July 2015 (Part 2 of 2)

Welcome back to Part 2 of July.  If you haven't read Part 1 do that first then come back here and read the rest of the exciting adventures we had in July!

After stopping at the local grocery store in Eden to stock up on cabin food, we headed for the Uintahs.  We had just driven onto the Cannon cabin property when we saw all the cousins happily heading down the road.  They wanted Nick and Naomi to come with them to the fort they were building.  After unloading our gear into our room, we released the kids to roam the mountains.  Cara had come back to get Nick and Naomi so they would know where to go.  Melonie and I followed with the camera.  (I am glad we took pictures that first day because someone had torn it all down when the cousins went to continue their work on the second day.) Jeremy disappeared into the basement with the older cousins to play games.  

Nick, Avery, Christian, Naomi, Cole and Cara in front of their fort.  

Naomi in front of the entrance.

Steve and Nick went fishing the whole second part of the day.  Nick came home with a huge smile on his face and three fish.  Steve showed him how to clean it and get it ready to freeze.   Naomi had heard Jeremy talk about holding the hummingbird feeder at the cabin and she wanted to give it a try.  She didn't have to wait long.  Sean and Bryn arrived with our newest nephew, Aedric.  He is cuter in person than in his photos, if that is at all possible.  I got to hold him for a little bit before I had to hand him off to the long line of aunties, uncles and cousins who wanted to hold him as well.  That night the cabin was bursting at the seam with family, but we didn't mind.

Naomi finally holding the hummingbird feeder.  She loved it.  

Steve and Nick fishing off the dam.

Nick and his three fish.  He is hooked on fishing now (no pun intended)

July 24th, Steve, Jeremy, Naomi and I went on a hike up to the floating gardens while Nick went on a bike ride with Uncle Randy and Aunt Ginger.

Ginger, Nick and Randy getting ready to head out.  

Steve, Jeremy and Naomi on the trail..

I LOVE THE QUAKING ASPENS!!!

Gorgeous scenery.  I could hike around in this all day.

The water fall just below the lake.

On our way back down the mountain, Steve and Jeremy wanted to stop by Marchant's Pond and see how the fishing was.  Naomi and I followed and found some cousins (the Parkers) who were kayaking in the pond.  They let Naomi give it a try and even told us to let everyone know they would leave the kayaks in the bushes for the rest of the day if anyone else wanted to use them.  Since Steve and Jeremy were long gone by this point, Naomi and I hurried back to the cabin to deliver the good news.  When we got there Melonie met me at the door and told me she needed to tell me about Nick.  My heart dropped.  I thought she was going to say he got really hurt on the bike ride.  She quickly added that he was okay, but...  Apparently, after the bike ride he wanted to join us on our hike to the upper lakes and the floating gardens so Dianna dropped him off at the trail head up the road with a map on how to find us.  After about half and hour of walking he felt lost, took a moment to gather his thoughts and think rationally and then retraced his steps to the road.  Meanwhile, Steve and Jeremy arrived at the cabin without Nick and sent the aunts and uncles into a panic that Nick had not found us.  Steve headed up the trail and Randy took off on the bike up the road to try and find him.  By the time Naomi and I got back to the cabin all of this had been resolved.  Randy found him walking down the road towards the cabin, brought him back and he was out fishing with Steve and Jeremy by the time Naomi and I returned.  I was in shock and relieved at the same time.  While Melonie and Randy were telling me this story, EllaRene had taken all the grandkids out to feed the horses.  Naomi didn't even know that we almost lost her brother.  That is probably a good thing because for all the grief they give each other, I don't know what they would do if they didn't have each other.  I am so grateful to such an incredible family.  I love that we all love each other and are willing to look out for each others kids.  That is what family is all about.

Feeding the horses with Grandma EllaRene.

