MERRY CHRISTMAS

WE hope you all had a Beautiful Christmas Holiday! Merry Christmas from the Nydeggers

Tis the Season

We have been really enjoying ourselves this month. I love the Christmas season and love the excitement my kids have about this time of year. We wanted to be able to take advantage of the month and not let it pass us by and wonder what we'd done as a family together. So here are some of the things we've been filling our time with. Our friends family bought this beautiful carriage from the Amish folk and we got a chance to go for a fun winter ride on the snowy streets and feel the chill in the air. The kids loved it they didn't want to get out. What life would've been like when this is how you had to get around. What a wonderfully simple time.
One of the other things we did was go ice skating. The Christian loved it and can't stop talking about when we can go again. It was a lot of fun Faith even got in on the action. She really did not want this stranger to take our picture though as you can see from the pic. I have fond memories of ice skating too so it's always fun for me to go and remember the good old days when I was limber and carefree with the stunts I'd try. :)
This is all the grankids on my Arnell side. We hosted the Christmas party at our home this year and I loved it. I loved getting out my Christmas china and having everyone in our home. The kids love being together and they enjoyed the unfinished basement to run around crazy in. They were so cute doing the story of Christ's birth and we had a perfect little baby Riley to fill the role of baby Jesus. My mom put in an order for a new baby for next years show. I'm not sure I'm ready to be the one to perform on that request but it is about our turn if we're going to add another little one to the clan. The kids have not stopped playing with there gifts Grandma and Granpa did really good this year!
This was Christian at his school performance. Now this picture doesn't really capture how he looked during the performance. It was so cute and funny to watch. He knew every word of every part of the progream and sat with his shoulders slumped over and head down singing the whole time. Other than the occasional half wave to mom and dad. He is dreadfully shy and it was a joy to watch him endure this moment. :) He also had the last part in the show and gave out a big "We wish you a Merry Christmas" he was so brave and felt so good about it when it was all over, but boy you could sure see him sweating during that last song before his part. He's so sute. Nikki's program was darling too. We weren't on the front row which is our normal place in any of the past school programs but we just don't have the routine down for the new school. Apparently we need to get there sooner than I thought. She's our little performer so she thrives on this kind of thing. I have to laugh often about her singing and dancing around the house just like her mommy did as a little girl. Ok well you all know I still get in on the act as often as Nikki will allow!!! I most of all just love this time of year that we get to spend time together with the people we love the most. I am so blessed in my life and I feel that so much when I'm surrounded by the greatest blessings in my life...my family! Merry Christmas and I better say Happy New Year too since I'm so great at posting.

All I want for Christmas...

Nikki had a big day last week. We were at Sunday dinner at my parents and sitting at the table Nikki lost two of her teeth. Uncle Tyler told her she needed to lose her other front tooth so she could sing the great Christmas song. Well she didn't waste any time. Later that night we got her tooth pillow and packed the teeth nicely away for the Tooth Fairy to enjoy and tucked Nikki into bed. Not two minutes later I here Nikki yelling Mom I've got to show you something. She comes down the stairs to reveal another tooth in her hand. 3 teeth in one day that must be some kind of record. Well, the Tooth Fairy thought so, Nikki got a fairy bonus $20. Apparently the Tooth Fairy's bank is closed on Sunday. :) I will miss her adorable little gap in her front teeth and look forward to that awkward stage of big and little teeth. She proudly proclaimed before she went to bed that night "Mom, I can still whistle, listen." Christian was sure that her third tooth had gotten wiggly because "she hit her hand on the bed and it shook her arm and went down into her mouth and made her tooth fall out." Ok bud whatever you say.

Daddy's little Girl

Faith-"Daddy you read dis me?" As she climbs on his face. Good luck Dad. Daddy and Faith are best buddies right now. Faith has figured out she would really rather be with him than me...go figure. Another reason could be that she gets pretty much anything she wants from him. For example, this week. Faith- "Mommy I hab poppy?(popsicle) Mom- "not right now sweety"(because I always talk so kindly) Faith-"I want Daddy (sob, sob, sob)...Daddy I hab poppy? Dad-" sure cutie" One of many examples of why Daddy wins out in the favorite department with her. We love this little smartie pants...she really has us figured out.

