Obama is the Prez

Well, today Barack Obama became president. I really don't know what that means, but Daddy says that I will learn all about it as I grow up. He says that one day I could be president, but he

reminded me that I will have to wait quite a few years before that can happen. 

Let me see, there has been alot happening since we last met. But first, I need to bring you up to date with other things. As you can see in the picture next to us, Mama and I enjoy taking naps together. Daddy says that we both snore (whatever that means), and that makes Mama very upset because she says that Daddy snores like a horse, and has no right to say anything otherwise!!! Daddy just makes a funny face when he hears this, and stomps off to somehwhere in the house. Apparently, this is what he did alot of when he was three years old. Grandma says that

daddy use to wear boots and would like to stomp them when he didn't get
what he wanted. I think that is so funny. However, I know that daddy
was one cool dude, check out the following picture:
So, Mama wanted me to mention that we got to meet some really nice
people last month. Right now, I cannot remember mama's friend's name (I
am totally sorry), but I do remember her cute daughter's name, her name
was Savanah. Oh my gosh was she a talker, but I really enjoyed playing
with her. I think Mama met her on the Internet, or something like that.

Savanah is from a place called Denver, Colorado..  That makes Daddy very happy because he says that is where the Broncos play football, and they are his favorite team.  But right now, he wants everyone to know that the Arizona Cardinals are his team for the next two weeks or more, because they are going somewhere called the Superbowl.  Daddy and I watched the Cardinals play the Eagles last weekend, and we were dancing, and jumping and everything. Daddy says that mama was being a real pooh-pooh because she didn't want us to get so excited about the game.  I really don't know what she was complaining about because I really enjoyed myself.  GO CARDINALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, OK, just one more thing about last year, and we will be all caught up.  On New Year's Eve, we all went to Gate's Pass to watch the sunset for the last time of 2008.  I really enjoyed 2008, because it was the year that I was born.  Couldn't get much better than that could it?  Well, Daddy has to go to work at 6 am tomorrow morning, and it's 10:07 pm already.  So let me show you one more picture and sign off.

I love you all, and remember to cheer for the Cardinals in the Superbowl......

Love, Ashton James Nebeker

Ashton, Daddy, and Jack Bauer

Hello Everyone!  

      Sorry that it has been such a long time since I have written, being so busy with the holidays, and getting baptized and stuff, I had a hard time sitting down to write.  Tonight I won't take a long time to write, but I will write more later.  Daddy's hands are tired from working as an engineer all day.  I wonder how big his train is that he rides.  He must have a lot of fun about it, but he seems not to be able to talk to mama alot about it.  Something about a lack of clearance or something like that.  I thought clearances were where mommies went to buy a lot of stuff for a little bit of money.  Well, I guess that is what Daddy is talking about.  

   Did everyone have a fun time during Christmas?  I sure did, we got to go to Daddy's home town of Kearny, and we stayed at Grandma and Grandpa Nebeker's house.  Also, Grandma Lynda got to Kearny with us.  It's funny when we go to Kearny, there is a funny Cat who lives at Grandma and Grandpa's.  Daddy says that the cat is really a dog, but I don't know what that means.  The strange cat make some loud sounds sometimes, and a really weird sounding purr.  Well, here is a picture of him, his name is Teddy:

Well, Santa was really good to me, and I got a lot of good presents.

Before Christmas, I was baptized at the same place that mama and daddy were married, and by the same priest, Father Liam.  I really like Father Liam, he is a funny guy, but at the same time, he makes me feel closer to God.  They say that there is nothing closer to God than a baby.  Well, I promise you that I will never take that saying as granted.  I would like to say thank you to my new Godparents, Gracie and Frankie Calderon.  Daddy tells me that Gracie was his first grade teacher way back in 1973-1974.  But back then her name was Gracie Jimenez.  Well, I feel honored to have them as my Godparents.

I have so much more to say, but Daddy says he is tired, and needs to go to bed.  Daddy and I have been watching his favorite TV show the last couple of nights, it is called 24...  It is so enthralling, I can't keep my eyes off of it.  Here is a picture of us watching the episode tonight:

Well, the show is awesome...  I really have to go, but I hope that everyone is doing well, and I will write soon.

Love,

Ashton James Nebeker

Dear Santa,

        My daddy says that you are a very good man that brings presents to good boys and girls every Christmas, which I am told is December 25th.  Santa, can you believe that I will almost be 3 months old on Christmas?  Christmas was baby Jesus's birthday like September 28th was mine.  Well, Santa, I really don't know a whole lot about what's out there that I can have Christmas, so, let me tell you what my Daddy has said that he wants for Christmas:

•             A GI Joe with a Kung Fu Grip -- Daddy says that the one that he had a long time ago lost all his hair.  Nobody wants a bald GI Joe.  Daddy says he remembers the long knife that would fit into GI Joe's hand.  He also says that if you can give him a GI Joe, don't forget to bring him a Steve Austin action figure (not a doll!) with the Big Foot action set.  Nothing beats the Bionic Man and GI Joe fighting Big Foot .

