The Cannon Family Blog

Full of Thanks!

2011-12-10T12:33:00.015-07:00

WOW! This Thanksgiving I have so much to be thankful for. I was taken off my liquid diet within about two weeks of Thanksgiving dinner so I could practice chewing. I think I may have gone through each Thanksgiving of my life and have never felt grateful for the ABILITY to CHEW! This year, that was different. I emailed this photo to my facial surgeon (who gave me the ability to chew and told me to practice up for turkey day) to hopefully show my appreciation to him! What a delicious dinner! It was nice not to have to put it in a blender ;)

I have more to be grateful for than this blog can hold, so just know that I am thankful for all of you readers of the blog that have been praying for me and sending some POSITIVITY my way. I think I wouldn't be healing as fast without your help!

This was R2D2 day! Rustin and I celebrated with our R2D2 beanies that were hand-crafted by my friend in San Diego for me. How amazing is she? And she's not even a Star Wars fan! That is love, right there. They are my favorite beanies. This was right before a very long awaited visit to some of my dearest friends at work that have been so supportive and amazing to me. It was fun to see them and I wore my Millennium Falcon t-shirt in honor of them. Sweet little Applets.

After my work visit we went to our favorite Jamba Juice! We thought it would be fun to take some cross-eyed pictures of ourselves. We do that to practice exercising my left eye but it was fun to have some assistance.

This is a picture of me with my favorite Christmas decoration of my Star Wars Lego Advent Calendar. I put the legos together every day! I was excited this day because I got the X-wing fighter and Luke Skywalker. I also have some exciting news, because I was a little sad that I wouldn't be able to enjoy Star Wars in 3D but Rustin and I tested my 3D vision on his brother's 3D TV and I was able to see the 3D CLEARLY! The depth is a little less but it is CLEAR. This is exciting for me because I am going to be able to go see the movie in the theaters with all my fellow nerds!

Rustin and I got our Christmas tree early this year. It's a BIG tree!

For my therapy I have been trying to get up the gusto to put lights on the tree. I finally had a night when I had the energy to do it! Luckily my sweet parents said they would come help me. My sweet dad helped me with the tree and my sweet mom helped me decorate the house (something she is a natural at).

Enjoying the fruits of our labors! Merry Christmas Everyone!

The Tooth Fairy!

2011-11-18T17:11:00.012-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I know people have been asking for updates on the blog. I am excited to actually be the one to update you all on the blog, since I owe lots of you a large part of my existence. I am so grateful for all the prayers, fastings, well-wishes and positive thoughts that have been coming my way and I owe a large part of my healing to all of YOU! I can't even say that I'm grateful because the way I feel about the love and support I have received is deeper than that. I wish there were words to express my gratitude and appreciation but "gratitude" and "appreciation" are all I can think of. I am overwhelmed by your love.

So let me give you a quick update on me. I'm doing quite well. Recovering from a brain injury can be time consuming and energy consuming. I can tell you all that my body is feeling pretty good. Most of the damage occurred on the left side of my body. It's healed really well. There are only two things that are interesting to me. I have a knee injury, which doesn't hurt, but it is just swollen and tight. It has been healing over time. I also have a compression fracture in my spine (and a couple in my neck) that acts up from time to time and causes a little pain. Other than that, it's smooth sailing for the rest of injuries that I sustained and they have all healed great!

The big part of the healing has to happen on my head. I have recovered very well according to my doctor's that have fixed the facial fractures and optics. I am so grateful for those doctors. Those are some seriously blessed hands. I learned I had quite a few fractures behind both eye sockets. I am lucky I am able to see out of my right eye. I have lost all vision in my left eye. The only real bummer about losing the vision in my left eye is that Star Wars is coming out in 3D and I will be unable to enjoy it in 3D because of the loss of vision in my left eye. Let me just say that I am extremely grateful for the vision in my right eye because I can still watch Star Wars in Blu-Ray and 7.1 surround sound in my jammies with some chocolate ice cream and my Spiderman blanket in absolute BLISS. Having perfect vision in my right eye is something I am terribly grateful for,

again. Star Wars in 3D is definitely ok for me to miss out on.

Another exciting piece of news is that I have had my front tooth repaired last week. It turns out I have quite a few cracks in the teeth along the top of my jaw, however the teeth are unlikely to be further damaged. Now I have attached a before and after picture, neither of which is terribly flattering, but you can see the difference.

I just love my dentist for the great job he did. It is very exciting to have my smile back!

Another exciting piece of news as of last Wednesday is that I am able to start eating soft foods in order to practice for Thanksgiving! I've been eating lots and lots of soups and Jamba Juices since I left the hospital. This has actually been awesome since so many people are so nice to make us soup! I am excited to actually be able to chew food at Thanksgiving dinner though. I am very excited about this.

Another challenge is my hearing in both ears has been funny, but mostly the left side. There is fluid in my ears and they said it will drain naturally in time. The good news is that it's working! The fluid is draining and my hearing is coming back better and better every week.

The other challenge, for me alone, is the mullet that I have. This is in part because my brain is becoming more and more self-aware and self-conscious day by day. I am so excited because my hair is growing so fast and all the scabs and scars on my head are healing and are starting to be covered by my sweet mullet.

Now, the biggest challenge is to recover from the brain injury. Like I said, this is challenging because my brain gets tired and overwhelmed much quicker than it used to. Some things are also mis-indexed and harder to find for me. That is normal for someone with a brain injury and I feel like I am making progress on recovering. This will just take time. Rustin is assigned as my 24-7 nurse. He is supposed to make sure I don't fall down and that I make good decisions. He has been so amazing through this. We work on about 4 hours of therapy per day by ourselves and then we have therapies to attend three times per week at TOSH Medical Center. My therapists are amazing and so helpful. They are making sure I'm progressing as much as possible in the time we have together. My brain definitely gets tired during the day so I need to rest it whenever it needs resting. We are also making sure I get all the right nutrients for my brain and body to continue healing.

Well, that is a much longer update than I intended for you all. I'm going to need a nap after this. But I am so grateful for all the love and kindness I have received from all of you and am so incredibly astounded at the difference you all made in my healing process. I love you and am so thankful for you all. I have been so blessed.

Scary Tales

2011-11-11T08:08:00.001-07:00

So, last week was Halloween. Delightedly, we were able to maintain our tradition of attending Witches Tea at Grand America. Mostly, we've kept it to the girls with Clark in attendance as a cat, our witches' familiar. (See dictionary definition of familiar - a demon supposedly attending and obeying a witch, often said to assume the form of an animal.) However, it has turned out to be enough fun that Rick and Rustin joined the troops.

We rejoiced that Nicole was with us again. It was a perfect menu for her because tea is the perfect thing for someone on a "no-chew" diet.

Nicole told us of what she and Rustin learned at their visit to the hospital. Immediately after her two brain surgeries, she had responded when the doctors asked her to lift two fingers and/or give a thumbs up. Then nothing - no response for several days. She described a point/counterpoint scenario that occurred. The medical team was meeting in one room of the ICU deciding how to tell us that they feared Nicole was brain dead. The family was meeting in another room deciding how to ask more people to pray for her recovery. Obviously, the prayers carried the day. I wonder if indeed, she left us for a while only to be brought back by the fervent prayers of those who love her so very deeply and those kind enough to pray for someone in need that they did not know well. I believe every prayer was heard and answered.

Last weekend was the Cowboy Poetry Festival in Heber City, Utah. My dear cousin, Anna, came from California to visit and attend the Festival. The night she arrived, we all met for dinner reunion with our California family at Trolley Square. Anna was incredulous that Nicole could come. Anna thought Nicole's recovery is miraculous. It truly is.

On Saturday Jeff, Rick and I braved the snowstorm and headed up to Heber to see the cowboys; and there were some dandy ones. Jeff, decked out in his Clint Eastwood hat, levis, cowboy boots and flannel shirt, was among them. We listened to the "Sons of the San Joaquin" perform and then headed over to Jenny's house for homemade soup. It was the perfect menu for a sunny snow-covered afternoon.

All of us went to the 3:00 pm comedy concert featuring Baxter Black, cowboy poet. Baxter pretty much had people rolling in the aisles. This veterinarian-turned poet knows all the ins and outs of a cow. The vendors on site at the festival sell the most fabulous, high-end cowboy gear I've ever seen; saddles, custom-made hats, cowboy boots, clothing, rocking horses, and fine art. I was captivated by a female artist's carved gourds. These beauties cost a few thousand dollars each but as you can see, they are works of art.

Early this week, I went with Nicole to a follow-up appointment with the plastic surgeon who reconstructed her face. She had previously met with the ocular surgeon who advised her to wear glasses for the rest of her life to protect her right eye. He said there is only a 1% chance she will regain vision in her left eye and if an accident happens, it always seems to endanger the vision in a person's good eye, not the damaged one. She has picked out a cute pair of glasses that will protect her right eye.

The plastic surgeon said she was doing remarkably well. Her facial bones have healed enough that she can now begin chewing soft foods - well-cooked vegetables or maybe even a French fry! He said that the bone damage around her right eye was almost identical to the damage around the left eye. She is incredibly lucky to have any vision at all. Yet, she is blessed with very good vision in her right eye. As I ponder what is and what could have been, I am moved with how obviously blessed we are. Blessed by skilled and caring doctors and undoubtedly, the hand of God.

Happy Again!

2011-11-02T09:53:00.003-06:00

The extended Cannon family has come together often the past two months, for occasions like fasting for Nicole after her horrible accident and for Kevin Hegewald's funeral. During those occasions, we came together with heavy hearts. One bleak day at the hospital with Nicole, I recall trying to buoy myself up. I engaged in some positive thinking. I told myself that time would pass. We would deal with whatever we had to deal with and in the future, we would share good times once again. We would continue to feel love for one another. Sometime in the future, we would feel happiness.

A couple of weeks ago, with the same idea as expressed in the song, "We Need a Little Christmas", I decided "We Need a Little Halloween"! So we put up an "Over the Rainbow" of balloons and donned our Wizard of Oz costumes for a "Wicked" Cannon Family Halloween party. Make-up artist, Kristen came to my house and gave me a deliciously green face to complete my Wicked Elphaba look. My heart melted (appropriately) when three darling little Dorothy's came with Toto's in baskets. Assorted witches, wizards, superheroes, aliens, ladybugs and others filled out the ranks.

Our official greeter to Oz was Amanda, as Glinda the Good. Those willing to eat brain or heart jello earned candy bar treats from Clark the Cowardly Lion for their courage. Kids proved their Scarecrow-like brains in Oz trivia. Tin Man Carole showed us all how to have a heart in a game of "Do You Love Your Neighbor?" Are my kids good sports or what? Maybe they're just used to me.

The thrill of the evening was having Nicole there with us. While waiting for her facial surgery to heal, she is on a no-chew diet, so it's soup every day. She even was able to swallow a tiny spoonful of brain jello. She was a gracious conversationalist; everyone wanted to talk to her. My positive thinking that dreary day at the hospital had come to pass. I felt love and happiness, together with family again.

P.S. After the party, I attempted to post pictures on my Mobile Me gallery and send the link to the family to see. Shortly after sending that email, I got a response from Nicole letting me know that I had done it wrong (as usual) and needed to send them a link she included so they could see the pictures. I re-sent the correct link but it made me question - whose brain is working and whose isn't? Maybe I need to eat some more of that jello.

Luck? Miracle? Answers to Prayer?

2011-10-28T22:40:00.002-06:00

Nicole and Rustin took treats to the hospital to thank personnel in the Intensive Care Unit and in Rehabilitation who had been especially memorable and helpful. Rustin had to introduce her to those in ICU since although she had regained consciousness before she left, she has no memory of being there or of her stay in the hospital much before her last week there.

One ICU nurse was our favorite. He was so expert in the care he gave Nicole and in the counsel and support he gave to us. Nicole got to meet him and he was so happy and amazed to see her and talk to her. The outcome of her situation was very much in doubt when she left the ICU. He told her that there had been 36 head injury patients in the ICU this past season. Of 36 only three have been able to walk out the hospital. She is one of the three. I remember the night he told us there was a possibility she would have to live in a long-term care facility for the rest of her life. That was about two days after the swelling in her brain went down enough they thought she would live. He mentioned how shocked everyone was when shortly after she regained consciousness, she decided to get up and go for a walk around ICU. They were trying to get all her lines and equipment ready to go with her but she was so speedy, this was a trick. The physical therapists had to come running to keep up with her.

After visiting with more hospital personnel, she came home and told us more details of her surgeries.

Nicole has nine plates in her reconstructed face.

There are 54 pins holding those plates in place.

Twelve pins are on either side of her skull, holding the skull in place after brain surgery.

Thirty pins in her face are holding the nine plates in place.

All the pins are made of titanium like her first mac computer. (Nicole's analogy, not mine.)

In college, Nicole and Carole worked at the U of U Medical Center machine shop - where those tiny titanium pins are manufactured. At that time they cost about $200 each. Hence, just the pins in Nicole's face & head cost about $10,800 several years ago. We're on "pins" and needles to find out what they cost today. Whatever the cost; they are so worth it. Nicole is still with us. She is doing so well. We feel so blessed to be with her.

Blessings

2011-10-19T08:11:00.000-06:00

Last weekend there were blessings aplenty for the Cannon family. Our third grandchild, a lovely little girl, was born to Scott and Mitzi on Friday September 2nd in Boise, Idaho - the day before Nicole's accident September 3rd. We found ourselves in the midst of great joy (at the baby's birth) counterpointed with great sorrow (at Nicole's horrific injuries). We experienced this whole gamut of emotion in one weekend.

Jeff and I had planned to go to Boise as soon as the baby came home from the Boise hospital. Instead, we stayed at the Salt Lake hospital with Nicole for the next thirty-nine days. By that time, my heart was aching to see not only our new little granddaughter, but her siblings, Corbin and Gabby, as well. Scott and Mitzi volunteered to come to Salt Lake with the three little ones in tow to see us and Nicole, and to do the baby blessing in our Ward.

Even though that Sunday was our Primary program, the Bishopric kindly gave permission to bless the baby that Sunday. Scott, surrounded by family and friends, took his tiny little girl in his arms and gave her the name, Piper Cannon. Then he gave her a beautiful blessing. I remember being impressed that the first thing he mentioned was that she would be blessed with a love of the scriptures. Two kind friends made notes of the blessing and brought them to us to keep.

At the conclusion of Piper's blessing, Jeff took the mike. He explained to our Ward congregation that this little granddaughter had been born the day before we very nearly lost Nicole, our own daughter. The morning after her accident had been fast Sunday, and we asked for prayers in behalf of Nicole. We knew that many people in that room had prayed for her and those prayers had been answered because Nicole was there today with us to see Piper blessed.

After the meeting, sweet Nicole was surrounded by caring neighbors and long-time friends so happy to see her. I watched as she met Dr. Van Boerum, her trauma doctor, for the first time. She recognized him from seeing his picture in the hospital and from what we had told her about our neighbor being there to care for her right after the two brain surgeries. She arose from her seat and reached out to hug him and thank him with a warm embrace. It was the first time she had met him and been conscious.

That afternoon was filled with family and friends and food and rejoicing at our home. I got to see my little grandchildren for four days in a row! When they arrived, I swept little Gabby up in my arms and she screamed bloody murder - as usual. However, I just whisked her away to see all the Halloween things at our house. She quit screaming and actually "liked" me and would come to me and say "Nana" the whole weekend. This is a big step forward for us. Before, she has only "liked" Jeff, her "papa". Corbin, as always, is the light of my life. He loved the giraffe Halloween costume I bought for him. He literally wore it every chance he got the whole time he was here. Nana was thrilled. He also taught me how to play video games. I have never played video games but Scott has taught Corbin a few and he, in turn, taught me. My little character would die or do the wrong thing and he would take my controller and say, "Let me help you, Nana."

