Well Katie, it sounds like a regular adventure at the Nydegger household. Like Isaac, Eddie went through a name-phase-thing. He would only answer to "Zelda", and always introduced himself as such when we were out. This raised a lot of eyebrows. Evidently, not many grownups play Nintendo and so they never suspected that "Zelda" might not be his real name. Surprisingly though, most men, even grown men, knew exactly what he was talking about. They always made sure to point out that "Zelda" is the Princess, and that, surely he must be thinking that he's "Link" the boy hero in the game. Eddie loved the attention. I love having little boys!

As for Eli, it's hard for me to imagine that darling little bald head charging after his mommy with all that fury! Does it crack you up or are you reaching near-insanity?

Katie, you are such a good mommy. I can tell you are doing an amazing job adjusting to a brand new situation. I have a tremendous amount of admiration for you!

It's so good to hear from everyone. It sounds like you are doing well Miss Anne-Marie! Glad to hear it. Nothing motivates a girl to get to work on time like a hunky boss!

I better get going or I may have to tell another bloody story! Have a great day everyone, love you all.

Hey Everybody!!!
It's my first REAL Blog! Thank you, Uncle Bubby, for my invitation to blog, as I will be frequently keeping in touch with my cute family I love so much!

I think this is the hottest I remember it being in a long time for being so late into September...I pity those kids that have to try to learn in those hot classrooms. Hmmm...maybe that's what's wrong with me! Haha...

I have started a new part-time job working as a medical assistant to a weight loss surgeon in Oxnard a few days a week and I'm loving it! I don't know what's better - walking into an even better-looking version of E.R.'s George Clooney every morning, or seeing these patients go from 400 pounds to half that size in just a year. It's really quite amazing to see the growth of technology these days...makes me wonder what they'll figure out next!

Tommy is doing great in school so far. He comes home with a report card at the end of every week, and he's had A's for 3 weeks straight. I'm so proud of him! I think he's very proud of himself too. Hopefully he'll use that as motivation and keep it up!

Kelly is zipping right along like summer never happened. She gets her week's worth of homework done by Tuesday night, and I hardly ever see the little chickadee anymore! She certainly has discovered the power of her bike, and how you can go just about anywhere if you're up for the peddle! She must get that from her mother!

I hope all is well with everybody! I miss you all and love ya too!

Melissa, you've inherited your mothers gift!

Well, things are pretty much the same ol' thing around here.... one near death experience after another. It's amazing that anyone lives to be 3 years old really (especially on my watch). The adventures of this week have included the following....

Ada, as she continues to grow, continues to be able to reach new heights and consequently, higher drawers and cupboards. She found an old bottle of meds at my mothers yesterday. I noticed that she was spitting something out onto the floor saying, "yuk" and "blah". I turned around and promptly ordered her to quit making a mess on the floor. And then I noticed the pill container she had in one hand - and the "childproof" lid in the other. My heart sank as I read "Percocet" on the label. It was pretty old and there only seemed to be one left, because the bottle was empty, and Ada was spitting out what she had. We called Poison Control and then spent the next 3 hours observing Ada’s behavior. It was difficult to decipher “loopy” behavior from Ada’s everyday behavior. She kind of wobbles back and forth anyway, and is always falling down with a goofy grin on her face. She was keenly aware of the grown-ups’ concern and played along with the drama. Every time someone asked her how she felt she would say, "I'm tired.... medicine" with a very serious expression.

Jack nearly made it to the Emergency Room today. I'm glad he didn't, he's a regular there and that doesn't say much for his mother....
Anyway he was playing Horsey, riding on Eddie's back. Now, I didn't see what happened. But from what I heard I would guess the Horsey decided to turn Bronco...
I heard a scream and then I heard Eddie say "Whoa, that's a lot of blood". I ran in there and made high-pitched inquiries. Eddie told me about "Horsey" and said Jack landed on Ada's dress up necklace. I knew this story was true because when I cleaned him up, I saw 3 bead-sized bumps on the back of his head.
He was still bleeding, so I had to cut his hair to see how deep the cuts were. By the time I got to the heart of it I saw that it wasn’t too bad, but now he had this big bald spot that looked ridiculous. So I took out the “buzzer” and shaved off those sweet, fuzzy little curls. It nearly brought me to tears. Now his mournful little face looks even more precious and worried. I’ll have to send pictures….

