Cannon Bahe Clan

I Am A Failure

2008-07-05T20:46:00.003-05:00

So, what else is new? I just can't seem to get on top of keeping this blog up to date. I am over six months out of date now and there are tons of entries to be made! Birthdays, Mothers and Fathers Day, camping trips, European trips, and just great happenings in our lives! But I can't seem to have the two or three days to do the downloading of photos on the blog---thats what takes a long time...

So, I guess I am saying all this so that if any of my five readers check here to see something new, and there is the same ole, same ole things----please be patient with me.

I will get to it someday----after all, I should eventually slow down and have a few days on my hands in Aug......er.....Sept.....er.....November?

Wish me luck.

Turkey Day

2008-01-03T18:51:00.000-05:00

Before Thanksgiving, Hailey paid us a visit---to go to Sting. (Yay!)

Maryn, always excited by the prospect of eating!

Clayton and Meg, preparing their pumpkin log

Maryn and Brinna playing around with their cameras, as usual.

Elder Costello and Smith, excited for their first big dinner of the day!
(they ended up going to three)

Nice turkey.

The table looks great, but where's the food?

The whole gang, except for Shawn, ready to dig in!

Meg and Clayton, looking divine.

Aydan, giving himself rabbit ears!

And now we will have the "highest number of hats on our head" contest...will it be Clayton...

....or Aydan with the highest amount?

Everyone turned out for Thanksgiving this year, along with the Missionaries from our church, Clayton's girlfriend, Meg, and Brinna's friend, Michael. We had moved at the beginning of November, so it was a hectic time getting things unpacked, as well as the play that I was directing for the church opened the second week of November. Our church was also in charge of a Thanksgiving Concert that included all the area churches, so there were extra practices for that, as Shawn is the choir director.

Shawn also had a gig in Phoenix, (see her blog@ www.swaneesinger.blogspot.com to read about it!) and had to go to the airport by two in the afternoon, so we had an early dinner at noon.

Yummy food, lots of laughter, and great times---as well as some more outdoor fun for the kids after Shawn left! While the cat's away....

Fall Antics!

2007-12-27T16:45:00.000-05:00

Bret, blowing out his birthday candles

Aydan, excited about the office things that he decorated for Bret.

Bret showing off his new grill, well, a picture of it, anyway----his was on back order...

The hula dancing commenced, with Maryn and Bret showing off some fancy moves!

The whole gang "going to the Hukelaui"!

Aydan is not too sure about his Mom's hula style.

Shawn and Brinna looking in fine form as they execute a classic hula move.

Now.....Meg and Bret, is that the "fishy" sign or the "sea"?

Outside we go for some Frisbee throwing and enjoying the warm day!

Clayton is really excited to be outside and playing Frisbee!

Aydan, looking fine in his Hawaiian shirt....

...and doing a quick fancy throw of the Frisbee! (note it is up on the right hand side)

Yes, I am finally getting to the Fall of 2007! Whew!

We had a fun time with Bret's birthday this year. Aydan wanted to have a luau for our family since he had such a great time at Margy's, so we decided to have one for Bret's birthday. Clayton brought his girlfriend, Meg---and she fits in really well! She is a great girl and tried not to be too weirded out by our family----especially when it came time to dance.

Everyone came dressed in their Hawaiian gear and the decor was very island inspired. We had lots of fruit, fish and rice, then had a great time doing the hula, taught by Shawn, of course, since she was able to do some brushing up on her hula at Margy's party. We then had cake, JP Licks Cake Batter Ice Cream cake, of course, our favorite, opened presents, then went outside to throw a frisbee around. I think that it was a definite great luau!

More Summer Days...

2007-11-15T16:12:00.000-05:00

Well, now you are really catching on to the fact that I am overwhelmed, overworked and extremely underpaid! I guess that is par for the course of most people's lives right now, but I can't figure out why I never seem to be able to catch up! Is time just going faster or is it my imagination?

Oh, well,.....so........I have to do a quick family blog with pictures from the rest of the summer and then try to find Bret's birthday pictures to do another blog. I KNOW! ITS WICKED AND TERRIBLE, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO!! I'm sure that it will go down in the annuals of my history as being the most pathetic time in my life....

Well, I hope so, anyway----if it gets worse----I'M IN TROUBLE!

I shudder to think when I will get to Thanksgiving and Christmas.....

So, ....next it was a trip to Utah to see the G-babies! It was exciting to spend 10 days or so with Hailey and her young ones----those kids are soooo beautiful! We went swimming and helped Hailey move in to her new house, but mostly I just played with the babies a lot... Sigh....

Grandpa Cannon, with the twins...

"Mimi" gets to hold them last.
Margy, Shawn and Mom ready for the Luau at Margy's house...stunning!

Cousin Ben, with Aydan, enjoying the Luau---nice sun through trees effect!

Grandma Cannon with her brother, Uncle Cleve.
Cleve's wife, Heidi, with Grandpa Cannon, enjoying the show!

Aydan took this one of Shawn, ready to learn the hula.

Grandma Cannon, with Shawn and others, learning to hula----great form!

Lane takes time out of her busy day to give "Mimi" a look...

...while Aydan, Ethan and Mila enjoy a game on the computer.

Lucy and Lane in their toy tables!

Then they move onto their Bumpos, as they get ready for their snack.

Aunt Margy takes over for a while when we visit her house.

All ready to go to the Aquarium with Hailey---great stroller, guys!

