Three letters, combined into one post ...
Letter #1 (December 1)
It’s December - and as the last Blackham Update was in
September, I guess it could be considered time for another one. It isn’t that
nothing has been going on, but rather, life has been quite busy. There really
has been so much to write about, in my head I’ll mentally write a quick update
or blog (no... we don’t HAVE a blog, but there would be good entries if we
did). It seems then when I get a moment to sit down at the computer, I draw a
blank.
So anyway ...
I know Mom forwarded on an email of mine a while back
concerning my BIG toe. So summary, we’re not sure exactly what happened, the
doctor though maybe I got bit by something. My big toe got really swollen and
painful (Halloween night). This lasted for four or five days, with me hobbling
around and downing pain pills. Nights were the worst. I actually still
exercised a little, on the ellitical. For some reason it didn’t push any
pressure points and I wear slippers (I couldn’t put on sneakers for well over a
week). The swelling finally went down (although the right toe is still slightly
larger than the other, maybe always will be) and a ton of skin peeled off (very
gross, I know). I still get twinges and it can still be a bit tender, but I’m
back to running five miles each day.
Grayson has been busy at work. Basically, because they have
laid off almost everyone else. He’s having to pull shifts in the model homes
now too, which constitutes several Saturdays on the job. That is a bummer, but
we’re just relieved to still have a paycheck coming in.
Grayson has had to do a bit of clothes shopping ... because
none of his old clothes FIT anymore. If you’ve seen him of late, you know how
absolutely studly he looks! Some of you have asked how he’s done it ... pretty
much the old fashioned way, eating right and exercise. He’s been keeping track
of everything he eats and works out several times a day. He did join a gym and
was working out with a buddy at work ... until that fellow was laid off. He’s
is making it in regularly still, on his lunch hour at work, or to play
racquetball with a neighbor. He frequents a climbing wall with another
coworker, and he and I often hit the gym downstairs together in the
evening. With Grayson being good, it’s
been a little easier for me to be good too, and I’ve managed to lose some of
the pounds that had “found” me again.
Let’s see ... what else has been up with the Blackham bunch.
Gray and I went down to St. George and saw both plays at Tuachan and went on a
couple of hikes. We went to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. Callahan
finished up his soccer and basketball. Jr. Jazz starts this week, with all
three boys in basketball, so that will be busy (especially one Saturdays Gray
is working). Gray has had a couple derbys, and we have one coming up for the
Blackham Christmas party, so Gray and the boys have been busy building cars. We went to “Jumping Jacks” again, and
swimming at the pool. I wondered if the babies might have forgotten a little,
but they both jumped right in (literally!). Another fun “toy” Grayson has
introduced the boys to is a blow dart gun. They have made a target downstairs
(or alternately used stuffed CookieMonster doll) and enjoy shooting and
laughing in the evenings. Callahan’s class was having a chocolate party, so we
brought in the chocolate fountain. We had transmission trouble in the truck,
that was an expensive repair. We also had to replace our microwave (and Grayson
decided the dishwasher and stove too, to match).
Cooper has been so excited for Thanksgiving to be over, so
we could put up Christmas decorations. We pulled out quite a few things the day
after Thanksgiving, although we have yet to put up our tree. He and Colton
point out Christmas decorations as we drive around, I’m sure that will only get
worse as we get closer to the holiday.
I’m actually almost done with the Christmas shopping ...
I just got back from a little “early morning reading”
activity at the elementary school. The
author of the “Fablehaven” series was there. I might have brought them to have
them autographed, but they are currently on loan to Mom, who is enjoying them.
Nice fantasy storylines, LDS author.
So guess what Gray and I did last night? We went ice
skating! It’s only been about 25+ years since I went last. I had received a
flyer from the Utah Olympic Oval and I’d been wanting to go check it out. In
addition to skating, they have a full track that runs around the ice rink. I
really enjoyed running on the track at the rec center during Callahan’s
basketball games and practices, but that had ended and I had missed having a
track. This one is really nice, padded, four-lanes, and being around an ice
rink, air-conditioned! We skated for about 45 minutes (felt different muscles
working, just trying to stay upright) then jogged the track for about 30
minutes. It was a really nice date! The Oval offers a family pass, one year
unlimited use of the track, public
skating, skate rental and one free skating and curling lesson, this is for the
whole family. I think we’ll use it. I’m excited to go back and take the kids
(the three oldest ones anyway) and see what they think, but mainly the pass
would be for me and Gray. I can see me taking off in an evening for a workout
(ice and track) with Grayson or alone. It’s nice and close, about 10 minutes
away, open year round. I really like the treadmill in the basement, but
sometimes I do like a change up, but I don’t care for running outside (dogs,
neighbors seeing me, weather too hot or cold, etc.) I don’t mind walking
outside with the kids in the stroller though, and although the weather is
cooler we’re still walking to and from preschool (just over a mile round trip).