Back to School-

Christian started Learning Dynamics Preschool on Aug. 21st. He has finally graduated from Miss Angie's preschool and headed to the big league. He loves it. I knew he would but that 1st day you wouldn't have believed me if you saw him when I dropped him off. He bawled. Kurt and I finally left him there crying standing at his teachers door. SAD! I got home and had been there for 5 minutes when I got a call from his school. Oh no- he's hysterical, he punched his teacher, WHAT??? No they just calle dto tell me he was perfectly fine, already participating with the class. PHEW... He's so sweet. His Teacher raves about how kind he is to the other kids, you can't help but love being told that as a mother. He's growing up and that's the good and bad part of it all.

Nikki started the 2nd grade this year at Legacy Elementary in AF. She had a really "BAD DAY" the 2nd day and didn't have anyone to play with at recess. Talk about break my heart...well mom to the rescue headed to school lunch the next day and rounded up some friends for her to play with. :) She is adjusting well and comes home often to announce that she has met another new friend. She's so cute. She really cracks me up. Her teacher is in my parents ward so that's pretty fun. My Dad is even her Home Teacher so grandpa took her over and she got to have a tour of her teachers house and learned her "First Name"...she felt so cool. I think we finally got a shedule down for homework, we were really struggling there at the beginning, but I think we figured it out. Lots of fun!!!

To be or not to be....

That has been the question on this house for the last month and a half. But after much drama back and forth having the house unofficially, being out bid, to having the house again we are indeed closing on the house tomorrow!!! YEA!!! We are so excited to be in a home. It's going to be hard leaving our ward. We have been there for 2 1/2 years and have made great friends. But we have been bursting at the seams in our townhome. We can't wait to have a yard-lots of work ahead as you can see- that's big enough to actually run around in. Nikki started school there since the first day because like I said we were told that they accepted our offer. It's been a difficult transition-she wants to be a fox again not a lion- but she has made some cute friends and we look forward to getting settled this week and starting another phase on our lives. I'll post more pics when we get unpacked. Wish me luck this week. Packing is a nightmare.
Now, I know everyone has been dying to know what we've been up to the last four months. Well, I'll at least pretend you have! We've been without the internet so no blogging time. I only ever had time to read everyone elses when I was at my moms. We will have the computer up and running sometime next week so I look forward to getting back in the scene!!!

Ladies and Gentleman, Boys and Girls, Presenting...

NIKKI NYDEGGER!!! If anyone knows Nikki they know that is the perfect way to introduce her. She is our little performer, drama queen extradinar. There is always a show to put on, and they are always introduced as described above. Her first BIG performance was July 16th, 2001. I have to say this little girl brought such an amazing spirit with her. I remember not being able to say a prayer without crying because I felt so blessed to be a mom. Nikki was a great child. As most 1st children do, she got so much attention. I laugh now about how I was always in her face, playing with, talking to her, helping her to learn. All of this attention made having a new brother a really hard adjustment for Nikki. She still craves one on one attention which doesn't come that easy now. As I mentioned before she loves all things that give her the opportunity to show off her dramatic flare. She loves to make up her own songs, dances, cheers etc... I get such a kick listening to what she comes up with. I imagine that I was much the same as a little child. I await the day when she and her friends put on there own little backyard musicals. Mine was always Grease, she'll probably be doing more of a High School Musical, or Hairspray number.
Nikki adores her little sister-as long as she's not destroying her own plans. When Faith was first born we would be in the car and she would say. "I just can't get over how cute she is mom." She still proclaims similar sentiments, "she is so funny mom". She has a love hate relationship with her little brother, again much the same as I remember childhood. They can be the best of friends and play so well and they can be the meanest I've ever seen to eachother. I just keep hoping they'll grow out of it like my brothers and I did.
Nikki is all about the friends. She thinks I have tortured her if she has to go more than a few days without playing with a friend. She is a great friend to others and I really appreciate that about her. She is very devoted to her friendships.
Nikki loves her cousins also, again she is a relationship girl. People are very important to her and I love that she is able to show that to people around her. She loves being with her Grandparents and cousins. Nikki also enjoys riding her bike, rollerblading, riding her scooter, playing soccer. I was her soccer coach last fall and she loved defense. She still enjoys that position the most. I don't understand that much, I was always about the glory of the goal. :)!!!

