Cannons of Carolina: January 2013

For Christmas this year we decided to visit family so the kids could spend some time with grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins. It was a great adventure. Find a comfortable chair and sit back and enjoy The Twelve Days of Christmas Break!

On the first day of Christmas break (12/20)- My good friend, Tabitha Tufts drove our crew to the airport so we wouldn't have to park our car at the airport. (Thanks, Tabitha!!) We wanted to go through the security at the far end of the airport since it is usually not as crowded - people don't want to have to walk that far. Airport security told us it was closed for all the military that were flying home to be with their families for the holidays. As we were standing in line about 60 service men and women came up the escalator right next to up and everyone started clapping and cheering. This happened for the next four or five groups of the same amount. They were all so excited to get to see their families for the holidays and it made me proud to be an American to be a part of such a warm welcome and thank you to those men and women who preserve our country's freedoms. The kids thought it was cool as well. We then flew from Charlotte to Memphis and from Memphis to Las Vegas. By the time we checked into our hotel (Treasure Island, right on The Strip - WAAAAAY cool!) Nicholas and Naomi were so tired from a full day of traveling that we barely made it to the room before they crashed for the night. Steve and Jeremy decided to check out The Strip while I gladly volunteered to stay with the two sleepy heads.

Jeremy with a living statue in The Venetian

The walking icicles at the The Venetian. They were really cool in person, but loose some of the fascination in a digital format. You will just have to take my word for it.

Our hotel taken during Steve and Jeremy's walking tour

Inside The Venetian. Jeremy thought it was cool that the "sky" changed from day to night. This is dusk

Hangin' with Elmo and SpongeBob

A huge statue in the middle of The Venetian.

The Grinch arguing with a cop (Jeremy's personal favorite)

The view from our hotel window.

On the second day of Christmas break (12/21) - We woke up bright and early - 4 a.m to be exact, although in all fairness, it was 7 am to their little bodies. It was great because we were up and ready to go at 7:00 and had time to fit in a tour of the Hoover Dam before heading out to Salt Lake. The kids got a kick out of taking a "dam tour".

Naomi is holding the dam in her hands.

The new bridge crossing the river.

Rubbing the feet of the winged bronze statues that granted Percy Jackson a favor in the movie "Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief."

This the place where they held Bumblebee captive in the Transformers movie. Nicholas was so excited.

It really is a beautiful sight to behold if you are ever in the area

We then drove to St. George, Utah, had lunch and did a little shopping at the outlet mall. Nicholas had somehow managed to grow out of his shoes during the flight. These kids are growing WAY too fast. Naomi also needed some snow boots. Since snow boots are as rare as snow in Charlotte, we waited until we got to Utah to get her some.

Our next stop was Beaver, Utah, at the cheese factory. The kids got to see how cheese was made. It was a nice diversion and Naomi got to try out her snow boots in the new snow.

The mountains in Southern Utah are stunning. I love the red rock juxtaposed against the snow-capped mountains. I forget how beautiful Utah is until I visit.

We finally made it to Shaun and Kathy's house by 7:00 p.m. We were tired and hungry and ready to stay put for awhile. Luckily we could do just that. We fixed dinner and then crashed for the night.

On the third day of Christmas break (12/22) - we woke up, got everyone settled and then headed to Mountain Dell to go sledding with the Cannon family. The kids went up and down the hill at least 20 times and I even went down a couple of times with Naomi. It was a really fun morning.

Derran, Sarah and Summer.
This was the first time we met Summer in person and she is cuter in person, if that is at all possible.

Evan, Connor and Jeremy. That is trouble waiting to happen.

Naomi in Grandpa's sled. When Rick showed up with the old-fashioned sled everyone made fun of him until they realized that it was the fastest, best and most fun sled at the party!!

Charlie and Tamara. It was good to have Charlie with us for the holidays. He is stationed in Texas and we haven't seen him in years.

The two Sarah Cannons!

She is always so much fun to be around.

After the sledding we all went to Randy and Katrina's house for a family meeting to plan what Dad and EllaRene would need after Dad's upcoming surgery. Everyone asked questions and offered help. It is great to see the family pull together in support of Dad. We all feel much better knowing what to expect and how to help.

