Spotted

a California Condor on our morning hike.

Bookstore Strolling

This is what I came home with today after 2 hours in Barnes and Noble:

Which do I read first....

....the instructional guide created by the over-the-top Jewish godmother of problem solving life's dilemmas telling me how to be a more serving wife?

....the wanna be Twilight series where a girl named Ever gains magical abilities while being drawn into the mysteriously hunky boys world?

or

....the story of four people unlikely to meet while living two very different lives in the same small Topanga community?

Ladies Night

Grandma Cannon stepped out of the woods last Wednesday to have a ladies night. Joanna's back from school so what better way to celebrate than to have a girls only date night. Of course we are missing Kimmy, Marissa, Robin and a few others but we've been together since 8th grade and I couldn't have found a better group of girls to share the last 14 years with.

What night with Jo wouldn't be complete without a Spice Girls shot? If you can't tell they always make me be Scary Spice, huh?
The original is somewhere girls (now that's scary) who has it?

For Sale

Dad Cannon may call it a mid life crisis but it is a bittersweet event for all of us.

Last Thursday the for sale sign when up on the lawn of the Cannon residence. Mom Cannon saw that it is time to move on to bigger things. The Cannon Clan is growing larger and there is no possible way to squeeze one more chair in the dinning room and we know that Griff is tired of being the one to get the stool on the corner. We all love this house and it holds such wonderful memories for all of us. This house served as a home for six kids, two supporting parents and endless in and outs from numerous friends and family. It's days are numbered but I think this house has felt the love that has lied within it for 20 years.

Ryken Gary Funk

Born: 9/11/09 9:09am

Parents: Kim & Dustin Funk

Weight: 7lbs 8oz

Length: 20 in

Baby test: 9/10

Cuteness: 20/10

Ryken,

You are so lucky to have two wonderful parents, drooling grandparents, a loving aunt and wide eyed uncles. You are surrounded by people who love you unconditionally. We cannot wait to watch you grow, play and be happy. Welcome to the family of friends (I think you'll actually like having us around).

Love,

Tara & Tucker

We Were Where the Pine Trees Grow

It is one thing to live in Southern California and be lucky enough to live in a canyon, with a two lane road, no traffic, no city noise and fresh air but it is a totally different feeling being in Salt Lake City. The trees are taller (I'm talking tall), the grass is greener, the mountains are more majestic, they actually have 4 seasons, and the definition of rush hour traffic is similar to our definition of traveling on the 405 through the SFV at noon on a Saturday (no joke). So for those of you that have never been you can wipe the drool from your face now.

We spent the last week in the SLC, Tucker's native land where he was born and partially raised until the family uprooted to California. The plan was to drive up with mom and dad Cannon to see Griffin's first Rugby match and possibly travel to Midway for an annual festivity dubbed Swiss Days. The only change in the plan is we lost out on having dad Cannon with us on our adventure.

So, Friday we headed to Swiss Days with mom Cannon, Sherri, and grandma to meet up with the Sue and Guy. I had never been to Swiss Days but imagined it was a town festival like Topanga Days ( with less hippies and free spirits) so it was a real treat. There are so many fun things to look at and I could have spent time in every booth. Unfortunately, I had Tucker in toe and he had seen all the crafts he wanted to see in 30 minutes to last him a life time. Another splendid surprise that day was that we got to visit the Slagle cabin in Midway. What a beautiful view from the balcony, I have an appreciation for family properties and the great memories that they hold for each member.

Saturday was the big day. To prepare and relax mom Cannon and I went for early morning facials. I continued to be relaxed until I saw the kick off to Griff's Rugby match. One word to describe Rugby, which is a sport that I have never witnessed before, is INTENSE. For the first half I had Steph grasping my arm tightly while gasping for air everytime the ball or other burly players came near her youngest son on the field. Luckily, a visit from the entire Boseman crew (except Tenille) distracted mom from the treacherous game called Rugby. It was so fun to see everyone and to meet Peter's family, and Amy's and Chad's new babies. In the end of the second half Griff got a lovely war wound on his eyebrow and cheek (I'm happy that was the only injury that he sustained in the brutality I was watching on field). I don't want to brag but my littlest brother (in-law) isn't so little anymore, he was the team captain for the game, was faster and more strategic than any of his team mates and obviously has a knack for tackling. Go UVU Rugby!

There are always fun times in SLC with whatever adventure we embark on. For this trip some other highlights were:

-sitting on grandma and grandpa Slages patio looking at the Wasatch mountains

-feeling a cool breeze at night (definitely don't get that in a LA summer)

-Salty Peaks (is spending an hour in the place and only coming out with a Salty Peaks t-shirt normal?)

-Sunday dinner at Shauna's (the sweetheart made a separate chicken plate for me)

-hanging out with grandma Slagle (another sweetheart, which is a term she uses often)

-driving up Mill Creek (it looks so different than it does in the winter)

-fishing (well, Tuck did the fishing and I did the supervising)

-spending time with mom Cannon

-visiting with grandpa Cannon and grandma Wanda

They're Engaged!

Should I have added 'finally' to that title?

This event couldn't have happened soon enough.

Erin and Michael are engaged!

Feel like jumping for joy? Me too!

Sometime in the near future we will add another great to the Cannon clan. Michael is such an outstanding, intelligent, and caring person. We couldn't be any luckier to have him as part of our growing family. Erin found a guy who loves her so deeply that he'd do anything for her, it's so fairytale like. These two are a couple that I could say are truly meant to be together forever and beyond. Congratulations! We can't wait to witness the marriage!