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?

happy 50th cristie!! i really had no idea!! sorry i'm getting to you so late but i kinda got lost trying to look at the carp photos bub sent me..never did get to see 'em. anyway from what i heard, you had my kind of birthday date! heck, my kind of date anytime!! i'm so anxious to see sea biscuit!! the book was great. i'm hoping mom feels good enough very soon so we can go. i wont ask how it was because anything much about horses is great by me. speaking of which, i'd like to invite you and anyone else who would like to tag along to a 3 day, 3 night round up!!! yep i'm savin' my money!! it's up North of San Luis Obispo at the Camatta Ranch. I'm shooting for the May round up...theres one this October but the cost is a grand so i can't make it until the next one comes around in May. i wont go into the details but it really sound like alot of fun, not alot of hard riding unless you want to really work the cattle along with the ranch hands who will be accompanying. i seem to recall you enjoying riding and of course camping out under the starrs so give it some thought huh? besides that i'm back to the routien here which is pretty darn good. i have the greatist boss! i feels good to be missed. yesterday a dozen roses were delivered to me at work from one of my very cute boy patients...he's married...but he's still a sweetie! it sure made my.....YEAR! even though if i was the guys wife i'd definately be ticked! really it was supposed to be anonymous though, i just snuck a peek at the reciept,much to the dismay of the delivery guy. whatever..it was innocent fun i'm sure. i sure enjoyed seeing everybody at carp this year, i did especially miss melissa out in the waves with us though. we had the greatest weather huh? thanks for having my Kelly girl. i miss her terrible though! from our talks shes really enjoying herself alot, i'm glad she was able to come. well it's late, happy birthday again Cristie. love you, mary

Well, we're home:) The trip home seemed especially long. We arrived at 11:15 p.m. and listend to some great short stories on tape. The week at the beach was fantastic. We had wonderful sun, sand, family, friends (Jen Checchio), dinner in honor of Serge's 80th, yummy food, Grandma at the beach in her red hat and gobs of great stories to share, a great testimony meeting at church where Katie and Liz shared their testimonies, Anne with her wonderful laugh and little red G purse, candy store walks, Doug walking mounds of sandwiches down to the beach to feed the ravinous beach bums, Foster's and the missing G purse, walks into town and on the beach, cold salty water to cool off in, amazing sea life...I'll never forget Dave swimming with the Dolphins, Tommy, Dave and Joe floating on the rafts and fishing with Joe catching a fish, their bait washing out to sea, Katie getting snookered in her 2nd attempt to "Shoot the Moon". In a word our California trip was UNFORGETABLE! Now the boys would include their Dodger game and trip to Magic Mountain, with Ed barfing and Valerie passing out. Really, can a trip be possible without me hanging my fanny out of the car between St. George and Las Vegas! Sorry for the messy news, but the details are much worse! That I will spare you.
I have mountains of laundry to do which I am enjoying immensely...something about putting in dirty and pulling out clean has always been a charge for me.
Danny, thank you for making it possible for Katie to come and be a kid again. Doug and Ali, thanks for being willing to work so hard...your darlings are real little beach kids, and Carter served as a little fog horn for the camp. We all missed Sam and Melissa with their little ones. Often your names were mentioned as was Danny. Kellie and her little Campbell and Cole are part of the beach family. They are delightful!
Well dear hearts, my love to you all. Once again my skin is a little crispy, my nails have sand stains, and day to day living looks good. Kelly came home with us and was fun to travel with...presently she is taking in all of the birds.
Cristie, Mom, Grammy

hey cuzes it's me kelly, grandma was wundering if we are going to take turns making meals. hey lizzie i am so excited too! i hope we have a lot of fun and even if the water is frezzing we always get use to it, don't we. well i luv you all and i hope we see every one of you luv kel