• An Atari 2600 -- None of this fancy Wii or Playstation stuff for my daddy!  He mentioned to me that he does have two of them already, but he really wants another one, with one twist for the modern daddy -- Wireless joysticks!!  He really likes all the games, especially one that reminds him of his job, Missile Command, as well as Space Invaders, Pong, and Defender.
  
• An Official NFL Superbowl Electronic Football Game -- Daddy wants to make sure that it is the 1973 version where the Miami Dolphins beat the Minnesota Vikings.  Daddy says that usually on his original version the Dolphins beat the Vikings, but you never know what you'll get.
  
• Giant Tinkertoys -- Nothing beats a set of Giant Tinkertoys where you can make a bridge or something.  To go along with the Tinkertoy set, Daddy would like an Erector Set.  None of those wimpy sets that come in plastic, Daddy wants the real thing so that when there are sharp edges that develop in the metal, he will get cut, and remember the good old days.  Daddy says that it was because of the erector set that he learned how to make pulleys and stuff and helped him become a mechanical engineer.  Please tell daddy that I am thankful that it didn't inspire him to be a civil engineer! 
  
• A Talking Viewmaster -- Some of Daddy's favorite View Discs that he would like include:  Planet of the Apes Television Show, Kung Fu Television, anything with Scooby Doo or Hong Kong Phooey,  Disney's Haunted House, and the Land of the Lost View Discs!
  
• A Sno Cone Machine -- Daddy wants to teach me how to make Sno Cones!
• A Big Wheel -- Daddy wants to take me a ride on a modified Big Wheel, so we can cruise the neighborhood.  After I get good on the Big Wheel, Daddy will make me a ramp, so that I can try to jump 14 semi's like Evel Kneivel did one time.  Daddy has emphasized to me that if we do this, at no time should I tell Mama!  I don't understand, but because he is my daddy, I will do what he says...  Daddy tells me to tell you not to give him the Green Monster, because he doesn't think I will up for that one until I am three or so.
  
• Pop-Rocks and Slime -- Santa, do you know what I mean by Slime?  Apparently Daddy wants some, and while he is playing with the Slime, he wants to eat some Pop-Rocks.  Santa, Daddy wants to make sure that you know that Mikey really didn't die from eating too many Pop Rocks.  That is just an Urban Legend like the alligators that live in the New York subway.
  
• Micronauts and videos from G-Force -- Daddy loves Micronauts!  I don't know what they are, but apparently they are like action figures that can bend in many many different ways.  Also, if there are any videos of the cartoon called G-Force, he would like them very much too.
  

OK, Santa?  What would I really want?  Maybe some Wiggles stuff, and an excersaucer.  We are going up to Kearny on the 23rd, and will be at Grandpa and Grandma Nebeker, so don't forget to bring us our presents there.  I will write more soon, but my little hands are tired.

Here is a picture of us for Christmas:

Love, 

Ashton

Thanksgiving

Hi everyone! Today, my mama decided to help me write my blog. Daddy is still sleeping off his trytophan from the turkey they had today down in Green Valley. First, sad news about my Grandpa Jim, he passed away last Saturday. I loved him very much, and it was a gift from God that I was able to meet him. I know that he will always be with me, but, as mama says, "Life goes on". As long as his memory is still around, he will always be with us.

Yesterday, mama, daddy, and Ti'o Jimmy (mama's brother), and I went up a mountain that was supposed to have a bunch of lemons on top (Mount Lemmon). It was stormy near our house, so to see the sunset from above was beautiful! Here are some pics from up in the mountains:

Later, we went to dinner at a noisy place called Pinnacle Peak. Tio says there was a lot of "stimulation" for me and I learned, or taught myself, a new trick! Here is the video of it:

I really enjoyed meeting my Tio and had lots of fun with him! Last week, I also enjoyed meeting Uncle Don and Aunt Marilyn, Aunt Julie, and Mama's and Grandpa Jim's friend Claire.

I really want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Mama and daddy say this is a day when of Pilgrims and Indians gave thanks to God for a good harvest somewhere in a place called Plymouth Rock.

Today, I ate with mama, daddy, Grandma and Grandpa Nebeker, Grandma Lynda, and Tio. Here is a pic of all of us:

Well, here I will say goodnight, and Happy Turkey Day to everyone!

Love,

Ashton James Nebeker

Family

Hello everyone! Things are a bit challenging at home right now. My Grandpa Jim is very sick and I pray for him every minute. I thank God every day that I have had the opportunity to meet him. Grandpa is a very good man, who knows a lot, and cares a lot about people. I can tell this as I look into my mama's eyes. I love my mama so much, I can just imagine how much she loves him, and he loves her. This is what family is all about.... The blood that runs through my veins includes many, many good people who have sacrifice much through the decades. My Grandpa Jim is from Washington, just like my mama. From what I have learned in my short life with him, Grandpa has four children, Aunt Heidi, Uncle Jim, Aunt Julie, and Mama.