We went to Mom and Dad Weenig's house for dinner. We hadn't had a chance to see them since our arrival and they were beyond excited to see us and catch up on everything the kids have been doing. This was the perfect way to end the day.

On the fourth day of Christmas break (12/23) - we went to church with Mom and Dad Weenig. It was fun to see all the people from the various wards we were in while I was growing up. Sister Sorensen and I had a great talk about the good times with all the kids playing together. I did have a great neighborhood in which to grow up. After church, we helped Mom and Dad get ready for the arrival of the rest of the family. The Weenig's were celebrating their family Christmas on the 23rd so everyone could be with their own families on the actual day. The Weenig family is so much fun. I love being with them. We had dinner and goofed off for a bit before the presents started. I gave my sisters the scarves I had made each of them and they loved them. Opening presents is always a riot and a "that's what she said" contest ensues. Mom did not disappoint this year with all her comments about her new, springy, potato masher. We all laughed until our sides hurt. Did I mention I love my family!????!?? By the end of the night we were ready for our pillows once again.

Meeting Baby Adalyn for the first time. Well worth the wait!!!!

Modeling the scarves I made. I asked Mom and each sister what their "happy color" was and made them each scarves so they would remember I love them.

Nicholas and his minecraft shirt.

Naomi helping Adalyn and Jalisa open a present.

Jeremy got a bird ornament from Grandma!

Mom and Dad opening their presents.

We gave Dad Willie Nelson's new biography entitled "Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die."
Happy reading, Dad!

Steve got a completely exhausted Adalyn to go to sleep. He has the magic touch.

On the fifth day of Christmas break (12/24) - was the party at Rick and EllaRene's. We did a little shopping in the morning to get a few last minute items and then headed to their house for the festivities. Charlie was busy inventing a new drink with some frozen Sprite. I joined in and we had a blast coming up with a concoction that everyone really liked. He had also brought a lot of army stuff that he didn't need anymore and let everyone sift through it for their own treasures. Jeremy and Steve had a great time. Dinner was excellent, as usual. The Cannon family is great. Aunt Ginger and Aunt Melonie made sure to take out a portion of their dish before they added the butter so that Jeremy could join in the culinary festivities. Thank you!!! After dinner each family did a short skit. I love the creativity of the Cannons. We opened presents, did the gift basket exchange and ended the day with "the boys" giving Dad a special blessing of peace and health for his surgery. The spirit in the room was incredible. It was a very special moment for everyone. During the blessing I got to hold Summer and she and I bonded. Afterwards, while Ginger and I were talking, Ginger waved at Summer and Summer waved back. We thought it was a fluke so Ginger did it again and Summer waved again. For the next several minutes Summer entertained the crowd with her new skill. She is such a cutie.

We spent the night a Mom and Dad Weenig's so that Mom and Dad could have kids in the house again on Christmas morning and also to give Shaun and Kathy a chance to have their own Christmas with their own family.

I started snowing while we were at Rick and EllaRene's .
Naomi was the first one out the door to play in it.

Nicholas loved it as well.

Everyone gathered to watch the skits.

We got to talk to Sean in Ecuador.

Sarah and Summer opening a present.

Caleb performing his skit.

The kids and I made a Cannon History slide show for the grandparents. It was a Family Life merit badge requirement for Jeremy. We had a great time picking out all the pictures and the music and the grandparents loved it as well.

Grandma EllaRene and Grandpa Rick with all the grandkids.

All the adults (if we can be called that!)

The kids in their new pajamas - our own family tradition.

On the sixth day of Christmas break (12/25) - Santa found us at Grandma and Grandpa Weenig's house. The kids were very relieved because they were worried that Santa would have a hard time finding us at our new location and in the snow as well. It has snowed a lot overnight and that only added to the Christmas hype!! Santa did not disappoint. Nicholas got THE watch he's had his eyes on for quite some time. Naomi got a camera and can now take as many pictures as she wants without having the steal my camera. (The next post will be all the fun pictures she took. They are a riot so you will want to check it out.) Jeremy got some money for his "SLR camera fund". We had a wonderful breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and fruit and then chilled for the rest of the morning. In the afternoon, Naomi and I made some cinnamon rolls for Grandma and Grandpa and fixed the little pigs in a blanket for Grandma Cannon's party later in the afternoon.

