Blattman Chronicles

Amber and I are morning running buddies.  Can I just say that some days are easier than others to peel myself out of my warm, cozy bed.   We are no where near pro status, but we have fun.  We decided on trying out a 5K Turkey Trot in Oceanside for Thanksgiving this year.  I’m claiming it as my first 5k since the last time I ran one was over a decade ago.  I have had a cold all week and it made a turn for the worst on Thanksgiving so basically I just wanted to finish and not die.  The run was beautiful with the last part of the race along the shoreline to the pier.

The race did encourage costumes, but since I am so aerodynamic I decided against it, not wanting any wind resistance.    Well, my buns fell off…or I mean “out” part way through the race allowing me to harness my inner Sakaguwea through the pigtails.  

Just look at us running.  I am a little blurry, I must have been running fast, right?  Apparently, we suprised our husbands too with our speediness and actually beat them to the finish line.  

I won’t deny that I am one lucky gal.  It was so fun seeing them cheer us on throughout the race.  I love family!

Tis the season, right?  Fall is my favorite time of year.  I think I love it so much because it is the gateway into the holiday season.  Everyone seems to be a little bit nicer…although for others the holidays seem to bring out the worst (I have see some of the nastiness that is Black Friday!)

Before I stuff myself on Thursday and then lay on the couch for a few days waiting for it all to digest, I figured I would take a moment of silent gratitude.  With the state of “things,” gripes tend to be the 1st thing out of so many mouths.  Really, I still feel like we have so much.

After all, I do get to be with my cute little family for the holidays and great friends.  I’m married to the perfect person for me.  Boy does he help me grow!  Will has a great job and I get to finally stay home with my kiddos.  I still live in a free country, even if some days it feels like it is hanging by a thread.  I have a home where I feel safe and so many new friends that have made California wonderful.  I’m so grateful for old friends that have helped shaped my life.  My family is all safe, healthy and in good working order…mostly(I know it sounds a little like a used car ad).  My parents still care about me and I get to talk to them on a regular basis.  Hudson is potty trained 99% of the time and Annie is now talking.  My kids sleep through the night.  Natural disaster has steered clear of my front door for the time being.  Truly, I am in heaven.

Maren was nice enough to let me practice my picture taking on her family.  This was the park she chose.  I had fun and she has such an adorable family.  Her boys are darling.  I got their a few minutes early and wandered around a bit.  

I’ve noticed that moving to a new place always requires a bit of settling time to grow accustom to one’s surroundings and the people in it.  The people here are easy to love and very welcoming.  I did realize today that the surroundings have taken a bit longer.  I almost feel like things that I loved to do in the past have gone into hibernation…I have forgotten them.  Being outside today in such a quietly, serene atmosphere reminded me of how much I love being outdoors(Most people are shocked that I enjoy the great outdoors and the mud.  I think it stems from a dad that refused to let his little girl be ignorant to nature and survival).  I was hit with a wall of flooding memories -camping, rock climbing, fishing, hiking and the nightly walks Will and I would take when we were first married.

I guess its time to wake up some of those hibernating loves and give them an occasional nod or even a part in my life again.  Life changes and we grow.  Day by day we, ourselves are changed through those experiences we collect.  I just hope I can always be changing for the better.

I’m usually not one for things that have been overly commercialized.  The walk through Party City confirmed this feeling so I decided to make hats this year for Hudson’s birthday.  These hats were partially inspired from Hudson’s tithing boxes and my best friend from high school, Sandi.  Sandi has never been afraid to just try to do something or one to shy away from color or boldness(I hope your not offended, Sandy:)  They only took maybe 5 minutes each to make. 

We were babysitting for our good friends so I got to make 4.  I love it when everyone gets something just a little big different.

Even the little girls were good to wear their hats.  Actually, they tried to wear the older kids’ hats too.  Isn’t that what being a little sister is all about?

P.S.- Sorry Matt, I stole your blog title.  It was just too fitting.  All the credit goes to you!

“Chocolate…chocolate cake with chocolate frosting,” was Hudson’s response to a birthday cake this year.  He didn’t want any special type of cake except for chocolate so chocolate it is!  I actually took to making and freezing the cakes ahead of time.  The day of and before always seem rushed.  I thought it would be fun to attempt a checkerboard cake.  I think it just might become tradition.  It wasn’t really that hard.  I had forgotten how much easier frozen cake is to deal with.  It also turned out to be very moist.

Note to self: freezing cake makes birthdays less stressful and makes the cake more moist.

I know the frosting looks a little funky, but I am not one for the normal frosting…too rich.  I mixed it with 2 cups of whipped cream and I fell in love.

Below you can see the cake without a petticoat…how embarassing!