Nikki really enjoys school, mostly for the social rewards she reaps from it, but she is a good student and her teachers love the sweet way she interacts with them and her classmates. She doesn't know how she is ever going to have a better teacher but always ends up loving the next one just as much as the last. She'll be going into 2nd grade next fall. She is getting so big.

Nikki is my little sweetheart and really just tells you how it is.She has called me to repentance many times. One time she declared that she really didn't like the way I was talking to her and the other day she mumbled under her breath that Christian always gets more hugs from mom. Ouch!!! I love her dearly and wouldn't want to imagine our home without her.

Christian Donald Nydegger

Christian was tagged by his cousin Will so here it goes.
Christian Donald Nydegger was born August 22, 2003.  His middle name is after his Great-Grandpa A. Donald Nydegger, his Grandpa Rick Don his Daddy Kurt Donald Nydegger.  It was intended to be Scott after my dad but last minute I felt like it was supposed to be Donald.  It seems fitting now as he has his daddy's looks, personality, energy...He has a great bond with his Daddy.  He was a total blondie so forever it looked like he was bald. He was born with beautiful long eyelashes. In fact, the nurse helping with his delivery said "look at those lashes" when only his head was out.  Great visual, Sorry!  Anyhow, he is a total babe and such a sweet boy too.  Despite growing up with a big sister he is all boy, though he knows how to play a good game of Barbies, Polly Pockets, etc...  He actually doesn't really play with toys.  He loves ALL things active.  Sword fighting, shooting nerf guns, soccer, baseball, anything involving a ball really.  He has grown up with a bump, scratch, scar, bruise of some sort on his face usually because of his neverending tricks and "Skills" as he likes to call them being demonstrated.  He's never had stitches or any broken bones, much to the suprise of his parents.  

Christian also loves to work.  He loves to help out and especially loves if he can surprise you with things like making his bed or getting himself ready for the day.  He loves to work with anyone working outside, especially his Grandma Nydegger. I think he claims to be the reason her yard always looks so great!  Christian loves his cousins and playing with them but outside of them has a very hard time in social situations.  He is terribly shy and afraid of new things like going to his church class or playing on his soccer team or going to preschool-I actually couldn't talk him into preschool so we opted to have Miss Angie take charge.  She's really great!!! :)  He's only allowed to call me Miss Angie when we are at "school".  He loves to learn and catches on pretty quickly to most things and its a good thing because he does not like making mistakes or not being the BEST at everything.  If anyone has advice on how to deal with that one I could use some help.  For a long time he just wouldn't try things if he didn't think he would be the best at it.   He has a terrible time being repremanded he takes it very personally like its an attack on his character.  So you really so have to be sensitive when disciplining him.

Anyhow, Christian is a great brother, most of the time, he is a massive tease which puts me over the edge at times.  Its just not fun unless one of the girls is crying.  :)  Thats how he deals with boredom is teasing.  So if I'm entertaining him or playing  with him all is well.  Leave him to his own devices and we usually end up with someone yelling!  Usually me!  I know thats hard to believe that I would yell, but occasionally it does happen.  He actually loves playing with his sisters and is very helpful with Faith.  He is very sensitive and loves me "infinity infinities",  thats ALOT, just in case you were wondering.  He is sure to tell people he loves them and loves to do things for his sisters.  He's a great snuggler and I can't imagine our home without him. I love him infinity infinities too!!!    

After rereading that I don't think you would maybe get how much I love this little guy.  Its been a rough two days and I think that was coming out in my post. Not that I'm not allowed to have bad days, I just don't want people to remember Christian as the mean little teaser! :)  He is a joy and tonight in his prayers he prayed that he and Nikki would stop fighting and that mom wouldn't yell at them.  I was so embarrassed.  :(  I guess he's noticed I've been on edge too!!!  Christian actually says the sweetest prayers; he's just very thoughtful and I love that about him.  And I also going to essentially tag Nikki myself so you can all learn about all of my cuties.    

My Little Faith Nydegger

Faith was tagged by her cousin Odie!!!  I was so excited to write about such a sweet girl and she's at such a fun age.  I decided that I can and will call Faith my little Faith as long as I can because I've just realized how fast she is growing up.  I don't know if it is a third child thing or just the little personality she has but this girl thinks she is as big as Nikki and Christian.  She follows them around and mimics everthing they say and do.  Cute to an extent right!!! She's going to be the child moms say when she's in school and hear some of the things she says "Oh she must have older brothers and sisters".  I've said that a time or two with some of Nikkis friends, not that its good or bad, they just learn different things sooner not being the oldest.  Anyhow, I digress... I think that is what really is so great about this stage is watching how much she picks up on everyday.   

