Elder and Sister Cannon in Washington, DC

Happy March!

It is so wonderful that when we truly look for the good, we can always find it.

Yes, snow in March!

I have to admit, it can be pretty.

Amy Chandler - enjoying homemade caramel corn with melted chocolate

drizzled over it - while we play games.

Jefferson and Amy were even able to get Michael to play.

We have so much fun when they come to visit.

Spring may be coming?

We keep hoping.

Celebrating 150 years of Relief Society. I was in charge of the program and was able to get some wonderful material to use from Jeffrey who pointed me toward the soon-to-be released book on the first 150 years of RS.

Butterflies are one of my favorite things. I learned to crochet one, thanks to Brenda Lovell. And we used them to decorate.

Thank you, Elder Wirthlin.

Decorations for the food table.

The decorating turned out beautifully.

And the food was very good.

This was my wonderful committee.

My sweet Visiting Teaching Companion, Helen Hanson.

The Hail and Farewell for the Hollingshauses and the Workmans. Oh, how these people will be missed.

It is always wonderful to share time outside the temple with our temple (mission) president and his sweet, sweet companion - President and Sister Colton.

I'm excited to have Max help me consume my mini peppers. And chop them for salads.

It is nice to take a few hours and shop at the mall. These two sisters, Stephanie Payne and Virginia Coleman, bring such fun and laughter into my life.

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A day-trip to Antietam National Battlefield and Haper's Ferry

Michael always likes to examine the cannons.

Harpers Ferry - downtown (which is two blocks long)

John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, was an effort by this white abolitionist to initiate an armed slave revolt in 1859 by taking over this US arsenal.

Michael, with our friends, Evan and Pam Lewis - who went with us.

Harpers Ferry - a very quaint little town

Muskets were made in Harpers Ferry where the North had an arsenal and where the South was able to acquire supplies: food, ammunition, clothing and bedding from the undefendable position of Harpers Ferry.

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Virginia Coleman and I having fun trying on hats.

Lewises and Cannons on Easter Sunday at the Visitors' Center. We attended a beautiful Easter program.

Cherry blossom time in the Washington DC area.

Beautiful neighborhood with cherry blossoms.

...in our own back yard.

Picture from Idaho

The outcome of Sandie trying to protect a sleeping Mason as she got her foot tangled in the seat belt and fell out of the car with him in her arms. OUCH!

Picture from Daybreak, Utah

Henry and Eloise, enjoying a beautiful spring-like day.

Pictures from Happy Valley, Oregon

Clever hat for Dr.Seuss Day.
Good job, Vikki.

Beautiful Vikki

Sentiments from Vikki - I'm pretty sure I must agree!

The Modjeskis traveling in style to Arizona.

Cooper and Paxton are ready for St. Patrick's Day.

Thanks to an amazing book named The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, I think I may be able to 'clean out' a little more when we return home. Vikki introduced me to this book when she came to visit us.

Pictures from West Linn, Oregon

Who loves Max?

West Linn Debs and Guys.
I'm very excited to watch Allyson perform this next school year - and sorry I didn't get to see Jay perform

Picture from Ohio Cincinnati Mission

We are so proud of our missionary, (Hayden) Elder Cannon.

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It is such a beautiful experience to serve five days a week in this amazing edifice.

We are so happy to be here. We are blessed.
We are very thankful for the support of loving friends and family.

We love you all.
Remember who you are.
Lots of love and hugs from
Elder and Sister Cannon in Washington D.C.

Happy February!

We are so happy to be serving in the Washington, D.C. Temple as temple ordinance workers. How blessed we feel to know that the Lord has trusted us with this opportunity.

Waiting for our Pentagon tour to begin with Stephanie Gisseman, daughter of missionaries we have served with and loved in this mission.

An alter cloth that needed to be mended, laundered, pressed and returned to the temple. One of the assistants to the matron had asked me to do this. I am honored.

Happy Valentine's Day. One of the missionary sisters crocheted each of the sisters one of these darling little hearts. It was fun to see all of them on Sunday.

