A Miraculous TWO years!!!!

Tomorrow will be my I-guy's second birthday!  TWO YEARS!!!!  I'll admit I got a little emotional about it this afternoon, though not because he's growing. Why then, you ask?  

For those who don't know the story, I'll refer you to this post of mine.  I'm so grateful that things went as they did that day, and those who participated were there for a reason, I'm certain.  

Like the day I described two years ago, there are a lot of emotions, though I think I'm the only one feeling them to this severity. So you'll forgive me if I break out a can of snot with an extra LARGE side order of tears.

There are happy feelings too, though. And I need to remember that I-guy is HERE and SO......... Tomorrow, we'll be celebrating at the Cannon Lair  SUPERHERO Academy.  Here is what we've promised: 

 Come help us celebrate a miraculous two years! There will be plenty of villains to fight and rescue innocent townsfolk. We need your SUPERHERO skills. Don't have any? Not sure what they are? Don't worry, we'll help you uncover your true identity as a crime fighting hero.Cape, mask, power amulets, everything you need to be a SUPERHERO is included in our Superhero Academia Kit; no need to bring your own.We will feed your superhero strength with HERO sandwiches and plenty of vegies to increase your hero potential. You'll also learn to develop the super strengths of your choice and be able to use them on Evil Masterminds and then you too, can tell your friends you've completed the Superhero Academy (Or choose to keep your identity a secret!) Come to our inaugural class this Sunday the 17th at 4:30 pm at the Cannon Lair (confirm address with your superhero gadgets) and be ready for lots of crime fighting action! Hope to see you there!
RSVP regrets only: Katherine (aka SUPER CRAZY), or Jolene (aka SUPER MITZI)

I'll post pics on this post when I've got them of all the things we've been doing to prepare!  So excited for the kids to see what their capes look like!!!!  I lurked around the internet and found a few ideas on how to sew our own capes (as everyone else was charging an arm, leg AND your first born!) and decided this one fit most closely to what I wanted. Although when I got to the store I couldn't find the material I had in mind, and then stumbled in to great big bolts of crafting felt. KAPOW!  I liked this even better!  NO (not as much)SEWING!!! So I made new calculations on how much I'd need and the designs began to FLY through my head!  I've spent the last two days putting the capes together and creating individualized initials on them, plus some "power arm bands" that they'll be able to draw their "secret powers" on with fabric markers.

I had some assistance printing and cutting out these great capes and masks for some of our goodies.

We'll have some mini POP!, Kryptonite sticks,  patriotic sour stars, Mastermind lava and so many others.

As it'll be the sabath, we won't have many games, rather just let the kids use their imaginations and defeat the imaginary Evil-doers and Mastermind villains using their frisbees and power armbands.

 More to come!

A new NEPHEW!

Just wanted to give a shout-out to my brother and his wife and new wee one born today!

  Congratulations sweet family! Can't wait to meet you!


I'll post pictures later.....

Thoughts of Spring!

I read through some of my old posts and remembered I had set goals for the spring last March and thought it might be good to continue that tradition. After all, spring seems to bring new things!

 This year I hope to accomplish:
Landscaping plans for the back yard
 Fix the leak in the basement
Plan the remodel project for the downstairs living room
 Continue to exercise and maintain a healthy weight
Grow a flower bed in the front yard this year
 Play with my children more

 Hmmm. I know I have more I'd like to do, but I think I'll start there.
I've been lurking looking around the web and have found a few pictures for "inspiration" on how to decorate my home.  My husband and I have often said our house still feels like we live in an apartment!

I'll post a few "Inspirational Photos" below, but where have you found your inspiration?

I like the built-ins with the blue and the large white fireplace.

I don't know where  I'd fit something like this, but I like the organization; everyone has their own space. The owner of this home has this in her laundry room, which I also like.

I like the light in this bedroom, but what caught my attention, were the books under the bed!!!!! I REALLY need to find that hidden camera, I know someone's been looking in my room.

 I grew up with a bright yellow bedroom. I think that's why I like this one so much for my girls

 

 This isn't the best photo I've come across, but I'd like to do something fun like this to match the cheery girls' room.

Hmmmmm...... I have so many more ideas, but perhaps I'll continue in another post.

Until then.....

TO BE CONTINUED......

^ ^
U

I haven't forgotten....

I've had a lot on my mind recently and am trying to sort it all out. Once I figure out how to download pics from the new camera I received as a Christmas/Birthday gift, I'll post a bit about current events!


   Be grateful for your loved ones.

