August 2015 in Kensington MD / Washington DC Temple Mission

Happy August!

We are so blessed to be the Lord's hands in the Washington D.C. Temple.  

Happy Birthday, Brad!

He came to visit for a couple of days so he and Andy could enjoy some of the D.C. sites and monuments.  Also, so that we could celebrate his birthday.

He asked his dad to make him a sour dough spice cake.  The frosting got a little hard.  Hence, the positioning of Brad's hands.  :)

 Brad drove our car downtown so we could see the monuments at night.  These were the monuments that he wanted to see.  We loved it.  It was a beautiful night and it was so fun to have someone drive who knew where he was going - and the best places to park!  We had such a wonderful time.

 Jefferson Memorial - so majestic!  It seemed to me that we were walking on holy ground.  Our forefathers were truly inspired men of God.

 Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial

Washington Memorial across the Potomac River

George Mason Memorial

Do you know who this is?  I had to have Brad tell me what an influential man he was.

He was an American Patriot, statesman and a delegate from Virginia to the U.S. Constitutional Convention.  Along with James Madison, he too is called the "Father of the United States Bill of Rights."  For these reasons he is considered one of the "Founding Fathers" of the United States.  Who knew?

The next day we went back downtown to see some more of D.C.

I just thought this was a beautiful sculpture at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.

Dorothy's Ruby Slippers in the National Museum of American History

The Sunstone

The flawless, 45.52-carat, deep blue Hope Diamond - I thought it would be bigger!

It is surrounded by 16 white diamonds and suspended from a platinum chain with 46 more diamonds!

We were absolutely starving and had the "best ever" hot dog from a street vendor.  You know how it is when you are starving.

Brad humored me by going with me to the butterfly exhibit.  So fun.

This large "hitchhiker" wanted to leave with me.

The boys are resting while I am in the gift shop.

So cute!

More Cuteness!

My good friend, Kristi Kelly, came to visit from Oregon.  We had a fun dinner at one of the missionaries' favorite restaurants:  The Market Deli, lovingly referred to as the "Pickle Deli" because they have a pickle bar.

Beautiful view.

This cute couple posed in front of that beautiful view.

Modjeskis - some of my very favorite people!

Another one of my favorite people.

Eating hot dogs the way Gramma fixes 'em.

A cute and familiar sight around our apartments.

We visited Ft. McHenry on a beautiful summer day.

Changing of the Guard.

Ft. McHenry is one of Michael's favorites.

Is there a likeness?

Our friends, Marilyn and Barry Bruggeman, from Idaho Falls enjoyed this day with us.

After several hours at Ft. McHenry, we were directed to J.P. Steamers for dinner.  We thought it looked a little sketchy but decided to go in since two different people had recommended it.  And it was awesome!  We can hardly wait to go back.

Barry was intrigued by Michael's crab legs.

He made the mistake of letting me have a bite,  and I REALLY liked them!

Leaving Boston, we saw the Global Headquarters of Under Armour.  Thought of the Modjeskis.

A girls' outing to Tysons Corner (a very large shopping mall).

This is my friend, Pam.  We are at The Shake Shack - yummy hamburgers and milk shakes.

More friends - Kris Wasson and Marilyn Bruggeman.

Leaving our little town of Kensington on the train - on our way to Ronald Reagon Airport to go to Utah for Michael's brother Paul's funeral.  :(

At Ronald Reagon Airport

It's a good thing, I didn't travel alone.  There is no way I could have gotten my cosmetics and liquids into ONE quart-size baggie!

So Happy to see these little munchkins - Henry & Eloise.

Eloise is DEEP in thought.

One of my favorite things to do -- spend time with grandchildren.
We are crocheting together.  I love this picture.

Shopping with Amy, Henry & Eloise.

Going to lunch.
Aren't they cute?


Another one of my favorite things to do -- read to grandchildren.


Cute Daddy Jeffrey with his two adorable children.


Our cute Brittany came to visit, too.  What a sweet girl.


Grampa showing Henry where we live on our mission.


Picking yummy tomatoes for dinner.

What a blessing to be able to attend the temple with Hayden.

The two Jackie Cannons!

Michael, Jackie, Trish & Joel

Jackie and (amazing) Heather
We were kind of dressed alike.

Dee (son #1), Val (son #7) & Barr (son #3)

Flowers from the siblings

Anne & her husband

Darling little Abbey Jane

Kim & Hayden

Hayden & Gramma Jackie

Dee, Michael, Bar, Colleen, Kim, Joel, Doralee & Val

Paul's siblings and spouses.  We love you, Heather.

Cannon cousins

John, Christy & Jeffrey

Hangin' out with Gramma in the church foyer

Abbey & Eloise showing one of Barr's shells from New Zealand.

John and his mode of transportation

Ready to go play with Grampa and Gramma.

Abbey wanted to go to the pet store.  She had a fun time playing with the kitties.

Brighton ski area where our nephew, Scott Sizemore, was married/

Nancy & Barr at the wedding

Pat & Dee at the wedding

And, Oh, Yes, Michael & Jackie at the wedding.  It was a beautiful setting.

Eloise looking on while Henry does his homework.