A day at the National Geographic Museum. Many beautiful wonders to see.

Just too cute, don't you think?

And maybe even cuter?

And even cuter still?

And not so cute; but I'm sure his mother thinks he is!

As we left the museum, Michael was able to say 'hello' to the Pope. (not really--but a very real-appearing cardboard figure)

We have seen many black squirrels in the downtown area.

Our good friends, the Bruggemans, from Idaho Falls.

A woman singing on the street corner. She had a lovely voice.

Beautiful architecture in the downtown D.C.area. We love walking around down here.

Beautiful roses on the temple grounds.

An amazing apple fritter from our favorite deli. However, not quite as good as the one Kim and I had at Macy's in December of 2014.

Fun times with our crazy friends and neighbors - the Paynes and the Lewises.

WHAT?! Not again!

However, off to work in spite of it.

Beautiful words from our beloved Elder Packer, an Apostle of the Lord.

On our way to Williamsburg, VA.

We stayed in this lovely resort with our friends, Rita and Jim Hollingshaus.

We went to the local ward and found some more missionary friends, Kandis and Chuck Thomas. They joined us for Sunday dinner.

We went to Jamestown - saw Pocahontas.

Michael - walking along the Susquehanna River.

Captain John Smith.

In September 1608, Smith was elected president of the colony and head of the council. He implemented common sense regulations for the colony such as, "… he that will not work shall not eat…." Under Smith's leadership the death toll dropped dramatically, the fort was repaired, crops planted, a well dug, trees cut into clapboards, and products such as pitch, tar, and soap ash were produced for shipment back to England.

Interesting.

A little history.

Geese - along the Susquehanna River.

It seems that everyone has heard of Pocahontas. She was very influential in our nation's history.

And, yet, she died at the age of 22!

I find their creative spelling to be fascinating.

On the way back from the museum, we were caught in a pretty good rain storm. Actually, I was glad I had a hood to put on my head! :) :)

Our friends, Rita and Jim Hollingshaus.

Such a 'gnarly' tree.

It was fun to share the road with the horses and the buggies.

This home was amazing! Those are swords hanging on the wall to the left.

Tiny bed.

An even tinier bed.

Someone saying 'hello' from a doorway.

Interesting hair cut!

Beautiful carriage!

Michael is always interested in the cannons.

This is where we had lunch.

Very good food.

And we were well entertained.

These two gentlemen were playing a card game.

This gentleman lost. And he was NOT happy. So he came to talk to us. Michael was able to get him to recite some poetry.

Multi-talented.

(However, this flute was annoying!)

Michael thoroughly enjoying the entertainment.

We attended a court session of a run-away slave (who had been captured). His owner had come to claim him.

This is the guard in front of the door where the prisoners were held, awaiting their trial.

I must say that this was very disturbing to me. People 'owning' other people. I truly do feel blessed to have been born in this day and age.

He was answering questions about the slaves and their owners.

We indulged in the most amazing cocoa I have ever tasted! It was just a tiny, tiny cup; and I was quite disappointed when I first saw the size of that cup. But when I tasted the cocoa, I knew I wouldn't need - or want - more. I had to put cream in mine three different times!

Michael was talking politics of the 'day'; and this 'customer' was horrified at the things he was saying. It was all in good fun, and quite entertaining.

This was our cute little tour guide through the house!

The architecture was fascinating.

Jim Hollingshaus, pushing his wife, Rita, back to the bus.

If you look closely, you will see a cardinal! I always get excited when I see a cardinal.

A very good reminder to us all.

Look who's here. We were so excited to see Vikki. And the first place we went was to the Shake Shack in Union Station.

She has such a way of making everything fun.

Using the selfie-stick at Union Station.

Aren't they just so cute? I love how she is looking at her Dad.

Vikki wanted to go to the Holocaust Museum.

Riding the subway is always an adventure.