The awe of watching the fish at the aquarium.

McKayla, working with the sand at the dinosaur museum
McKayla, Maddie, Mila, Aydan and Taylor at the dinosaur museum.

Then on to the water park!

Aydan, getting ready to climb the ark---while Uncles Eldon and Pat watch.

A huge centipede thats great for climbing---at the play park!

Patrick and his wife, Angie, take a much needed break!

The twins, with Mila, in their cool swimming lobsters...

Laney, excited by the adventure!

....And there they are with Hailey at the helm.

Aydan, using a floatie to get around in the pool!

Shawn with Lucy...

...then with Laney.

Laney in her new 4th of July dress.

Both the girls look adorable in their dresses!

Back at home again, and Aydan is taking swim lessons!
Here he is perfecting his back float....

...resting by the side of the pool, waiting for his turn...

...playing games with the teacher...

...and working on his front crawl.

He's starting to get the hang of it...as long as he doesn't have to put his head in!

Ahh, How Quick Life Goes By!! June 2007

2007-09-25T13:49:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that I have not posted any info. about the family since May! Shame on me! What a bad mother and wife I am. I have had a very hectic summer, to say the least---to read more about it, check out my blog, www.swaneesinger.blogspot.com.

So now, I need to recap the last 6 months or so, and thats going to be next to impossible!!
So, I will try to do it in pictures...hhhmmmm...lets start with June, huh...yes, there was my birthday, a trip to the zoo with Aydan's school class, and then a great camping experience at Salisbury Beach, MA!

My (Shawn) birthday!!...yes, 35 again!
Aydan gave me some music---love it!
Oh, so fun to get a croquet set....
....guess we will have to play...in the rain....
....and the dark....nothing stops us!
....the upper crust of British society...after a game....
My other birthday present arrives a few days later!
Yes!....its a new bike...just what I've wanted!
Aydan's classmates on a field trip to the zoo.
Literally, a dog and pony show....
Aydan, contemplating the field trip
Our 1968 camper that we fixed up!
...And here's the curtains and covers that I made for the inside...cozy!
Kayaks for the ocean...except the tide was out...yuck!
Maryn, trying to handle Mignon, after Mignon decided to take a dip in the ocean.
Two of my favorite boys, Aydan and Bret, kayaking.

Hey, I can handle that kayak pretty well....
The beach by our campground...
...and Aydan playing on the beach.
Maryn with Mignon, enjoying the sunshine.
The lighthouse near Salisbury Beach...
and the bay by the lighthouse...at an old fort
Aydan resting on the granite slabs near the old fort.
Grandma Bahe and Cameron came for a visit and went to NYC!
Aydan, with his new haircut, on the bus in NYC!

Spring Has Finally Sprung!

2007-05-21T10:38:00.000-05:00

Clayton, ready to blow out his candles!

Really happenin dude, Clayton....but what happened to your teeth?

Towels and sheets from Mom...

OOOOhhhhh, who let those scary party guests in? Maryn and her boyfriend, Jake...

....and an iron from Aydan....do I get sense a theme here?

More towels and a blanket from Brinna....

....and what the heck did Bret give Clayton? (two deer in headlights)

...Then its off to the main event, the parachute throw! (note great photo of the parachute man in the middle of the picture....floating down)

Quick, catch it....its right above you!

Brinna to the rescue!

Easter eggs smell funny, Mom...

....but then, they make lovely accessories, too!

Aydan, excited by his decorating skills.

Easter morning picture...Shawn and Bret....Aydan is getting to be a great photographer!

....And a picture of my two hunky boys, Aydan and Bret...

Lavender was the color for the day...Shawn and Aydan.

The beautiful twins...on Easter Sunday....love the bonnets!!

Lane and Lucy, the twins, being held by Ethan and Mila, posing at Easter with their Arizona cousins....

....and then back home again, "sitting" in their strange chairs! It's the "what the heck are we doing now, Mom?" look...priceless.

Aydan, after he read his report on Grizzly Bears.

The Grizzly diorama....note all the detail....

Aydan, on the far left, at his Spring Concert for chorus.

The bridge that Bret built....

....sitting in front of a virtual forest...

....created by none other than Shawn....

...."if you go out in the woods today, you better not go alone..."

Brimfield die-hards, Bret and Aydan, in matching hats....

....and Aydan, comfortable, in his choice transportation!

Puppies, Musette and Mignon are along for the ride!

....And here we have a hunting lodge....

Aydan, doing "The Sound of Music" proud...the view in New Hampshire.

We always know that spring is right around the corner with Clayton's birthday! This year it has been a wet and cold spring, but every once in a while we get a taste of warmth and relish in it.
Clayton's birthday was celebrated with all the siblings (except Hailey), and we spent the afternoon eating ice cream cake, wearing "Happy Feet" masks, (and tap-dancing) wearing scary teeth from our treat bags and then....the highlight of the birthday party....spent several hours throwing "parachute men" in the yard! Absolutely the best times!

Easter was fairly simple this year, as there were only three of us around and it feels strange to only have one child at home now---especially on the holidays. But we got some glorious pictures of the G-babies and the twins, so that made our Easter weekend!

Bret and I worked on the set for the Acton Boxboro High School set of "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Bret designed and built it, and I painted the rocks in on the bridge, while the students filled them in and painted the 15 foot trees on the flats in the back. It was painstaking, but there was a bit of money involved, so I guess it was worth it... All in all, the set was "brilliant" and I thought it turned out great!

