A Quick Trip to McCall

Manda, the boys, and I took a quick trip to McCall to see the new baby, Eli. We arrived Saturday evening around 11:30pm. (Thanks to great directions, we didn't get lost!) Our plan was to stay until the next evening. However, the boys were having so much fun in the mountains, they begged to stay another day. So...we stayed one more night and had a great time.

Cute baby Eli.

Chase with the baby kitten he wanted to bring home.

What a pose!

Brendan giving Chase some pointers on driving.

Brendan before he fell off the four-wheeler.

Most of the kids in a serious game of Apples to Apples.

Emma wearing Manda's shoes.

Amanda pushing Megan on the swing.

Megan and Chase having a good time.

Brendan and Kimberly showing off their 50-blanket fort.

Grandma's Birthday Project

I think I finally figured out how to post pictures! These pictures are from when the Larson and Downs families labored over the jungle at grandma and grandpa's. We had so much fun!!!

Michael trying to decide if he has a weed or one of grandma's precious flowers.

Abbey and Chase doing what they do best! :)

Ashley enjoying every minute of this service project!

New Addition - Eli Jason Pannell

Eli Jason Pannell, born Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 2:17 PM is now an official member of our family, and the Blacker grandchildren. He weighed 8 lbs. 7 oz. 21" long and is a healthy, happy baby. He came quickly, he eats like a champ, as no jaundice, and is doing great - as am I. We just wanted to share a few pictures with those of you who are far away! In three days, he has changed a lot, however. At birth, he was pretty chunky, but has slimmed down in his face and body - yet, we brought him home at 8 lbs 2 oz, so he has retained most of his birth weight!

He came out COVERED in vernex! The nurse won the bet on his weight - 8 lbs 7 oz.

Jason's pug nose, chubby cheeks, & lips!

Five excited older siblings!

I had to include this picture because this picture of Emma is totally ALL-JASON!

Reunion Site

For those of you who are curious as to what the Blacker Family Reunion for the Summer 2009 looks like, here are a few pictures. There are a few ammenities that are still under construction (a.k.a. the play area - swingset/monkeybars/slides/tree fort/play house/monkey bars, the fire pit, and the pond packed with fish!), but we are working hard to get it ready for some family fun!!! However, the ducks and geese are in the pond, the horses are in the pasture, there are a few Coho in the pond already, and all we need is you!

P.S. If you didn't get to put in your vote as to when the most convenient time for your family to participate, please leave a comment and I can open up the poll back up!

Reunion Survey

I know that a lot of you have been busy! Some of you are already out of school and the rest have gotten out this week. We only have one more week to go!!! Please get with your families before the summer gets away from us, or before you leave on your travels, and figure out the best time that would work for your family to do an overnighter or one-day reunion. Listed on the right side of the blog is a survey as to when you feel is the best time to do it for your family. Your opinion counts and you will be able to include your input until the middle of next week. At that point, it is up to the patriarch, Jim, of our family to ultimately pick the weekend and we hope that most, if not all of you, can make it! We were just hoping to achieve a majority vote and that could make it easier on everybody. Depending on what ya'll chose, it could be just a month away... so put in your input and your VOTE!

(If you can't figure out the survey, just email me and let me know what you would prefer). The options are July 10th - 11th or July 31st - Aug 1st.