He did help me. And so did his family. They came to us; they shared their new baby and joy with us. They encircled our family all together again with love and support. Nicole was there. Piper was there. Behold, our joy is full.

In Her Own Words - A Message from Nicole

2011-10-14T11:52:00.001-06:00

Thank you doesn't quite cover it. I feel like a miracle having been through two brain surgeries and that's just the beginning. All your thoughts, well-wishes, prayers, fasting, powers of the force, whatever have been so amazingly helpful. I'm so appreciative. Thank you more than "thank you" can come close to saying. I'm so incredibly grateful for all your help. I love all of you.

Homecoming - There's no place like home

2011-10-12T12:17:00.001-06:00

Nicole saying goodbye to Jami and Megan.

Coming home to Han Solo and the Force

There were some tender feelings yesterday; joy is so often mixed with sorrow. Joy at being able to come home; sorrow at leaving those who have taken such kind, attentive care of her. Nicole got a full day of final therapy sessions - complete with instructions on how to carry on by herself and with the new therapists she will meet as in outpatient rehabilitation. She has come to love her speech therapist, especially and has very warm feelings for her physical therapists and occupational therapists as well. Change is always challenging; especially when you have only recently had to acknowledge that you have awakened from a terrible accident which has left you with brain injury, visual and hearing deficients and all of September pretty much passed you by. Now you have huge issues to deal with.

Speaking of those issues, through physical therapy we discovered that Nicole also has a hairline fracture in her left fibula. With everything else so traumatized, we hadn't noticed until she started jumping and hopping on that leg in physical therapy. The MRI showed the tiny fracture. I was also told that she had nine - yes, nine - plates put into her face during the facial reconstruction - a complete makeover I'd say. The doctors did a remarkable job. She will be on a special diet for a month and a half (until the week before Thanksgiving). She cannot eat anything except soft, pureed foods. No chewing will give her totally new upper jaw full of new plates and broken bones time to heal. So she will be chew- free for a while yet.

We left the hospital toting four boxes and two carts full of memorabilia that is becoming more and more precious to her as she realizes how kind and concerned people have been during her recovery. When we got to her home, her siblings had left a surprise for her. The Star Wars poster was hanging along her kitchen wall. Han Solo, the coolest guy in the galaxy, was there to greet her and more beautiful autumn flowers. She has seen the poster before but really hasn't had the time or energy to take it all in. I watched as she touched it and read many of the greetings. Tears came to her eyes.

Since September 3rd, 2011 a lot has happened. Nicole is just beginning to take it all in. At the hospital she is considered a miracle patient. Her recovery has been rapid beyond what we could expect or hope. She is a success story - We have prayer her back to us. Our prayers have been answered. A new beginning is before us.

Rustin Update for October 10th

2011-10-10T10:12:00.001-06:00

Another milestone was reached yesterday. The feeding tube has been removed. Yeah!!! She is so happy She is enjoying being able to lay on both sides of her face comfortably now. Hopefully we will have more good news today. Stay tuned . . .

We just passed the swallowing thin liquids test! We passed. We passed! We passed ! ! We passed ! ! !
And right now she in in heaven enjoying a big glass of water. Thank you so much everyone for your prayers.

Miracles Come in Baby Steps

2011-10-09T15:22:00.001-06:00

Sunday is a time to pause and reflect upon the past week. It has been a week of daily rejoicing. Each day Nicole's condition has improved. Each day there have been tiny bits of good news regarding her recovery. I've wanted to spent every possible moment at the hospital so I won't miss the latest gain she has made. Each day I feel like "our" Nicole is closer and closer to being with us again.

I was with her during some cognitive testing last week. Afterwards, the tester commented that she had gone from a score of 10 initially, to 16, to 27. He was impressed at her progress over just a few days. Several times I have watched her in a therapy session when asked to do something challenging, Nicole will pause and exclaim, "Oh, mercy!" or "Mercy child!" Then she does whatever they ask her to do. I chuckled as I observed an occupational therapy session this week. The therapist told Nicole he was taking his family to Universal Studios in Orlando to see Harry potter land and he wanted her to help him find the best deal on airline tickets on the computer. He sort of pushed the computer at her. "You want me to show you how to find the best deal?" she questioned and placed the computer back in front of him, saying she would be happy to show him how to do it. He didn't realize that for a few years now Nicole has been teaching people how to do anything and everything with a computer. He reiterated that he wanted HER to do it. So she did quickly and efficiently. She even took him to some speciality Harry potter websites, like mugglenet.com to look for special deals in Harry potter land. She passed that therapy session with flying colors - red and gold for Gryffindor.

She has been able to leave the hospital for a few hours each day this week. She tires easily but her endurance and energy improve daily. Monday she went for a short drive. Tuesday she ate her hospital tray food with us out on our deck. Wednesday she had an outing with a therapist; they went to Walmart and had her find all the ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies. Thursday she made the cookies at the hospital rehab kitchen. Friday she came to our house to eat dinner with a few of her former roommates (the Gapa girls) in celebration of Liz's birthday. They all brought their own food and Nicole had her hospital tray. She was able to eat enough food that day so she could sleep without having her feeding tube hooked up to the noisy machine that rattles and hums all night long! In fact, both she and Rustin slept till 8AM the next morning - first time since she came out of a coma that she slept through the night! Saturday she came to have brunch at Coachman's with Aunt Anita and Uncle Bob who are here visiting from St. Louis. The rest of us had food. Nicole just had a glass of water. This was the first time she could have water through a straw instead of on a teaspoon. I sat next to her and watched her repeatedly take a small sip and then concentrate on swallowing it. She did this over and over. They re-filled her glass four times. She said that to her water is the drink of the Gods! It tasted so wonderful. She gave us her assessment of her condition. She was surprised to find out that in addition to everything else, she had three broken ribs. Yes, she did. On top of everything else, they seemed less important and we are hoping that almost a month in a hospital bed has allowed them to heal. She said she feels that her brain function and capabilities are coming back to her. Her major deficit is the vision in her left eye. She told us she can see very well out of the right eye, but she can hardly see anything out of the left. She says the hearing in her left ear is diminished also. Don't overlook that despite the fact there is still some damage, she is communicating with us and she is aware of us. Those are blessings we did not enjoy a short time ago..

A week ago she was speaking in a high-pitched, breathy whisper. Each day her voice has gotten a little stronger and the pitch and cadence of her speech more Nicole-sounding.

I look back on the last 5-6 weeks and recognize that the hardest thing I have dealt with is my fear. First my feat the Nicole would not come out of a coma. Then my fear that the 8 hours of anesthesia necessary for her facial reconstruction surgery had caused permanent brain damage. It set her cognition back so far. In each instance, just as I was on the brink of despair, she improved. My fears were eventually dispelled. At some point, I felt the comforter's assurance that Nicole would recover and with that assurance came peace. There is no place for fear when peace comes. Now I am watching the miracles come; they are coming in baby steps, but they are coming.

There is now talk about releasing her from the hospital - maybe on Tuesday. If she is able to consume a sufficient number of calories over the next few days, they will consider removing the feeding tube that was sewn into her nose and down her throat during the facial reconstruction surgery. That would be wonderful. Another adventure awaits - bringing her home.

Rustin Update for October 8th

2011-10-08T12:50:00.001-06:00

We found out that Nicole hit her calorie count yesterday. Yaahoo!

Nicole just sneezed for the first time since her accident. It tripped her out. It was way funny.

Love is all around us!

2011-10-08T09:03:00.002-06:00

Amanda's best friend wore this bib and passed out several at the St. George Marathon

An original R2D2 beanie

Talking Yoda

We received dinner for a primary class activity day.

Tuesday Rustin and I were sitting with Nicole in her occupational therapy session. Suddenly my former speech pathologist's ears perked up; there was some "voice" in her voice. She was using her voice box! I nudged Rustin. He heard it too! There was great rejoicing in the land - Rehabilitation floor 12.

Then came Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Each day her voice has come back for a little longer and gotten a little stronger. She is beginning to sound like "Nicole" again. Along with improved voice has come improved ability to swallow. Until this, I never imagined how wonderful it is to be able to swallow. And as we have been receiving this blessing; love and support from dear ones continues.

Amanda's friend ran the St. George marathon the first weekend in October. She dedicated her run to Nicole and made about 20 bibs for herself and other runners. In keeping with Nicole's love for Star Wars, her bib invited others to "Join the Force" "Running for prayers for Nicole." That was last Saturday. On Tuesday Nicole's voice started to come back.

Nicole and Rustin came to our home for dinner Wednesday evening. She brought her hospital tray with pureed lasagna - bleegh. I gave her a cube-shaped box to open that had come in the mail for her. Her friend in San Diego had fashioned an R2-D2 beanie to cover her little scared head. She can wear it while conversing with the talking Yoda brought by another friend.

Meanwhile, our dinner was furnished by our Ward's primary Activity Day leaders and their girls. They were learning what the Relief Society does to help people when they are in need. FYI - the lasagna they brought for us was WAY better than Nicole's.

Rustin Update for October 5th

2011-10-05T10:22:00.001-06:00

Something very exciting happened yesterday. About 1 pm Nicole started getting her voice back. Everyone was really excited; word spread and therapists ran over to hear and see. Nicole is also getting closer to having her feeding tube removed. We are about 500 more calories per day away. Sooooo close. Nicole is working so hard at this. It is difficult because of her limited eating options. We should pray for her appetite. Thank you for all the prayers and visits.

Coincidence - Again

2011-10-03T22:35:00.001-06:00

Monday evening Nicole got a pass to leave the hospital - officially sanctioned this time. Rustin fixed her an ultra-comfortable pillow-padded seat in his Land Cruiser. They picked up Jeff and me at our house and we rode just around the block down by the Cottonwood Creek. We got out amid a flurry of yellow leaves. My nose filled with my favorite smell - autumn.

We walked over and looked at the now-dimished water in the creek. Rustin gave Nicole a big hug and they re-told the story to us of how this was the place where he asked her to marry him. That very evening, they came back to our home and shared the news with us that lovely day in May.

Next Nicole wanted to drive a short way over by Granny and Grandad's home. Their lovely homestead was the scene of all the best family parties as Nicole grew up. The home was sold after Jeff's parents passed away but luckily the new owners have retained its charm.

We drove past and remembered all the good times there and continued down the lane. We passed some people who were out walking the other direction. We crossed the bridge and drove along the canal. There had been great adventures and explorations in this neighborhood throughout Nicole's childhood.

We turned around and began back down the lane. As we neared Granny and Grandad's we saw the walkers again. This time they flagged us down. Now we recognized them. Here were our sweet Aunt Kath's neices and nephew from her husband's side of the family. Her neice's husband is one of the two the plastic surgeons who did the facial reconstruction surgery on Nicole. The good doctor came immediately around the car to her window and introduced himself, "I'm the doctor who did the surgery on your face. How does this feel? And this?" He had been to see her before but she really hadn't been able to communicate. Happy day! Now she could talk to him.

Nicole hasn't remember much since the accident until the last day or two. Meeting this handsome, concerned and kind physician who has played such a major part in her healing was a revelation to her. Nicole has known his wife over the years, who was there with him and loves her. His wife was telling their little girl about Nicole. "This is Nicole. All the bones in her face were broken and Daddy fixed them. That's what Daddy does when he goes to work. Remember Nicole? We've been praying for her and here she is!"

Here she is! She is alive. She is not disfigured. She has been blessed by the skill and prayers of her surgeon and his family. He is the first person she met the first time she left the hospital. Coincidence?

Kevin's Second Farewell

2011-10-02T22:09:00.002-06:00

Friday we attended the Utah memorial service for our beautiful neice, Abby's husband, Kevin. A previous funeral service had been held for him in California. Two weeks before his passing, this wonderful emergency room doctor stricken with cancer for eight years, wrote his thoughts about his ultimate trial and the purpose of trials in life. The final weeks of his life have paralleled Nicole's tragic accident, coma, intensive care, surgeries and the beginning of her healing process. Two lives have hung in the balance during September 2011.

I have paraphrased one of his most poignant thoughts in his final essay of wisdom beyond his years:
"Maybe we were able to choose the challenges that would bless our own lives and the lives of those around us. When it comes to adversity and pain and suffering, it is not just about that person who is experiencing it. Rather, like a pebble dropped in a pool creating ripples which impact wherever the water touches, so too can those who suffer adversity impact those around them.

This touched me deeply as I pondered the many, many people who have kept Nicole and our family in their prayers. I feel so humbly grateful for the continued strength we receive from those who have stepped up to carry this trial with us. Our hearts, and minds, and spirits have been lightened by all who have been touched by the ripples of Nicole's experience and have remembered us in their prayers."

Kevin, age 43, leaves behind his wife, Abby, and their four children between the ages of 16 and 7.

Breakfast with Nicole

2011-10-02T21:00:00.032-06:00

Rustin's brother came with two of his cute little ones.

Nicole loves bandanas; so Rustin's Mom and sister made her a whole array of bandana's to wear; especially while her hair is growing back.

Rustin is already borrowing Nicole's bandanas

Friday evening a text invitation came from Rustin. Nicole's therapy team recommended that having breakfast with some family members would be helpful to Nicole as she works on getting her swallow back. So her parents and siblings were invited to the hospital recreation room for Saturday morning mush. The deal was just like a lyric from the Music Man, "You can have your fill of all the food you bring yourself".

We brought oatmeal with brown sugar, fresh pineapple, orange juice and cinnamon toast (Thanks Jill).
Nicole had cream of wheat, nectar, and a tiny yellow blob of something I think was supposed to be scrambled egg. Swallowing is a major effort and a slow process right now; she was just getting started when the physical therapist showed up and took her away for a 30 minute session. After a stint on the treadmill, she was back facing cold cream of wheat and dried out egg blob. Not surprisingly, she wasn't too hungry and the nurse came in and took copious notes on exactly how much and what she had eaten.

In order to remove the feeding tube, she must be able to eat enough food to sustain herself. I think if they put her on the all "dark chocolate" diet; this would not be a problem.

Sunday evening, Rustin and Carole broke Nicole out of "the joint". They brought her home with her hospital tray to eat Sunday dinner with her family. This time she had a tiny square of meat loaf, pureed carrots molded into a carrot-like shape and mashed potatoes with what she called an "interesting" sauce. As a special treat, she got three bites of Jeff's homemade each ice cream for dessert. I can tell you that her presence has been missed this last month. We were so happy to have her with us for even a short time.

We took advantage of her being home and awake to show her (again now she is conscious) the Millennium Falcon that the Apple Store employees made for her out of legos. She was so thrilled; she said she wanted to stay and play with it. We showed her the giant "Star Wars" poster with all the signatures and she was so touched. As time goes on, she will realize ever-more how many tender kindnesses have been rendered in her behalf.

Rustin Update for October 1st

2011-10-01T14:17:00.007-06:00

Yesterday was another big step in the right direction. She sat down with the speech therapist and ate some food. Yes! ! ! Finally ! ! ! Soft non-chewing food, but food nonetheless. This is the first step in getting rid of that feeding tube. Her swallow was long and labored. After just a few bites, she is exhausted. She is still looking better and better everyday.
Thank you for all of the visits. They are so helpful. 7:30pm does seem to be the sweet spot lately since you should be able to join her for a walk outside, which is the best ever.
please add to your prayers a request to have her ability to swallow improve. Thank you so much! Keep on praying for a full recovery.

Coming Back Amid Laughter and Tears

2011-09-30T22:26:00.001-06:00

Thursday Nicole asked Jeff is anyone else was hurt in the car accident. He told her, "No, YOU were hurt in a motorscooter accident."

Friday Carole laid down next to her and at Nicole's request, told her what had happened. Nicole talked to us a lot this day. Her voice is high-pitched, soft and breathy but she was using it to interact with us more than she has since the accident. Nicole remembered that she, Carole and Rustin had gone to dinner at the DoDo Restaurant in Sugarhouse for dinner. Then to Red Mango where she remembered getting coconut yogurt for dessert. She even remember riding past Dr. Van Slooten's chiropractic office but nothing after that. After that was the accident. We have been told that she probably will not remember it. I think this is a blessing. She also told Carole that during her therapy session when they told her that it was September 27th and 28th, she thought they were pulling her leg. How could it be the end of September? September had just barely begun for her.