Aydan has had lots of school fun this spring as well. He was able to "write a book" and read it for his school mates. It was about where he would go if he could go on the "Magic School Bus". Of course, it was into the body (where he was fascinated with ear wax..."Eww, what is that, anyway?")....my little doctor in training. He also did a great report and diorama of Grizzly Bears, and the whole family pitched in to help make his diorama realistic....down to Bret carving out a bear and Aydan painting it! Then, we went to his Spring Concert where the first graders recited poetry and songs about how important friends are.

Another sign of spring is our annual trips to Brimfield. This is an Antique and flea-market show that we go to...with 3000 vendors, in the middle of Massachusetts. It is great fun to walk around, and this year it was sunny and wonderful! We take the wagon and the puppies and get lots of comments about our "babies". We usually look for one item each time, and this year it was a bookshelf, but were not able to find anything.... Aydan and Bret each got several small items, but it wasn't a great Brimfield time for me! (meaning that it was fun, but I didn't get the item that I was looking for...)

I love spring! I love the new growth and re-birth! It's good to live in New England this time of year, as the beauty is breathtaking! We were also able to go up in NH to our friends "hunting lodge" this last Sunday...the views were amazing! The quiet was intense and all you could hear were birds singing...a perfect way to spend an afternoon....

Twin Trippin'

2007-04-12T13:48:00.000-05:00

Lane and Lucy, satiated after a good meal...

...and in their pink jammie outfits for the day.

Aydan and Ethan, enthralled by the fish...or was it the huge octopus?

Aydan, taking a quiet moment to observe the....hey, what's up there?

Aydan and Ethan doing puzzles at the Aquarium.

Bret looking very rested and peaceful, reading a book about different underwater species.

It's party time, and its a "Cars" cake!

Aydan and Mila playing around with the party guests....waiting for cake!

Wow! What a cute birthday party table---who did those amazing decorations?..... Hailey...

Mila and Aydan, at Mila's school...she really was happy to have us there...

"Poppy", "Mimi" and Mila at Grandparents Day at her elementary school...don't look so glum, Mila...after all, we flew 3000 miles to be there! (she really does smile alot in real life...)

Lucy, waiting to go to the doctor...

....and Hailey with Lane...not sure if she is liking this hat!

A visit to Grandpa and Grandma's and such fun to make a really cool snowman! Ethan can't decide if he should eat the snow or play in it!

"Mimi" with Lucy all wrapped up for bed....

...and Grandma Cannon getting a chance to snuggle with Lucy...

Crazy cousins Taylor, Aydan, Ethan, Mila and McKayla at Margy's house.

Mila striking a model pose, ready for church on Blessing Day.

Lucy and Lane Smith, not quite sure about this "long white dress" thing...

...and boy, is it EVER a long white dress!! Beautiful.

Blessing day, after church and Lane and Lucy are ready for the guests! (decked out in the finest that H&M has to offer---from "Mimi", of course, who dressed them)

Lane, looking so grown up in another of her cute outfits---love the yellow socks!

Lucy, with such a cute smile!

Lucy, after a long day....so great to have this thumb right where I can get to it...

Oh, what a glorious trip we took to see the twins, in March, and attend their blessing! I flew out a few days early and Bret and Aydan came later, then they left after 4 days and I got to stay on for the rest of the week.

At one point during my stay, Hailey was apologizing for the lack of outside activities to do while I was there. But I was so enjoying being a "Mimi" and just taking care of babies!

Besides, we also got to visit with my family a bit, going to Grandpa and Grandma Cannon's, the kids making a great snowman and playing with all of the old toys, and then going out to Margy and Eldon's to see the new studio and bathroom. We went to the Aquarium, which was so cool! We also helped with Ethan's birthday party, and celebrated his turning a big four years old. That same week we attended Mila's "Grandparents Day" (we were, of course, asked if WE were the Grandparents...) and even got to take the babies to the doctor. It was a fun time, but oh, so very short....

It has been several months since I have been back, and after going through withdrawal, and getting back into my busy life, I still ache for those babies....

Lucy and Lane...such adorable girls!

Superheros Everywhere!

2007-02-16T16:03:00.000-05:00

Aydan, ready for his Super Hero Birthday party!

Doreen, our neighbor, helping her son, Cole make Sculpey erasers.

Some of the finished product...amazing!

Blowing out the birthday candles----super wind coming from Batman!

Halley, Aydan's friend...or...rather his "Super Girl" friend!

Playing super Bingo...

Texas, with her sister, Tellulah at the party. (our cool neighbors)

The whole "Super" gang...watch out, all you bad guys!

Aydan, blowing out his candles at the family birthday party...

.....and showing off the cool Lego racer set from Clayton!

Bret and Shawn (and Mignon) get in on the present giving with a great Magic Kit.

Maryn's boyfriend, Jake, gives Aydan some MORE Legos----his favorite thing!

Maryn and Aydan having an impromptu hug over her gift to him, a spy kit.

Brinna, looking lovely by the decorated table, for hers and Maryns birthday party.

Everyone excited about the party!

Brinna and Maryn blowing out their candles!

Maryn, excited by Aydan's gift of body paint sticks----fun!

Lots of art stuff given by Shawn to Maryn----can't wait to get those paintings!

Wow, lots of fun bedding for Maryn's college room from Brinna!