To Eternity and Beyond!

I don't have many words tonight.

 I am so grateful for the gospel and the knowledge it brings that families can be forever. Please keep this family in

your prayers and thoughts.

Pictures finally uploaded! LOTS to share...

First day of School 2010-11! S and Z

Spring 2010 ~ I guy

Ready, Mom!

Princess B

We start 'em early!

Defeating the Decepticons is a family affair~

 

(A bit blurry) As I was cleaning, this is what I found on the couch while I vacuumed

.

 

Baptism dress made by Grandma

Baptism Day 2010

Ran out of time, but rest assured, there are MANY more pics to come.

ToOT!! tOoT! ToOT!!!!!

Back in March I posted some of the things I wanted to accomplish during the spring. As I was re-reading this post I thought, "Well, it's taken longer than the spring, but I have at least started a few of those goals!"
How good it feels.


I have lost more than the 15 pounds I needed to lose
I have made landscaping plans for my front yard.
I (with help) have started to repair the sprinkler system. (WHat A #$%))
We are getting ready to lay sod in our front yard.
Our garden plot is ready for next season to plant!!!
The massive tree in the back is ready for the kids playhouse.


I still have to teach the kids how to swim, but am thinking that even though I am more than perfectly qualified to teach them myself, it may be cheaper to pay someone to teach them all at once!
We made progress on repairing the bicycles so we can start to teach the kids to ride the bikes... one day we'll all be able to ride up to the falls.

School has also started for Z and for S.  I just have two little ones at home with me now for at least a few hours a day.  It feels good to be able to go shopping and only have to tell one "NO!"  (One still is just content to ride in the cart and look at the colorful packaging and people.)

Just keep pluggin' along and goals can be reached!!! Its good to remember this too!

New family pics

Just saw the proofs today! As soon as we get the real pics back, I'll update our photos in the sidebar. But for now enjoy this little preview courtesy of Kate Benson!

www.katebensonphotography.instaproofs.com And then search for the Cannon Family Event dated July 17, 2010.

We had a great time with Kate and I think she captured my children's personalities to a "T!"

Thanks, Kate!

Gone quilting....

Around Christmas I wanted a unique gift for my parents and decided to ask a friend's help in making a quilt. Ever since, I'm afraid I've been bitten by the bug; the quilting bug that is.

I still don't know what I'm doing while flying solo yet, but that doesn't stop me from dreaming.

I've spent the last few nights oogling over fun material and new quilt ideas, all the while, cha-ching cha-ching sounds are going off inside my head.

It's an activity that I can release my creativity in and have something to show for it, but it also puts a nice DING in our pocketbook. That being said, however, A has said he enjoys when I sew because I'm so much nicer in the end. Hmmmmmm.

I saw a few quilts I wanted to start for my children

like this one and this oneUnfortunately, most of the local fabric/quilt stores don't carry the necessary items I'd need! Anyone out there know of some good quilt shops? Or are willing to send me items from my wish list? Pretty please!

Klark and Denise

Here they are! My brother and his fiance. They took their engagement shots this last weekend with a very talented photographer, Kate Benson. She also happens to be my cousin, but we haven't had much contact since the 80's.

I hope you enjoy the pics!

www.katebensonphotography.net/denise-klark-engagements/html

Future Shutterbug?

We've considered getting an SLR camera for a while now, but haven't been able to justify the price. I had a few photo projects that I wanted to accomplish quickly and in good quality. Ha! Well I knew the cameras that we own wouldn't do them justice, so I asked my brother if I could borrow his Nikon.

He came over the other night and tried to cram a whole bunch of information in my head about how to properly expose a shot, to use the right flash, what kind of lense to use for which shot, etc., etc. It really was a lot of information. Some of it made sense immediately, some of it did not.

I played around with the camera, having fun (until my middle child figured out I could show her what picture I had just taken. If I held the camera to my eye for too long, she figured I had fired off a shot and wanted to see.).

So here are a few examples of the fun I had with some one else's camera! Enjoy!

Z 7 3/4 yrsS 4 3/4 yrsB 3 yrs I 10 m 1 day

Memories...

I was blog stalking and came across something that sparked a memory.

Ready for the trip down memory lane?.......

I was about nine years old and had been taking piano lessons for a while (but had recently switched from an organ to a REAL piano) and my church needed a musical number for their sacrament meeting. I was asked and prepared a short piece from one of my music books called "Ode to Joy."

At the last moment I realized no one had told the bishop what the musical piece was. This meant I was going to have to announce it myself before I began to play.