I was with her Friday afternoon and evening. She was becoming more and more aware of herself and what had happened to her. Most of her head was shaved for the two brain surgeries. Her face has been totally rebuilt in another surgery. At Rustin's request, they left some long hair at the very back of her head. So Nicole has been sporting a "mullet". The icky part of this is that she hasn't been able to wash her hair. During the coma and being in bed for 4 weeks, she developed a dredlock in the back of her remaining hair. Jeff called it her "dreadful lock". When she finally became aware of it on Friday she made us cut it out. Then she was able to shower and wash her hair. Clean hair feels so good.

After showering she flopped back into her hospital bed and announced in her tiny voice, "My armpits are all hairy and gross." So for those of you who were wondering, yes, armpit hairs grow even while you are in a coma. Straight away Rustin and Carole went to work on her. Carole shaved her legs with this tiny little safety razor. Rustin was drying between her toes - and Nicole laughed! It tickled! It was actually a high-pitched giggle but it was wonderful to hear. We used the lovely lotions and treatments that dear ones have brought to her. She told us she felt like she was at the spa.

Earlier that afternoon, two of her lifelong best friends came to visit. They were delighted to find her awake and their love and enthusiasm for her healing filled the room. Graciously their visit was not overly long. Shortly after they left, I looked at Nicole. I saw quiet tears coming down her face. I imagine that she is coming to a realization of what happened and that she is now feeling the outpouring of profound love coming to her from so many she loves. Acknowledging all this within just a few hours was a lot to absorb.

The highlight of the day for me was hearing Nicole tell about Rustin. For those who aren't aware, this sweet man has not left Nicole's side for any length of time since the accident. Since she came out of the coma, he has slept in her hospital room every night. He has done everything for her; including most of her nursing care. He has carefully monitored her pain medication to make sure she hasn't suffered unnecessarily. Carole told me that if she ever has to be in the hospital; she wants Rustin to come and take care of her. Nicole's physical therapist told me that she had seen devoted husbands before, but nothing can match Rustin. He has been ever-caring, ever-tender, ever-present.

Nicole is just beginning to recognize this. She told me, "Everybody at this hospital thinks Rustin is wonderful. They think he is Han Solo, the coolest guy in the galaxy. They think he's like Luke Skywalker, who uses the Force." Her comments are very pre-accident and now post-accident Nicole.

Rustin's is not the only hero. Since her accident, someone in the family has been there with her 24/7. I must mention her brother, Clark, who took nighttime duty every night to be with her while she was in ICU for two weeks. Some of these nights she was peaceful; many she was not. And her sisters, Carole and Amanda, who sometimes came to be with Clark and have often gone to do nighttime duty since she left ICU with Rustin.

Rustin's family has also been stellar. His Mom & her husband come almost every evening. Many times I find his sister and brother there. I know his Dad has come from out of town to visit at least twice. They are wonderful, supportive people we have been blessed to get to know well. They have been with us through this adversity.

John 14: 8 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Nicole has never been alone.

Rustin Update for September 30th

2011-09-30T10:02:00.014-06:00

Yesterday Nicole had her swallow test. She passed everything but thin liquids:) Again, thank you for your continued prayers. For those of you that have visited and Nicole was sleeping, just keep on trying. Ask those who caught her awake, it is so worth it. We are trying to keep her evening strolls as consistent as we can. Lately, it seems like 7:30 to 7:45 pm is the best time to show up. Keep on praying for a full recovery. Thanks.

The Force is with her - Finally, she can swallow a drink of water!

2011-09-27T08:19:00.003-06:00

Yesterday morning I got this text from Rustin, "Nicole just swallowed some ice water for Megan during speech therapy!!! She did it two more times after that too. Very exciting; she is on her way."
Just try to imagine not having a drink for water for 23 days. Think how parched your throat and mouth would be and how good some ice water would taste. Nicole can tell you - almost. She has begun talking and interacting with us a little more using a soft breathy voice. But she is talking to us! Hurray! She seems to be more cognizant of who we are and when we are there and it is starting to feel like Nicole is with us again.

Thank you, thank you for your prayers in Nicole's behalf. On Sunday several brethren from the Bonneville Halfway House Branch, where Jeff fulfills his church calling, came up to me and told me they had been praying for Nicole. These men are humble souls and no strangers to hard times and troubled pasts. I felt great empathy from them; I'm sure their prayers have been heard.

Our artist friend, Joe MacKay, took the poster that everyone signed at our home for Nicole and added some "forceful" design to it. Yoda's words to Nicole, "Recover, you must!" She IS recovering and we acknowledge how much prayers have been part of that process.

Rustin Update for September 24th

2011-09-24T16:12:00.001-06:00

Yesterday was such a great day. Nicole had an appointment with an ENT doctor. Good news; neither of her ear drums are punctured or ruptured. Her vocal chords are intact but movement on the right side is weak She has fluid in her middle ears so they will not be able to test her hearing until that has resolved.

Rehab is going well; she improves every day. In therapy she is starting to be able to say more words. She even said a couple of sentences today.

The highlight of the week was when she kicked a soccer ball around with some of her favorite soccer buddies. We will try to get the video out there.

Prayer-wise this is where we are now:
1. There is a wound on top of her head that needs healing
2. Pray for the bones in her ear to be protected and that the fluid will drain
3. Pray the right vocal chord movement will be restored
4. The swelling in her left eye needs more help
5. She needs to be able to swallow so that she can get off the feeding tube and be able to drink fluids; she is soooo thirsty.

Thank you so much for all the visits. Please keep them coming. You have no idea how much they help. She is so happy to see you and it makes her feel better and she does so much better in therapy. plus there are very few things better in life right now than having Nicole wave "Hi" at you. For those of you who caught her sleeping, just know it is hit and miss and try again; it is so worth it. I am going to try and go back to evening updates next week.

Please keep praying for a full recovery and thank you so much!

While You were sleeping....Brain Healing Was Taking place

2011-09-23T17:40:00.000-06:00

Barkley visited Nicole on his 6th birthday

Nicole has been VERY sleepy the past few days. She gets two sessions of speech therapy a day; physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy. By the time she has done all those therapies she is pretty tuckered out. So she has slept and slept. Her nurse told us that is good because while she is sleeping her brain is healing.

Today we saw that. I was coming to the hospital for the afternoon so Rustin could go to work for a few hours. Imagine my surprise when I saw Nicole, Rustin, and the three Kanistaneaux boys kicking a soccer ball around outside the hospital entrance. She was with her physical therapist and enjoying being up and outside in the sunshine. After a few minutes our little entourage went back up to the rehab floor. Her sister, Carole, and brother, Clark, joined us. She kicked the soccer ball all round the halls with the boys and her joyful followers.

Now she is sleeping.

Yesterday they removed the internal splints from her nose reconstruction. They were about 4 inches long! Kind of creepy to have those pulled out of your nose. The feeding tube in her nose and the external nose support remain for now. They removed the stitches from along her eyebrow where the orbital surgery was done. Hurray! No more stitches on her face.

Today we visited the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor. He did an assessment of the facial nerve, the one that controls all the muscle movement in her face. He said the nerve was intact. Right now the movement of her eyebrows, lips, tongue, cheeks is slow and labored. It is difficult for her to stick out her tongue. although yesterday she did a great pucker when the therapist told her to give Rustin a kiss. But with the facial nerve intact and therapy, in time her mobility will improve.

He looked at her vocal chords. The left chord is moving well. There is movement in the right vocal chord, but it is insufficient to close and meet the left chord. He told us about some things they could do for her if that doesn't improve. She doesn't have much of a voice at present; that is why. But we are very happy with this positive prognosis.

I imagine that when she can finally talk again; she will have plenty to tell us. And we will have plenty to tell her about the kindness, caring and prayers of so many good people.

Rustin Update for September 22nd

2011-09-22T15:05:00.001-06:00

Yesterday Nicole was able to go outside for the first time since she has been here. So exciting. Rehabilitation is definitely doing some good. She is still healing well. Every day she looks better and better. We are still getting used to the rigors of several rehab sessions daily. These drain her energy and she sleeps a lot, which is good because they tell us that when she is sleeping her brain injury heals. Thanks for all your notes and texts. They are very much appreciated.

2011-09-20T13:05:00.002-06:00

I came home two nights ago to find a small gift on my kitchen counter. It was a plaque with a quote from Henry B. Eyring that said:

'You need never be discouraged or afraid.

The way through difficulties has always

been prepared for you

and you will find it

if you exercise faith."

My heart is clinging to this saying each time I leave my home for the hospital. Nicole came through the surgery like a champ. It has been hard to see her in pain again, however, and some of the facial movement and visual coordination has regressed back to where it was when she first came out of the coma. This is to be expected and the doctors have assured us that re-healing will occur, it just takes time.

Yesterday she was moved from the trauma floor to rehabilitation. They are planning a full regimen of therapies for her and told us she will likely be exhausted by it but they want all her strength and focus to be on her rehabilitation. Translation from medical staff - please no visitors.

She keeps her eyes closed most of the time and they are very sensitive to the light - after all the surgery done around her eye sockets, that is no surprise. They will be doing evaluations on her hearing, her ability to smell, and her vision and her ability to speak which has been effected by having a breathing tube in her throat for ten days.

So we begin anew. We are taking baby steps. We are taking one day at a time.

Today Nicole got up and dressed herself, with some assistance. No more hospital gowns. Hurray! My heart leapt with joy because yesterday she spoke to us! In a very breathy voice she said, "I want to go to the car." Translation - I've had my fill of being in the hospital; let's get outa here! But hold on a minute - She needs to be able to swallow and get off a feeding tube before she can leave, so gaining back control and use of her lips, tongue and vocal cords is something to pray for. You are so wonderful at prayer!

Thanksgiving for Prayers Answered - Rustin September 17, 2011

2011-09-17T22:29:00.003-06:00

I am so glad that these last 48 hours are finally over! Just imagine trying to tell Nicole in the state that she is in and after what she has been through, to basically stay on her back for two days, all the while protecting her precious head. Not fun.
I am going to ask everyone to say a different kind of prayer for Nicole tonight. We are not going to ask for anything, just give thanks.
Here is what we give thanks for:
1. that her brain swelling went down so quickly
2. that the oxygen levels in her brain were maintained at a healthy level
3. that the swelling in her face and in her neck reduced quickly
4. that she was able to breathe after coming out of a coma on her own
5. that the fluid in her left lung was removed and the lung remained strong and clear
6. that her mother was comforted in her time of need
7. that Nicole responded! Remember how awesome that was!
8. that her ability to communicate was increased
9. that leaking cerebrospinal fluid was sealed
10. that the surgical wounds in her mouth sealed so quickly no infection occurred
11 that the surgeons' hands were blessed
12. that the surgery went so well
13. that Nicole's pain was manageable; she was helped through it
14, that the facial bones were kept in a state ready for the surgery

A side note that you should know. The day after surgery Dr. Ferguson came in and did a follow-up with Nicole. As he was leaving the room, he said, as if in passing, how surprised he and the other surgeon were at how malleable the bones in her face were for the surgery. Nicole's father and I did not say a word. We just looked at each other beaming. Another prayer answered.

Another 48 hours

2011-09-16T20:08:00.000-06:00

They took Nicole down for reconstructive surgery on her face about 2:15 pm Thursday. Surgery began at 2:45 pm. And so we waited, and waited. So much wonderful food had been graciously delivered to our home, that I packed up sandwiches and fruit and breads, etc. etc. etc.. Aunt Kathleen had the same idea and so we had a double feast. And then after a while we waited and waited.

Both surgeons kindly came in and counseled with us regarding the surgery. It appeared that Nicole took most of the force of her accident from mid to left front of her face. Luckily the jaw bone was not broken. However, they described the bones above as very smashed and in tiny pieces- like a hard boiled egg you pound on a hard surface. The bones were pushed back and rotated upward. They had to bring them forward, down, align them and pin them in place.

Titanium plates were put in on both sides of the face and on both orbital floors. Her nose was repaired on the inside and is splinted on the outside. To repair the orbital bones the surgeon made an incision in a crease under each eye and along the brow line - scarring should be almost invisible. To repair the upper mandible, they went in from inside her mouth. No outside scars.

So what's in store for the next 48 hours? She must keep her head elevated. She cannot sleep on the side of her face. This is the time where she will experience maximum swelling and pain. All are looking forward to the end of these 48 hours. Let the healing begin!

September 15th Surgery Report from Rustin

2011-09-16T16:16:00.001-06:00

2:20 pm
They just came to pick up Nicole for surgery. We walked down with her and watched as they rolled her bed into the cavernous surgical area through the huge double doors. We were left on the outside to wait.

8:48 pm
Dr. Dal Canto, the ocular surgeon just came in and updated us, The ocular part went well and Nicole has done well during the surgery up to this point. The other surgeon is wrapping up. Should be just a couple more hours.

9:52 pm
Dr. Ferguson, the Maxillofacial reconstructive plastic surgeon, just came in. Everything went well. Depending on how she wakes up, she will either come back to her room or go the the intensive care unit. We will let you know soon.

11:30pm
She's back! She is doing well enough to come back to her room. We need to hold off on visits because the next few days are critical with her swelling and trying to control her pain - not a good visiting situation.
Here is what we need to pray for Nicole now:
1, please pray to help Nicole with the pain
2. please pray for the sutures in her mouth the heal quickly and make a protective barrier needed so that the plates they put in don't get infected.
I will update more tomorrow. I just wanted to get this out to you all tonight.

Reaching for Jesus through prayer

2011-09-15T16:55:00.001-06:00

Today is a huge day for Nicole. I am sitting in her hospital room. She has just been wheeled down to surgery. In the next six to eight hours two surgeons will reconstruct all the fractured bones in her face; something akin to putting Humpty together again. They will place plates at the base and around each eye socket so her eyes won't sink in or droop, Yesterday they tried to have her pucker or close her lips around a straw. She winced in pain. All the bones above her lips and cheeks are broken and will be repaired by this surgery. Hopefully she will pucker again!

Yesterday, our family joined the South Jordan River 3rd Ward in a fast for Nicole. This wonderful ward is about a stone's throw from the Jordan River Temple. It is here that Rustin became re-active in the church and he brought Nicole here with him after their marriage. Jeff and I accompanied Rustin out to the Ward and found the cultural hall filled with kind, devoted people who had gone without food or drink all day to bless my daughter. At some point in every mother's life she discovers that the one thing that touches her heart most is when someone reaches out in love to her child. This was a whole roomful of love. I have no words to express my gratitude for the sacrifice you all made in behalf of Nicole.

No Greater Love

While we were gone we left Nicole under the watchful care of her Uncle Rich, Aunt Judy, and Aunt Kathleen. She went on a walk down the hall with them. As she came back and sat on the bed, she looked up and saw the beautiful white lily that Chris from the Apple store sent yesterday. In front of it we had placed a statute of the kneeling Christ, that dear friend, Melissa, had brought and told us it must be in the room with Nicole. Nicole pointed at it from the bed and Aunt Kath reached up and got it down for her. Nicole took it and held it to her chest, then by her chin. It was as if she wanted to express her love for the savior by holding him close to her. Then she noticed a little "Angel of prayer" nearby that Becca had sent. She wanted that too. I wondered if it was not many days ago she may have been with Christ and the angels.

Last night she had us read the cards and posters and well wishes that dear ones have sent. I think hearing them buoyed her up for this surgery that we have been told will cause tremendous swelling throughout her face and that she will experience quite a bit of pain as she recovers.