Brinna gets a gift card from Clayton.

Aydan gave Brinna some green glasses for her kitchen!

Picture frames, sweater and a book are what make Brinna smile....

....and especially that accordian from Bret!

Limbo time, and Shawn looks quite weird doing it!

Allllright!....Look at Clayton get under that Limbo stick!

Maryn prefers to crawl under...

.....and Aydan had to basically walk under most of the time!

Its that time of the year again...the time when there are three birthdays in a row. Whew! I always love having the parties and everyone around, but breath a sigh of relief when its all over!

This year, Aydan decided that he wanted a Superhero Birthday party for five of his friends. He had a hard time choosing who he wanted to attend, as most of his best friends are girls... (such a ladies man, he is) so we ended up having 3 girls and 3 boys. (counting Aydan) He had all his guests dress up at Superheros and we played Bingo, made Sculpey erasers, had a costume parade with certificates, had a Power Rangers cake with ice cream and then opened presents. Great fun!

Then, the next day, we had a family party for Aydan, with Brinna, Clayton, and Maryn coming. We had a Batman pinata, which Aydan opened up on the first pull of the strings at the bottom. (Did you know that that's an alternative to breaking it open with a stick?----cool, and no worries that anyone can get hit!) We opened presents and had yet ANOTHER cake with ice cream. (Can we all visualize the waist growing?)

The next Sunday, we all gathered again for a great dinner, and some game playing and cake and ice cream to celebrate Brinna and Maryns birthdays. We had purchased a "limbo" stick which, of course, Clayton always wins at, as he can practically bend over backwards while going under it! It's almost painful to watch! The highlight of the evening, though, was opening presents and playing "A What?" (you know the one, "Here's a can, ....a what?, ....a can, ....a what?.... a can,.... ohh, a can!")

Lots of laughter, pictures and enjoying one another's company! Happy Birthday, Aydan, Maryn and Brinna!

Holidays Are Joyful!

2007-01-20T15:30:00.000-05:00

Mignon and Musette in their Holiday sweaters!

Bret and Aydan cutting the tree.Aydan and Shawn with the puppies at the tree farm...

Aydan, decorating the tree.

Aydan's favorite corner of the living room!

The Christmas tree!

Christmas Eve brought out some friends, Dave and Michelle Chapman, and their baby, Harriet.

Grace Chapman, Aydan, and Sydney Thomas listen to Christmas stories.

Maryn, thoroughly engrossed in the Christmas story...

....and helping Brinna to read the "Texas Night Before Christmas"!

Ryan and Alisha Thomas enjoy playing with their son Josh's toys.

The creative Nativity scene, with all the kids involved!

Josh, Sydney, Aydan and Grace...excited for Santa!

Its Christmas Jammie time!

Aydan actually took this picture...not bad! (that's Jake, Maryn's boyfriend on the right)

Christmas morning and Brinna still looks great!

Maryn and Aydan with their gifts to each other...creepy, squirmy laboratory...

Clayton and Maryn are excited about their presents to each other.

Aydan and Bret will be playing lots of games and doing lots of inventions...

Hey, Musette, get out of the way! (nice Christmas sweater, though)

Mignon, resting after a long day...

It was a crazy holiday season this year, with Shawn traveling 5 different places in 6 weeks! But Christmas came and went anyway, and it was a good one---good friends, some old and some new, great family times, late nights and way too much food! The New Year found Bret, Aydan and Shawn in New York state and the rest of the family in many different places, so we said our "Happy New Years" via cell phone, but the feeling was still the same...Bret and Shawn cherish this family a lot and look forward to when we can all be together.

Life is simpler now, with a small "saltbox" house we've rented and the household down to just three....(well, six, counting the puppies and the cat) We go on walks with the puppies and thrill at the New England world around us, and look forward to birthdays of Aydan, Maryn and Brinna in January and Feb. and visits to Utah to see the G-babies in March.

Life is good.

The attached 1820 Saltbox that is our home. (not the large front building, but the back one)

It's really just the servant's quarters to the big house, (it used to be a school)
but we love it!

The view of the old town center from our front door.

New Year, New Babies!

2007-01-05T11:45:00.000-05:00

Lane and Lucy on the day they were born...

Aydan had to wear a mask, as he was getting over a cold!

Lucy on the left and Laney on the right

Mila and Ethan holding the twins---all in their Christmas jammies!

Hailey and
Ethan holding one of the twins, and the most beautiful stocking stuffers in the world!

I returned home just before Christmas, after spending 9 days with the sweetest little things in the world...my NEW G-babies! Hailey had her twins on Nov. 29th, quite early from their due date of Dec. 31st. Lucy and Lane are their names----two darling girls, and the most beautiful miniature babies that you have ever seen! Lucy was 3 lbs. 14 oz. and Lane was 4 lbs. 10 oz. They had to stay in the hospital an extra week, but both came home within a few days of each other.

I had to go to Brazil the week that they were born, so Ben's mother came for a week to help them, and my sister Margy helped also, until I could go to Utah to help...

I had SUCH a wonderful time with those little ones! They are so special and tiny and the small cries that they made were like the most beautiful music that I had ever heard... What can I say? I love babies...

Congratulations, Hailey and Ben, for giving us and the world such wonderful, beautiful and bright children. We all love you for it!

Moving Again and Puppies First Hairdo

2006-10-25T11:18:00.000-05:00

Yes, we are moving again.

