Amelia is a MOMMY...

It seemed appropriate to blog about my trip to Utah last month for Amelia's baby shower. SHE HAD HER BABY TODAY...I cried when I got the call this morning that she was in labor. I totally lost it when I got the picture text from the proud GRANDMA BARBARA!!! Poor Mikey Alt (a YM from my ward) was in the car and was a little confused as to why I was teary eyed over a picture text. Brittany explained as best she could, but I think Mikey was still perplexed! (it's obviously a girl thing!) Last month my amazing sister called me and asked if I would like to come to Utah for a day and be a surprise gift for Amelia at her baby shower...HELLO--YES!!! I was so excited, and grateful to my sister for footing the bill...FIRST CLASS too! It was a quick trip, but I was thrilled to be apart of the Kearl girl shower! THANKS ANNE! I flew in at 3:00ish and the shower was at 6 and then I flew home the next morning at 10!!! CRAZY FUN!!!

All of the Kearl girl cousins were there, but MARIA...too bad most of them had left when we got around to taking pictures! Grandma Betty was in HEAVEN! It was so fun to see everyone, I hadn't seen some of these guys since I moved away over 8 years ago! Such a fun memory made!

This is Amelia taking a picture of me...we were mocking all of the pictures being taken! (shocking I know that Millie & I were mocking!) Millie was so cute pregnant. I got a surprise in return and found out that Megan was pregnant too! I CAN'T BELIEVE THOSE BROWN GIRLS ARE MOMS!!!

After the shower, we dropped Grandma Betty off and I went in to see Grandpa...he was watching a football game and wasn't paying any attention to who came in and was talking to him. I got right in his face and said "Grandpa it's HEIDI!" He was shocked and stood and gave me a hug and a kiss...priceless! It was fun to have them show me all of their Christmas decorations. LOVE THESE GUYS!!!

This is beautiful baby ISAAC JAMES HANSEN...isn't he soo cute? So happy for Millie and TJ, they will be great parents! I can't wait to meet him in person! Lots of love to sweet Mil...triple love that girl! CONGRATS MOMMY!!!

Some of our many December happenings...

I know it's the middle of January, but I haven't blogged about our December yet! I love the month of December, it's always jam packed with concerts, parties, school projects, light seeing, family stuff, decorating and trying to squeeze in all the traditions! It's crazy and I enjoy every minute of it. Our Stake holds a Youth & Bell Choir concert for the community every year...it's always amazing! I love feeling the energy of the youth and the singing, the bells, and the speakers are always great! This year Jay was one of the speakers and he was sooo cute as a little deacon among the big boys! He has awesome stage presence and he loves being in the spotlight! (he always brings a tear of joy to my eye!) I always try to get a family shot to include on the Christmas card...I neglected to send out cards this year! (just lazy...I have no good excuse)

I love Ally's face in this shot! None of the fam was into having their pictures taken! The night before the concert Britt and I went shopping hoping to find a little something for her to wear...our budget was almost nothing! We went into Macy's and were looking at the sale rack and we found this cute dress and it was only $12!!! SCORE! We both at the same time said it would be so cute with her red cardigan! She looked adorable (the youth were asked to wear black& white with red or green)

This is a picture of Britt's HS choir...there are 3 members of the church in this choir and with out consulting each other they all showed up dressed modestly with sleeves! It was my favorite part of this amazing concert to see these YW truly STAND OUT...there was a sea of shoulders and those 3 awesome young ladies stood out in a good way! It was pretty touching, being that I had recently got released from YW...I was so proud of "my girls!" What great examples they are of being a Daughter of God! (again I got a little teary eyed that night...shocking I know!!!)

This is at our Ward Christmas party. The Primary children always put on an adorable Nativity. Ally was the first voice of the Angel...you can see her on the front row on the left! She truly was an ANGEL!!!

Lots more December happenings to come...it's my goal to have them all done before February! Some of them just deserve their own posting!

Samie's baptism...

This year these three beauties all made the choice to get baptized. I can't believe they're 8...Bella is actually 9 now!!! I truly can't believe it! Ally is my baby and she is hardly that...she is growing into a beautiful young lady. Ally is full of life and loves EVERYONE! Wherever we go she leaves with a new friend, having left an impression on someone. It's so fun to have her around. Ally loves school and takes her decision of baptism very seriously...some would argue that she doesn't really understand her choice, and maybe she doesn't FULLY understand the weight her decision actually carries in life--but she knows it was a life changing decision and that she takes very seriously. She reads her scriptures every night, and has started asking some serious questions. During our Sunday discussion after church she loves sharing what she learned and ALWAYS has some sort of "tricky" question for us! I love it!!! We all had a great time and were glad we were able to take part in Samie's special day!

Princess Samie...Samie's mom made her beautiful dress and Pa Bob made her fancy cloak and muff! Every little girl should feel this special at some point in their life! Ally was very excited to get a PINK MUFF for Christmas...I'll post pics later!

These last two pics are my favorites of all the pics we took that day. It's so them! It just so clearly points out what each one is thinking. (should I be concerned that my daughter seems to be the goofiest one?)