Therapy Team Carole & Barkley

This morning Carole brought our dog, Barkley, a hospital therapy dog down to visit Nicole. There was warmth and affection all around. To top it off, today I got a card in the mail with this saying on it from my Lutheran sister in Illinois who has assured me that there are also Catholics, Baptists, Episcopalians and those of other faiths praying for Nicole, too! How we love you all for it!

No ocean can hold it back
No river can overtake it.
No whirlwind can go faster.
No army can defeat it. No law can stop it.
No distance can slow it.
No disease can cripple it.
No force on earth is more powerful or effective than
The power of prayer.

Angels and Ipads and hair - oh my!

2011-09-14T10:00:00.005-06:00

"In a frazzled manner, I was trying to get out the door and down to the hospital. My phone rang. It was one of Nicole'e sorority sisters who had called before. I'll let it take a message, I thought. When she called a few minutes later, I knew I should take the call. It was way the RIGHT call.

As Nicole's Chi Omega sister started talking to me, puzzle pieces started falling into place. She told me the story of her husband who had been shot 9 times a year and a half ago. Our family knew about this and Clark's band had performed a benefit concert in his behalf. We didn't know it was her husband! In a very positive manner she told about her husband's recovery because like Nicole, he had had a breathing tube and then couldn't talk for a while. She said they got him an ipad and told me about a couple of "apps" (applications) that helped him during that time.

The magic word "ipad" was rattling around in my brain - I know "ipad" Nicole knows "ipad" real good! For those of you who don't know, Nicole is a computer whiz. When the Apple store at Gateway was about to open, Apple found her resume on Monster and contacted her to come work there. Recently, she has been moved to the new store in Fashion Place to lead their "creatives", those who teach customers how to do any and all things MAC - comPuters, iPhones, iPads. Wooh, did I just say IPads! Nicole has five MAC computers but no ipad.

I left and drove straight to the Fashion Place Apple store. I went in and asked a blue-shirted Apple guru if he knew Nicole. He did! I said I wanted to buy an ipad to help her communicate with us after having a feeding tube and being unable to speak. I got an instant crash course on ipads so I could choose what to get. I determined the old standby Nicole had taught me; "you might as well get the one with the new features and the most memory or you'll regret it later on." Why live with regret? I picked out a green cover for it - Nicole's favorite color. When I went to sign for payment; I think I got the best deal ever on an ipad. As we were doing all this, I noticed a small group of Apple employees had gathered around me. They all wanted to wish Nicole well and send their love and good wishes her way. I took then to her - with an ipad! It was in her hands before noon.

Nicole took it like it was nothing new. She knows how it works. We took her through the simple program. She was able to tell us she felt confused. Good. We suspected that. Then she wrote with her finger on a drawing screen - "Rustin is very...." Couldn't quite make out that last word. Rustin wanted to take a shot of the screen but Nicole quickly erased it and was trying to write it again.

Slightly afternoon, one of Nicole's friends from Apple who is also a speech therapist posted on my facebook wall:

Hi Janet, We met on Sunday night at your house. I know I mentioned that I'm an SLP, but I also actually do a lot of work with AAC technology. I see that Nicole is able to write and motion to communicate, but I was wondering if you would be interested in her maybe using an iPad and Proloquo2go to communicate with you all until the feeding and breathing tubes come out! I'd be so happy to drop one off at your house if you're interested Alternately, if you already have an iPad, I have unlimited licenses with Proloquo2go and could put it on there for you!

"If you already have an iPad" - we've already had an iPad for an entire few minutes! We all met after dinner last night and she showed us how to use it. Showing technology to Rustin is like watching a duck take to water. You customize this Program to the individual and Rustin and Mandy are customizing for Nicole like crazy. We found out Nicole has double vision in her left eye right now. That could be confusing. She was finally able to tell us using the ipad.

Now for the rest of the story. At the end of my chat with Nicole's Chi Omega sister, she told me that she was cutting her hair today and sending it up to be used with Nicole's hair Mandy saved to make a wig for Nicole to wear while her hair grows back - only now she will have blonde highlights and part of her Chi Omega sister with her every day.

More rest of the story. Clark came to dinner tonight with a message from one of his friends who had cut her hair and intended to donate it to "locks of love" but would rather give it to Nicole instead.

Angels are blondes and brunetttes. Ipads with green covers come from blue shirts drenched in capability and generosity. What to do with them comes from sensitive, caring women following a prompting and coming to our aid.

P.S. Cerebrospinal fluid had been leaking from Nicole's nose; not good because it indicates there is a pathway from the brain lining to outside the skull. The drainage causes headaches and having a pathway represents the possibility of infection. Rustin put this item on the prayer list yesterday. Today - no leaks! Our sweet girl is being healed with prayers.

This Thursday about 4:00 pm, Nicole will undergo surgery to repair and stabilize all the broken bones in her face. She has two surgeons; one will do the lower face and one who is very specialized working on the fractured boned surrounding her eye sockets. Rustin & Nicole's home ward is holding a fast for this surgery. We invite any who feel to do so, to join us. If the timing doesn't work, join us with a prayer for Nicole - that alone can do miracles!

Rustin Update for September 12th

2011-09-12T23:28:00.000-06:00

Thank you so much for last night. I know that some of you will still be coming over this evening. Today was a great day. It was filled with sweet hellos, funny and frustrated communication, and lots of moving around by Nicole.

We met with the surgeon who will be operating on Nicole to repair the fractures in the orbital bones around her eyes on Thursday.

This is what Nicole needs now:
1. pray for the bones of her face to stay ready for Thursday's surgery.
2. the optical nerve in her left eye has been traumatized; pray it can heal
3. pray for her ability to communicate to continue to increase
4. she is leaking a little fluid out of her nose; her body needs a little help with this.

Again, thank you so much for your prayers, and as always, we are praying for a full recovery.

Hospital Visits

2011-09-12T21:03:00.002-06:00

Hello All,

HUGE hugs and thanks to everyone who came to sign Nicole's FORCE poster last night. We can't wait to give it to her! The poster is huge, it's hard to believe we about ran out of space! We're still trying to squeeze names on:) Thank you so much for sending her your good thoughts, love, and prayers.

I just wanted to reiterate my mom's request she mentioned below. Nicole is now conscious but cannot speak. While today has been frustrating for her, and for us, we are so happy she is making leaps and bounds in her progress each day. However, we feel that at this point we need to be more conscientious of her privacy and would ask that you PLEASE do not visit the hospital. We don't want to confuse her with loads and loads of different faces each day. Although we know most of you are her best of friends, we'd like to keep visitors right now to close family.

We truly don't mean to offend anyone, but feel that until she is able to communicate that she feels okay about seeing people (and letting people see her), we should be respectful of her privacy. Hopefully it won't be long until she can have visitors, but again, we'd like to leave this decision up to her.

Thank you all again for your love and support. Nicole, and our family, has needed it so much. We have a rough road ahead and it feels more evident everyday. Thank you for praying for us. We love you all.

Carole

The Force

2011-09-11T23:55:00.002-06:00

Millennium Falcon in legos

The force is with her. Are you ready for another miracle? Nicole took a walk with Rustin today! When they opened the doors to let Jeff come into the intensive care unit, he saw Nicole with the physical therapist on one side and Rustin on the other side. She was going for a walk down the hall! Not a slow, labored walk either; quite a brisk walk. Unbelievable - from coma to walking within 24 hours.

A tender moment came shortly after. She was in her bed and looked up at Rustin. She raised her arm, put it around his neck and drew his face down near to her. Recognition. Love.

Now she is conscious, they took out the breathing tube; feeling confident that she can breathe on her own. We are sure that her throat is very, very sore.

Clark, Carole & Mandy had sent notice on facebook and on the blog that anyone who wanted to come and sign a giant Star Wars poster (as big as our dining room table) was invited to drop by between 7:00 and 8:30 pm this evening. We were overwhelmed with the number of friends, family, ward members, Apple store co-workers, and people we cherish, who came to us. You brought confort, good will, support, and powerful faith in prayer and faith in Nicole into our home and our hearts. It was palpable. It was humbling. It was FORCE-ful.

Her Apple store comrades built a Millennium Falcon out of legos for her. It must have taken hours and hours of more than techie skill. The caption on the card summed up the evening, "Nothing says get well soon like a Millennium Falcon".

A Hat for Nicole; Hats off to Kindness!

2011-09-11T14:42:00.001-06:00

The day after Nicole's accident, Paul Hicks, Branch President of the LDS Church Bonneville Branch came to see us at the hospital. One of the ex-convicts that lives at the Bonneville Center where Jeff has fulfilled a church calling for almost three years, wanted to crochet a hat for Nicole. After hearing Nicole had undergone surgery on both sides of her brain, this kind brother asked Paul to find out what her favorite color was so that he could crochet her a hat to wear while her shaved head recovers from brain surgery.

When our stake president visited us this week, we told him of this man's kind offer. Our president indicated that the cost of such a gift would be very great indeed, because this man was unemployed and had no income. His is a state of subsistence living. Although he had tried, this brother had gone many, many weeks without success in finding employment.

Today at the Branch sacrament meeting, Jeff showed me the darling crocheted cap he had made for Nicole.

Here is the rest of the story. Paul Hicks had forgotten to get back to him and let him know Nicole's favorite color, so he just made the hat anyway. And this week, he finally found a job. By the way, the hat he made for Nicole just happens to be green, her favorite color.

Goodbye Coma, Welcome Back Nicole!

2011-09-11T00:39:00.003-06:00

The doctors said that with the extent and severity of Nicole's injuries; it is a miracle that she is even alive. Miracle One. Today we got Miracle Two.
The trauma team came by this morning. No response - again. But the neurological team came by a little later - a response! Then just after 11:00 am this morning, Nicole opened her eyes, looked at Rustin, raised two fingers on request and went back to sleep. It sounds like a simple sequence but it meant the world to us. It was an answer to so many, many prayers.
I feel such gratitude toward the doctors and staff of the Intensive Care Trauma Unit. Fox, her nurse was right there when she first awoke of her own volition. This is a big deal. She was injured last Saturday about 9:00 pm so she had been unconscious for almost a week. Shortly after she regained consciousness, she had a visit from the physical therapy team - moving her arms and legs. That exhausted her.

Nicole & Rustin under the rainbow - Napali Coast, Hawaii March 2011

She has aroused a few more times today. She cannot speak to us; she still has a feeding tube and a breathing tube in her mouth, going down her throat. She has responded by moving her head yes or no that she feels some pain.
I can't imagine what it must be like to awake and find yourself in a hospital with tubes in going down your throat so you cannot talk. It must be frightening and confusing. But darling, Nicole, we are so glad to have you back with us.
And to all who have offered prayers in her behalf. our thanks to you is profound. We can never thank you enough. We have taken the first step on a long journey; we may stlll have a thousand miles to go but we have begun. Now she is conscious but cannot speak, until she is able to let us know how she feels about seeing people, please no visitors. (This is her mom just trying to protect her - I don't mean to offend anyone)

Rustin Update for September 10th

2011-09-10T22:12:00.000-06:00

Today was the best day so far. She is responding ! ! ! Better than that, she is answering yes and no questions by moving her head (still has the breathing and feeding tube). It is so nice to have at least some idea of how she is feeling.
Prayer-wise this is where we are at now:
1. We need to pray that the broken bones in her face stay ready until Thursday night's surgery.
2. pray for her lungs to stay clean and clear
3. pray for her ability to communicate to continue to increase.
Thank you so much for your prayers. As always we are praying for a full recovery.

The Force Is With Her...

2011-09-10T21:31:00.009-06:00

Hey All,

We're feeling the need to celebrate Cole's progress today! If you'd like to come by our parent's house (5256 Holladay Blvd, Holladay, Utah 84117) tomorrow night between 7-8:30pm, we'd love to have you sign a Star Wars poster we're making for her room so she knows the names of the people who have been the driving force behind her recovery this week. We are so grateful for you guys! And if you can't make it, just let me know and I'll sign your name for you.

Please continue to keep her in your prayers. She made huge progress today, but we still need to pray that her surgery this week will go well and that she'll have a full recovery. Thank goodness for you guys! Nicole and our family couldn't do this without you.

Much love,

Carole

Rustin Update for September 9th

2011-09-09T22:59:00.001-06:00

Things are moving in the right direction. Her face continues to look better as the swelling goes down. She didn't respond to verbal commands again but they did a different test later and she did well on that. Good signs. Today was a big decision day and we feel confident about choices of doctors and some other things that transpired today. Prayer-wise this is what is needed now:

1. still praying for test response. We have some time on this but not much.

2. her left eye doesn't seem to be responding to light stimulation as well as the right. Improvement would be relieving.

3. please pray for her lungs to stay strong and clear

and finally pray for comfort for Nicole's mom.

Thank you so much for your prayers. It is so humbling to watch them being answered first hand. As always we are praying for a full recovery.

Message from Carole

2011-09-09T17:51:00.000-06:00

Nicole holding newborn niece, Gabrielle February 2010

Ok guys, we're for real this time. We gotta start praying that Cole wakes up soon! She needs to start responding and breathing well enough before Monday that the neurosurgeons feel ok about putting her under to have her face and eyes reconstructed before the broken bones set too much and really over complicate things. She's in for an 8 hour surgery here soon, but we need her brain and breathing to be ok first. Please, please send your prayers! She's getting close... I can feel it:) Love you all.

Heavenly Father Has Sent Us a Messenger - Nicole's Primary Teacher

2011-09-09T11:00:00.001-06:00

Friday morning Jeff was at the hospital in Nicole's room. She was still in a coma (not medically induced but her own coma). She was still not responding to any attempts to arouse or communicate with her. This was our most difficult day, yet. Jeff looked up to see a pretty woman standing outside the room. She said his name and when he got out there he recognized her. Some twenty-five years ago, she was Nicole's primary teacher and Jeff had been her family's home teacher. We hadn't seen her for a very, very, long time.

She told him that she had been praying that morning. As she knelt, she felt somewhat selfish because she was pleading with the Lord about her situation; she had just lost her job and had no idea how she could go on. The thought strongly came to her that she should get up and go to Nicole in the hospital. So she did.

She came to tell us her story. As a young newlywed, she and her husband were coming down Parley's Canyon one night. A drunk driver going up the canyon in the wrong direction hit their car on the passenger's side where she was sitting. She was in intensive care for two weeks. Her skull was fractured. While she was unconscious, she was on the other side and angels were with her. She spent a lot of time with them.

When she awoke from her coma, her mother was at her bedside, weeping. She told her, "It's alright Mom, I've decided to stay."

During her recovery two angels would come to be with her. As she got better, she was still aware that there was one angel with her; even after her return home. Later, as she prepared to undergo another one of several surgeries she was hoping to see her angel, but the angel was gone.

She had come to tell us that she believed during this coma, Nicole has been with angels.

Closing our Fast at Aunt Kath's House

2011-09-09T09:00:00.002-06:00

Lucy, Elly, Tommy, Richie, Maggie and Audrey give Rustin the Dr. Seuss quilt, pillowcase and flowers for Nicole.

For the past forty years the extended Cannon family has met in Uncle Roger and Aunt Kathleen's living room to close fasts on behalf of family members who have been critically ill, afflicted, wounded, or in need of blessings. To invoke a thought from "Fiddler on the Roof", it's tradition! At those times this room temporarily transforms into something of a celestial room for the extended Cannon family where the priesthood and faith of family members is brought together in behalf of a loved one. Miraculously, the Jeff Cannons have mostly escaped being in need of such a fast until Nicole's accident.

At this point in time, Nicole is not the only one in such need. My niece, Abby Hegewald's husband, Kevin, is in the final stages of his recurring battle with cancer. As the rest of the family was meeting with us, Tom, Matt and Hyrum were in flight to Southern California to be with Abby's family. I want them to know that our prayers are with them and Abby and her children. Thank you Kevin, for coming to the 24th of July family party despite your pain and discomfort to let us reconnect and treasure you one more time.