Don't ask.
We are walking away from the house without a dime.
Oh, well, so what's five years worth of work and sweat equity worth?
Nothing...

But its ok...we will pick up and survive! That's the great thing about life...it goes on.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, the puppies are thriving and are getting soooo big. I'm thinking that the "yorkie-poo" mix wasn't with a teacup poodle like we were told...
But what are you going to do? They are adorable anyway...

Puppies, Puppies, and Moving....Again

2006-07-25T10:14:00.000-05:00

Here I sit at the computer, when I should be exercising or packing or something important. But I had to let everyone know about our new additions to the family! And no, I'm not pregnant again----that is my daughter Hailey's job. (After all, she is pregnant with twins this time! AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!! If you want to check out her progress, refer to her blog, www.haileytracks.blogspot.com)

So, when we found out that we were moving back to our house in NH, (since we haven't been able to sell it----do you think it might have anything to do with the fact that it still doesn't have a kitchen?) we realized that we could get a puppy again, as there were no restrictions anymore. Aydan has missed his little chihuahua, Izzy, so he was very excited at the prospect! We decided that we wanted to get a teacup poodle mix, as there is no shedding and they remain so small, like a puppy forever... So, we got online and started researching...

Long story short, we found a breeder that had a new litter of yorkie-poo puppies, and when we saw a little black one, we immediately wanted that one! But after talking to her, she informed us that the red ones are much rarer, so Bret said, "Why don't we get both of them---maybe she will make a deal!" So, thats what we did... Their names are going to be "Mignon" and "Musette". Yikes! Are we crazy or something? But, seriously, isn't it easier to potty train two puppies, because they have each other to learn from? And won't it be nice for the one puppy when they have their sister to play with? They won't crave attention, as they will have each other! Well, thats the theory, anyway.
We'll keep you posted.

As for the moving thing...

We've been there, we've done it... Seven times in nine years....

You would think that it would be a piece of cake by now. Why does it seem to get harder? Perhaps it is the fact that it seems like the more children that I move out of the house, the more things I move in to take their place.
Or maybe its the fact that they just keep leaving all their stuff for us to move, and are now out in the world, fancy free, while we babysit and cart their junk around.

And have any of you out there ever noticed that they aren't usually around to help UNLOAD all that extra junk? Oh well, I can't complain,...I did the same thing to my parents...

Maryn "Minnie"

2006-06-10T15:26:00.001-05:00

Maryn, on her blessing day...the most beautiful baby ever!!

Now we know why she still likes to "dress up"! Look what we did to her on

Halloween when she was almost a year old!
Maryn with her cool bandana, at age 2...she started early with her own sense of style!

Maryn's first day of school going to kindergarten....

and then at the ripe old age of 10.

Maryn, with Aydan, the fall that we moved to NH...she started 8th gradeMaryn as a junior, when she had the lead in "Moon Over Buffalo"....

Wow...what a great 40's look!

Maryn, singing with her Madrigal group at the High school...great outfit!

Pinewood Derby... Maryn's band...

Maryn, performing with her band.

Look at my beautiful girls!...Maryn, Brinna and Hailey...

Maryn...super excited that she FINALLY graduated! Happy Graduation to my youngest daughter, Maryn!

She graduated from Acton-Boxboro High School on June 2nd, and has been accepted into Massachusetts College of Art, in Boston, for the fall semester. So, now is a great time to reflect on her ever-changing life...

Maryn arrived on January 29th, at Swedish Hospital in Denver, Colorado, at about 11:00 in the morning, after 12 hours of labor. She had long dark brown hair, and weighed in at 6 lbs. 12 oz.---the smallest of my babies. She had huge eyes and was the most beautiful thing that I had ever seen! (Aside from her sisters...)

Maryn's nickname was "Minnie" after Minnie mouse, as she was so petite and the name fit her so well. She had a hard time sleeping as a baby, and did not sleep through the night until she was almost a year old. That is partially my fault, as I thought that she was my last baby and I loved to rock her every night to sleep. So, when she woke up at night, she couldn't get back to sleep unless I rocked her... She was my little sweetheart and the whole family loved holding her and playing with her...

As Maryn grew, she became a little spoiled as we all waited on her... She tended to have tantrums when she reached her two's up until about four, but I discovered that if I held her tight and calmed her down...her tantrums would subside... Her older brother Clayton, was very protective of her and would watch after her constantly, even when he was teased by his friends. He used to walk her to Kindergarten, holding her hand, even though it was only a block away...

Maryn showed early signs of artistic talent, and drew constantly. She didn't draw on the walls as much as her sister Brinna had, but would draw at every chance she got. She had a huge imagination and wrote stories, and plays and then illustrated them. She also had a fantastic singing voice at a very young age. Her voice was so pure and the tone so beautiful! She faithfully took my singing classes five or six times, as I needed more students to "round out" the class and didn't complain.... much...

Maryn was moved around....alot... She moved from Denver to Chicago to LA (Claremont) to LA (South Pasadena) to the Boston area (where we lived in three different places) to New Hampshire...then back to Acton (Boston area).
Her personality has always been very social and she would make friends easily and everyone seemed to love her... When she started high school in Manchester, New Hampshire, her personal style started to kick in and she began being a "trend setter". To this day, I would hear the kids in her school remarking on Maryn's cool style...