Well, let me start from the beginning.  Faith came into our lives November 7, 2006.  She was sent to our family at a time that the Lord knew we needed her.  She has been a blessing to us  from the day she was born.  She has always been a very good natured girl and just brought a special spirit with her to this Earth.  We couldn't be happier about having her.

Now thats not to say she hasn't caused me many hours of missed beauty rest and that we don't have our battles cause we DO!!!  This girl has an opinion and feels entitled to share it with you whether you want to hear it or not.  She just recently started saying "NO, NO, NO...no tanks"   in response to a variety of questions.  Point taken Faith!!!  Hey at least she remembered her manners! :)  

Some of the other hilarious things that come out of her mouth:  the other day she had a diaper rash and while changing her diaper I said "Oh darnit"  She spent most of the remaining day pointing to her backside saying in a pathetic little voice "darnit"  Plain as day, we even get a dangit out of her every once in awhile.  Remember, 3rd child!  I love when she calls people by their names, I'm not sure what it is about that that I find so endearing some of her faves are Gikki (Nikki)  Bra (for brother Christian) Bampa, Gamma, Mauci (Aunt Marci), Unc Ty etc, etc...  Like I said their is just something sweet about her calling your name.  Today she started saying "I itch"  it sounded so funny coming out of her mouth!  Oh and thats another thing she likes to say "I punny (funny) mom" I love this girl!!!

Some of the things she likes to do:  well as I mentioned before she loves to follow big sis and big brother everywhere, so anything they are doing she wants to do.  She loves riding in Nikkis little hot wheels truck and Christian cruises around with her on his little tikes 4 wheeler and she can't get enough of it.  She loves to jump on the trampoline and because of it she can jump- two feet off the ground- too, not to brag or anything :)  She is very coordinated though, must be those Arnell genes!!!  I think I'm so funny...   

Some of her funny faces...I wish I had some pictures but I don't think I do but she does what Christian likes to call her Freak out Face.  It started when something she was eating was too hot, her whole face shakes slightly with her fists clenched out in front of her.  She now does it on call and had Grandpa Arnell laughing pretty good a few weeks ago.  The other she likes to do is her Grumpy face.  Like her freak out face we have her trained quite well so she can now pull these looks on demand, we get a good laugh out of it!   

Needless to say she is an absolute joy to have in our home. She has Daddy and both her Grandpas wrapped around her little fingers, as well as pretty much the rest of the people shes around often.  We love her to pieces and I feel more than blessed to be her mother!  

PS Sorry I can't seem to make my pics post down the page with the message.  They all seemed to show up at the top and I'm too tired to try and figure it out tonight.

  

Tagged by Becky...so here it goes!

(This is the only pic I could find of  myself-its a year ago, but you get the gist)

I am: a mother 1st and foremost
I think:being positive about life makes a big difference in life

I know: life is a journey

I want: another baby someday (those darn scrap books got me baby hungry-but not really!!)
I wish: I had more answers for life sometimes
I hate: when people choose to put others down to feel better about themselves
I miss: those once care free days-but looking back in my journal they never seemed all that care free-my 4th grade fat, hairy legs I had to worry about didn;t seem too care free at the time :)  

I fear: that I may not be doing enough to teach my children how to withstand lifes challenges

I feel: sad sometimes even if I try not to show it
I hear: the news
I smell: the fresh breeze 
I crave: desserts, I'm not too picky either, but I really like something sweet after I eat

I search: for homes, bunk beds, a little of this a little of that -thanks Google!

I wonder: how long we will live where we are

I love: my husband and wonderful babies

I ache: when I watch people I love so much struggle 
I care: about my families future

I always: commit and recommit to do the same things over and over-but the positive thing about that is I keep on trying right!  One day I'll get it.
I am not: very creative I can copy like a pro though

I dance: with my kids at least 5 times a week-and I have to really hold back when I'm at the gym listening to my ipod
I sing: with my heart and have always wanted to take voice lessons

I cry: when I really need it-and when I watch Extreme Makeover-Home Edition
I don't always: know what the next move is
I write: with poor penmanship, but don't notice that more now that I said that

I win:when I keep keepin on 
I lose: my mind when my kids fight 
I never: want people to doubt how grateful I am for all that they do for me and my family
I listen: to Christmas music at least once a week because Nikki has her own favorite cds
I can usually be found: at home, my moms, or my in-laws.