I proudly marched up to the pulpit and announced...... "I'm going to play 'Odie to Joy'." I heard a few snickers of laughter from the congregation and my mother, but wasn't sure why.

A few years later, listening to a classical station I heard the correct pronunciation!!! It all made sense.

Around February I was poking through some classified ads hoping (against all odds) to find a piano as Z had expressed an interest in learning and I was longing to play again in my own home.

I found a few and mentioned them to A. He said we could find better pianos in a store for a better price. Feeling a little disappointed, I showed him one last piano that the owners were asking $300.00 for.

"That one's not too bad. What's wrong with it?" He asked.

We did some investigating and decided to look at it more closely. Longer story shorter...

We have a PIANO!!!!

There are some things that need to be fixed, but for a beginning piano, I don't think I could have done better.

Z spends most of her free afternoon time "composing" songs and singing. It's been nice to have a piano to play hymns for FHE again too. S even surprised me by asking if he could learn to play. So far, he's the one that's expressed and applied the most effort to actually learn!

Oh, and to tie this post all together....... My children are learning from the same books I did! Maybe they might get to play "Odie to Joy" in church one day too!

Anyone else????

I want spring to come! I have so many plans; I'm sure not all of them will come to fruition.... but the plans are there nonetheless.

Here are just a few things I'd like to accomplish this spring:

Landscape my yard (Plans)

Carry out those landscaping plans

Fix the sprinkler system

Build the kids a clubhouse

Fix the leak in the basement

Make remodel plans for the basement

Start a small garden

Help the kids learn how to swim
Go on more family bike rides (Bridal Veil Falls!!!)
Lose 15 pounds......


Oh yeah.... and ENJOY THE WARMER WEATHER!!!!

Rollercoaster of emotions!

Surprise, surprise, surprise!!!!! I just received a phone call from my youngest brother in Alabama making sure I would save a date for him!

He and the girl he has been dating for five years have announced their engagement! They plan to marry on South Beach in Florida in July and have invited everyone to join them on a Bahamas cruise the day following their wedding.

I am happy for them both!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

(More details to come)

What a great woman

On Sunday night I learned of my grandmother's passing.

During my father's senior year of highschool, his mother moved out of state and encouraged him to follow. Unwilling to leave his friends and the chance to be Student Body President, my dad decided to stay in Utah. Arrangements were made with a trusted family in the neighborhood and my father moved in. They welcomed him in their home and treated him as one of their own.

As a little girl I remember going to visit my "cousins" and "grandparents" at their respective homes. My "grandma" had the BEST backyard a child could ask for; lots of green grass to run around on, a tree that seemed to touch the sky... tire swing included, and a raspberry patch that seemed endless!

Unfortunately, as the years passed these cherished visits were fewer until we saw erach other only for weddings or a random encounter at the local Costco. What wonderful people!!!!

I had promised to stop by so my own children could also experience their generousity and create memories in the same backyard. Life slipped too quickly..... and it saddens me to think my children will have to wait to meet Grandma Barbara.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?n=barbara-mcmullin-kemp&pid=138706691

DING! Holidays are done!

What a busy time of year! And we survived!!



First, we celebrated B's birthday. She wanted nothing but Snow White--- EVERYTHING! We did our best to accommodate.

Next we celebrated Christmas with my parents and most of my family. It was a more quiet year than we've had for a while but it allowed us to contemplate the true meaning of the season and also, to be grateful we are still together as a family!


After all my parents have done for us during these last six months especially, we wanted to thank them in a special way with the gift we gave for Christmas. We thought about tickets to see a show, a gift card to their favorite restaurant, etc. But that didn't seem to be enough.

Our family thought about the things for which we were most grateful; all of them were things we could do with our five senses. This was the KEY!

We put together a basket full of things we can enjoy together as a family.... I didn't get a picture of everything we put in the basket, but this is what it included:


Hearing: A Testimony born in a song (CD~ Centered in Christ)

Taste: A favorite Treat ( Chocolate covered nuts for Dad and Hickory Farms mints for mom)

Sight: A photo book of loved ones ( a book created with family pics using mypublisher.com)

Smell: A favorite scent in a candle

Touch: The warmth of an embrace (A special quilt a neighbor friend helped me with)




The quilt had a four block patch with a solid patch and represented things from my childhood. It had a few photos and the center block read: A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart.

I am so grateful my friend was patient (unbelievably so) with me while putting this together during the holiday parties and busy schedules we both kept. (THANKS SANDI!!!!)