Maryn has spent high school doing singing, drama and art. She did two plays as a freshman, was the lead in "Zink" and was in"You Can't Take It With You", sang solos with the Concert Choir and did artwork on the side. As a sophomore, she was one of the singing leads in "Leader Of the Pack", made it into Chamber Choir, tried out for All State choir and made it, and did solo work for both the Chamber Choir and the Concert Choir.

After moving to a new high school for her junior year, she jumped right in and did the play "10 Things I Hate About You", became student costume crew chief for "Moon Over Buffalo" as well as being one of the leads in it, helped to write the play that was supposed to go to State "Where Will They Go and What Will Become of Them" and had a part in it. She tried out and sang in the Madrigals (as a tenor), as well as singing soprano in the Concert Choir. She then tried out for All District, and made it and went on to All State and made it (as a soprano)... She started taking Art classes and really starting exploring her "visual art" side.

As a Senior, she has had a successful year! She worked on costumes for the fall play, "Wiley and the Hairy Man" and the musical "42nd Street", had a lead in the play that DID go to State "The Midnight Caller", and had a lead in the Senior Class play "Mmmbeth". She tried out and sang soprano in Madrigals, joined the original indy folk rock band, "Pinewood Derby", (you can check them out at www.pinewoodderbymusic.com) had the only solo that sang with the school Jazz Band, "Orange Colored Sky", and sang with the Concert Choir. She took about six art classes and photography, won the Boston Globe Scholastic Gold Key award for one of her paintings, and put together an awesome portfolio to get into a school that only took 80 students out of 2000 applicants.

Maryn is truly a force to be reckoned with...

She has a strong personality and is quick to tell me how she feels about any given situation, yet still has such a warm and wonderful side of her that you just want to hug and not let go...

She is very beautiful, extremely talented, inquisitive, very knowledgeable about the arts, poetry, and different philosopies.

She likes to experience life and has a big heart for those that she loves...

She is a fighter that won't quit even though the odds are tough, and she will always be a little different from everyone else...

She has a great sense of humor, and I love to see her laugh, as we share those Danny Kaye moments, or "The Mighty Boosh".

She will always be my sweetheart and I will always want to hold her and rock her until she gets through the tough times...

I look forward to her artwork, to her singing, and to loving her for a long time...

Much Ado in Utah

2006-03-18T11:37:00.000-05:00

Grandma and Grandpa Cannon being "lovey, dovey"Wow! It's a forest, but....is it a deer.....in headlights?Brinna showing Hailey which way to go on the tree lined path...Shawn, out on a walk with Aydan and Mila...My sweet G-baby, Ethan, angelic, with Hailey....(sporting green hair?).....with "Mimi".........and finally in the sweetest moment of all...Mila, captured in the sunlight, so beautiful.Hailey, looking veeeerrrry chic, in her outfit for church!Aydan, Brinna, and I made a quick trip to Utah the week before our winter break out here. It was a fast trip, but I was craving the G-babies really badly and hadn't really spent enough time with Hailey last August, so I used this excuse to go out and see Hailey in her performance of "Much Ado About Nothing". I didn't get any pictures of her in costume, of course,...I never have the camera when I need it... Bad mother! But you can check out the pictures that she took on her blogsite: www.haileytracks.com

She was fantastic, the kids were adorable, (even though sometimes loud...), and we got to hang with my parents one day, (having fun with their forest wall hanging---cheap thrills...) and Margy and Eldon another day. One evening spent with my brother, Patrick and his lovely wife, Angie, was not enough, but very enjoyable anyway...

I drove around the old stomping grounds, as Hailey lives in Highland, Utah now and I used to live in that area as a 4th grader. Yes, the old grade school in Alpine is still there, and the playground where we played "kissing tag" is still the same. (...and no, I was never chased as no one wanted to kiss me...)
It just never ceases to amaze me how much new construction there is out there now, and no trees...

So it was still nice to come home again.....ahhhhhh.....nothing like New England....

Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays...

2006-02-21T10:43:00.000-05:00

Aydan, excited for his birthday party!

...Opening one of his many presents...

Aydan with our great friends, Rita McConnon, and her two boys,

Andrew and Coleman Brinna, Aydan, and Brinna's fiance, Michael
Aydan, with lots of stuff!...Mom (Shawn) definitely spoils him!The really COOL pinata!

It was a Star Wars party, and Clayton came without a mask... heh, heh
Aydan, ready to blow out his candles... Clayton put his regular face mask on for Maryn and Brinna's party!

Maryn is excited by her new sketch book from Aydan...

....And its always great to get gift certificates from her stepdad, Bret

An art book from Mom, with Brinna and Aydan joining in...
Aydan picked out a set of glasses for Brinna's cool apartment! Brinna shares the love of reading from her Mom....yeah!
Maryn and Brinna blowing out the 44 candles on the "cake batter"

ice cream cake.....mmmmmm....yummy...
Ahhhh, tis the season for birthdays in our house... First, Aydan turned a big 6 years old, then a mere week later, Maryn turned a sophisticated 18! The next week, Brinna, my second daughter, had her birthday. She turned all of 26 years old and got engaged to boot! What a eventful year its starting to be! We had a party for Aydan, complete with a pinata and then the following week had a party for Maryn and Brinna---combined....poor babies....they always have to have combined birthday parties! It was a lot of fun, though, and I enjoyed being able to hang with my kids for a few days...