The action in the basement with Connor, Jeremy, Brendon, Caleb and Evan.  They spent most of the time at the cabin playing Evan's version of Risk.  From the sounds we heard and the smiles you see on their faces we know they were having a great time.  

In all the turmoil of finding out the Nick was missing and then found I had forgotten to relay the kayak message which was okay because the cousins came by to visit and deliver the message in person.  The boys did not want to stop their game and opted out of kayaking.  Steve and Nick were still out fishing, so Naomi and I headed out with the group and went kayaking again.  It was slightly more fun the second time with all the cousins.

Naomi in her kayak. 

Time to let someone else give it a try.

I even got a turn.  It was really fun. 

Naomi and Avery.

All the cousins waiting their turn.

When we got back we found that the boys had emerged from their game into the light of day.  They were playing strip BB shooting.  If they missed the target they had to surrender an article of clothing.  Only the Cannon men would come up with such a game. The boys LOVED it.  I thought it was fun until they told me the final rule of the game was that the two people with the lowest scores had to sit on a rock 100 yards away while the others each got to shoot at them with the BB gun.  I definitely did not like this at all.  Neither did Melonie or Katrina.  We told them NO, but they all played their "man card" (you know, the one that says please let me do this so I can prove I am a man!!) and we walked away.  Jeremy and Caleb were the bottom two and layered up so it wouldn't hurt as much.  Caleb got his twice, but not Jeremy.  I like to think it was my threat of putting something "extra special" in their dinner that night if they hit Jeremy.  We will never know, but I am still grateful.

A picture to prove it - strip BB shooting is a game. 

Jeremy was not doing so well. 

Summer thought it was funny.  

Back at the cabin everyone was playing card games and having a great time with cousins.  After dinner, the kids roasted marshmallows by the fire while the adults passed Aedric around and talked.

A rowdy game of Apples to Apples.

Roasting marshmallows.

Rick and Melonie with Aedric. 

Nick only roasted one marshmallow so he could get back in the house and hold his cousin.  He loves babies. 

Cousin picture time.  Lindsey, Cara, Naomi, Christian, Avery, Kelsey and Nick

July 25th we all woke up to the wonderful smell of EllaRene cooking breakfast for everyone.  After we cleared up the breakfast mess, I started on the corn bread and cake for Steve's birthday celebration that night.  Everyone was going to be at the cabin for the family picture.  It was going to be a huge, fun party.  No long after finishing the baking, Aunt Annie arrive with her box of fun. The kids all crowded around as she explained what she had planned for the day.  They started off with a treasure hunt and then went on to the story writing contest and finished up with the ducks in the river.  The kids really enjoyed it.

Sage, Annie (with Aedric) and Cate. 

Getting ready for the treasure hunt.  

This is the stained glass Annie made for the cabin.  Isn't it gorgeous!

Aunt Ginger dumping the duck up stream.  

All the cousins positioned on the bridge, downstream,  with nets in hand ready to catch the ducks.  

Nick had the best seat in the house to watch the action.  Front and center.  

He is definitely my kid.  I couldn't stay out of the water either.  

Meanwhile, back at the cabin, Jeremy and Steve were hard at work putting together the chili for dinner.  This is Steve's favorite and he wanted to make it for his family.  It was a hit.  There was nothing left to put in the fridge and everyone had a happy tummy.

Getting ready to dutch oven cook.

The outdoor kitchen for food prep. Jeremy opened a ton of cans for the chili.

Jim found a quiet place to chill while dinner was being prepared.  

After dinner, we all got ready for the family picture.  Katie Stirling, the photographer, arrived not long after we were all done eating.   Melonie showed her around the cabin area so she could pick the perfect spot for the photo session.  The rest of us scrambled to finish getting ready.  It always amazes me that a family of this size can come together so easily for a family picture.  It could be very stressful, but it is not.  We have so much fun.

Katrina and Rick waiting their turn for individual family pictures.

Steve and Jeremy.

Jeremy, Brennan, Connor and Caleb doing their best sexy face.  