Jeffrey & Amy's Wedding

We had a great time during Jeffrey & Amy's wedding. I love all the picture taking that happens. My oldest brother Andy got married at the Portland temple...I can vividly remember little Spencer and Bryan playing in the reflection pond! Lots of fun memories. Wayne's siblings! L-R John(oldest) Jeffrey(youngest) Amy, Vikki(4th child and only girl) Wayne (2nd) and Brad (3rd). It's fun to see and hang out with the Cannon bunch. We don't get to see each other very often!

Jeffrey with some of the Cannon nephews...Jay & Hayden. Vikki has 4 little guys, trying to round them up to take random pictures...IMPOSSIBLE!!!

Hallie and Ally were in Heaven carrying Amy's train around for picture taking. It was so sweet to see them take their oh so important job so seriously!!! Every little girls dream come true!

Britt caught the wedding bouquet! She was pretty excited...Ally was NOT!!!

Ally and Parker enjoying a dance! How cute are they?!?!

The Cannon gang waiting for the bride & groom to come out after their sealing!

Wayne & Ally enjoy a daddy daughter dance! (my favorite)

Amy & Jeffrey...beautiful couple!

John & Kim's family! They also announced this weekend that they will be having another baby...wish I were too!!! CONGRATS--since this weekend we have learned they will be having another girl!

Stephen & Vikki's cute family of testosterone...love hangin' with these guys!!!

This is my favorite picture of all the wedding pics! It's so Jeffrey & Amy...neither one of them enjoys being the center of attention!!! It's perfect!

Cannon Cousins...if you often read my blog you know my thoughts on cousins. Love the relationship each one has with each other. Lots of inside jokes and lots of new memories always being made! Cousins Rock!!!

All of the Cannon Cousins...L-R Hallie, Ally, Brittany, Jay, Hayden, Annie, Mitchell, Paxton, Parker and Cooper!(one more to arrive sometime in May)

My cute family!

Wedding Cake...we had a great time at the Temple and at the Reception. I didn't post a picture of this, but there was a room set up with an Xbox and that's where most of the boy cousins spent most of the evening (BRILLIANT!) Jeffrey and Amy went off to Canada for the honeymoon! Fun memories made. We love Amy and look forward to making more memories with her!!!

Thanksgiving fun

Our trip to Oregon was so much fun. I know I say this every time my kids get with their cousins, but I LOVE COUSINS!!! There isn't ever an awkward moment, they pick up where they left off...it's so fun to sit and watch! I don't know why I'm always fascinated by it, because I'm that way with my cousins! Ally, Annie & Hallie were probably my favorite to watch. Parker was in that mix too! On the night before Jeff & Amy's wedding (which will have it's own posting soon!) all of the adults went to Stanford's for dinner. Britt & Hayden were left to watch all the grand kids at Vikki's new house. We didn't get a phone call and that told us that things were all good! When we came home, everyone was happy and busy playing games! I love it!

The grand kids all enjoying their pizza...waiting for all of the adults to leave!!!

This is Vikki's son Paxton...it was the first time we got to see him! He is a happy guy, who looks just like his daddy! Jay met him in October, but for the rest of us this was a first!!!

On Thanksgiving day Jon & Kim gave Jeff & Amy their own LEVI QUILT...that's what Kim does!!! It was fun to be there and watch them open and notice all the personalized stuff on the quilt. Jon & Kim also announced that they are going to have baby #4...YAY!!! I'm a little envious, and they are in SHOCK!!!

Ally & Hallie...yes I get them mixed up a lot!

The gang hangin' at Vikki's...below you can see that Vikki was giving us a RECORDER performance of Chariots of Fire...she has serious skills!!!Below are some of my favorite pictures of the three little blonde's...ALLY, HALLIE & ANNIE

The Modjeski boys wrestling with Jay...I wish I had sound bites of the Dads & Grandpa Mike yelling out technique pointers to help each person gain ground! I think in the end size is what really mattered...although little Cooper took big Jay down!!!

Hula Hoop game with Gramma Jackie...everyone stands in a circle and you have to pass the Hula Hoop to each person while all hands are linked. It was really fun!

Ally showing off her Hula Hooping skills...she got 3 going! This picture makes it look like they all are about to fall, but she was able to get them all in sink and keep them all going! I've seen her do this a million times and it still is mind boggling!

Ally writing her letter to Santa! She really just wanted to sit at the fancy desk in the fancy chair!

Parker and Ally enjoying spaghettio's and mini bagels!!!

Gramma Jackie made I think close to a million rolls for Thanksgiving dinner! I might have eaten half of them ;)

The kids table...everyone was in heaven!

Those cutie girls!!! We had such a fun week. Lots of late nights and games and chatting! Vikki and I went to New Moon with Britt and we all wished we had stayed home. I was surprised at how disappointing it was! (I know not everyone feels that way) I hope Eclipse is better!!!

More catching up...

Ally was in her school play...Vacation to Mars. She was one of Saturn's moons. She was of course adorable. I love that all of my kids have had the opportunity and the desire to be in the school musicals.

Britt had YW in Excellence... A Journey of Discovery. It was a fun filled night, with great food and decorations. I was a little sad, because I was just a parent (not a YW leader)...okay I was sad until it sunk in that I didn't have to set up or clean up!!!

I thought these chair coverings were adorable. They just put fun tissue paper over the chair and then tied it with raffia...who'da thunk!?!?