I forgot to take our camera to our Christmas celebrations (DOH!) so we only have pictures from our little family Christmas morning.




We did have fun.... so much so that B keeps asking when we can go to the next Christmas party!



We're excited for the new year and have lots of goals we hope to accomplish.


We hope your holidays were enjoyed just as much as we enjoyed ours!!!

The Glad Game

Because of the season, everyone it seems is writing about what they are thankful for. I too am grateful for many things. I wanted to update a post first.... The picture that was taken of Baby I and me kissing for the local school reflections contest took first place in their division!! She put a title of "Beauty is... A Mother's love." The picture will now be displayed for the district competition.

I am so grateful that Baby I is with us. He is growing so quickly! I don't remember my other children growing quite this quickly; He weighs over 17 pounds and is 26 inches tall and is only four months old!! I sometimes look at his hands and think, "You have MONSTER hands!"

His head is still a bit on the smaller side, but I think the Lord knew what trouble we'd have getting him here and made it possible for I to come on his own as much as he could. Even if that meant starting out with a smaller head circumference. Call me crazy... I know. I've had a lot of free time on my hands. Can you tell?

On to the Glad Game:
I am glad my children give me daily challenges.
I am glad that my Heavenly Father knows me and knows when to send reminders of important lessons.
I am glad I have visiting teachers.
I am SUPER glad I have the husband I do; what a great man.
I am glad we have the opportunity to return to our Father and be with Him eternally.
I am glad to know we all have limits.
I am glad to have freedoms and for those who served so that we may have them.
I am glad for my Savior.
I am glad for the restored gospel.
I am extremely glad for the priesthood.
I am glad my husband is worthy and holds this authority.
I am glad for friends who are willing to listen and give wise respectful counsel.
I am glad my husband enjoys raquetball so much.
I am glad for memories.
I am glad for walks in the crisp autumn air.
I am glad for private moments.
I am glad for children who want snuggle and keep their mama warm.

Catch up!

I don't have a lot of time, but wanted to post a few pics that I missed previously. Enjoy!!

Spring wedding of a friend

Temple trip to Ogden and Logan

Happy Halloween 2009!

First day of second grade

First family visit in the Hospital

Reflections

A neighbor and her daughter decided to take pictures of baby I and me for the local school reflections contest. This year's theme is: "Beauty Is..." I'm not sure what their caption will be, but I think it has something to do with families together after a tragic event.
Baby I had just come back from his two month check-up and wasn't reacting well to some of the shots, but he still liked the attention. I'm glad she would take these for us so we have something to remember just how chunky he really is!

This is the one they'll use for the reflections contest.

Summer recap

Yesterday we celebrated quietly Baby I's two month-iversary. We finally finished all the thank you notes for those who helped bring both of us safely home and decided delivering the notes would be a great way to celebrate. My parents had done something similar just weeks after my hospital stay and were allowed to meet a lot of the nurses in person. We prepared our children for something similar and told them we would need to be "reverent" as we visisted each floor.
Understandably we were not allowed to go on to each floor except to deliver the notes to a receptionist at each floor.

On the way out of the hospital, however, as we gave the last note for the hospital administrator, a man walked by us with glasses and light brown crazy curly hair. I had caught a glimpse of him before and looked quickly to A for a confirmation of who I thought it might be. Doctor Minton greeted us and we briefly shared our reason for being in the hospital.
We explained to our other children what he had done for Baby I and I began to get emotional as I hugged and thanked Doctor Minton for the first time in person.
Needless to say, it was a somber night.


School has started for both Z and S. B is learning to adjust to how quiet the house gets when just I and mommy are home. I will try to post pictures of the first days of school.


A's parents have been with us helping while things return to a normal routine. It seemed like two months would be a very long time and I wondered if I'd be ready to jump back into things. I now look at the calendar and realize I only have two weeks left to make sure I'm ready!!
A has really liked having his parents here to cook all his favorite dishes that are just too complicated for this gringa. I know he'll miss them and is grateful our children have had another chance to be with them.
While they've been here, we've taken them to Park City to the outlet stores and browsed while the children played in the jungle gym. We've shown them the Jordan River, Oquirrh Mountain, Logan, Ogden and Draper temples.
We've also taken family walks and visited with lots of friends we'd not seen in a long time. Including those we were able to see durning Uncle Noe Alcazar's funeral.

As I write it out, it doesn't seem like we've done very much. But we've managed to make it last the WHOLE summer!!!!!

I'll try to post more and include pictures later, but I hear someone calling my name... "MMMMMOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!"