Sharron had reserved the clubhouse in her condo complex and it was the perfect location for everyone to gather. There was a game room complete with a pool table downstairs for the older kids, a place for eating and a gathering place for the adults complete with a fireplace and a wonderful winter view. I got to have a great conversation with Sharron and catch up on everything she has been doing. I also got to meet Dianna's new partner, Julie and her two kids. After opening presents, the Cannon siblings went to visit Grandma Taylor while the rest of us stayed at the clubhouse and played. When Steve got back it was time for us to leave as all the travelling and rather hectic schedule was catching up with the kids and they were antsy to get back to a quiet spot and decompress. They are such troopers for keeping up with our business.

When we arrived back at Shaun and Kathy's house that evening they were just sitting down to dinner. Adalyn was fussy and wasn't letting her mommy sit down to eat. I offered to take Adalyn so Jalisa could eat a hot meal and enjoy adult conversation. Adalyn and I played for a good 45 minutes before I had to surrender her back to her parents. She is such a sweet baby!

Nicholas with HIS watch.

Money is a good thing.

A camera for the picture-taking princess.

The kids loved seeing Mt. Olympus every time we got on the freeway.

Naomi with Shasta and Cole.

Trying to get Summer to smile.

Naomi and Aunt Dianna.

Naomi with Avery, Christian and Cole. They had a blast wrestling.

Jeremy and Cara playing pool.

Nicholas was at the party, but he was always off doing something where the camera was not.

On the seventh day of Christmas break (12/26) - Since Jeremy and Naomi have each gotten to come with me on a trip to Utah, Nicholas got to spend the whole day and the night with Grandma and Grandpa Weenig without anyone else. He was so excited to have them all to himself. They took him to Village Inn for breakfast, did art projects, made some Lego projects (complete with a hat and t-shirt) and had a great time just hanging out together. Meanwhile, back at Shaun and Kathy's house, Jeremy, Naomi and I chilled, did laundry, made cookies for Dad Weenig and prepared to ship some things home that would not fit in our suitcases. It was a great down day to get things done. Steve took the opportunity to run some errands of his own and visit with family and friends. We all enjoyed a down day. (You know it was a down day because we didn't take any pictures!!)

On the eighth day of Christmas break (12/27) - of we woke up to A LOT of snow. I was really worried because several people were travelling to visit with us at Kathy's house and the weather was frightening. No one arrived by the time they had told us they would be there and my anxiety level was about to go through the roof when Mom, Dad and Nick arrived. They had gone out to breakfast again and that is why no one was answering the phone. Next Morgan got there safely. Naomi was going to help Morgan with a school project. Morgan had to teach a young child how to do something for her Child Development class. When I told her that Naomi had never made a snowman she thought that would be a great idea. Morgan came prepared for a fun afternoon. Naomi had to answer math questions correctly to earn the different parts of the snowman. Once that part was done they went outside and built the snowman. Everyone really enjoyed it. Amanda and the kids arrived shortly after the snowman was done. BreElle joined in the fun for a bit until everyone was too cold to continue. The kids played while Amanda did my hair. It is well worth the wait to have Amanda do my hair. She is "The Hair Whisper" and I felt and looked gorgeous when she was done. Mindy, Gary, Maggie, Sophie and Spencer Larson stopped by to hang out with us for a bit before they had to get on the road to Gary's parents house. It was fun to spend time with them. I miss having them around the corner in North Carolina. After they left we jumped in the car and went to see the lights on Temple Square with Derran, Sarah and Summer. We all enjoyed the lights until Nicholas said his eyeballs were so cold they were freezing. Derran treated us to something warm to drink at Starbucks and then we all went our separate ways. Back at Shaun and Kathy's house we got to play with BreElle and Waylan some more while Amanda and Sam ran some errands. I love my little niece and nephew and had a great time playing with them without any other distractions. They are great kids. We all slept well that night.