So that’s been my week. I’m off to a wedding in a few hours. My mother has been asked to marry some family friends. She became a minister over the Internet so that she could legally perform the wedding. She feels really silly about it. But I can see why they asked her to do it. She writes so beautifully and is such a devoted friend. I can’t wait to see it. I’m always so proud to see my mother being so brilliant!

I didn’t realize that this was going to be a Super sized Blog…. Oh well. Have a Great day everyone!

Why is it that I find myself nodding when Danny asks if there is anyone in there?:) I am looking forward to going to the temple tonight with my dear hearts. I have loved this week and the feeling of change in the air. It has been a reflective morning for me because Nate sent me a poem that really unleashed memories and emotions that totally caught me off guard. It is so amazing to me that someone can string together words in such a fashion as to have that kind of an impact.
I really enjoyed seeing photos of Danny and Katie's apartment, area, children...etc. It is a little easier to conjure up an image of just how things look.
Tomorrow we're off to a BYU football game. Nothing quite like autumn in Utah. My love to you all. I am very blessed and happy. mom

Hello! I'm home. Lonely at home, but making it through.
Doug gets home Sunday night. I have really missed him.
It's been a busy full week which helps, and I am so thankful for my kids, because without them, the house would be quiet and a lot lonlier. Some trips Doug has been on have been easier than others for me. This one has been long. I have been thinking a lot of my friend who also has three kids. Her husband travels all the time. He is gone for 10 days and home for 2-4, then leaves again for 10 days. I don't know how she does it. I love you all, and love hearing Chicago news. See ya later. Alison

Thanks for all the history Danny! Keep it commin' will ya?! Kiss Katie for me. Love,Mary

That was some sheep.

Cristie took Joe to his first banjo lesson last night. He's got a cool rental instrument here at home now, and unlike other instruments that will go unnamed (cello, violin), I don't mind at all listening to him practice. I guess any banjo is music to my ears. He's really excited. He wants to progress to the point where he can play with Sam, Dave and me. Who knows, maybe we'll hit the road. "The Carter Family Redux."

Anne, I'm sending you an e-mail inviting you to the blog, so check your inbox.

Hi everyone,

All is well in the Brasher household. Doug just took off for Alaska today for the next 10 days. I will really miss him, but I'm happy he can go and hope he has a great time.

Abby is doing great in first grade, she comes home each day singing some pop song that she's learned or doing a cheer. It's amazing how much kids pick up from other kids. She's playing soccer every Saturday morning and is real cute to watch. She starts out each game kicking the ball in the wrong direction. I'm taking her to the dentist this afternoon. She's got a cavity and is getting her front tooth pulled so the new one that's growing in the roof of her mouth can hopefully move forward. She's going to make me want to smile every time I see that cute grin.

Gracie is doing great. She started pre-school this week and was so, so excited. Her teacher said she is a great listener which leaves Doug and I to wonder why she doesn't share this talent at home.

Carter keeps us all busy. He's talking more and more and is a lot of fun. I love age 2.

I'm poking out more and more. With the cool weather we've had the last couple of day's I realized that it's time for me to get some maternity clothes. I hate spending money on stuff that I just don't feel or look cute in. I guess that's why I put if off for so long.

I love you all - I'm glad to hear Katie, Danny and the boys are doing so great and that the Fair was a great success this year. I love this time of year. Talk to you all soon. Alison

Hi Katie and Danny!!!
It's everyone's favorite cousin...ANNIE!!!! I'm so glad to hear your darling family got to the Chi Town safely!!! I've been thinking about you guys quite frequently and luckily I got a chance to peek at the blogger today so I thought I'd say hi!! I'm posting under my mom's name cause I don't have a blogger account - I'm not cool enough! Haha! Anyway, Katie, here's my email address. If you get a minute, drop me a line..I'd love to hear from you or anyone else in our cute family who'd like to help out my ego (THAT'S A HINT, GUYS). It's : annewaskul1979@yahoo.com. Hope to hear from ya soon! I love you guys!!!
Anne

Dear Family:

I just love reading about Eddie and Isaac! It really takes me back to a time in my life that I loved and don't have to miss quite so much because of these darling grandchildren.