We heard that Matt's daughter, little Abby Rose, refused to eat breakfast this morning because she wanted to fast at least that much for Nicole. When I got to Nicole's room yesterday morning brightly colored flowers and decorations adorned the walls - made by Roger and Kristina Brockbank's children; Marissa, Jared, Tyler, Joshua and Allison. Rustin had put them around the walls nearby the cards made by Kai, Jayce, and Breck Kanistaneau. That afternoon, Tisa Edmunds came with a giant card of flowers listing Nicole's best qualities and a floral book of notes from Nicole's Miamaids. Lucie, Elly and Samantha pinnock's delicate layered flower designs will be added to Nicole's now-cheery looking room.

Under the expert direction of Eric Olson's mom, Becky, a Dr. Seuss quilt was made for Nicole compliments of Becky's grandchildren and Nicole's favorite children to tend; Maggie, Jacob, Thomas, Richard, Audrey and their Supermom, Katie. Anyone who knows of Nicole's happy-hearted delight in all things whimsical and comic book-colored will understand what a delight this will be to her. The back of the quilt is edged in a Dr. Seuss fabric but the center has been left white. In this area, the children wrote notes to Nicole and signed their names so that one day she will know that they were thinking of her while she was unconscious. Everyone at the fast signed Nicole's quilt. They gave us fabric pens and invite those who may want to sign her quilt to do so. We have it in her room at the hospital.

Rustin gave an update on Nicole's condition before we broke the fast. He has been texting a daily report and specifying some things to pray for. One of those was, that Nicole could breathe on her own. That has happened. Another was that the fluid that was building up in her lungs would dissipate. That has happened. Such is the power of prayer.

Jeff closed the fast for us; patriarch Uncle Rich and all the priesthood holders gave me a blessing. R2 (the moniker we have given young Roger) later told me the during that time he felt his deceased father's presence. Aunt Kath's husband, our beloved Uncle Roger passed away in 2007 from fibrocystic lung disease. Kathleen felt him with us last night and has also felt him in Nicole's hospital room. Before his passing Uncle Rog wanted to make photo books for each of his grandchildren. He wasn't able to do this, so Nicole took on the project and finished an Apple photo book filled with pictures of Uncle Rog with each of his grandchildren for them to remember their "papa" and how much he loved them. Wherever Nicole's spirit is during this comatose period, we suspect that Uncle Rog, and Granny and Grandad are nearby.

Our son, Scott, and wife Mitzi gave us a new granddaughter on Friday September 2nd. Little piper was born just one day before Nicole's accident. Again in my life, I find great joy mingled with great sorrow. Scott got Mitzi, Corbin, Gabby and the baby home from the hospital and settled, then left to join us with Nicole. Mitzi, thank you for sharing Scott with us in our time of need. I am sure this was a struggle for you.

Jeff, Clark, Scott and I left Aunt Kathleen's and went to the hospital with Nicole's quilt. While there, Scott annointed, and Jeff sealed a beautiful blessing on Nicole. I felt peace for the first time since the accident. I felt love. I felt able to go on.

Lastly, a word about Aunt Kath. This wonderful woman has been right with me at each and every crisis of my married life. Nicole's tragedy is no exception. The words of psalm 23 continually go through my mind this way - "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me and so is Aunt Kathleen.

Rustin Update for September 8th

2011-09-08T22:36:00.000-06:00

Today was a good day. Your prayers have been heard and Nicole is being blessed. The fluid in her left lung is basically gone now. The swelling in her face continues to go down, and her color gets better and better.
She didn't respond to the tests today the way the doctor wanted, but they all enjoyed how she DID respond. When the doctor pushed on her chest and asked her to show him a thumbs up, she literally tried to push him away. It was a good sign. Not what they wanted, but good.
We are told to make our prayers specific so here is a prayer update:
1. still pray for reduced swelling in her checks and neck
2. pray that she will respond to her tests
And as always we are praying for a full recovery. Again, thank you so much.

A Fast for Nicole

2011-09-07T23:49:00.000-06:00

Friends & Family, I apologize for the late notice, but if you'd like to join us in a fast for Nicole Cannon tomorrow you are gladly welcome to do so. Thank you so much for your prayers, kind emails, phone calls, texts, notes and treats, and for your genuine concern. I apologize for inundating you with so much info. and for often not being able to get back to you. But we are so grateful to have people to lean on right now. Thank you for sending your love. It has been greatly needed.

Rustin Update for September 7th

2011-09-07T20:30:00.001-06:00

Nicole is breathing by herself today without any assistance from the respirator. Your prayers are totally working. Thank you. The swelling in her face continues to go down and her color continues to get better. She is still not responsive to her tests. She didn't move a lot today but was very fidgety this evening.

So here is the prayer update.
1. pray for a reducation in the swelling of the checks and neck.
2. there is a little liquid in her left lung - likely a bit of pneumonia. They are treating her for it, but it would be much better if it weren't there.
3. we would love it if she would start responding to her tests
And as always, we are praying for her brain to recover fully. Your prayers are working. Thank you so much!

A Big Blessing!

2011-09-07T10:10:00.001-06:00

This morning Nicole is breathing on her own! She is still hooked up to a breathing machine but now she is doing all the breathing independently. Her breaths are good and deep; not shallow. Surely prayers are helping her.

The breathing tube will remain in place for a while yet. Should it be removed and need to be inserted again; they may not be able to get it back in due to the extreme swelling throughout her head, neck and face. So it will stay in for a while yet.

She is still in intensive care. She is still in a coma; but it is wonderful to know she can breathe on her own.

Rustin update for September 6th

2011-09-06T21:24:00.000-06:00

We were told that on the third day after a severe trauma there is often some backsliding. Today for us was not especially bad or good. The swelling in Nicole's face has gone down some more and her color is very much improved. Today was the first time that she was not very responsive to the verbal command tests. She is moving and fidgeting a lot more when the nurses move her, and she tries to resolve areas of discomfort at that time.

The doctors have counseled us to keep her recovery area less stimulating and possibly confusing to her brain - no touching her or talking to her, or hovering over her. We need to hold off on visits to Nicole's room for a little bit. They will let us know when she can receive visitors again.

We need to change the focus of our prayers to four things:
1) We need the swelling in her neck and the lower part of her face to go down.
2) We need her to be able to wean herself off the respirator and breathe independently
3) She needs to respond to verbal commands.
4) Keep praying for a full recovery

Thank you again so much. Know that your prayers are working.

Rustin update for Labor Day September 5th

2011-09-06T21:09:00.002-06:00

Nicole is still in intensive care. She is still in a coma, but there are some positive signs. The swelling in her face as gone down some and we can discern her nose and even see some eyelashes. The doctors dropped her coma-inducing medication for a few minutes and asked her to raise two fingers and she was able to respond appropriately. The color is coming back to her skin; she is less ashen and more peachy. Looks good!
Today they removed the bolt-like sensor that was measuring how intense the pressure was between her swollen brain and her skull. After surgery it was "20" - dangerously high. The next morning it was bout "16", by afternoon "14", and stabilized that evening at "12" the target number. She maintained that number over a long enough period of hours they felt it was safe to remove the bolt from her head. We watched those numbers come down with such joy!
In your prayers, please pray for enough oxygen to the brain, for brain healing and full recovery. We know that your prayers are working. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

If it so be that ye should bring one soul unto me; how great shall be your joy

2011-09-06T21:00:00.003-06:00

We sent out the call for prayers for Nicole as widely as we knew how. Many kind, good, friends have responded. Nicole's name is now on the prayer rolls of temples across Utah and Idaho. Thank you. Thank you.

Today we got a message that has brought tears of gratitude to our eyes. Nicole served a mission in Louisville, Kentucky. While there she had one convert; a young woman whom we have met and visited and love. She still lives in Kentucky. When she became aware of Nicole's situation, she called eighteen temples in the South and Midwest to put Nicole's name on their prayer rolls.

Calling Down the powers of Heaven

2011-09-06T21:00:00.001-06:00

We stayed in bed about three hours, but it was not restful. About 7:30 am Jeff and Carole and I sat on the bed and talked about what we could do. This was so horrible! We felt completely helpless. What could we do?
I knew I needed a blessing for comfort. Everyone agreed with that notion. We ALL needed blessings. Jeff called Uncle Tom our family patriarch, and Uncle Rich whose calling is a stake patriarch to come to our home.
In the meantime, I felt the only thing we could do was to pray for Nicole. But it was fast Sunday and what if others would join us in fasting and praying for Nicole? I hurriedly dressed and drove over to the 27th Ward. I knocked on the Bishop's door and saw four shocked faces above suits and ties as I went in. I told them we had an emergency and needed the prayers and faith of our Ward members in behalf of Nicole. They agreed to take care of it.

Then I drove to the Olympus Seminary building where the Bonneville Branch meets. This branch serves men just released from prison who reside at the halfway house. Sponsors pick them up and bring them to Sunday services where Jeff teaches the Gospels Essentials class and also helps each of them find employment. The building was open but no one was there. I saw some papers and a notebook on the table in the classroom. As I was writing a note, Stewart McLaren walked in. I told him what happened. The Bonneville Branch was onboard.

Rustin called the South Jordan River 3rd Ward, where he and Nicole work with the Young Men and Young Women. More prayers for Nicole. Carole and Mandy called Bishop Swenson of their Young Adults Ward. Additional prayers for Nicole.

I emailed all the family and friends I could think of at that moment, and and pled with them to pray for Nicole.

In Luke 18 Jesus tells the parable of the judge and the importunate widow. The widow gets consideration from the judge because of her persistent, continual requests. Jesus promises us that if a judge will reward the widow our Heavenly Father will do even more for us! This is our reason and faith in seeking your prayers to bless Nicole. You have our deepest heartfelt gratitude.

Night Terrors

2011-09-05T22:34:00.000-06:00

Jeff and I were at the beautiful wedding of Emily Bourne and Thayne Davis at the Salt Lake Country Club. We were visiting with friends when a staff member came and gave Jeff a message. It said, "Come to the Emergency Room on 5300 South and State. Your daughter has been in an accident."

When we got there, Carole, Clark, and Amanda were already there. Rustin was with Nicole. The emergency room's Dr. Nicolson was briefing us on Nicole's injuries and actions that were to be taken. The immediate concern was two hematoma's one on either side of her brain. Apparently, this type of injury resulted in actress, Natasha Richardson's, death after a skiing accident a year or so ago.

Nicole was unconscious, but as they were wheeling her to surgery, Jeff, Rustin and Clark administered a priesthood blessing. Neurosurgeon, Dr. Maughan, came to explain what would happen. Her skull is fractured on the left side. He would remove the fractured portion and extract the blood clot (hematoma). On the right side, he must cut into the skull to remove that hematoma. The most critical issue after this surgery is the bruised and jostled brain swelling and pressure building inside the skull with no outlet. Enough pressure of this kind can lead to death.

Rustin and his friends, Jen & Keric Kanistaneaux went back to search the scene of the accident to try to discern what happened. No one saw it. The rest of us were lead to a large empty waiting room on the second floor. We found a tiny consultation room and nearby and knealt together. There, each of us offered a prayer for Nicole. I wondered if she was so close to the veil that she may have had an out of body experience as I envisioned her watching us from above.

Then we waited.

About 3:00 am, Brayden Iwasaki brought our dog, Barkley to the hospital. He is a trained therapy dog who regularly visits hospital patients and was therefore allowed to come in. He came to the waiting room and went around to each of us with with a wagging tail and a nuzzle of love. I threw my arms around his big furry black neck and as I cried I felt a good portion of the tension and grief melt away into his soft black fur. He is truly part of our family and he came and anchored us with his affection.

Dr. Maughan came in and reported that the surgery had gone well. I asked about her prognosis and he could not give any answer other that we were looking at a slow day by day process. At this point Nicole's care was turned over to Dr. Van Boerum. He came in and reported her additional injuries; 2 broken ribs, bruised lungs, a fracture of the 4th cervical vertebrae in her neck, 2 compression fractures in her lower back vertebrae, concussion, skull fracture, breaks in all the bones of her face, a possible ruptured left ear drum.

As both doctors were talking to us, I could feel myself shaking uncontrollably inside. I think I was in shock.

Amanda asked if they would save Nicole's long hair when they shaved her head for surgery. The nurse told us it was pretty gory, but she would clean off and save what she could. She later bought in a long pony tail of Nicole's hair and gave it to Amanda.

She was returned to intensive care about 3:45 am. They warned us that her head was shaved, and extremely swollen. both eyes were black; basically she was unrecognizable. We were asked not to talk or touch her because any sensory stimulation would activate brain activity and increase the swelling that was so dangerously high.

We huddled together around her bed and said a prayer. Carole sat on the floor as she was feeling faint. Afterwards, Rustin stayed with Nicole at the hospital and the rest of us went home for a few hours.

As I walked into my darkened bedroom at 4:30 am I wondered what kind of darkness Nicole was in. Was her world of sensation black? Was she in horrendous pain? Was her spirit in darkness or light? I couldn't sleep. Once I laid down the inner trembling returned and I was cold despite the covers. Jeff held me and for the first time in our married life of forty years, he broke down and sobbed.

Nicole's Accident September 3, 2011

2011-09-05T16:17:00.002-06:00

Saturday at 6pm, Rustin brought Nicole to our house after work and unveiled the scooter he had refurbished for her. He had matched the sparkly blue paint to the color of the beloved beach cruiser bike she calls "Tina Sparkle". He had custom made the leather seat - half white, half red with a circle star design in the center; reminiscent of Captain America. Rustin and friend, Brayden Iwasaki has worked all day to make sure everything mechanically was in tip top shape. Nicole was thrilled and delighted with this personalized gift.

To celebrate Carole, Rustin and Nicole decided to go to dinner at the Dodo in Sugarhouse. They rode their scooters on back roads with little traffic. They enjoyed their dinner together and started for home. About 9:00pm, as they were traveling south around the "S" shaped curve between the church and OC Tanner's property on 2700 East between 33rd and 39th south, the unthinkable happened.

Happy Birthday Nana - From the Grandkids

2010-08-31T20:12:00.002-06:00

Abounding in Mounds

2010-06-21T06:23:00.002-06:00

Happy Father's Day! Robert cooked us wonderful omlettes as we enjoyed a Sunday Brunch with the Snyders. Rick, Anita and Bob then took off to see the Cardinals/A's game, the last of this home stand.

Jeff and I took off to find a sacrament meeting and ended up at a 1:30pm meeting in a Singles Ward - O'Fallon First Ward building just a mile from the Snyder home. We got there half and hour early, and had a long visit with Bishop Bons whose brother just left BYU to teach for Jeff's friend, Gordon Gee, now president of Ohio State. He was a jolly guy.

Then we headed out along the country roads to find Cahokia State Park. En route, we encounted the biggest catsup bottle in the world at Collinsville; quite a landmark. We wound through charming green countryside. Occasionally there is a peaceful pond with lovely homes nestled around the shoreline; tranquil and beautiful.

Cahokia State Park commemorates a huge archeological site where over a period of some 300 years, over 20,000 American Indians lived between 400 & 700AD. The site was found when they began excavating the a former drive-in movie theater and discovered a bunch of archeological remains. It is the largest site north of Mexico. The Indians thrived here because they were near water with the Mississippi close by and they could grow corn and have food year-round. It is a huge area with conical-shaped burial mounds and also raised flat-topped mounds that had government buildings atop them. Jeff was all excited to see this and imagine all sorts of Book of Mormon tie-ins. We enjoyed the 17 minute movie in the cool, dark theatre twice - we slept through it the first time.

There is a huge bird nesting area in the parking lot and it has been taken over by Red Winged Blackbirds. They were all over the place. As we walked to and from the museum, one particular lack-bird came to challenge us and scare us away. He must have been trying to protect his nest. I got out iBird and played him back some Red Winged Blackbird calls. He just hovered over me squawking.