Earning the snowman parts with Morgan.

Lumpy the Snowman!

Naomi playing "fetch" with Bart. He would run away and she would fetch him back.

BreElle can throw a mean snowball.

Playing pool with the Larsens.

Steve and Gary.

Me, Mindy and Maggie

Visiting the new City Creek Mall. It was really nice.

The Girls at Temple Square.

The Boys at Temple Square.

On the ninth day of Christmas break (12/28) - we actually slept in until 8:30 a.m. I think the fun-filled schedule it catching up with us. After breakfast we headed out to Macey's grocery store to pick up some freezer meals for Mom and Dad Weenig and Rick and EllaRene. The visit with Rick and EllaRene was really fun. It was the first time we had seen them without everyone else around and we got to sit and talk with them. It was nice. After a good visit we went back to Kathy's to get ready for the Weenig family picture. The gentleman who took our pictures was amazing. We are a huge group when all of us are together and he handled it well and took our wacky humor in stride. We were done in an hour!! Amazing. I will post the finalize product when it arrives!! Afterwards we all went to dinner at Chipotle. Jeremy, Nicholas, Eric and Andrew decided they wanted to have a sleep over and so Chris brought them over to Kathy's house after they collected their stuff. It was another great day.

Playing in the snow. Jeremy volunteered, REALLY!!

The Sleep-less Over

Rick doing the Vulcan mind meld to Naomi

On the tenth day of Christmas break (12/29) - Steve and I packed up the box of stuff to mail home and he got it on its way. I went to lunch with Mom, the sisters, Katie and Morgan at Archibald's in Gardiner Village. The lunch was excellent and shopping was really fun. Gardiner Village has a bunch of shops that have a very boutique feel to them. There was a ton of cute stuff and we had a blast exploring everything. Back at Kathy's house the kids were still having a great time, but showing signs of weakening (after only 10 hours of playing video games!) By the time we finished packing up everything that night we were exhausted and our own beds were starting to call to us. This trip was just the right amount of time because just when we started feeling like it was time to go home, it was time to go home. Shaun and Kathy were very gracious hosts and I am sure they were ready to have their house back to themselves again.

Shopping at Gardiner Village with my sisty uglers!

Chillin' with Kathy and Grandpa before the long trek home.

On the eleventh day of Christmas break (12/30) - we were on the road back to Vegas by 9:00 a.m. We stopped in Cedar City for lunch at Cafe Rio. You cannot go to Utah without eating there - YUMMY!!! It started snowing while we were eating lunch and kids were excited to see it snow one more time before going home. Although we really enjoyed the snow, we were ready to get out of the chilly temperatures (it got up to 24 degrees for the high while we were there) and back to the warmth of the South. We arrived in Vegas by 4:00 which gave us plenty of time to do some sight-seeing. After checking into the hotel we drove over to the Strip and walked around. The kids wanted to see the fountains at the Bellagio and we arrived just in time to see the show. It was amazing and worth the walk. They also saw the Venetian and Ceaser's Palace before deciding they were too tired to go much further.

Lunch at Cafe Rio in Cedar City

Watching the fountains at the Bellagio

On the twelfth day of Christmas break (12/31) - We were up by 3:00 a.m. in order to get the rental car dropped off, take the shuttle to the airport, get through security and to our gate in time. We made it with 45 minutes to spare. Thank goodness the flights from Vegas to Atlanta and Atlanta to Charlotte were uneventful because I don't know if we could have taken any bumps in the schedule without a breakdown or two. We were all VERY happy to see Phil Tufts waiting to take us home from the airport and even more grateful to walk into our house. After getting settled for a bit we fixed up the "fun foods" each kid had requested for our New Years Eve celebration. We lasted until 9:00 which I thought was pretty good considering we had started the day at 3:00 a.m. in Vegas!

Happy New Year everyone.

Here is to a wonderful and productive 2013!

Cannons of Carolina

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Family Pictures 2012 with Weenig Family

Monday, January 21, 2013

If You Give a Kid a Camera

The Twelve Days of Christmas Break