Christmas Eve 2009

We went to Paul and Trisha's this Christmas Eve for a yummy ham dinner. Then, of course, the kids got dressed for the nativity.

Raegan, the beautiful angel. Brigham, the strong Joseph. Audrey, the sweet Mary. Blake, the wise. Chase... Rambo Jr.? And Jackson, the evil shepherd.

After singing a few songs we got to make cookies for Santa.

With sprinkles of course! LOTS of sprinkles. We tested just a few to make sure they were okay. (Okay... maybe more than a few)

Next we got to open our new jammies and then we were off to look at the fun Disney neighborhood lights (each house is a different character theme). Chase loved the Christmas lights this year and would say, "WHOOA... cool lights!"

We got home in time to set out the cookies and carrots...

hang the stockings with care...

and read the Night Before Christmas before the kids snuggled down in their beds. I was SO excited for Christmas morning.

A Plump Jolly Ol' ELF!

"anta hat peese"

I will never get tired of that chubby little face!

Time for a Haircut

I usually try and cut my boy's hair but I got a little busy and it got a little chilly outside (I cut it in the backyard) and before I knew it, Jackson's hair got away from us. It was so long that Matt called him a 'hippy'. One day I said, "I think your hair's long enough to fit in to ponytails". Blake and Audrey jumped on that and urged me to try.

We were all laughing...except Jackson. Needless to say, Jackson did not think it was funny one bit.

He would of been a cute little girl. Right after this picture we took out the ponies, then jumped in the car and took him to straight to the barber.

More Traditional Christmas Pictures

Gotta Love Chases's grin. He says "CHeeeSe" now whenever I pull out the camera.

Audrey's so fun to take pictures of. She never whines like the boys do- just poses!

Not bad for Jackson

Blake is being a good sport only because I bribed him with candy.

We took this picture with the timer on our camera. Can you believe everyone is actually looking and no one is picking their nose?

Kids Nativity

The kids were asked to participate in a live nativity this year and we gladly accepted. I talked to the kids before hand about accepting any part they were given. Blake was a little hesitant to be Joseph knowing that he might have to put his arm around a girl, but when he found out he would be leading a donkey he was game. Audrey was assigned to be an angel and Jackson was a little wise man.

It was held at the Huss's home. They had stacked their hay to form a stable and painted an inn on the outside of their horse corral.

There were sheep with the shepherds and an alpaca (that spit) with the wisemen but the donkey was too stubborn to get in the trailer so Blake didn't get to lead him after all. He still did a great job.

Audrey the Angel

Jackson was all business and did exactly what he was supposed as the first wise man to walk out.

The Haymores, Crowthers and Finsters were also involved. And the local newspaper even came. The article and picture was on the front page.

Check it out if you'd like by clicking on

"Kids Nativity"

at the top of the post.

It was a beautiful, chilly night where we felt the

true spirit and meaning of the Christmas Season.

We're a Couple of MISFITS!

We did something a little non-taditional this year for our family Christmas letter. Inspired by Rudolph and Hermey's song and a wonderful tribute to our CRAZY life. It was the easiest family picture ever. "Kids go put anything on that you want- it doesn't have to be ironed, it doesn't have to match, your hair doesn't have to be combed" When the picture was snapped, I wasn't worried if someone wasn't smiling or if someone was picking their nose- it was great!

"We're a couple of Misfits,

We're a family of Nitwits

What's the matter with Misfits?

That's where we fit in!

We're not daffy and dilly, don't go round willy nilly,

Seems to us kind of silly, that we don't fit in!"

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Do Blondes REALLY have more fun?

Before...

After!

I went in for a routine hair appointment as a blonde and came out as a brunette! I've always wanted to try it, but have never dared. My hairstylist talked me in to trying it and said I could go back to blonde in the summer if I wanted- so what the HECK! It's just hair. My natural hair color has gradually gotten darker and darker over the years... I'm not exactly sure, but I think this is more my hair color. Matt just smiled and said, "I like it!" My young women were having fights over if it was really Sis. Cannon or not. Blake was confused. Audrey was speechless until I told her that we now match the Mother Daughter figurine I gave her for her Birthday- then she was excited. Jackson just didn't look at me and Chase looked me up and down a few times and then asked for a cracker.

Christmas Fun 09

The Annual Night of Lights at Painted Sky. Blake was such a good sport singing in the choir for the last time (come on everybody!) He spiced things up by grabbing the microphone at the end of a song and yelled "Thank you, thank you, thank you very much!"