Sean, Steve, Bradden and Derran.  Handsome Cannon brothers.  

Cate, Sage, Lindsey, Naomi and Kelsie.  Gorgeous Cannon cousins. 

All the siblings in one place.  This doesn't happen very often.  Back row: Tamara, Derran, Katrina, Dianna, Steve, Melonie and Sean.  Front row:  Bradden and Ginger. 

I think Derran farted.  I love this picture.  It tells the whole story.  

They finally got serious for a minute.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT!!!

After the pictures we had a party for Steve's and Jim's birthdays.  We ate cake, played games and even had a dance party.  It was crazy, good fun.   

Happy birthday!

Playing Hearts

Grandma getting some lovin'.

Dance party complete with disco ball. 

July 26th we woke up and started to pack up and clean up the cabin.  After breakfast, Naomi, Nick and I took one last hike around Marchant's Pond and down to the river.  We didn't want to leave the cabin with all our Cannon cousins and the mountains and the river and the hummingbirds and the aspen and the crisp, clean air...sigh.  It didn't take long to get everything done that needed to get done before we all left.  We sat around for a bit and talked while before getting in our cars and going back down to the valley.    It was a great weekend at the cabin.

Cara, Naomi (with Aedric) and Nick.

Nick stole Aedric agian!

All the cousins we could round up for the picture.  Back row: Connor, Evan, Nick, Sage (with Aedric), Naomi, Cate, Avery, Jeremy (in front of Avery), Cara, Brennan and Caleb.  Front row:  Christian and Cole.

Me and Rick showing off the family t-shirt.  "Cooilshellagh - Cannon Cabin 2015".   Cooilshellagh is the name of the place where John Cannon (the earliest Cannon from who we can trace our direct descent) was born.  It is the present day Isle of Man which is located west of England, south of Scotland and east of Ireland.  Pretty cool, huh? 

Jeremy FINALLY got a chance to hold Aedric.

One last chance to watch the hummingbirds.

The cool colored moss at Marchant's Pond.

Nick and his walking stick.  He wanted to bring it home with him, but I don't think they would have let him take it on the plane.  

Just watching the river roll by. 

Nick, Naomi and me in a usie on the bridge. 

Madi is trying to get Nick's attention.  

The moose even made one last appearance to say goodbye before we left.  

July 27th Steve and I woke up first thing and met with our insurance guy and great friend, Mike Gunderson.  It is always fun to talk with Mike and hear what he is doing.  After we got our business all squared away we headed back to Kathy's.  She was watching her grandkids while Amanda did hair across the street.  Steve needed to go help his mom with some things and left us to play with the cousins.  It was also a good chance to see my family one more time.  Both of my parents, Mark, Laura and Katie all came to have their hair done.  We also got to hang with BreElle, Waylan, George and Kathy.  After lunch we packed the kids up and headed for the canal road to feed the ducks.  We also spent some time at the park playing and getting out our excess energy.  Back at the house we rode bikes, rode in the wagon and drew pictures with chalk on the driveway.  After feeding everyone dinner and helping Amanda wrangle everyone into the car we crashed and watched So You Think You Can Dance with Kathy.  The kids all giggled when Kathy said, "I love Twitch.  He is my yummy pie!"  (They repeat this every time we see Twitch on t.v. It makes us smile.) Steve got a call from his life-long friend, Ryan Broome, and went to visit with him for a bit while we watched our show.  It was a good day.  

Feeding the ducks with Kathy and the kids.

George and Waylan switched places.  Nick is steering so Waylan doesn't end up in the canal.  

Kathy and crew on the way back from the park.  I think we wore them out.  

Waylan's cool leaf hat. 

All aboard for the BreElle Express.  

Naomi's "Tangled"-inspired creation.