"Christmas Memories...Stretched Between the Pictures on My Blog"

2006-01-14T10:48:00.000-05:00

Aydan, all ready for the Christmas Eve celebration!
Brinna, on the phone, as usual...Whoa...watch out Martha Stewart...hostess with the mostest?
Maryn, sitting in her clean room....what?....yes, it happens once a year...
Bret's cousins, Luke and Shawna (with an "a"), our Christmas Eve guests...
Our good friends, Alisha and Ryan, contemplating our Christmas spirit...
The adorable kids of Ryan and Alisha,...Sydney and Josh...
Shawn's "Lucy!...you got some 'splainin' to do!" red bow....festive!
Clayton, reading our traditional "Texas Night Before Christmas"
Joseph and Mary, of course....played by Aydan and Sydney
The entire cast of the nativity scene...interesting costume choices this year, kids...
Aydan, with his great friend, Sydney...for their bi-annual hug...
Christmas jammie time....er....I guess Bret wasn't that happy...and Clayton appears to be snoozing...
Christmas jammies with Clayton, Maryn, Shawn, Brinna and Aydan
Christmas day, after returning home from church...present opening time!

Maryn and Aydan...

Brinna and Maryn...

Clayton....(er....a homeless person?)....and Shawn...

Aydan in his new robe with Daddy Bret...

Shawn and Bret...still the loving couple...

The aftermath of Christmas......

After taking off the lights.....this is what was left of the tree...notice the amount of needles on the floor.....crazy!

.....Only thing to do is cut off the branches and throw them out the window!...

AAAAHHHHHHHH.....those Christmas memories...

Christmas 2005 came and went, but we have pictures to remember....

Friends, family, good times....

It was good this year....

Tis the Season to Be Jolly

2005-12-22T11:07:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving feast fit for three kings and three queens

Aydan enjoying ALL the food!

Maryn (in center) singing in her Madrigal group....

.....and doing a jazz solo with the jazz band....fantastic!Bret and Shawn looking for a good tree...

.....and Maryn excited about the choice!Aydan helps Bret in cutting the tree.Wow! It looks great.....all decorated...even though a little fat...Aydan "showing off" the entry way decorations in his hat...The Christmas toilet seat "project"...."Happy to see you, have a seat".........Whoa!!.....just a bit too much to share!Baking and decorating Christmas cookiesOur Christmas mascot....Carrot, Aydan's bunny...
"Sole, sole, sole cake, please good missus, a sole cake...an apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry, any good thing to make us all merry. One for Peter, two for Paul, three for Him who made us all..."

Aahhhhhh, christmas caroling....

I love this particular christmas carol and I LOVE singing it with my children.

A capella, of course, in three part harmony...each part coming in on a new verse. Then, that sharp emphasis on "an apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry..." ....the rythmn has to be perfect...

I love the snow, and the crisp air....

I love the playing of cheesy Christmas carols starting after Thanksgiving,
even though I can't stand that "Momma's New Shoes" one----that is just sick and wrong...

I love getting presents for my family....excited when they will open them and hoping that they will like them...

I love the nativity scenes in people's yards, even though everyone is always trying to take Christ out of Christmas...

I love going to cut a tree with my family...in the cold, and the fact that they always humor me and try to find a skinny, "Charlie Brown" tree, because those are the kind that I love.....(except this year, and they talked me into a fat tree---ooohhhh, so difficult to string with lights!.....I just call it the "fat pig" tree)

I love how people seem happier, on the whole, at this time, and really try to be patient in lines, etc.....even though there is always one jerk there...the rest of us just smile at each other and know that we are the cool ones and aren't upset by the wait...

I glorify in being a mother, wife and G-mom at this time of the year, as I think more of my blessings, and babies, and the Christchild, and the miracle of his birth...

I love leading the choir in church at this time...everyone comes out and I have a HUGE choir, and everyone sings so very well and loves all the music....its a good feeling...

I love decorating my apartment or house or where ever I am living at the time...
Everything looks better with lights and garland on it...and red is one of my favorite colors...

I love to go to the school "holiday" concerts, where I can see one of my children sing, and feel proud when Maryn does a fantastic job singing her solo! ....And I love it in New England because the choir teacher is not afraid to sing songs about Jesus....like in California... :(

I love how I get letters, Christmas cards, and photos from friends and family who are STILL sending them, and deserve to go into the catagory of "uber-perfect" person....as they still use snail mail....

I love the traditions of the season...going to get the tree, picking out a new ornament each year, adding a Santa to my collection each year, Christmas baking Saturday, (which was only Aydan and I this year...rather difficult), caroling with my children on the Sunday night before Christmas for at least four hours and loving it!.....and working with Aydan on our "projects" for Christmas presents, or for the house...(refer to the Snowman toilet cover above... :) )

I feel so blessed at this time of year to have a wonderful family, an awesome husband, and so many great friends......

Thank you all for your friendship, your constant support, and for just being you!

MAY YOU HAVE A VERY VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A GLORIOUS NEW YEAR!!

Hailey "Bun-Buns"

2005-12-04T16:26:00.000-05:00

Hailey--------------at age 10!
...in the production of "Bye, Bye Birdie" in junior high
Singing her heart out in "The Music Man" in high school
High School graduation and a new hairdo!

The famous model engagement shot...