Here in Utah we are loving the mist, rain, cooler temps and darker house. I have a candle that gives off spicy autumn scents. The birds aren't quite so energetic today...I suppose they sense it a day to chill out and enjoy the beginning of a new season.

The Fair was a kick! We loved seeing bees in the hive, piglets chasing their mom around for another drink, huge pumpkins, succulent peaches, amazing watermelon, chickens with feathers on their feet, cows with the biggest brown eyes, goats that want a nibble of your clothes if you get too close, sheep with the longest, heaviest testicles that I have ever seen,...not to mention the handicrafts of children and parents. Sis and I sat in on a Toll House bake-off competition. The fuss of the contestants, the lovely desserts, the seriousness of the judges; well, we just wish we had the job of tasting all of those goodies
The butter cow this year is fashioned after a nursery rhyme 'Hey, Diddle Diddle' I told the kids if they could figure out what the scene was supposed to represent I would give them $5. Well, between Joe and Jerry I think Joe was the winner. Lois, we saw Christina Gates sitting at one of the booths for people interested in gardening. She looks good and we had a nice visit. Of course the kids were baffled wondering who in the heck she was. There were some exotic cats at the fair and an old-fashioned organ grinder. The guy had a simple smile, tilted head with a Zorro hat and all that was missing was the monkey.

Dave is putting together a rodeo for his friends. He fancies himself to be a cowboy because he has been getting on the back of some Steer and holding on for dear life...not anything past 4 seconds yet. He complains of being stiff and wishes the guy who owns the animals wound not require him to wear a helmet...it kind of wrecks the image :)

Happy 10th to you all and don't forget to say your prayers. Always, mom

I'm loving the weather these days! My favorite times of the year are the days when the seasons seem to be in transition. It always stirs a feeling of anticipation and excitement inside!

On Sunday, Eddie gave the prayer in primary. I guess he asked Heavenly Father touch the boats with His finger so that they would light up. He supposedly went on and on about it, and the Primary president had to help him finish the prayer so they could move on to other things. I wasn't too surprised because for days now, he's been finding rocks and asking me to pray for them to be lit up.

The story of the Brother of Jared really stuck out to him I guess. What sticks out to me is how many opportunities he finds to pray now, and how much faith is inside that little body! It's such a blessing to have little children around. As I type this he is sitting on my bed for quiet time. All I can see is an open book that is being propped up by his little knobby-kneed legs.
Lucky me.

bub,i didn't know arnie got egged, but mother did. shes still voting for him, anythings better than joe davis! (mom calls him that). we had a police pursuit today and i guess the guy jumped out around pierce college area, there began the foot chase. the way doc tells it,when they catch the guy(him probably being a mexican) they'll just hand him over a drivers license!
kelly showed up for her initial dental check up with the dentist nest door to my office dressed up with half an outfit that looked like tommys, the other half looking like someone's much younger than herself. i guess i'll not worry that clothing is one of her priorities! she reported back with 13 cavities..that about coveres every tooth in her mouth! i was proud.
i just got home from my drunk class..they made us watch "leaving las vegas".....i'm nauseuos. i'm going to try and enter something worth while in the storage department and catch some shut eye...night.

Mary, only Californians consider Chicago to be in the east (well, and maybe Idahoans). It's considered a midwest city!

Speaking of CA, where else would Arnie get egged? I hooted when I saw that on TV last night.

Greetings from Portland, OR. Hot and muggy here, supposed to be over 90 degrees here today! I'm up here on a quick business trip; will be home late tonight.