I know that he spent time in the army, in particular, he worked a bit in the intelligence area. Not exactly sure what that means, but I am impressed that he served our country. I know that Grandpa is very talented in business. I think he worked with stocks and stuff like that. Whenever Daddy asks him questions about money, I am amazed about how well and how much he knows about it. Grandpa really likes sports, and in particular the University of Washington sports. I think part of that is because his Grandpa participated in sports for the University of Washington. My mama is a big fan of University of Washington football, Grandpa started taking her to the football games when she was really young. I also know that Grandpa took my mama camping at least once. He told me stories of mountains and goats, and everything. I can just see my mama camping with Grandpa.....

Here is a picture of Grandpa's grandparents: I think my Grandpa's grandpa's name was Carl. I know that he ran track for the University of Washington. Also I know that he climbed big mountains (Mount Elias?), and worked as a surveyor in the Phillipines, I believe. I think that great-great-great Grandpa Morford's adventurous blood transferred down to Grandpa Jim's blood. Grandpa told me stories like the one where his friends and he spent a really cold night on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. I believe it was in November or so, and man, Daddy has emphasized to me how cold that could be. Grandpa also told me of the time he went white water rafting in Costa Rica. Mama and Daddy have been to Costa Rica, but they didn't go white water rafting, those wimps...

I believe that I will develop the adventurous blood that my Morford forefathers have.



I also think that Grandpa really likes the water. Up in Seattle, Grandpa, Grandma and Mama use to live right up to where there was some water. Last year daddy and mama took a boat to see where they used to live. Grandpa and grandma used to like going sailing when they were in Washington. I seem to remember a story of Grandma and Grandpa sailing and nearly getting caught in the dark out in the Sound while Sailing.

Grandpa is a good man. It is time for me to take a nap, so I need to close this out. There are so many things I can say, but it'll have to wait to another time. Always remember that we are the product of those who came before us. I promise to try to live a good life so that my family both on the Morford side and the Nebeker side will be proud of me. I am proud of them because it was because of all of them and their love for each other that I am here today on this beautiful Earth.

Love,

Ashton James Nebeker

The Joy of Entropy

Today, Daddy decided to teach me a little bit about his favorite subject, it's something called entropy (or "s" as he would call it).

Apparently, as Daddy would say, entropy is a measure of disorganization of the universe.  He says that the rate of change of entropy in the universe is greater than zero.  However, he tells me of a process called an "isentropic process" where the change in entropy is zero.  He says that perhaps locally the change can be zero, but always to remember that for a real process, the overall change of entropy in the universe will always  be greater than zero.  Now, he says that an example of this isentropic process is the "ideal cycle".    He says that entropy can be described by the following equation:  .  This states that the amount of energy in the form of heat that crosses a control volume must be the same or smaller than the temperature of that control volume times the amount of change of energy within that volume...  Actually, Daddy just corrected me on how to say this (he does have a PhD, ya know), he says that the amount of change in the entropy within a control volume will always be at least the same (if not larger) than the amount of heat energy which crosses the border divided by the temperature of the surface by which it transfers.  He also wants to point out to me that always to remember that the temperature should be expressed in terms of Kelvin, unless you are an English units baby, where it should be expressed in terms of Rankine.Daddy does say that because of entropy, time can only go forward.  I really do not understand this but he insists that this is the most important contribution of the Second Law of Thermodynamics.   He read to me this book called Energy, and I was totally intrigued by it.  He told me of all the great scientist who tried to deal with the subject, including a Frenchman who didn't own a car (Carnot), and a cool Scottsman named William Thompson (who is also named Lord Kelvin).  Daddy is a total fan of Lord Kelvin, who he said was a really smart guy.  However through my research, I found out that Mr. Kelvin thought that the Sun derived it's power from the impact of hundreds of thousands of meteors hitting it all the time.  Now, I may have just been born yesterday (well, 6 1/2 weeks ago), but that is a pretty funny thought.  Daddy also tells me that the town of Kelvin near his hometown of Kearny is named after Lord Kelvin, because back in the 19th century Kelvin was a major sponsor of mining in Arizona.

So, Daddy just wanted to show one more picture, I had what he calls an 80's preppy moment, what I say is I am just my father's son, as I found out from Daddy's friends at work that he forgets to put his collar down when he walks into the lab.  I am a big boy now, I weigh 11 lbs 3 ozs now, and I was measured to be about 23 1/2 inches head to toe.  I can't wait until I get to be 2 feet tall. 

Now, Mama and Daddy are taking me to a drive in Movie to go see my namesake James Bond.

I can't wait to see my first movie, it will be pretty awesome.  I hope to see you all soon, 

Love,

Ashton James (Bond) Nebeker

I found some of Daddy's Baby Pictures

Well, I just wanted to defend myself, as Daddy says that I have a pretty loud cry. He claims that he didn't cry as a baby. Well, I beg to differ. I was cruisin' his pictures today, and I came across a few interesting pictures.... :)