Ben, Hailey and Mila above and Hailey with Mila Hailey with Ethan as a baby----bathing beauties!
Canoeing fun---with Ethan

Hailey doing what she enjoys the most-----eating!
Ethan and Hailey at his first birthday
Mila, on her first day of Kindergarten
Adorable little Ethan----now almost three!
Hailey this last Halloween with a dinosaur and a princess!
Hailey and Ethan at the infamous corn maze...(refer to her blog)
Hailey and Ben at a wedding...

...And her 10 year high school reunion----still the "model" couple!

I decided to write about each of the kids separately, to let everyone know what is going on in their lives and how I view each child individually....... Now, I have to add a disclaimer here, as I am very biased in thinking that my children are the best in the world, so bear with me.....

My oldest child is Hailey. She is now 28 years old and has a husband and two kids and lives in Highland, Utah. She is a very witty gal, and you can see just how funny she is, if you visit her website at www.haileytracks.com

She arrived late in the day in May---5:30 p.m., to be exact, after 22 hours of labor, and MY first words to the doctor were "Are her ears attached or unattached?", and then I promptly fell asleep. I was exhausted, as you can imagine!

From the very beginning, I could tell that Hailey was a special girl. She started sleeping through the night when she was a month old, and ate only every 4 to 5 hours during the day. She was a happy baby and the most beautiful thing that you could imagine!

As she grew, she showed early signs of extreme inquisitiveness, and loved to perform. She talked very early, asked thousands of questions, started reading when she was 4 years old, and sang her first solo in front of a church audience that same year. She was like a little adult. In fact, most of my friends would always ask of me, "Who's the Mom and who's the child?" because I was much more immature than her. She would often lecture me if I was wearing too freaky of an outfit, as she was very conservative in her dress, and I am........well, lets just say, I've NEVER been conservative.....

We moved a lot as Hailey was growing up, and she never seemed to mind. She adjusted very well and always rose to the occasion with her best foot forward. When we moved to California as she went into high school, she came home and told me that her English class was so easy that she "could teach it"! I immediately went down to the school office and fought for her to test out of the class.

She also has a beautiful singing voice. I used to work with her on her voice and she didn't always want to listen,....and was very stubborn about doing what I suggested... Then, one day, she tried my suggestions,...what I had been saying kicked in and "Voila!"....she was eventually able to get the power and control that she wanted.

So, now you may ask "What is this perfect speciman of a child doing as an adult?" Well, Hailey graduated from BYU,.....after 4 years on an academic scholarship,....in Dramatic Arts, and is now practicing her craft. She married Ben Smith, and as I said before, have two gorgeous children. Her husband is good looking, and their engagement picture looked like a model shot...as everyone mentions when they see it.

Hailey has been a part of Comedy Sportz in Provo, Utah for several years. Its an improvisational comedy troupe, and is great fun to watch! She just got awarded "The Funniest Female in Utah County" by a local magazine,...even though she tells me that its because there ARE no other female comediennes in Utah County...but I think she deserved the title....

She also does musicals and plays when she can----even with two kids and a household to take care of! She currently just got cast in "Much Ado About Nothing" and is excited, but a little scared about doing Shakespeare. She did "Lucky Stiffs" and "See How They Run" for the Hale Center Theater in Orem, and "Moon Over Buffalo" and this new play for the Provo Theater. I know that she did quite a few plays in college, but my favorite one was "An Ideal Husband". She always amazes me with her transformations and has come a long way from "Oklahoma" and "The Music Man" in high school.

Now just when you were thinking that Hailey is too perfect for words, I have to say that she inherited my terrible temper... She definitely observed and learned how I blow up for about 15 or 20 minutes, and then after I have "gotten it off my chest"----I am over it and am fine... Case in point----Hailey with her adorable children. Mila and Ethan look like angels, but are very incorrigible, and push Hailey to the limit! So, I must admit that when she loses it with her kids----and I am there visiting----I have to smile, as I see her sounding just like me! Poor girl........its a burden to carry such a terrible habit!

Over all, Hailey is a delight to be around, and I love her so very much! She is a great wife, mother, daughter, friend, sister, cousin, and overall person! I must admit that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss her and wish that she were closer....

My dream is that someday we will live close enough to each other to run a theater together.....but....unfortunately, I realize that its just an idea that will always be a fantasy......

What We Did For Our Summer Vacation

2005-11-16T16:18:00.000-05:00

Bret and I at my party (interesting hat choice...)

Brinna and I----at my surprise party!

Clayton at my party!
Aydan, selling lemonade in front of our apartment... and with the fish HE
caught! Bocce Ball tournament (Aydan and Bret on the left)
The Handke Bahe Family in Kansas
The Cannon Family in Montana!
Aydan and I panning for goldEthan, my little G-baby, camping!
My G-babies Ethan and Mila with Aydan
Maryn, with her new haircut...

I promised that I would start a blog for the "fam", since I can't seem to do a newsletter anymore and I don't EVER get around to Christmas cards!! So, I decided to jump right in and give you a short pictoral look at our family now and our summer activities... After my birthday in June (the picture with me in the boa), and 4th of July in Maine, (where I sang backup for a Rod Stewart impersonator)....we attended two family reunions, and drove about 6500 miles---driving in our "Little Blue Ice"---the Matrix. This after getting to the car rental place to pick up our van----two hours before we were supposed to leave and finding out that they wouldn't let us take it out of the state! Note to all: READ THE SO-CALLED FINE PRINT!

We hung with Bret's family in Kansas and then on to Utah, then on to Montana with my family and back home again... Fun times were had by and with all!!....and I FROZE in Montana...