Henry & his pre-school teacher

Making Sculpey (clay) pens with Gramma.  Eloise liked making the 'snakes.'

Henry didn't love it as much as Eloise.  But he was a good sport.

Eloise showing Gramma a toy that was her daddy's when he was a little boy.  Michael had brought it back from Germany.

Posing for Gramma

Night time church video

Both sets of grandparents went to hear Brittany give a talk in sacrament meeting at her young adult ward.

We were able to spend some quality time with our good friends, Ron & Bev Hyde.  I think I startled her when I took this picture.  We had a lovely lunch and visit together.

Jeffrey & his proud dad, standing outside of Jeffrey's office.

Another fun outing with these cuties

We spent a fascinating afternoon at the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers museum.  Jeffrey suggested that we go - and it was fabulous.

I'm pretty sure there are Mendenhalls on the Morrison side.  So these people must be related to me.  I thought this was a pretty cool picture.

This is the wagon that Brigham Young was riding in when the Saints came into the Salt Lake Valley.

Pretty fancy fire truck

Two amazing rooms of children's toys, etc.
Spending time in this museum was a wonderful adventure.

John does not appear to be taking this brotherly conversation nearly as seriously as Jeffrey.

Sisters having fun in the backyard

Abbey showing Gramma how she can ride a two-wheel bike

Fun slumber party at Jeffrey & Amy's.
Dear, sweet Vikki came to see us and brought Parker, Cooper & Paxton.  We had a wonderful time together.  It was soo good to see them.


We went out for Mexican food one night, and Grampa shared one of his HOT peppers with Parker! 

Parker drank the water and soda of everyone around him and then the restaurant brought him a glass of milk!  I guess it was pretty hot!  I don't think those peppers are really meant to be eaten!

Vikki bought a spirograph kind of game.  We had a really fun time playing with it, making great designs.  Eloise was fascinated by it.


And her 'work' was incredible!


I was so impressed with her coloring skills!  She was fascinating to watch.

Paxton really did have a good time, too.  Although, he DOES look a little distressed in this picture.

And, of course, Cooper had a blast.

One afternoon we went to Sugarhouse to a restaurant that Jeffrey & Amy wanted to share with us.

The wonders of being four!

And here we are.  So cute.

Eloise playing with Gramma's jewelry

Shopping at Costco

Hangin' out with Gramma in Jeffrey & Amy's basement

Go.  Go.  Go.  Another night we went out for ice cream.  It's always a party when Vikki is around.  Just look at those cute kids.

Funny boys at 7-11 market

Aren't these cute brothers?  We are shopping at the Factory Stores in Park City.

Another night out for ice cream.  This was ordered by someone else in the restaurant; but I just had to have a picture of it.  It was huge!

Who gets the Love-Sac?

Eloise & Grampa playing a game on Grampa's Kindle.

Jeffrey & Henry walking home from church.  What an adorable picture!

The two book-end brothers

We are so proud of this young man.

Sisters-in-law having a good laugh together.  I love this picture!

This picture makes me smile.

Abbey enjoying her ice cream in a bowl with a straw

While we were at John and Kim's it started to rain -- REALLY rain!
And the kids thought it was so fun to dance in it.

Very wet cousins

Beautiful rainbow after the storm

Hallie & Parker put together this round puzzle.  They had a good time.  It is so wonderful to spend time with cousins, making memories.

Eloise's fancy hat

Fun flip flops from the nail salon

Playing at the playground close to Jeffrey & Amy's house

What is it about water and boys?

I love the Utah mountains.

Met Jeffrey one day for lunch at the ZCMI Center Mall.

Selfie time with Gramma.

Henry reading his new book that came with his lunch.


Mother-daughter giggle time

Cooper & Paxton were so patient while Vikki and I checked out the new Alex & Ani store.

Vikki bought my first piece of jewelry that said 'Mom' on it.  I was thrilled!
And I bought her one that said 'Daughter'.

Waiting patiently (again) to get into the swim park

Reading books in a Modjeski sleeping bag

Henry sharing a milkshake with Gramma

Their straws came with mustaches

Family Home Evening

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  3 John 1:4

Can you do this?!

The moon (from the airplane window) as we return to our mission life in Washington D.C.

This has been a roller-coaster month with the death of Michael's 63-year old brother after a five-year battle with cancer; the funeral, where we were able to re-unite with many family members;  the wedding of a nephew; the mission farewell of our oldest grandson and being able to attend a temple session with him; hearing our oldest granddaughter speak in sacrament meeting in her young adult ward; seeing both John and Jeffrey participate in 5th Sunday lessons; being able to visit (precious time) with John and Jeffrey and their families; more precious visiting time with Vikki and three of her boys (she drove from Oregon to Utah); and seeing a grandson give his first talk in Primary.

Plus all of the activities here in Washington D.C. as we participate with the Rock Creek Ward, our apartment building and other friends.  And, of course, serving in the temple five days a week.

We are so blessed to be able to serve in the temple, serving the patrons of this area.  What a joy it is to administer the saving ordinances in our Father's house.

We love you all!

Remember who you are!

Lots of Love and Hugs from,

Elder and Sister Cannon in Washington, D.C.