New Cousins

What a great weekend of fun.  I flew home for Blaine and Audrey's wedding.  They are a beautiful couple and so happy together.  I am delighted for both of them.  When I was telling the kids that I would be gone for a while, Peter was excited to learn that Blaine was marrying "that lady" and even more excited that he would get some "new cousins"! 

Heavy, Heavy Hangover

OK, the kids have started their second week of school and I finally feel like things are settling down somewhat.  I am pretty tired, but figured I could handle sitting at the computer and typing a bit of what we have been up to.

I wanted to start with the birthdays from 2013!

 I got spoiled big time--with love, attention, and lots of great presents--I love having birthdays--turning 42 isn't so bad when I get $42!!  We did our traditional heavy, heavy hangover with gifts wrapped in Wal-Mart bags.

 Michael with his donuts--I'm sure he got some fun presents, but all I got was photos of the treats!  He is such a kind, gentle person.  He is so good playing with the little kids.  He's a wonderful teenager--most of the time!  He is now 13.

 Eliza turned 17 and scored some great gifts from family near and far.  She's fun to buy for and is pretty easy to please.  She loves her pink pocket knife and uses it regularly.  She is very capable and fun to be with.

 William turned 4--he had a fun day with his friend Tyler and then a good party with his family.  He is a entertaining little guy. 

 David met me and the little boys to celebrate Clark's 2nd birthday at O'Charleys.  It was a fun lunch.  Clark is a talker and has quite the vocabulary--even some bad words!  He loves to stay up late, but still takes good naps.  He is so precious.  We sure love him.

 We celebrated David's birthday while we were at Myrtle Beach over Memorial Day weekend.   Here are Eliza and David taking off on the para-sail.  They said it was a blast.  David takes such great care of all of us.  The kids are all in bed and he just ran to the grocery store for me.  Thanks!!

 Peter celebrated turning 8 on June 13th.  The photos we got we all interesting, so enjoy a good laugh.  Peter loves the baseball equipment that he got and plays a few times a week with Grace, Parker or Michael.  He has a lot of natural ability and TONS of energy. 

Grace had her 11th birthday on June 24th and celebrated in Kingsport with a big party with her friends.  For some reason, I have NO photos of the only "real" party we had where invitations were sent and activities were planned and carried out.  They swam in the pool, played games, water balloons, and also made chapstick from beeswax, oils, and scents.  They all had a blast.  She is a REAL sweetheart.  She did get to celebrate her birthday in Goblin Valley with her cousin Stephanie, so at least we have that picture!

 

 

 

More still to come.

Katherine in September.

New Baby in October.

Parker in November.

 

Lang Zal Ze Leven!

Tour de Temple

We are so lucky to live "close" to so many temples.  OK, I know that close is a relative term, but we have had some great trips this year.  Our temple, Columbia SC is just under four hours.  Here are some of our memories.
     SLC Temple--the night after they took the lights down--the place was a ghost town.  I have never been there with so few people.  We stopped on our way home to TN.  I took the older kids to do baptisms and David took the littles to look around.  Most memorable event was Parker ripping his Sunday pants to shreds after the temple.  His already too small pants had lost a button, he was sick and pretty miserable.  He said that his choices were to stay in the van in the freezing cold, walk around Temple Square in the freezing cold or go to the temple.  I guess he wanted to be warm.  We also ate at the cafeteria--always a treat.
     Kansas City Temple-- also on the way home.  Quiet day and a nice experience.  David did baptisms with the kids.  I also went in and looked around and did some initiatories.  The temple is beautiful--is has the same lay-out and general feel as the Brigham City Temple.
     Orlando, Florida--David traveled their for work.  He said the grounds and location were amazing.
     St. Louis, Missouri--Another travel trip for David--Eastman just bought a company that is just minutes from the temple--he been their a few times for work.
     Columbia, SC--Eliza, Parker, and Michael--youth temple trip.  They drove down with their friends and all reported that it is much more fun to go with their friends than us!!
     Nashville, TN--David had some church training, so me and the littles joined him.  We stayed at our favorite La Quinta, swam, temple, and Ed Venture Museum.  The memorable part of that was me taking the little ones to the museum and getting asked if I was single, along with a friendly fellow's business card--awkward!  We would still have yet another encounter--on the way out I was dragging KK  from the gift shop (major fit wanting something), William was running through the parking lot headed for a busy street, Grace was carrying Clark and Peter was trying to catch up to William--the friendly fellow cut William off before he headed to the street--and of course that sent William into hysterics. He helped me corral them all to the van.  After this heroic effort he invited us to the library!?  Oh, and somewhere in all of this mess, Clark threw up and his extra clothes got left at the hotel--never to be seen again.  David's training with Elder Oaks was very up-lifting and spiritual. :)
     Columbia, SC--Good Friday Stake Temple Day.  David had work off, so we went to stay with great friend April.  Great bed and breakfast.  Easter egg hunt with empty eggs--fun without too much crying.  A yummy picnic, thanks to April and beautiful spring weather.

Looking forward to some more temple trips across the world.
What are some of your favorite temple memories?  Where have you traveled?  Where will you go--are you visiting any new temples?
    








Grandpa Cannon

Over the holidays we played some fun games. At Richard and Lorie's house we played "Imaginiff". The question was "Imagine if... you were at a fancy resturant, who would be mostly likely (from those playing the game) to take a bite of food from everyone's plate?" I think we ALL voted for my Dad. After we got home, I was looking through our pictures and I found these gems that document what we have all experienced!

"Hummm..Katherine seems to have a pretty good grip on her ice cream..."

"Maybe I can get a taste from Peter..."

"If i can just go in nice and easy..."

Going in the the kill!

Katherine celebrates, but little does she know that she is next!

Thanks for the great lunch, Grandpa!  We love you!

Grandpa Cannon

Over the holidays we played some fun games.  At Richard and Lorie's house we played "Imaginif".  The question was "Imagine if... you were at a fancy resturant, who would be mostly likely (from those playing the game) to take a bite of food from everyone's plate?"  I think we ALL voted for my Dad.  After we got home, I was looking through our pictures and I found these gems that document what we have all experienced!

Stay Tuned

We are all doing well--happy and healthy.  It has been a LONG time since I've really written anything, although I've got lots of good fodder for posts.  Often as I am in "the thick" of something I think this would be a great blog-----so stay tuned.  Good things are coming.  I just need to ease into this slowy and see if anyone is still out there waiting and wondering what we are up to (anyone besides my Mom!)

Clark turned 1

Some pics from the only party we had.