Although Callahan’s basketball at the rec center is done,
Junior Jazz is just starting. The three older boys are playing this year. I
have Callahan and Landon’s schedules, and so far we don’t have any conflicting
games. I’ll pick up Keaton’s at his game. Tomorrow will be busy, games at
11:00, 1:00 and 3:00. Callahan has practices on Monday, Landon has them on
Tuesday. For the younger kids (kindergarten-2nd grade) they just have a small
practice before they play the games. I actually could have put Cooper onto a
team too, he’s been very into dribbling and shooting of late, but besides
adding more complication to our Saturdays, he is quite terrified of the buzzers
during the games ... he won’t go watch his brothers play, it’s just too scary
and noisy. Now Colton’s complaining of that as well. They might have to get
over it though, with Gray working, I might have to drag them along to some
games this season. With Junior Jazz,
each player received tickets to a Jazz game. Landon’s team got them for
tonight, so Gray will be taking him (thus our going on our date last night). We
hope we can round up another ticket, as Callahan would love to go along. He’s
been SO into the Jazz, watching all their games. It’s a late game though,
doesn’t start until 8:30, so it will be a late night.
So ... just a thought from Callahan ...
“I wonder what they call kids basketball in California ...
Jr. Lakers?”
Letter #3 (December 7)
The Blackham’s have been busy ... what can I say, another
quick update. If I wait, I won’t write for another month and forget all that
has been happening.
I’m just sending this out to the Westra side, as we saw a
good majority of the Blackham Bunch today. Clay and Courtney had a little baby
boy being blessed. We took out the chocolate fountain to the gathering
afterward and it was a big hit. The fountain will actually get quite a bit of
use this month. Gray is taking it into his work tomorrow for a work party
there, then it will be borrowed for a wedding reception a couple weeks
later. We’re all a little chocolated out
after this afternoon ....
Yesterday was the first day of Jr. Jazz, with basketball
games at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00. I was very happily surprised by the lack of
conflicting schedules between the three boys. There are just two times were
games will overlap slightly, which is much better than I had hoped for.
Yesterday worked out great. I took the boys to all the games while Gray stayed
home with the little ones. Clay had come over to build a derby car .... we have
a Blackham Christmas derby coming right up. Callahan’s team totally blew the
other team away. Keaton ended up playing at Gene Fullmer, the rec center, so I
got to jog the track during his practice/game. It is SO funny watching the
little kids play. There is a LOT of double dribbling, traveling ... just plain
running with the ball actually. They don’t really even keep score. Keaton did
really well. Callahan came with me to watch Landon’s game. I was impressed by
him and his team. The won, but just barely, it was a nailbiter. It was a lot of
fun to watch the boys play. I could even bring the babies to Callahan’s or
Keaton’s games, because they did not use the buzzers.
Gray and I enjoyed the skating so much, that we decided to
go again Saturday night. We got a babysitter (Marina ... Colton was so happy
she was coming, he kept saying “My Rina, My Rina”) but took the older three
boys with us. I was anxious to see if they would like it ... they liked it!
Landon stepped on the ice .... and took off. He’s a complete natural. He’s had
some experience on rollerblades but still, I expected some learning curve.
Callahan wobbled for about 10 seconds, then he took off too. Keaton took a
little longer, holding my hand for several laps, but he did great on his own
too, although he never quite got the speed or confidence of the older boys. I
could not keep up with Landon and Callahan, I really tried, they were just too
fast for me. Keaton took a couple spills .... Landon did too, but his were
intentional. There are two inner rinks
reserved for specialty stuff. Last night there was a hockey game in one (it was
fun to stop and watch) and the other rink was divided into two sections, with a
curling class going on in one side, and a family group playing broom hockey on
the other side. Those might be some
events we could look into. We stayed and skated for over an hour and a half. I
was surprised the boys lasted that long, but they are all super excited to go
again ... we might go on Monday for family night. It would probably cut the
trip short, but it would be fun to try and see what Cooper and Colton thought
of it, see if they could manage standing up.
I guess we’ll have to let you know ...
Jen and da skating boys
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