Chase was SO cute seeing the lights and kept saying "WHOA!!" at every house.

Matt and I at a "festive attire" Christmas Party (do you like my shoulder pads? Tim really thought to himself that I should lay off of the shoulder presses) Matt's silk shirt was a hit. We had a blast building our gingerbread house- it made me feel young again.

The kids at our ward Christmas Breakfast. Chase wasn't even scared. He says "Anta!" every time he sees Santa. A few more favorites are "No man", and "Cracker!" (snowman and nutcracker)

Blake being WISE!

The Ward nativity while Audrey was singing with a group of children.

Jackson's Joy School Nativity at an Elderly Home.

Jackson was a shepherd and he did so good and sang every word.

I was so proud of Jackson when he gave this woman the card he made. He is super shy and doesn't like strangers but he did it and even let her give him a hug! That's a big deal for him. I guess he was feeling the Christmas Spirit. It melted my heart- he does have good in him yet.

Thanksgiving 2009

Audrey had an assignment to make a Turkey. She scrounged around the house and came up with an exercising turkey. Her name is 'Ball'yanna.

During Joy School, we made Turkey's with each feather saying what they were thankful for. The first thing Jackson said he was thankful for was, "when grandma and grandpa come to visit". Surprisingly, he also said, "getting big hugs". "My family" and "Chase" also made the list.

Blake, Audrey and I went and played football/ soccer with our ward and friends Thanksgiving mornign and then hurried home for an early feast with Paul and Trisha.

It was so nice- Trisha brought half of the food. Yummy!

Morgan was so good, I forgot she was even there until I sat down to eat.

Audrey (along with everybody else) loves holding Morgan.

Matt had to leave for a hunting trip but Paul and Trisha stayed a little longer with us. After dish duty, we relaxed and let our food digest over conversation and football while the kids ran around and played.

We are truly so thankful for so much- what a wonderful time of year to reflect on all we have.

ICE BREAKERS 2009

I coached Audrey's AYSO team again this year. We were the

ICE BREAKERS!

"ice, ice breakers... Ice, Ice Breakers... ICE, ICE BREAKERS LET'S GO!!"

"Bump and Run!"

"Turbo Boost!"

"Shot!"

My little #5

Audrey won the

"ICE, ICE BREAKERS UNITE- TEAM SPIRIT"

Award!

A few days after we had our Team Award Dinner, Audrey told me this story at the dinner table:

"When you were giving out all the awards I was getting really nervous. I wasn't the fastest, I didn't have the strongest shot, (you know the golden cleat award), I wasn't the best goalie...I wasn't the best at anything. When you called me up very last at the end I thought there might not be an award for me. Then you started talking about how we would make up cheers together in the car and how I cheered all my team mates on and I thought... "Oh, I am the best at something!". I felt really happy inside. Thanks for my award mom."

No, Audrey, thank you. I know I get frustrated with you sometimes, but I wouldn't trade you for the best soccer player in the world. I love you just the way you are.

Murder Mystery 2009

Our annual Murder Mystery was at our house this year. It was an archeological dig and Amanda was GUILTY!

I was like a girl version of Indiana Jones and Matt was a rich american cowboy from the states- he's so funny at these things!

It was after Halloween so I scored some deals on the table decorations. Matt even brought home some bones he found while on his hunt. He's so thoughtful.

Blake turns 11!

Blake already got his MAJOR birthday surprise trip, so we kept it simple on his actual birthday. It landed on a Friday the 13th this year. Matt and I brought Subway sandwiches in and had lunch with him and handed out a bunch of cookies for his class and friends. I had the whole lunch room sing to him. He turned a little red but was totally fine with it. I love that he's not mortified of me...yet.

Blake invited a bunch of boys to walk home with him after school. They all went to the park for a serious game of flag football. It's so funny to me how intense they all get. Matt was the official, and he had his work cut out for him.

They just couldn't stop the Cannon- Helu (Harvey Unga's nephew) combo.

It's awesome how much fun boys can have with just a ball and some treats.

Blake opened presents that night and got a cool new knife from Grandma and Grandpa Cannon and Grandpa Jones gave him his old shuffle that he didn't use anymore. Grandma Jones gave him a signed Austin Collie football card. He wanted a USC hat too. He requested Grandma Cannon's Texas sheet cake for his birthday cake- so I tried my best to replicate it.

Happy 11th Birthday Buddy!!