girls-night-out. After taking a group pic at Applebees, they went to WalMart to print it. Deciding it wasn't good, they walked over to the holiday section, grabbed a bow each, stood in front of some trees for sale, and got someone to take their pic. This one turned out good AND it has been good for a thousand laughs!

Our Chrsitmas this year was great! Our trip to Alabama went perfect and really enjoyed the time with our family. Christmas Day at home was good too. There are too many good pics for the blog, but you can see a few of them on the Christmas web album if you want.

Kyle and I ended our 1st hunting season together on a bit of a disappointing note. Last Sat. morning (12/29) we watched a group of deer that just wouldn't get close enough. We talked about it and decided to sneak up on them instead of waiting. Our plan worked to perfection! We were less than 100 yards away and they had no idea. Kyle was scoping them out (I was my hands and knees so he could use my back for a gun rest) when something spooked them. We looked and saw some trespassing quail hunters. Kyle went ahead and took a shot but missed. Oh well, there's next year AND we enjoyed this year!

New Years Day we had our traditional Hoppin' John because you gotta have black-eyed peas for good luck. So, we're ready for a great year and we hope that you have one too!

Until next time...

Love,

Keith, Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake

Porky Pig - Blue Christmas

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.

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!

See you next month. Until then...

Love from,

Keith , Kim, Molly, Kyle, and Blake

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!

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.

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

In Memory of Pops

IN MEMORIAM

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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

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

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:

24,828 flight miles

14 days

12 flights
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