Back at Nita and Bob's a lovely Father's Day dinner was underway. We had marinated flank steak, Robert's signature Caesar salad, and yummy roasted potatoes. We ate and visited until about 10:30pm. It was one of those ultra-delightful South African extended eating forays.

The Wicked Witch is in St. Louis!

2010-06-20T18:10:00.003-06:00

Anita and I were foxy ladies all dressed up and off to the persian-design Fox Theatre in downtown St. Louis right by Saint Louis University where former Ute coach, Rick Majerus, coaches. It is quite a breathtaking theatre, it reminded me of the Epcot Center's Morocco. My favorite was the spectacular ceiling design on a blue background. Our seats were on the front row of the loge; we had a perfect unobstructed view of the stage. And what a view! This is a wonderful show and I was so excited to know how the story fit the music that I know by heart. I must say that I hated the book and blissfully, the show barely followed the book and it is MUCH better. I was delighted with how it tied in all the tasty tidbits of L. Frank Baum's story - the genesis of the flying monkeys, the tinman, and the scarecrow. It ended up a lovely, tender story of true love and friendship. I was emotionally touched as the play ended. I spent most of the evening hoping it wouldn't end because I could have watched it another two hours! The emerald city scene was the most spectacular I've seen on a stage since the Ascot Races scene when I went to "My Fair Lady" in Lost Angeles with Uncle Will when I was 12. Well, Wicked was MAGIC and I have been changed for good!

Robert graciously let me have his ticket (he's seen it twice before) and the guys all went to watch the Cardinals beat the A's at Busch stadium (in $150 super seats).

Anita sent her kids her first- ever text message. That's a big deal! Now we need to get her an iphone so she can keep it up!

Meet Me in St, Louie!

2010-06-19T15:30:00.003-06:00

Anita and Bob are hosting Jeff, Rick and me in St. Louis for Father's Day. They are leaving next week to visit Rob & Deb in Seattle then onto Hawaii.

Friday was Anita's last day at work, so we hung out then went down to cute little Lebanon, Illinois for lunch at Dr. Jazz's soda fountain. There were charming little shops along the main street for shopping. Rick and I found Halloween things there! Really cute ones! We HAD to buy them. Jeff refused to take the 12 scoop ice cream sundae challenge at lunch - if you can eat it all in 30 minutes, it's free. Instead he had a pineapple/coconut sundae. Rick and I got our old-time favorite chocolate ice cream sodas.

About 5pm we loaded into the car and headed for Busch Stadium to watch the Cardinals play against the Oakland A's. The new stadium takes full advantage of it's view of the famous expansion arch. The arch looks surreal to me; like someone put it into the skyline with computer graphics. One neat thing about the field, the groundskeepers have mown a reflection of the arch into the outfield. Very cool.

We got ballpark bratwurst for diner and found Jeff some sauerkraut to go with it. The last time I went to a major league baseball game was in 1976; when I was expecting Nicole. The game was much more fun that I remembered; there was lots of action and scoring beginning with a 2-run homer by the Cardinals in the first inning. The guys are going back tonight for game 2 of this match-up. Anita and I are headed to the Fox Theatre to see "Wicked"! I've wanted to see this play for years! I'm excited.

The 50's Golden Oldies - but Goodies

2010-02-21T11:50:00.004-07:00

Time for the Wasatch Group get together! Fred and Jill planned a 50's Golden Oldies party for us. Their home was turned into a hamburger joint complete with menus - we each gave our order to poodle-skirted waitresses, Lauren & Hannah (Their darling granddaughters). Our placemats were record albums. We got to choose creme soda, root beer or black cherry soda to drink. The scary looking grill master wore a black leather vest - but he grilled up some mighty fine burgers and dogs. Homemade french fries and onion rings came to us in paper-lined plastic baskets. After sufficiently stuffing ourselves, we adjourned to do a little 50's dancing on the Wii. We were really hot stuff - just like the old days. What a fun party!

Gardner Village Witches

2009-11-17T22:41:00.002-07:00

Happy Times! Anita, Bob and Deb Snyder came to town to spend Halloween with us! It was time to party, so we headed out to Gardner Village to see their witches and shop about.

Lobster Fest - into the Tribune

2009-11-16T22:09:00.003-07:00

For years we've said we should join in the costume contest at the annual Halloween Hi Jinks Symphony. This was the year. I spent two days sewing 4 lobster costumes to go with Nicole's original that she made in San Diego. We finished sewing 8 lobster claws about 30 minutes before we had to leave for the symphony because Uncle Rick came early and helped us stuff all of them.

We lost the costume contest, although the judges gave us kudos from onstage. The symphony mascot, seagull, asked if he could have pictures taken with us. But when we all showed up at Red Lobster for dinner after the symphony, several staff members came out to greet us and asked us to come in and visit our relatives in the tank. It was hard to know what to choose when you found yourself on the menu.

The Salt Lake Tribune asked readers to send in pictures of their Halloween costumes. I sent some along and a reporter responded back to me that so far, ours were their favorites. Surprise! Halloween morning, our picture was on the front page of the Utah section!

Phantom Cannons

2009-11-16T16:30:00.004-07:00

The annual Cannon Family Halloween fest was based on Phantom of the Opera The masquerade was accessorized by everyone's feather mask and the little girl's sequined tiaras. Dessert featured a chocolate fountain with fruit and cake to dunk in dripping chocolate. Instead of bringing down a chandelier, the kids all got together and brought down a mirror-ball pinata.

Noma's 85th Suprize Birthday Party

2009-10-20T13:27:00.003-06:00

Last Saturday afternoon we had a beautiful ride down to Mapleton, Utah. Norma's son Clint, and his wife, Wylene, had planned a surprise party for Norma's 85th birthday. They had a lovely dinner catered and invited us all to come. The food was wonderful and each table had a centerpiece that depicted some special aspect of Norma's life and interest. They had requested pictures and we sent several down which they used also.

Norma lives across the street from a lovely home that covers two lots. On one lot is their dwelling and on the other is a huge recreation building. It has a weight room, an indoor wave pool room and a big hall for basketball and sports with a kitchen off one corner. This is where the party was. As the dinner wound down, Rustin and the others wound up and decided to give the chin-up bars a try. Jeff was sure if his neck was only a little bit longer he could have suceeded. Only one person made it all the way to an official chin-up. Look below for the star athlete!

Canyon Picnic

2009-10-04T11:50:00.002-06:00

Nicole called me late last Saturday afternoon and asked if we could have our traditional Conference picnic in the canyon one week early. She and Rustin had plans to go to Lake Powell with their bishop's family over Conference, but they didn't want to miss out on our picnic. So we took off after church for the Alpine Loop. The canyon was super crowded. There were no picnic spots available. Luckily Rustin knew of a picnic area above the Tibble Fork reservoir that was unmarked. We kept going and going and found one of the most lovely spots shrouded in autumn glory I've ever seen. It was chilly but very beautiful! Rustin and Nicole had brought their Ranger, so after eating they took off up a dirt road and the two cars followed slowly behind. We took turns driving and riding in the ranger going quickly through the trees and leaves. At one point Carole and Clark took us on wild rides around another lake high in the mountains. We loved it so much that Jeff and I met Nicole and Rustin back at the same place Monday evening and took the ranger all the way to the top of the mountain. It was exhilarating to be outdoor and submerged in the autumn colors. Oh how glorious. As it turned out, that was really a good idea, because this Conference weekend it is dark and gray and cold and raining. We would have missed a spectacular experience in Utah's mountains.

Corbin Came to Visit ! ! !

2009-10-04T11:41:00.003-06:00

Scott & Mitzi came down with Corbin to visit because Kat & Richard Ethington were home from Dubai for a visit. They had a wonderful time seeing their old friends again. And I had a wonderful time taking Corbin on walks in Murray Park with Barkley. Cute little Corbin galloped all through the park, lickety split. He galloped at least a mile as our pathway wound all through the park. As you can see, there were times Barkley and I had to giddy up to stay close to him! He brought such delight and happiness into our home, although he didn't much like the Halloween witch that screams and cackles or the hanging spider that drops down to scare people.

The Lord's Tenth

2009-10-04T11:20:00.004-06:00

September 26th was a beautiful autumn evening. Jeff invited members of the ward where he was bishop (The University 10th Ward) to bring their children to our home for dinner on our back patio. We called the members of his ward "The Lord's Tenth" in deference to their spirituality and service. They are some of the most wonderful young people in the world.Sister Cannon and Bishop Cannon Brenda & Ben Thomas (our dog, Wilbur's caretaker) and their three boys. Lindsey (Boyer) and Dr. Dan Kaelberer and their lovely children. Sarah & Jared Johnson and their six children. Gina & Brian Taylor and their two girls. He is a sports announcer on the radio. All the usual suspects. Camille and Bruce Killpack with Sage & McClean (who takes care of our yard all summer.)

Branson - Our Last Day

2009-09-13T14:02:00.002-06:00

In our effort to make the most of our sojourn to Branson, we got tickets to the Red Skelton Show at 10:00am in the morning. We joined the hearty souls there and laughed ourselves silly as Tom Mullica went through some famous and well-loved Red Skelton routines. I did not know that Red’s “Guzzler’s Gin” routine was Lucille Ball’s inspiration for “Vitemeatavegimin”. She requested Red’s permission to do it on her TV show and it was an incredible hit. I loved this clean comedy – how I miss being able to laugh without worry of being completely offended.

Anita and Bob took us to lunch at the “Chateau” where they had stayed on a previous trip to Branson. It was lovely and elegant and we had a very nice lunch in the dining room looking out onto Lake Taneykomo.

There is for us, an unanswered mystery in Branson – what’s with all the butterflies? There is a huge butterfly shaped garden in from of the Dixie Stampede show. There are butterflies painted in all manner and description all around the town – very much like the cows in Chicago. There’s an attraction called the Butterfly Garden in Branson where you walk through and see live butterflies floating about. What’s with all the butterflies????

We drove back to Anita and Bob’s that evening, had pizza for dinner and Bob took us to the airport the next morning, We made the most of a short, fun, trip to Branson. I want to note that Branson is hilly! Driving the roads around Branson is somewhat akin to riding a rollercoaster. They call the hills here bald knobs. I don’t get the bald part because they are all covered in green foliage. But when they say, “hill” billies I understand the “hill” part.

Branson Day Two

2009-09-13T13:44:00.004-06:00

We went in search of a better breakfast this morning over to the Hilton Convention Center. We wandered through the lovely lobby to the café upstairs. They didn’t seem too happy to see us; commented that we were arriving just as their breakfast service was ending and after we had ordered, sent the waitress out to ask us if we didn’t want lunch instead. We stuck to our guns and ordered breakfast that turned out to be not so great.

Undaunted, we took off to find Dick Clark’s 57 Heaven. It was the best car museum I’ve ever seen. It is focused on models from 1957, which took Anita and me right down memory lane. The beautifully restored cars were displayed in settings to compliment them; a car dealership, an auto repair shop, a drive-in movie, a sample 1957 home. Most of the cars were unique collector’s items. We saw a car with “feelers” which would let the driver know if he was getting too close to the curb that it would tarnish his whitewall tires. One had a built in record player – did it skip much, we wondered? A car by the drive-in had seats that made into a bed – not so subtle. The Ford Fairlane hardtop convertible was there complete with the set of luggage you needed to use because it fit precisely in the trunk with the hardtop stowed. Their two-seater Thunderbird reminded me of Dona and Danny Eichelberger. One steering wheel had a clock in the center that was wound as the driver turned the wheel. The purple Cadillac was exquisite. So many of the carmakers no longer exist – Nash, Studebaker, DeSoto, Plymouth, and Hudson.

By then it was time to have lunch. Luckily Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Grill was nearby. Flat screens in the restaurant re-run old episodes of American Bandstand. The walls are adorned with memorabilia. I loved the framed comic strips joking about how Dick Clark never seems to age.

Right after lunch it was almost time for dinner – we were just able to take a quick shopping excursion at the outlet mall nearby. Anita and I jumped right out and got shopping while the menfolk napped in the car.

Dolly Pardon’s Dixie Stampede was a highlight. You walk to the entrance along a row of stables that house and tell about all the horses used in the show. It’s a long walk with lots of beautiful horses. People are seated in tiers around a big arena where the North Side battles the South Side in games and riding feats. Professional riders run through their paces for both sides. Then they select audience participants to do some of the games. Three kids from each side had to chase a pair of chickens from one end of the stadium to the other. There were miniature horses holding tiny stuffed riders that raced around the ring. My favorite was the pig race with hero pigs from the North – Ulysses S. Grunt and Abraham Link Sausage. They finish up with a Dolly patriotic video that unites us all into one great country – even among the rednecks.

Branson, MO

2009-09-06T18:57:00.003-06:00

It may be a last hurrah, but we've finally gone on summer vacation. We're in Branson, Mo. with Anita and Bob for Labor Day weekend. After an overnight at Snyders in St. Louis, we headed down to Branson in a mighty wet rainstorm. We arrived just in time for dinner at Moon River Grill where I had a chicken pot pie made from Andy's mom's recipe. It was GREAT! Then we headed over to the theatre for the show. Andy Williams himself did the whole thing pretty much and although he looks very old and tiny, his voice is still great big! I was amazed. It was a variety show with lots of other supporting performers but I totally enjoyed it. We met Anita and Bob later that evening and made preparations to be up and at'em for the 10am Roy Rogers show. We found the theatre by noting the giant Trigger replica in front. The show was done by Roy Rogers, Jr. and his son, Dustin. Well, they were real down home folk and played up a bunch a good ole cowboy music. Rick and I got our pictures taken with them before we headed to the Hard Luck Cafe for lunch. This was a unique place. Every waiter/waitress had to audition to work there and they all sing. So as you're eating every so often a waiter/waitress will take the mike and sing up a storm. Some have been on American Idol and they were good warbblers. You can buy their cd's in the gift shop where you pay your bill on the way out. Then we were off to the Branson Showboat Belle. We hoped on this giant paddlewheel boat and headed out on Lake Tanycomo. They fed us - again. Then while they clean up you go out on the deck and check out the lake. Then they call you back in for the show which was headlined by Todd Oliver and his talking dogs. They were are favorite act of the whole day. This ventriloquist had rigged little things on his pet dogs that makes it looks like they're talking when he does their voices. He was FUNNNNNY. He brought two people up out of the audience and told them to just open their mouths when he squeezed their necks and that was even funnier. We had to hustle off the boat to make it to the Sight and Sound theatre to see "Noah". I thought this would be quite secular but no, it was right out the the Bible Belt call you to repentence, Halleleujah presentation. However the giant stage holds a 4 story arch and they take all kinds of live animals in while you watch. After intermission, the set is 3 sides of the theatre that are made to look like the inside of the ark with animal pens along the sides with the live animals in them. It was quite amazing. The audience gasped and clapped when the lights came up on that set. Well, everybody was pretty worn out after our big day but oh, what fun we had! Non-stop entertainment, ain't bad!

Caribbean Commemoration

2009-08-29T21:32:00.000-06:00

Bettinsons planned a summer dinner for us in their lovely backyard which was ideal because they are remodeling their main floor – Big Time! It should be wonderful with high ceilings and spectacular views of Mount Olympus when they’re finished.

Their trees were covered in twinkle lights, pink flamingos were lurking all about. Paper mackaws were hanging in the branches. We ate well, as usual and finished with Key Lime Cheesecake – made by me from Debbie’s recipe.

Making the cheesecake is a bit of a story. I couldn’t find key lime juice, but Albersons had bags of key limes. I thought that fresh lime juice may be superior in flavor to the other stuff and so was contented to buy the fresh limes. There were about thirty or so of the little dickens in the bag. I began to squeeze. If I was lucky, some of the limes were as big as a walnut. I cut them in half and finally resorted to squeezing them with a pair of pliers to get the most juice out. When I finished the squeezing the whole bag of limes, I had ½ cup of juice. I needed a full cup.