Danny,my E-mail adress is blueviolet11@msn.com Im really gonna miss babysitting for you guys Im gonna be broke! but Im sure youll love it in chicago

hi I am so excited for carp!!! it is going to be so much fun! and for those of you who live out in california you dont know how lucky you are you dont have to sit in the car hour after hour it is going to be so boring especially in our car it is going to be so quiet because everyones going to be listening to music or fast asleep but once we get there it will be great Me mom and Joe went to costco yesterday so we got a ton of great food and supplies and Im going to the library and rent some CDS I only have two! and believe me if Im gonna me in the car that long I think I will need more than two CDs. well love ya all xo xo xo

Hi to all. We made it home safely yesterday, even after missing our flight in Cincinnati. The boys and I were enjoying the Crown Room so much I forgot that Cincy is in the eastern time zone. So, when I thought we had an hour before flight time, I checked the board and discovered our flight had left 20 minutes ago! This was after hanging out at the airport for five hours. Luckily, Delta had another flight leaving an hour later, and because of my elite status with the airline, we were moved to the top of the stand-by list and we got on the flight.

It was a tough week for me. One of the towns in Iowa put us up in a freshly cut weed field, with cut grass and weeds still on the ground. I noticed my asthma getting a little worse the next day, but didn't think much of it. But the next day, I just didn't have it. I couldn't figure it out, either. I was eating, drinking, had at least adequate rest, but I had little ability to tackle the hills we had for the day.

That night, I tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, or breathe very well. Overnight, I realized that I had asthma, in spite of the meds I religiously take. So, I didn't ride the last two days of the ride. I was discouraged, because these were two fun days on the road, but there was no way I was going to risk getting worse. David also really struggled with his asthma, hay fever, and red, swollen eyes. He was at my tent every night to use the inhaler.

Iowa was truly beautiful, and the people, wonderful. I met folks from all over, and the comraderie was great. In most towns we rode through, people were on their porches and in their yards just watching the cyclists roll by. Most in our group liked to get up at 4:30AM and begin riding just before dawn. We did it, but as some of you know, I'm not much of a morning person, so I think those early mornings also took their toll. Mary, next year, you need to do the ride with me, and we'll start the day a little later!

We had beautiful weather. It sprinkled during a spectacular lightning display on the second night, and rained hard for about a half hour a couple of nights later, but no riding in the rain. Except for the first two nights, we had cool evenings. On the second night, it was so hot and humid, my tent was like a sauna. I was just laying in it, not moving and sweating. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore, and got up and just walked around in the dark. A little shower ensued and cooled things off enough so that I could return to my tent and get some sleep.

The highlight of the trip for me was to spend that week with my boys. I was very proud of both of them; they were very strong riders. Joe stuck with me much of the time to keep me company, which was very considerate, and we had many good laughs and good discussions together on the road. Doug was by far the strongest rider in our group. The first two days, he came in to the destination towns among the very first riders of all 10,000! He was his usual thoughtful self, pitching his poor, tired father-in-laws tent, ready for his arrival several hours later.

Now we look forward to Carp. It will be nice to camp and relax with family for a week.

Dear Family, When Jim first told me that he had received phone calls from Utah inquiring as to whether or not he was coming to the beach this year I felt like I had been kicked in the teeth. I also felt angry and hurt. But after much conversation and prayer I realized that you didn't go through that divorce with him..I did. And that all of you see the guy to whom I was once attracted. And while I can understand why you all would like to spend time together it would be very uncomfortable for me to share the same time with my family. I''m still trying to recover from the divorce and move on with my life and my feelings are still quite tender and sensitive, especially in regards to my family vacation. Due to work I will have to leave mid week and I will let Jim know so he can come after I've gone. I pray you will understand and respect my feelings on this matter. I love you, Mary

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE! You have the most amazing attributes. I love your laugh and sense of humor. You are resiliant and don't hold grudges. You are kind and loving. You really have brought a lot of joy to our family. So, in a word, you are quite 'wonderful.' This is your day and I will be thinking of you:)