Katie and Danny, I hope the apartment is beginning to feel like home.

hey to the new chicagonians! glad to hear you made it safely and swiftley. have fun setting up house katie! I'll bet you'll be missed terribly in Utah, but what a fun adventure for you. I really hope you like the easterners, i know my brother has only had great things to say about the city.
If your not careful you'll have Anne beating a path to your door real quick! personally i don't think it's a good idea...but what do i know!
Gram and i had a really nice time together for the long weekend in Del Mar. It was nice to get away for a few days. Neither one of us (for gram its been longer) has been down there for a long time. The place really looked great minus a few spots on the carpet. Bob and Donna Hook go to great lengths to show their appreciation for their trips down, gram sure was suprised.
We went to Balboa Island on detour home for grams birthday. Can't remember when i was there last. We didn't stay long, had lunch at a chinese place mom likes and just window shopped a block or two. She drove me around to some of the different places we stayed at when we were kids, i only remember one of those trips. It's ALOT different now to say the least, but we did find the house and i sort of remembered as it still is today. Boy i sure wouldn't want to live there though, WAY to many people! Kinda reminded me of a busy ant farm! We always get a kick out of all the different people, some of the couples.....you wonder how they ever got matched up!! It was a fun time.
The kids are back to school and you reminded me Bub that i need my home teacher to come give Tom and Kel a blessing too, i had thought of it earlier and then it slipped my mind, not hard to do...thanks for the reminder.
I sent a note off to Laurel, hope she gets it. shes in my prayers.
Love you guys
Mar

Danny called last night. They made it as far as Des Moines last night! The trip they'd planned on taking them the better part of three days they now think they can do in two.

Happy Birthday to my mother! Number 77 today!

My dear mother was born three years before the stock market crash of 1929 which brought in the great depression. When she was five years old, her family moved from Idaho to Los Angeles. When I say "her family", I mean it. Her mother and her two aunts and their families all relocated to California, I'm guessing in search of better employment. Even her mother's parents (Jake and Emma Mani) relocated there. The whole lot headed west to the land of promise.

Happy Birthday, Mother. I hope it's a wonderful day for you and that you're feeling better and gaining strength every day. We love you and are grateful for the fine heritage you have given us.

Katie, Danny, and the kids left early this morning. Sweet Cristie got up at about 4:30 and sat on the porch to bid them goodbye as they drove past (they've been staying at the Nydegger's the past few days), but they must have taken a different route out of the nieghborhood.

We had a nice family evening last night. I was honored to give Kate a father's blessing before she left, and David a pre-mission blessing as well. We had a short family council on things we all might do to help Laurel, and then just hung out and enjoyed each other.

Thanks to all of you for all you do to make Laurel feel loved and included. Your willingness to help when you already have such busy lives is inspiring to me.

We wish Katie and Danny the best in Chicago! We're sure going to miss them here.

I too enjoyed Carp this year. It wasn't the same with some family not there, and others coming and going, but it was beautiful and relaxing. Cristie got some pictures back yesterday, and I was reminded again of how perfect the weather was. The following is a memory of Carp I wrote awhile back. I thought you might enjoy it:

When I was a child, most every summer we spent at least a week at Carpinteria. Our record was three straight weeks there, until the rangers got wise to my mothers camp switching and kicked us out.

One summer when I was about ten, I became a lifeguard. Well, a pretend lifeguard. I always thought the lifeguards at the beach looked so great in their tans, bleached hair (especially the hair on their arms and legs), and in their faded red shorts. So when the state beach built newer, higher, and fancier guard towers, I took over one of the old, smaller, abandoned ones, which was about 25 yards from the newer one.

I'd get there first thing in the morning, ready for a day of saving, even ahead of my authentic neighbors. I'd stay all day too, not daring to leave my post for fear I'd miss an opportunity to be a hero, or worse, that some other kid would take over my stand. My brother Tom joined me for the first couple of days, but he never had the staying power I did, so he wandered off to other less glorious persuits, and I was left to scan the beach by myself (which I preferred anyway). My ever concerned mother would send either my brother or one of my cousins with my lunch so I didn't starve and would have the needed reserves should my services be required.

Alas, during my weeks employ, as far as I could see there never was a need for a rescue, either by me or by my neighbors. Not even a riptide warning or anything. But I was faithful to my duty nonetheless, talked shop with the other lifeguards, got a little tanner, and my red trunks got a little more faded. And I even enjoyed the admiration of a couple of younger girls who came and hung around my tower for awhile. For a ten-year-old, what could really be better than that?