Jeff came to the rescue and went to the store for me. We ended up with Key West lime juice from Florida. At that point I didn’t care whether it was “key lime” juice or “lime juice from Key West”. I used it.

We took the barely baked cheesecakes to Debbie’s and put them in the fridge to cool. Then we stalled because you can’t serve warm cheesecake – unless you want it to puddle right on the plate. Luckily Greg had entertainment for us which consisted of pictures from Fred’s 60^th birthday cruise we did together in February and then some hilarious comedy DVD’s of people falling in waterbeds, marching band mishaps, people falling in holes, etc. Slapstick is my favorite.

Blogging out of chronological order - Aspen Grove

2009-08-22T10:58:00.000-06:00

Study Group was invited to visit Hanks’ cabin in beautiful Aspen Grove for an afternoon hike followed by dinner. We were well-intentioned but arrived 70 minutes late for the hike or 50 minutes early for dinner. Luckily, Camerons were right behind us, otherwise we would have awakened Paul Maughan from his nap alone.

The early arrival gave us some time to just hang out by the mountain stream and enjoy someplace cool, and green and shady. The frisky study groupers got back from their hiking shortly after six and we picked up a few more latecomers for dinner. We all ate out on the large deck facing the stream. When dark arrived we moved inside for conversation.

I particularly enjoyed the joke book on the table beside my big comfortable leather chair. My favorite was, “What do John the Baptist and Winnie the Pooh have in common?” “They both have the same middle name.” Gotcha.

A Living Legacy

2009-08-19T08:59:00.002-06:00

Last Thursday August 13th was the Awards program for the AAUW (American Association of University Women) Utah Women Artists show. My mother began this event many years ago because she felt a need to recognize the artistic contributions Utah women were making to art. When she died in 1982, my Dad gave her friend and AAUW colleague, Carol Wilson of Wilson Financial, a pot of money. Carol invested the money and every two years at the show, an award is given in my mother's name in the amount of interest earned on that pot of money. That way money for the award never runs out and hopefully the amount will grow. This year it was a $500 award. The show is juried, meaning that an art professional comes and selects the award winners - we don't. This year's juror was from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. The first show after her death, the award went to a very abstract work. We thereafter specified that the award be made to an artist who submitted a "traditional" work of art. This year the winner was Laura Boardman, an art graduate from the University of Utah, for her painting called "Still Water Reflection". It reminded me of the many fabulous photos that my sister, Mary, had taken of reflections on the Colorado Plateau. Laura was there with her husband, who is also an artist. It was a lovely event with wonderful refreshments. You can go see the artwork at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center just off Redwood Road on 3350 South 1300 West. The best part of the event for me was having people come up to me and tell me that they had been friends with my Mom and loved her and share their experiences with me. What a grand tribute to a grand lady. Way to go, Mom!

Wedding Crashers

2009-08-16T20:40:00.003-06:00

So, in case you didn't know, Nicole and Rustin got married Monday July 27, 2009 after a huge wedding party bash at our house Saturday July 25th. Have we recovered? A picture is worth 1000 words.

Speaking of pictures, you can check out the wedding carnival at this address:

http://gallery.me.com/j.can

http://gallery.me.com/n.cannon

My Number One Bunny

2009-04-25T23:09:00.003-06:00

The bunny trail was sporting a new member this Easter - Big Jesse Bunny! The day before Easter we took Mandy's gift of a new pink, round bunny and hopped on over to our former home teacher's back yard (Ed McDonald). His daughter Alisha was there and acted as hostess for the Holladay 27th Ward Primary Easter Egg Hunt. Jeff had agreed to the Primary's special request that he be the Easter Bunny for the event. You know, I thought Jeff looked really good in white fuzz, but Barkley freaked out when he saw him until he took the giant bunny head off. However when the little kids started to arrive it was back on with the ever-so-hot fuzzy bunny cranium. The Bunny went armed with gold chocolate coins which he kept finding behind the ears of all the little children who dutifully swore to him that they had washed their ears just that very morning, Then in true Easter Bunny fashion, he gave the gold coins to the children. Glen and Dianne Park were there with their ever-growing troupe of lovely grandchildren. And who should show up with her lovely little daughter, but Julee Moake. who tended our kids so much when they were little, she gets partial credit for raising them. She of course said they were the best kids ever. It's my opinion that our kids were extra lucky to have the Easter bunny for their Dad.

Austrian Mission Reunion

2009-04-25T22:35:00.003-06:00

April means General Conference and a visit from the Wondras! Somehow Jeff was selected to be in charge of his Austrian Mission Reunion this year. He went all out and planned a German food buffet at our house that included Nurimberger bratwurst, rotkohl, sauerkraut, hot potato salad, and apple strudel for dessert. People were so excited to have great food along with conversation. However the two highlights of the evening were 1) the attendance of Jeff's wonderful mission president, Arthur Watkins, who is now in his eighties. 2) Johann and Ursula Wondra spoke and gave us all an update about the Church in Europe in general and Austria specifically. People were so enchanted by all this that they didn't go home until after 11:00pm. Who stays at their missionary reunion till 11:00pm? I ask you?! All credit to Jeff and James Bond - Nobody Does It Better!

Seven in One Blow

2009-04-16T18:13:00.004-06:00

March 24th was Barkley's appointment for tightrope surgery with Dr. Mark Albrecht in Bozeman, Montana. I twisted Amanda's arm and she agreed to make the 7 hour (each way) drive with me and Barkley. We borrowed Clark's Explorer so we could put Barkley's new temperpedic bed in the back and still keep him close to us. (Side note, Amanda has been known to push Barkley off and sleep on his new bed herself!)

We had been invited to be the guests of Barkley's first parents, Butch and Christie Leone (his breeder). They hadn't seen Barkley in three years and very generously offered to give us a place to stay while Barkley was there for his surgery. Butch and Christie are the proud owners of no less than 7 Bernese Mountain dogs! Among them were Breezy (Barkley's Mom), America (1st batch of puppies), Blush (2nd batch of puppies and Barkley's little sister), Chazz (3rd batch of puppies), Digby, the naughty Bernese Mountain Dog and my personal favorite, Beau the 10 year old, and Belle the old lady of the group. They all look remarkably like Barkley with one major exception - they are little, mini, Mountain Dogs (the size they're supposed to be) and Barkley is HUGE! They all weigh the recommended 90 to 110 pounds. Barkley is 146 and stands about six inches taller than any of them. When we arrived Christie was out the door to greet us and Barkley. She introduced him to the front and then the backyard. Then we went inside where we saw one of the most memorable sites I've ever seen. Behind a little white gate at the top of the basement stairs were seven Bernese Mountain Dog faces eyeing us with excited wonder and eagerly anticipating an audience. One by one Christie let each dog come out and meet Barkley. Then that dog went outside and another one got to come for the meet and greet. When each had had a turn the whole kit and kaboodle came back in and it was pretty amazing to be around that much Mountain Dog. They were all wonderful and well behaved and eager for our attention. Digby tried to take off with my purse which led to the telling of Digby stories. When Butch gives the dogs each a new wonderful bone, Digby steals them away and buries them in his own personal spot for safe keeping. Our second night Digby came and pushed and prodded his way onto my lap where he was content to stay as long as I was petting him. When I stopped he went over and did the same thing to Amanda. Barkley's surgery went well and we made it home after detouring over to the freeway when the Island Park Road was closed due to snow. The Leone's were wonderful to us and to Barkley and it was delightful staying with them and their wonderful brood of love-filled Mountain Dogs. The pictures are of:

The whole Mountain Dog family Barkley with his little sister Blush

Big Barkley and little Blush

Barkley & his little mom, Breezy

The Greeters

The Mardi Party

2009-04-08T07:13:00.004-06:00

Star Date - March 20, 2009

Captain's Log - The whole crew except Dr. McCoy (Clark, who stayed home and cared for the Cannon creatures and performed at a paying concert with his band) assembled themselves at the foot of volcanic Mount Ranier for the marriage ritual of Rob and Deb Snyder. We were overcome by the forest atmosphere swathed in seemingly ever-present rain. Who could help but equate this setting to that of the book, "Twilight"? Amanda and I ended up making a 44 mile round trip into town to find a copy of the just-released Twilight DVD to bring back to the little "Forest House" where we stayed. But the focus of the weekend celebration was a "Mardi Gras" wedding. The afternoon nuptials were followed by the entire wedding party gathering to Alexander's Inn restaurant where everyone selected their favorite mask and the party began. It included a lovely prime rib or salmon dinner during which we learned that the U of U had lost their first game in the NCAA tournament. But our spirits were undampened as we ascended upstairs to dance the night away. Rick was especially good at dancing the night away in Energizer-bunny fashion. Many of us pooped out after a few hours but Rick kept right on dancing. Instead of a cake, we were offered a buffet of cupcakes. Two people won prizes for choosing the cupcake that had Rob or Deb's name on the bottom. Carole caught Deb's bridal bouquet. About 9:00 pm the nearby media room was adorned with more buffet snacks for the late-night revelers. It was truly marvelous.

We ventured into Mount Ranier National Park twice and had snowball fights. We were lucky enough to see the volcano's peak come out of the clouds for a few moments - a sight that we were told many visitors never see.

A special highlight for me was the rehearsal dinner when Deb presented Rob with a groom's cake decorated with an air-brushed top depicting the four captains from the Star Trek series. Underneath their pictures were the words, "Rob and Deb, Live Long and Prosper". Noting the need for good communication, each guest was given a Star Trek communicator which we all wore. On the back was inscribed the "star date" of their marriage. She had champagne goblets inscribed for them with "Live Long and Prosper". I can't think of a better wish for a couple as they embark on a marriage. So we thank you, Rob and Deb for inviting us all and with our hearty congratulations send our "Spockiavelian" wish for your happiness - may you both "Live Long and Prosper"

Princess has a foot fetish

2009-03-27T18:43:00.003-06:00

Dad's shoe or my flip flop? Which does princess love more?

Princess in a Shoe

2009-03-25T18:33:00.004-06:00

There once was a princess who slept in a shoe

It had so many aromas, she didn't know what to do!

So she snuzzled her nose & lowered her head

Took a big whiff - and now she is dead.

Just kidding. . . .

Bad Dad, the Good Dad

2009-03-11T10:14:00.002-06:00

Carole has a TV in her bedroom. Unfortunately it is only hooked up to play DVD's, it doesn't get cable. She had told Dad how neat she thought it would be if she could get cable on this TV. The next thing I knew, early two Saturday's ago, I went into to Carole's room to see disembodied legs flailing about. When we remodeled they put a furnace in the ceiling area with the access from Carole's room. Dad thought he could bring a cable wire in through there. He worked on it all day long, legs flailing everywhere. It couldn't be done. After a days worth of extreme effort, we were left with a no cable imperative and a beleaguered Dad who had made a valiant effort to spoil his darling daughter. I certainly wouldn't call this a failure. Maybe a flailure. What do you think?

Lawry's Beverly Hills

2009-03-09T16:33:00.005-06:00

It was sunny and warm in Los Angeles. Dad made a reservation for us at the original first location of Lawry's Prime Rib. Scott stayed in classes all day. Dad and I played hookey long enough to go to afternoon sacrament meeting in a Ward just behind the LA Temple. It was a homecoming for a missionary returning from Russia. The first speaker talked about visiting the J Paul Getty Center and looking at Monet's artwork. I was just there yesterday! The missionary was older. He had stayed home for a few years to care for his dying mother. After her passing he had gone in as one of the oldest elders there. The Ward was giving him a homecoming celebration right after the meeting. We zoomed back to pick up Scott and drove out to Beverly Hills. We were early for our dinner reservation so we literally "headed for the Hills". We drove around some pretty glamorous homes but all of them are close together on the hillside. Lawry's was lots of dark wood and a "clubby" atmosphere. It was very busy but we didn't have m uch of a wait and we were well taken care of. The food was very good, but I'm afraid I've ruined myself for Lawry's. We had their salad which I made last Sunday. We had their creamed corn but I like mine better. Their prime rib is wonderful - they can cook several roasts to get it rare, medium and well-done. I can't do that. We finished with a hot fudge sundae. Not bad for a Sunday dinner. Dad drove us into downtown LA to see the Walt Disney Concert Hall - and its incredible architecture. It looked like it did in "Get Smart"!

California Here We Come!

2009-03-08T12:49:00.009-06:00

At Scott's invitation, Dad and I have come to Los Angeles for a "Wealth Structuring Institute". If you have to structure wealth to have it, then I'm all in favor. It was just a hop, skip and jump from the airport to the airport Hilton, which is huge! We found Scott awaiting our arrival in our room and the three of us headed downstairs to dinner. There are three restaurants here and you can order anything off the menu of any the restaurants no matter where you are dining. Why would this be? Because all the food here is insanely expensive. Our breakfast for three cost $70! We spent the day listening to an attorney educate use about trusts. I felt like Brian Reagan when they gave him a list of the things that cause heartburn - "I know this stuff! I know how to get heartburn . . ." Dad let me sign up for hotel internet at only $13 a day so I could play online during the hours of lecture. After all day Friday at the stateboard meeting I feel like Gary Larsen's cartoon where the little guy with the tiny head tells his teacher, "May I be excused, my brain is full." At 5pm we took off and surprise, surprise, Dad headed us straigth to the Los Angeles temple grounds. It was surprisingly lovely. The landscaping was spectacular I thought. As we began to walk around the temple, there was a large flock of crows screaming and flapping around. Our initial reaction was that we may have been in a remake of "The Birds", but then Dad spotted a raptor in one of the trees. It had a crow in its claws and the other crows were harassing it. It flew from place to place hounded by the flock all the way. I felt sorry for the raptor just trying to get some dinner (I too, was very hungry at the time) until I heard wails of the captured crow in its talons. Then I just felt conflicted.

We left the temple grounds and drove up through Santa Monica to the J Paul Getty Center. We saw what one of the richest men in the world could do with his trust. He has taken basically an entire mountain and utilized it to house his art treasures and research center. You park at the base of the mountain. The only charge associated with the center is a $10 parking fee. There is a fancy enclosed tram you take through the hillside up to the top where the fabulous travertine marble complex is located. I don't think I've ever seen so much marble. The place is breathtaking. We hurried to the restaurant because we were starving by this time - we had a very light lunch since we'd blown our budget for breakfast. The restaurant was fabulous both in terms of atmosphere and food. See Dad and Scott standing in front of it with bare but artistic trees. It was dark, but still the views were wonderful. It left was with just a little time to visit the museums. I headed right to the West building to see Van Gogh's Iris. Pictures of pictures just don't do them justice. I also photographed one of Monet's paintings of his water lily pond at Giverney. It is a testament to Monet's brilliance that in my photographs his painting seems like a photograph. And I looked at Renoir's portrait of a gentleman and thought how I'd kill to have a complexion that looks that good. Renoir's fleshtones are only equaled by those of his contemporary Mary Cassat - to get to see this is truly spectacular!

Birthday Bashes

2009-03-08T10:02:00.008-06:00

Little Carole turned 26 lovely years old on February 18th. She took the opportunity to get Dad on the slopes with his new skiis. She even got Nicole to come, and they all went night skiing at Solitude. I, of course, was holding down the fort at home with Barkley and was told that they would finish up around 7:30pm and then we'd go to dinner. Fie! Fie! Those crazy folks stayed and skied till 9:00pm, having so much fun they couldn't tear themselves off the hill. So it was a late, late dinner when we rolled in the Cheesecake Factory. So late that nobody ordered dessert. Instead we went home and set an ice cream cake afire with 26 brightly burning candles which Care extinguished with one mighty blow.

Fast forward exactly one week and it was time to celebrate Rick's 48th birthday! What an old baby brother! But Rick is ever-ready for a celebration. The day before, we went down to Mapleton and took Norma to lunch at Magleby's. She looks great, is doing well, and sends her love to all with an ardent invitation to visit her. When the actual day arrived, Rick had already been booked for dinner with his fishing buddies, so it was out with the lunch bunch. We went to the DoDo re-monikered the Jo-Do, since Joe serving there inspired Rick's restaurant choice.

