Sweet 16.

She loves to use markers, colors, and pencils. She sat here for a while playing with these.

I found her in her room playing with her dolls and putting them on a blanket.

I finally remembered the camera so I could get a picture at lunch with Stacey and Emerson. Not long after this picture, Audrey was getting bear-hugged by the girl in the pink shirt in the background. She was on top of Audrey trying to roll over when Stacey made it over to her!

Watching a show with her big brothers.

King me.

Dade has really gotten into playing games lately -- board games, card games, you name it. He talked Gran into letting him bring home checkers from our camping trip (not that he had to twist her arm too incredibly hard!). He is VERY good and has beaten adults (who will remain unnamed) on more than one occasion. Here he is teaching Luke how to play.

Surprise!

Two of Luke's other birthday requests were that he have a surprise party and a Batman pinata. Check. Check.

Luke had no idea that his friends would be meeting us at the park Monday night to celebrate. Dade did keep asking me that morning as I was putting things in the cart at the store if the cookies, cake mix, etc. were for us. I told him no. He wanted to know why we kept getting things for other people and was satisfied with my answer of, "that's what's on my list for today."

The boys both took a late and long nap giving me time to prep for the evening festivities. Tommy stopped by the store to get the pinata and met us at the park. I woke the boys up to get in the car and told them Daddy was meeting us at the park for dinner. I am not sure Luke really understood what was going on when his friends began arriving. Tommy hung the pinata then told Luke it was his party. He had his mind set on the pinata and the candy inside!

The guys -- Micah, John and Tommy.

Birthday boy and Audrey going for a ride.

Lisa and Dalton.
Luke and Sofie.

Luke's friends --

Olivia, Brea, Emily, Brooke, Dade & Maddox.

I love the look of excitement on Luke's face

while being surrounded by his friends.

Opening gifts.

Time to break open the pinata.

Dade gave it all he had.

Olivia. Sofie.

Brea.

Maddox.

Alicia.

Luke's second try.

Ready to eat some dirt.

Emily & Dade.

Brooke, Audrey & Brea.

He ate the candy instead of his cake!

Heather & Erica passing around ice cream and gummi worms.

Alicia & Maddox.

We had such a fabulous time with Luke and all his friends!

Blackburn Family Camping Trip.

We met my parents and brother in Bastrop for a family camping trip -- my sister and her family couldn't join us this time. It was hot but not unbearable. The kids were able to take a nap in the camper (the a.c. was on 65!) and we went to the pool Saturday afternoon to help us all cool off.

Luke & Dade trying to remove a tree stump.

Audrey going for a walk.

Discovering pine straw.

Dade in the tree. As a side note, something I love about Dade... he only wants to wear "long-sleeve socks" that come up high. He will wear the low-cut version as a last resort but will choose his black Sunday dress socks (and has!) to wear with his tennis shoes if white ones are not clean.
Can you find him now?

The boys had a lot of fun climbing up to the cliff behind our campsite.

Big Daddy at the grill -- sausage, filet mignon, roasted corn and baked potatoes,

not your everyday camping fare. The boys learned how to use tent stakes to make the potatoes cook faster and loved helping shuck the corn.Gran, Big Daddy, Audrey and Tommy relaxing before dinner.Dade and Luke enjoyed spending time with Uncle Andy.It should be against the law to go camping and not eat S'mores! Luke said he was "stuffed" of dinner yet made room for three desserts! Look at those tired eyes!Playing Old Maid.Luke passed out by the front door Sunday afternoon when we got home. More sweets to finish off the weekend.

Circus.

We have not been to the circus in almost exactly four years. The boys had a grand time! We were all enthralled when SEVEN motorcycles got in the cage at the same time... amazing!

Time is on my side.

This is what the boys spent no less than an hour working on the other day -- cutting a box with butter knives.