The first quarter of 2025 ~ January, February and March
The Blackham Bunch had gone to Oregon (Visiting Clackamas) at the end of 2024, and flew back on New Year's Eve, ready to jump into 2025. Lots of basketball, three new trucks, the Blackham Builder's Convention, some snow, some sweet treats, lots of great eats, ping pong and back to pickleball! We watched the Superbowl, Cal had a birthday (26 - kicked off the folks insurance) and Keaton was called for Jury Duty (it was a murder trial! He didn't get picked, and he was relieved). Here's a little more info on some of these items ...
- Colton Basketball: Region games with Colton at Clackamas, playing eight teams twice (once home, once away). Colton had a great year, often being the leading scorer in games, and holding the top spot in the NWAC for assists. He started every game and got tons of playing time. Unfortunately Clackamas didn't make the playoffs, but they were able to end the year with a win.
- Callahan Basketball: Cal still LOVES basketball, and he's been playing with a few different men's leagues. In January, he had several games at Gene Fullmer (so I went to watch and get video). He also played in Herriman and South Jordan (they won the championship there).
- Cooper Basketball: Coop got together a couple of times with his buddies (friends made back in 5th grade) to hoop it up at the local church gym.
- Colton College: In January, some of his Utah buddies came up for the weekend to hang out and watch him play. Colton has a job at Walgreens for a little extra cash. He and his two roommates (also on the basketball ream) get along well and are planning on keeping up the same accommodations for next year. He even met a girl! As far as school, he got a 4.0 for term 2! We got to have him home for a week at the end of March between terms, his Spring Break.
- SNOW: There really wasn't much snow this year ... only pulled out the snow shovel a couple of times. Okay by us, as long as we do get it up in the mountains, but snow pack there seems good. Colton/Clackamas got snow in February (rare for them) and it closed campus for a couple days.
- New Trucks: Grayson bade his big black truck truck farewell and opted for an EV (Ford Lightning). Both Keaton and Cal were truck shopping as well, and they are pretty pleased with their new (to them) trucks.
- Blackham Boys at the Builder's Convention: Gray had always thought it would be fun to take his builder boys to IBS in Vegas ... so he made that happen this year. Full write up HERE.
- Coop Concert: Coop is BIG into music (obsessed with the Spotify wrap at the end of the year) and instigated going to a couple concerts last year. He got his first concert of the year for 2025 ... The Hails/NeverEnding Fall. It was downtown, Kilby Court. He went with a buddy for work.
- Piano: Jen got back into playing the piano at the end of 2024 ... here in 2025, we got the piano tuned, as that hadn't happened in years! Jen is still playing quite a bit most days.
- Pickleball: The weather turned nice enough in March that Blackham Pickleball resumed. We even got Grayson to join us a couple of times.
- Marathon Man: Gray did a ton of races last year (running/biking) and has quite a few planned for this year as well. He did his first half-marathon in March - in Moab, and got in some RZR riding that weekend as well. He's been doing a ton of running, biking, and even swimming (training for a triathlon).
- Eats: Lots of steak and smoked stuff. Butter cake. Gray and Keaton made eggs benedict, which was pretty complex! Keaton had ordered the fun and unique flavors from Licorice.com for Christmas. Grayson decided it was time for another order ... lots of licorice!
Beyond all that, the guys stay busy with their work & play (Keaton has been going to Classic for skating many weekends), and Jen continues baking sourdough, Zumba-ing and listening to audiobooks. There's been a struggle with foot pain, pretty much textbook plantar fasciitis that has impacted exercise, although ... pushing through!
Here's a LIVE look ... One Second Every Day style!
January 2025
February 2025
March 2025