Say Cheese!

This is him saying, "Cheese."

Today was a Great Day!

Today was gorgeous and warm outside. So we put on our hats and some clothes that we don't care about.

We painted with paint brushes...


...and painted with our hands.


Then we played in the water.


We ate Maggiores and stawberries with whipped cream for lunch.


It was a great day!

Retraction...

So just hours after my last post, Kristina, Bev, and Ryan's parents tell me that they hear Cannon use two word sentences all the time and they gave me several examples. Apparently he chooses not to in front of me! Funny guy!

Kristina and kids are down this weekend to celebrate Robert's birthday, so I made another attempt at a grandkids photo. They all turned out fuzzy, but at least they were in better moods. We will have another chance tomorrow afternoon. Some way, some how, I will get a good picture!

New Discoveries

Cannon turned 21 months yesterday. Not that that's a significant age or anything, but I came to the realization that he's that much closer to being 2! Cannon is just as wacky as ever, but I feel like we are in a good place right now. I've settled into my job, things are predictable, Cannon is comfortable in his routines, and I've gained enough patience to stay calm through his tantrums.

Cannon has made new discoveries and and has a new obsession. Recently, he fell in love with the vacuum, who he fondly refers to as "Backy." Every morning he goes to the closet and asks for Backy. What he really wants is for me to hold him while I vacuum.

Cannon has become quite the storyteller. Most if his stories are still "baby talk," with a few recognizable words here and there. But he is always very enthusiastic about whatever he is telling us! He seems to know what everything is and if you ask him, "What's this," he will tell you. He knows everyone's names and is starting to sing simple songs. He also repeats everything you say and picks up on funny words, like "gross." Today I was talking to Ryan and I said to him, "Hey, Rees." Cannon was listening and started calling Ryan, Rees, and then laughing at himself! We were all laughing! If you ask Cannon if he's funny, he will automatically start laughing.

Cannon is getting better at using a spoon and fork. Even though he still prefers using his hands to eat, he can eat his cereal with a spoon and eat pasta with a fork. He has been able to use a spoon for awhile now, but he recently picked up on the fork. He can also drink from an open cup quite well. He likes walnuts. He loves to screw on lids. He can walk down the stairs holding on the rail. He can almost jump (he can jump in the inflatable things or in his bed, but only twice has he been able to get his feet off the ground). He is also in tune when people get hurt or are sad. He gets really upset when I am sad (I'll do a sad face if he hits me or accidentally hurts me) and he will wipe my face (to get the sad face away), give me a hug, and pet my head. He did this with JT when he accidentally hurt him.

Now that I've eased myself into toddlerhood with Cannon, I think I like it. His funny personality comes out more and more each day. He's cool kid and I love having him in our family.


This is typical expression we see multiple times a day!

Fun with the Fam

We had all the grandkids together on Monday. Ryan and I both had the day off and it was so fun to just hang out with everyone.


Lyla and Cannon are two peas in a pod! It's funny how alike they are in so many ways.


Best buds!


The weather on Monday was gorgeous! We spent most of the morning enjoying the warmth and sunshine outside. The boys love chasing each other. The expression on Cole's face is hilarious!


And we played with bubbles too!


The weather was so nice that I didn't want to make the boys come inside for lunch, so we ate lunch outside.


Lyla and Ally. We love our blue-eyed girls!


And yet another failed attempt at a grandkid photo. Seriously, I took 30 pictures and not one is frame worthy! They are all cute, but not 11x14-on-your wall cute.

Happy Anniversary!

On January 7th, Ryan and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary! I took the day off of work so we could stay the night in San Antonio. We ate dinner at this fancy restaurant called Bohanan's, which by the way, was hands-down the best steak I have ever had. On Saturday we had planned to go to Lulu's Bakery to partake of their 3lb cinnamon roll bliss that we had seen on Man vs. Food, but our plans were thwarted due to very untimely renovations. We were pretty bummed out, but we decided to head to the Temple early, way before our 12:30 session. We were married in the San Antonio Temple, so it is a very special place for us. Our session was wonderful and we left with a stronger grasp on our life's current circumstances. We had also planned to stop at Mike's Pub upon our arrival back into Austin. Mike's Pub was voted best hamburger in Austin and Ryan has been dying to try it! Well...our plans were once again thwarted, this time due to an early closure because of the Cotton Bowl. Two disappointments, boo! We ended up eating at Iron Cactus on 6th Street, but it was no big deal. We were so excited to see Cannon and Blue (who was apparently depressed for the whole 24 hours were were gone). This was only our third time leaving Cannon overnight, but I was fine with it. I would like to thank Kylene and Jeff for funding this splendid trip, Shae for keeping Cannon overnight, and Kylene (again) for watching Cannon on Saturday. I would also like to thank Ryan for my perfectly beautiful pearl necklace and for being the absolute best husband ever!

Meet Guy

Having come from a Bible play set, I believe his original name is Moses. But now he is referred to as Guy and goes everywhere with Cannon.