Velna and Carolyn

Velna

Russell and Carolyn

Sunday Dinner at Blacks

Probably Sunday dinner, not Thanksgiving 1968

BYU vs. Utah

Last year's rivalry tailgate festivities

We may or may not have rushed the field...



Go cougars! May this year be as glorious as last.

Whit, Our Future Volleyball Star

Hip Hip Hooray!!!!

Whit and the gang finished their season last night after five rounds of playoffs in the "elite eight" of the state!!! It's been so much fun to watch the girls all these years, and bittersweet that it's all over.

Tyler in his younger days

Michelle at Christmas

Russell has a Birthday

More Chili Football Party Photos

Some asked for the chili recipe.  Everyone has a dozen chili recipes, but I've used this one for 20 years and it works well every time, mostly.  We tripled the recipe for the party, acquiring a one gallon can of crushed tomatoes at WalMart for not much more than 3 bucks.  We usually cut the chili powder in half so kids and those who can't tolerate the heat can still eat it, and put just a smidgen of cayenne in it.  We usually throw in some oregano and a bit of brown sugar.  The time the recipe didn't work well was when I mistook cayenne for chili powder and put in three tablespoons of the hot stuff.  Didn't work.

The two bottom photos attest to how thrilled and excited the BYU sports fans were when it looked most of the game like BYU was going to lose.  Who knew that in the last minute and 20 seconds BYU would march down the field and make a touchdown with a second or two to spare, and win by 2 points.  To think, that some of us had thought we would drive over to Fort Collins for the game.

Home Chili Tailgate Party Before Watching the BYU-CSU game

Nine of nineteen cousins and grandkids

Some great grandkids

Why do Boys Dig Holes?

Game Day Scenes: BYU-UNLV Football Game

More Tailgating at the BYU-UNLV game

Oh My Gosh BYU 42-UNLV 35; Tailgating at the Game

New Blog Added for Church History Trip

Being short of family blogs, I've added a new one to keep the continuity of the LDS Church History trip from being broken into bits and pieces.  When I run out of photos for this trip, I guess I'll have to take another one.  See the link on the right.

Touchdown!!

No, not BYU, sadly. But I had to brag that Andrew scored his first touchdown run in his football game today. So whilst we mourn BYU's loss, we can cheer for something else! Go Andrew!!

Whittles takes a trip!!

The Big Game!!!
Gorgeous!!! Wish I could have been there!

A little volleyball!

That's our girl!!

A New Blog on International Religious Freedom

Here's the latest blog in our growing network of family blogs.  Our son Jim Blood has started a blog on international religious freedom.  Jim as a corporate attorney in the south San Francisco Bay Area.  He holds degrees in economics from BYU; a master's in international relations from George Washington University; and a J.D. degree from George Washington University.  His interests are religious freedom, tolerance, respect, and persecution.  He provides links to many governmental and scholarly sources on these important topics.  

Retirement Ceremony and Awards for MSGT Clifford M. Hamon

Master Sergeant Clifford M. Hamon retired from the 21 years of meritorious service with the United States Air Force on August 26 2008.  When a young airman first showed up at our house two decades ago who wanted to marry our daughter, we weren't sure either one of them knew what they were doing.  An airman isn't exactly rich.  But after these years of sacrifice, outstanding service, and perseverance, Cliff and Kim have raised an outstanding family and earned the respect and admiration of his

Air Force family for an outstanding career, excelling in every assignment that he was given.  I don't think many of us appreciate just how much sacrifice and discipline it takes to be a military family.  All of the months and months of separation and struggles to survive, all of the lonely deployments, the difficult living circumstances, all of the usual risks of military assignments and military life were part of being an Air Force military man and a military wife with three children.

Now that those 21 years of service have gone by so quickly, we honor Cliff and Kim for their success throughout all of these years.  We honor Cliff for being the best of what he was expected to do.  Please read down the list of his assignments, major awards, and decorations.  His award of the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star is one of the capstone recognitions of his faithful and outstanding service.  We honor Kim for her years of having a stiff backbone and an uncomplaining disposition.

We honor Aaron, Amanda, and Hayden as Air Force kids who grew up with exemplary standards and ideals.  The entire extended Blood family sends our congratulations and appreciation to Cliff and his family for the contributions and sacrifices you have made to the military service, to our country, and to our family.  We send our love and every good wish as you make the transition to civilian life.

Captain Emil Daily served with Cliff overseas and

as a close and respected friend made the trip from

his current assignment in Mountain Home ID to Hill

AFB to honor Cliff on his retirement.

Cliff received a boatload of commendations and letters,

including one from the Commander-in-Chief.

Kim was honored for 18 years of day care

service for Air Force families.  Cliff is telling

her he should have bought more flowers for

her over the years.

Cliff's family at his Air Force Retirement Ceremony

Cliff and his Mom

Cliff's son Aaron, whose high school ROTC unit was

honored to present the colors at the ceremony.