I am scared: whenI try to think too far ahead in the future.
I need: a nice massage
I am happy about: the great weather I love to be outside

and one more...I tag: Jessica C, Keri D, and Summer 

IS it 8:00 yet?

Is it 8:00 yet???  That is the question of the month.  I believe my children's only reference to time is 8:00, BEDTIME!!!  (Well, you could count Nikki's Is it 4:00 yet? -Scooby Doo Phase! )Anyhow, that is a question that I hear running through my head as well as out of their mouths by the time 8:00 rolls along.  Everyones pretty beat we're all played, argued, loved, cried...etc. etc... out by then. There's nothing quite as sweet as seeing your children sleep.  I'm feeling so proud of myself and our little ones lately.  We recently got Christian a twin bed-I know he's almost five- we finally made the jump when he kept falling off the bed each night.  :)  Well if anyone knows me well they know that sleeping at our home hasn't been the greatest or proudest of topics.  Pretty much my children all slept in my bed until Nikki at 5 finally stayed in her bed, Christian as of the last month, and Faith...well, we're still working on that one. At least she's not 25 ad still nursing like I thought she might be!  I'm all about looking for the positives in life :)  So to say that my big guy isn't in my bed or even coming into try and get in bed anymore is good news would be the understatement of the year.  Way to go Christian!!!  To be quite honest with you it didn't bother me that much to have my kids in bed until just recently when Kurt would end up on the couch each morning.  But I'll tell you what you sure do sleep better without a child suctioned to your face. Right mom!   I love my kids.  Hey at my pace I may even have Faith out of our bed by the time she's three!  I'm learning a little more with each child, right!?!  But for now I'm going to enjoy the smell of my sweet little girls breath on my face in the morning.  So heres to all the other moms who may be sharing their beds with their sweet little darlings too and heres to 8:00!!!         

AHA

Ok so I think I figured out at least one thing. You'll have to scroll down to see the other pictures I was talking about.  I know its sideways, I wanted to give you all a sample of one of my other struggles.  How can I flip that?  

My feeble attempts...

So I think I'm probably making this whole bloging thing a lot harder than it needs to be but I haven't found the "Blogging for Dummies" book yet.   It has taken me 3 weeks to try and figure out how to change my pictures from being sideways.  I think I need a new software. I don't know!  All of my pictures are saved on Costcos website but I can't seem to be able to upload then from there to this page.  Any help would be fab.    As for my other feeble attempts at life.  These are some samples of my attempt at a photo shoot.  I think some of them turned out pretty cute.  It's Grandpa N. B-day and he made a request for new photos for his office so thats why I pulled out the camera.  But again as you can see blogging trouble... these pictures are ginormous somebody help please. :) I tried to pick a picture that you can see Faiths pirate eye!  Everytime you tell her to smile she pulls out the pirate eye smile, it's hilarious.  The kids had a ball walking down the river.  It wasn't so easy for this old thang.  The night before I had sprained my ankle in an indoor soccer game.  I just started playing on a co-ed team and it's been really fun, but I really haven't played much since High School.  I think I'm getting too old for this stuff.  Actually I think maybe that's why I decided to play.  I'm not getting any younger so I better use this body while I still can, right!   My baby sister came to play with me last night it was fun to play with her. She's 11 years younger, but I don't think you would've guessed that out on the field.  (Ok maybe when I was rolling around on the ground in agony you may have guessed that I was getting old!!!)   :)   I'm playing with some of the "Stussy Posse"   HOLLA!!!  I still got it!  :)   Well, maybe I'll see if anyone can give me some advice on this blog deal and than I'll post again.  

Miracles DO happen

Well, I would have to be the first to admit I never thought this would really happen.  But now that we have a computer in the house there is really no excuse not to join the blogging world.  I always enjoy checking in on everyone and hope that you'll enjoy hearing about life according to the Nydeggers.