July 28th Nick was excited to get up and fix the fish he caught for breakfast.  We helped clean up the kitchen and then set to work getting all our gear packed up.  Once all that was done we headed out to tour the downtown area.  The boys hadn't been to Utah in the summer in nine years and Naomi hadn't ever been.  They have seen downtown in the winter (which is stunning) and wanted to see it/remember it when it was warm.  We walked around the new City Creek Mall, visited Deseret Book (no trip to Utah would be complete without it) and visited Temple Square and the Church Office Building.

Watching the fish in the creek at the City Creek Mall.  

The closed in over-pass across Main Street.  

Although the tree is gone (ripped out by the freak tornado that came through downtown in 2000) this is the bench in our wedding picture.  The kids thought that was great.  

Family picture in front of the temple. Families are forever! 

Love these kids and so glad they are mine forever.  

We had our picture taken on this spot on our wedding day.  23 years (minus one month) later and he is still sexy.  

 After our tour of downtown we took off to the Great Salt Lake.  None of the kids had every been and wanted to see it.  After all, the Great Salt lake is the largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere and the fourth-largest terminal lake in the world (source, Google).  You don't get to see that everyday.  In addition to that fun fact, Saltaire was once owned by the Cannon family.  It is a piece of our family history.  The water was down really low and we had to walk quite a distance to get to the lake.  It was all worth it!  We visited the gift shop and got some saltwater taffy before heading back to Kathy's house to collect our luggage and say goodbye.

Heading out to the Great Salt Lake.  That is Antelope Island in the distance.  

At the Great Salt Lake.

One last picture of "homebase" and our wonderful hosts, Shaun and Kathy.  

We headed to Mom and Dad's house for dinner and some last minute loving before heading downtown to hear Katrina sing at the Gallivan Center.  Naomi and Grandpa did a little art in the sun room while the boys, Grandma, Steve and I talked in the living room.  Before we knew it, it was time to leave to go downtown.  Mom and Dad were nervous about us parking a car full of luggage downtown so they offered to meet us at the airport and bring us our luggage.  It was a win-win - our car wouldn't be broken into and we got to see them again.

Naomi at Grandpa's art desk.

Naomi and Grandma.  Naomi is taking the picture. 

Grandma, Nick, Steve, Naomi, Jeremy and Grandpa in one last picture before we head out.  

Insert me in that lineup in the place of Steve. (Proof I was really there)

 We parked the car and headed for the Gallivan.  When we were still a half a block away we could hear Katrina singing and we hustled faster.  The Gallivan Center was full of people chilling on the grass or dancing in front of the stage or... Katrina and the Wasatch Jazz Project were in full swing and everyone was enjoying themselves.  We visited with family and danced and had a great time cheering for Katrina.  

Katrina doing her thing.  She is amazing.  

Grandma Cannon and Nick.

Madi, Bradden, Hyrum, Olivia and Sunny.

Grandma, Christian, Nick, Bryn, Cole and Randy. 

Naomi and Grandma (with Cole and Christian photobombing.)

Dancing with my honey. . . 

. . . cheek to cheek.

Connor and Jeremy. 

The view from our seats.  Everyone is having a really good time.  

Catching a quick picture with Katrina during one of her breaks.  

Katrina and Randy dancing.  

Steve and Olivia dancing.  

Naomi, Melonie, Christian, Ginger and Cara

Steve feeding Madi some Rita's Ice.  No wonder she likes him best.  

Naomi dancing with her daddy.  

The night was over WAAAAY to fast and it was time for us to get to the airport and get back to Charlotte.  Mom and Dad met us at the airport with our luggage and our vacation officially came to a close.   While we were waiting for the plane we all agreed that this was the best trip to Utah to visit family.  If we could make it happen we would come every summer and do it all over again.  We boarded the plane at midnight and woke up in Charlotte.  It was back to real life (laundry, weeds, over-grown lawn, etc.) but we will always fondly remember this trip to visit family in Utah.  BEST VACATION EVER!