Wheaton station has the longest single-span uninterrupted escalator in the Western Hemisphere. It has a length of 230 feet, with a vertical rise of 115 feet. It travels at a speed of 90 feet per minute and is set at an inclination of 30 degrees. The trip takes approximately 2 minutes and 45 seconds. (Are you impressed?)

Who doesn't love Chick-fil-A?

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Michael's Christmas present that arrived very late. I just knew it would arrive before Christmas while we were at Brad's house. Not! So Brad brought it with him when he came to see Vikki (and us).

Four Cannons on the metro.

Brad also came to visit; and we had so much fun.

We went to the Old Ebbitt Grill (downtown DC) for lunch. Yummy! It was fun to be with these two.

Established in 1856, it is the oldest dining saloon in Washington DC. It is across from the White House. We had fun here. The décor is amazing!

Even a fancy ladies' room.

Vikki wanted to go to the Eastern Market - so we did!

Brad was able to get us around on the metro without any problems.

Michael had a good time - or at least was a very good sport.

It was a beautiful day.

Then we drove to Alexandria - Brad is such a good chauffer. It's wonderful to have him drive us around, as he knows how to get us everywhere we want to go.

Very quaint and lovely little town.

Beautiful sunset on the way to George and Martha's.

Brad also drove us to see the monuments after dark. It was so much fun. And so very beautiful. You can see the Washington Monument across the Potomac river.

Another view of the Washington Monument.

This is the Jefferson Memorial.

Vikki has an amazing gift of making friends with everyone she meets - even Thomas Jefferson.

Another view of the Jefferson Memorial.

I have no words for this picture. Other than, "I love these people!"

Our little girl still loves cake for breakfast.

And, then sadly, Brad had to drive back to Blacksburg. :(

And then we had to take Vikki to the airport. And this part is also sad; but I guess all good things must come to an end.

We did have a wonderful time.

"See you the first part of July."

Pictures from Utah

Brittany and friends.

Picture from Blacksburg, VA

Gypsy sleeping on Brad's lap.

Picture from Happy Valley, OR

Molly - missing Gramma. :)

This is Paxton's last year of mini hoopers. Next year he'll play "real" basketball.

Mitchell had to have his ACL fixed. Luckily, his meniscus wasn't torn, just deformed from his last injury.

Paxton, reading the sportsmanship rules at his basketball game.

Cooper, using the drink coasters with funny faces on them.

I think he might have missed the point of a drink coaster.

Parker, and his unbelievable jump from the floor to the counter!

Pictures from West Linn, OR

Hurray for Jay!

Jay and his (proud) Grandpa Sorensen.

"Dance Mom" pin for Heidi's jacket.

Jay & Abbey Stout, Wayne and friends.

Pictures from Kuna, ID

Our cute nephews, Grant and Wyatt Bell.

Pictures from South Jordan, UT

Amy and Henry

Jeffrey and Eloise

Happy Birthday to Mom.

Eloise is learning to ride her bike - hang in there Dad.

Being a parent requires learning many new skills.

Just look at those beautiful smiles.

Henry, showing his kangaroo pouch he made in preschool along with the joey inside.

Henry is learning to fill out forms - a much-needed skill today.

Pictures from Cedar Hills, UT

John and family enjoying a fun afternoon at the Provo City Center Temple open house.

Elder Hayden Cannon - a very happy missionary!

Annie at the Science Fair. She went from the school level to the district level. She wanted to prove which bubble gum blows the best bubble.

So, which one is it, Annie?

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Elder Cannon and I have been called to be the Temple Baptistry Trainers. This is a new calling for the temple; and we will be 'blazing the trail.' This will be an extremely busy responsibility for us. We do love serving in the Baptistry and will enjoy this new challenge. It is wonderful to see the youth and the new converts as they come to do baptisms for the deceased. And many times they learn to recognize the feelings of the Holy Ghost. We have been blessed to feel that spirit many times as we have served not only in the Baptistry but throughout the temple as we have performed saving ordinances. It is such a blessing to be instruments in the Lord's hands.