My Mom is an author, check it out!!!!!!

For those of you that know my mom, and some of you that don't, you probably have heard about her work with Child2Youth Foundation. She and my dad traveled to Uganda this past summer to check out a wonderful program that helps children in Uganda get an education and a place to live as well as life sustaining supplies. Mormon Times is running a series of 7 letters she has written that chronical their trip and experiences helping others. Check it out!!! We are very proud of you Mom! Look for her letters every Thursday online and check that you like it so they get a lot of hits on the article. Thanks. You'll love them, they're a real "trip".

Letters from Uganda: Latter-day Saint travels to Africa to put faith into action

www.mormontimes.com

Little did my husband, Larry, and I ever guess that our mission to Manchester, England, in 2007 would lead us to outlying villages in the depths of Uganda in 2010.

Happy Birthday Jackson!

Jackson is 6 years old today. What a big boy!

This morning I woke him up singing 'Happy Birthday' to him. I asked how old he was and he said, "5". I told him he was 6. He knew it but was unsure if he wanted to be older. This kid loves to be a "baby" and doesn't want to grow up. He was worried that if he was 6 he wouldn't be able to pretend he was different animals anymore.

Case in point, two days ago he put black church socks on his hands, feet and one in the back of his waist band as a tail. He then told me he was a platapus and ran around the house yelling, "Platapus Power!" He then spent quite a bit of time telling me why platapus are "cool" and "awesome". The next morning I asked if he was going to be a platapus again and he said, "No, I'm going to be a walrus." Then later that day he was big on the platapus thing again.

At first I thought he was getting it from a cartoon called "Phineas and Ferb". They have a pet platapus called Parry that is really a government agent type superhero. (Seriously, who comes up with childrens' programing now days). He said it wasn't from that and later in the day I saw him watching a cartoon on the pbskids website. It was a earth friendly cartoon and there was a hurt platapus on it that the kids were caring for. Very cute.

I reassured him that 6 year olds can still have good imaginations and pretend to be different animals. He was happier after that and decided to go to school and tell all his friends he was 6 today. I am glad he will still pretend to be animals. One of my favorites was when he decided to be a Ninja Turtle Puppy Penguin. However, 'Platapus Power' might just take the cake.

Happy Birthday Jackson Luke Cannon! Your mommy sure loves the way you make her laugh.


At the end of each rotation (working in the field) at Fort Irwin, Jason has to spend some time washing his Humvee and cleaning his work gear. This month Jackson got to go with him and Daddy also took him on a "bumpy" ride in the humvee. He has to wear a helmet, sunglasses, gloves and clothes that cover him up. Here is the outfit we choose for Jack. Very cute to be like his Dad.



The other day Daddy and Jack were playing around. Jason used a blanket to "strap" Jack to his front or back. They became the "SonDad" monster. Jackson cracked up and thought it was so much fun.


Last month when Grandma Barbara was here helping us, she had her sewing machine out on the table. One morning we found a little present Jackson left for her. :) It was pretty cute.

And the "Best Baby Ever" Award goes to....

Liam Xavier Cannon!!!



I know this doesn't come as a surprise to most of you that know him as he has been working hard toward this all year. Beginning of course with his sunny disposition, he spreads sunshine throughout the mommy's day. (Picture above, Liam loves to help shop. He basically cases the shelves and signs "eat!" every couple aisles. Also, special thanks to Aunt Pauline for the comfy and stylish grocery cart pad!)

Recent Accomplishments:

When we come in from outside. I take off his shoes and he immediately starts whining at me if I don't hand him his shoes right away. He then takes them and puts them on the shoe rack in their proper place. Not on the floor in front of the shoe rack like my other kids. He never needs to be reminded to put them away like my other kiddos either.

After his diaper is changed he will again yell or whine at me if I don't hand him the closed diaper. He then runs to the trash can and throws it away for me. He started doing this on his own, I never asked or showed him how to do this. What a little gentleman.

He is signing up a storm. Even trying to make up his own signs. He wants to communicate so much with us. He asks me every morning where Dad is through signing. It is so cute how much this boy loves a Dad. If you have a baby or toddler, I highly recommend teaching them to do a little american sign language with you. It is one of the funnest things about this age!

He will put his toys away if I ask him to. Again, unlike his much more capable siblings. I know this won't last forever but for now it is terribly wonderful:)

Desperate to go on a walk, Liam tries to get himself into the stroller. Then he got stuck and cried out for help!

Beautiful blue eyes and long lashes all the Cannon boys inherit and all the Cannon girls envy.

The boy likes to eat. Where there's a will, there's a way!

Future plumber in training.

Liam loves to go outside and one morning he insisted on carrying his sister's pink backpack to school for her. Never mind it is almost bigger than him.

Helping mommy shop, and drive. Let's face it, she's a girl, and can use all the help she can get. :)