Rustin (sporting his medical boot), Nicole, Amanda (who came late), Clark, Janet; all came to join Rick at birthday lunch. Joe was our waiter and made sure that Rick finished up with their ultra-fabulous dessert, chocolate almond mousse cake. Have you ever seen a happier Rick face? That stuff makes you happy! Afterwards Mandy, Rick and I went to see a great animated movie, "Bolt". But the partying wasn't over yet. On Friday night we all turned out at Olympus lanes for bowling with Rick. It was the girls against the guys. The girls beat the guys convincingly in the first game, only to fall to defeat in the second. I figured we ended up about even, as my score wasn't helping anyone win anything. I fixed Rick his favorite entree, pepper steak, for Sunday dinner and he was showered with gifts. Among his favorite was the giant red model truck that Mandy found for him.

The Queen of Halloween

2008-11-02T19:21:00.005-07:00

It's that time of year again, and Janet was in rare form. It was all Harry Potter all the time this year. We had Bertie Botts, fortune-telling, pin the beak on Buckbeak and eyeball spoon races. Does Halloween get any better than this? And not only did she throw this Harry Potter party once, but TWICE!!! Amazing, isn't she? You can bet she's at home resting in her comfort trap trying to recover and falling asleep through another episode of Pushing Daisies.

When they arrived at the party, everyone was sorted into houses and given a schedule of classes to attend. And Dumbledad made sure everyone, even the Slytherins, were excited about their houses.

Mandy dressed up as Madam Hooch, Quidditch and flying instructor.

There is Hagrid with the most brillowy beard of all. He helped the kids give Fang (Barkley) dog treats in his Care of Magical Creatures class.

Nicole was Professor Trelawney and fortold very dark and dangerous fortunes for her students. They will be lucky to survive the year.

Carole was Professor McGonagal and oversaw the eyeball spoon races in her Transfiguration class. Here they all are, pictured with Headmaster Dumbledad.

What a great Halloween. Thanks Your Majesty!

Still Reuning After All These Years

2008-10-06T08:35:00.004-06:00

Dad came home from his mission to Austria in 1967, so it's been 41 years since he served as an assistant to President Arthur Watkins. Obviously President Watkins was quite a guy. After serving as a Mission President in Austria, he went on to serve as a Mission President in Italy. He was a professor of languages at BYU and as I recall is fluent in German, Italian, French, etc, etc, etc.

We got a phone call last week telling us that as President Watkins is now 92 years old, they were having a reunion with him for one last time. We wanted to be there. We headed to Lindon for the event. There were eight of Pres. Watkins missionaries and their spouses that came, including Larry Wright from Arizona. Jon Dibble (to Dad's right) and Larry (back row center) both returned from their missions and went to law school at Stanford. There were some VERY outstanding missionaries in Austria at that time.

President Watkins had trouble hearing but his eyes are twinkling and his mind is very, very sharp. He lost his beloved wife eight years ago. Of course all the guys wanted a picture with the President. I thought the girls should have the same opportunity. It was so sweet to be a part of this coming together to reminisce. The last time I visited with President Watkins, I was at his home and he showed me his anti-gravity machine. It was a flat board that he would strap himself to, then it would rotate and he would spend some time inverted with his head down on the board and his feet in the air. It kept the blood flowing to his brain, he said. It must work! I should get one of those.

What a Swell Party This Is

2008-09-19T08:48:00.006-06:00

The title of this post comes from a song in the movie, High Society, which starred Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly. It was a remake of The Philedelphia Story which starred Katherine Hepburn, James Stewart and Clark Gable. So much for movie history. -- The party we went to last night was to celebrate history - Utah First Bank is 30 years old. Dad brought home an invitation from the bank (who just recently re-financed his office building complex, likely because the head of the bank was an Austrian missionary with Dad). When opened there is a picture of a young retro-couple and the card played, "You're the One that I Want" from Grease. The couple was holding a big red #1. It was inviting us to a light buffet dinner at the Salt Lake Country Club.

It was the most gorgeous evening of perfect weather. As we entered, we were walking on a giant red carpet shaped like a big red #1. We signed the guest book and were given a favor - a leather case holding a 1978 US Dollar coin and a 2008 US Dollar coin. 30 years ago - Clark was a baby. The buffet had small portions of Beef Wellington, chicken on a stick, and a huge bowl of giant shrimp. A cocktail waitress walked around serving cranberry juice or lemonade cocktails - this is Utah right?!

We ate outside adjacent to the golf course with a fabulous view of Mount Olympus. And no folding chairs here, but lovely dining room-type chairs on the lawn. Surprisingly, you cannot hear the freeway from this venue.

My favorite thing, however, was the entertainment - the Saliva Sisters. They are a female trio that does great parody songs - ala Weird Al. They turned Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin" to "I've Got Skin Under My Chin"(I can relate). They sang about fiber and Depends and shopping. I loved it. Their CD's are called "Delusions of Granger - a Utah Parody" and "Spit Happens" (they're the Saliva Sisters, get it?)

As we were leaving, the valet attendant took our picture amongst the colorful, fragrant pink, red, and purple petunias.

Zipperneck

2008-09-19T08:48:00.002-06:00

So, it was supposed to be a good thing - taking Barkley in to the vet for teeth cleaning and to have a cyst on his neck removed while he was under anesthesia. But things seemed to go wrong from the first. They put him out and a few minutes later he had a grand mal seizure. They think that he must be allergic to one of the drugs used in the anesthetic, but also mentioned a remote possibility that he could develop epilepsy. This was scary news but it continues. The cyst we could feel on top of his skin, turned out to be just one of several that were growing behind it. Two were fairly large and the other were small. Hence the unexpectedly huge incision all down his neck. When the vet looked at the cyst under the microscope, some of the cells looked suspicious. So we are waiting to hear back from the lab to see if they are malignant. It could be he is just prone to develop benign cysts.

I found all this to be debilitating. I felt like someone had just popped my balloon the rest of the day. The only lightness came when Jeff looked at Barkley and called him "Old Zipperneck" ( a reference from Young Frankenstein) and then Nicole came over and called him "Frankenbear". At any rate, he is

greatly loved and he will have tender care whatever the case. I hope Aaron is nearby to comfort Carole when she reads this.

The Priesthood is Restored!

2008-09-13T10:57:00.005-06:00

Last night our study group met at Boyers to hear from Michael & Darcy Kennedy. What an amazing story they told. Both are from Tonapah, Nevada located between "a clump of sagebrush and a Joshua tree." The missionaries would sometimes hold zone conference there because it was mid-way between Las Vegas and Reno. At one such time they determined to tract out the town. They knocked on every door and were only let into two homes: Darcy's family and Michael's family. Both were in high school at the time.

Michael had received an assignment to report on how his progenitor's lives were involved with American history. He went home and asked his dad about this. His Dad pulled out an old box of memorabilia that had been handed down and told him about his ancestor, Joseph Smith, who discovered Utah. That was the first time Michael had ever heard of Joseph Smith. As they were looking through this box, the doorbell rang. It was the missionaries. They let them in . . . . Things evolved and both Michael and Darcy joined the Church and left Tonapah for college; Darcy to Ricks and Michael to Cedar City. In Cedar City Michael, who had been a member only 60 days, was visited by General Authority Bruce R. Mc Conkie. Why? Because Michael is the first male direct descendant of Joseph Smith to ever join the LDS Church.

Michael wanted to marry Darcy but she insisted that he serve a mission. A blessing and conversation with the first presidency in Salt Lake revealed to Michael that his mission would be in another area. He did however, receive the priesthood and he is the first in Joseph's direct line to hold the restored priesthood. There is no evidence that Joseph's son, Joseph III, the founder of the RLDS faith, was ever set apart to hold either the Aaronic or Melchizedek priesthood. And Michael now knew that Joseph Smith was not exactly the man who discovered Utah.

Michael took a bus from SLC to Ricks and Darcy met him. As she saw him disembark, to her eyes he was surround by light and it came strongly to her that this man would take her to the temple. She said yes, and they were sealed in the Provo temple. I asked her what she thought about marrying the only LDS direct descendant of Joseph Smith. She replied that she was a new convert and it didn't hold any significance for her at the time. They are the proud parents of 6 children.

Now, what about that mission? Michael and Darcy have been fulfilling a lifetime mission spoken of by Joseph Smith in D& C 109: 68-70. At the dedication of the Kirtland Temple Joseph asks God to remember him, his wife and children, their connections -- that their prejudices may be broken up and swept away as with a flood, that they may be converted and redeemed with Israel, and know that thou art God. Fulfilling this scripture is Michael's mission.

Michael told us that he is creating a little leak in preparation for the coming flood - the return of Joseph's family to the church. He said that since the RLDS gave up the use of the Book of Mormon, many descendants have felt bewildered. They still have trouble believing that the Church is where their salvation is but there is a shift in positive feelings towards the Church and they are the contacts and good will ambassadors making this happen. He shared some information that I'd never heard before: DNA studies have been done and none show that Joseph Smith had other heritage from his plural wives; Brigham Young is known to have sent Emma support money after he arrived in Utah, but it was stolen en route and she never received any.

Until Michael received the priesthood authority, there was no one in the Church to bring these blessings directly though Joseph's line. Michael comes through Joseph & Emma's son, Alexander Hale Smith. Michael and Darcy have spent their lives finding, documenting & reaching out in good will to all of Joseph's family. As a result there are now 17 priesthood holders and 79 church members from Joseph's family.

They executive produced the movie, "Emma Smith, My Story", in an effort to win over the RLDS & others and assure them that the LDS do love and revere Emma - they think we hate her. They were leaving today to take the film with them to Australia where 1/3 of the direct descendants of Joseph now live. God speed.

My Very Own Blog!

2008-08-14T15:25:00.002-06:00

Hey Family and others! I started my very own blog! I'm kind of excited about it so check it out when you get a chance.

www.mandycannon.blogspot.com

Hope you are all doing wonderfully! I can't wait to hear your comments and questions that you might post on my blog that will make blogging that much more fun! Loves!

Amanda

No Allergies in Heaven

2008-08-03T12:06:00.005-06:00

July 16th was the day in my life I did something to address my high cholesterol, my high blood pressure, my pre-diabetic state, and my elevated chance of getting cancer - I had lap-band surgery at St. Mark's hospital. I must say that all went well and I was well taken care of. My sweet family brought & sent magnificent flowers to brighten my spirits. Some of them came to visit me and watch "So You Think You Can Dance" which was fun. All was well with me and the world until . . . I was sent home.

Despite the fact that I had filled out several forms noting my allergy to codeine, I was prescribed a pain-killer that contained that ingredient. I had been running a low-grade fever in the hospital that was left untreated when I was sent home. These two items spelled a recipe for disaster. Once home, I immediately started to go downhill. Eventually I was so sick, nauseous, and light-headed that I could not even drink water. Nor could I get myself up off the bed. By Monday afternoon my temperature had climbed to 104.8 degrees. I was one sick cookie. Of course my doctor was on vacation and an inept nurse was trying to get his colleagues to help this patient they didn't know from Adam. It was a living nightmare. I got some antibiotics to treat the fever Tuesday after spending two days with a bag of ice on my head in agony. Tuesday afternoon my body decided to try to expel the offending codeine by giving me bouts of diarrhea about every 2 hours for the next three days.

I wound up back in the hospital getting fluids because by body was so depleted from the nausea, fever and aforesaid diarrhea. Thanks to Jeff for staying by my side through this and to Clark for getting me home from the hospital the second time.

Since I am no longer being poisoned by medicine to which I an allergic and with antibiotics having treated whatever infection was causing my fever, I am feeling good. However, I can tell that my stamina has taken a severe hit. I need to rest after doing almost nothing. And almost any task seems too rigorous for me. Let's just hope that given time, the promised benefits of this surgery make it all worth the ordeal.

Tagged like an endangered animal - grrrrr

2008-07-24T10:53:00.007-06:00

As soon as I recover from this tranquilizer dart I'm taking this metal clip out of my ear! I was tickled and felt very smart when my RSS subscription feed showed a new blog entry from Carole. It was entitled - taggage. Taggage? Is that a word??? Who knew? So for what it's worth . . .

What are the last 3 things you purchased?

Liquid Tylenol
Liquid vitamins
Pedialyte & a thermometer – I’ve been sick.
I actually kept Dad running to the store to do the purchasing – I can manage to buy lots of stuff even when I’m too sick to get to the store. That’s buying power. Carole is taking after me but she still has a ways to go

What are the last 3 songs you downloaded?

Midnight Blue – Melissa Manchester
Smokey Mountain Memories – David Archuleta
You Made Me So Very Happy – Blood Sweat & Tears (for Dad’s ringtone)

What were the last 3 places you visited?

Cedar City Shakespearean Festival & Cedar Breaks National Monument
St. George Bloomington Heavenly getaway
DisneyWorld Orlando, Florida

What are your 3 favorite movies?

Pride & Prejudice – Greer Garson, Lawrence Olivier version, the funny version - the ultimate female fantasy - a fabulous, handsome Sir Gallahad marries a poor girl for love (I have not found this to be realistic)
Young Frankenstein – best slapstick ever
Gone With the Wind – I was obsessed with this movie in college
Random Harvest - self sacrifice, enduring love, How could I not mention this one?! I can't be limited to only 3 - there are many more, Maybe we should have categories . . .

What are your 3 favorite possessions?

My Macbook
My iphone/ipod
My holiday decorations

What are 3 things you can’t live without?

Jeffrey
My children & sweet grandbaby, Corbin
A testimony

What are your 3 wishes?

To have my children & their spouses/friends always near me.
To be healthy
To live, to learn, to love, to leave a legacy

What are 3 things you haven’t done yet?

My family geneology
Clean out Rick’s basement
Finish remodeling the living room

What are your 3 favorite dishes?

My Italian dishes from Piza
My handpainted chicken dishes
Beleek dishes - Wait, did you mean food dishes?????

What 3 celebs do you want to hang out with?

Weird Al Yankovic – he’s brilliant
Pierce Brosnan – he’s hunky
Jesus Christ – he’s da man

Name 3 things that freak you out.

Cancer
Re-election or not
“Old” body - don't even think about it

Name 3 thing you are good at:

Keeping the house locked and secure at all times. You’re not getting’ in here! Dad comments on my talent everytime he's working in the yard and can't get back in the house.
Picking up and cleaning up as I go along, and along and along. . .
Having “a plan” – I love to have “a plan”. Planning is a good thing. What is life without a plan?

Name 3 things you are currently coveting:

An early morning walk with Barkley through Murray Park
A new printer.scanner that works with heavy cardstock
Going out to eat

3 bloggers I tag:

Aaron – back at ya!
Nicole – get bloggin
Mitzi = you’re good at this

Dad Converts

2008-07-21T08:20:00.002-06:00

It was a long wait from birthday/Father's Day but iphone day finally arrived July 11th. More than 100 people were waiting at the door when the Apple store opened at 8am. Nicole promised to call us when the line died down - it never did. She spent most of the day giving out bottled water, suncreen and snowcones to iphone buyers waiting in line. When she got off at 8pm she called us to come down. We made it about 8:30pm and the line was still huge. Nicole had to get us past the giant security guard at the door - you don't push or shove your way into the Apple store - no way.

She spent her time off getting Dad all set up with a new super duper iphone and we've rarely seen him since. Or when we see him, he's playing with his iphone just like Nicole and Clark are. Time for an AT&T family plan.

Cedar breaks into wildflowers

2008-07-20T20:08:00.002-06:00

Dad & I got bitten by the adventure bug and on the way home from meetings in Cedar City we stopped to see Cedar Breaks National Monument. We enjoyed a wonderful evening Thursday at the Shakespearean Festival where we saw "Fiddler on the Roof". It made us cry which only means that we are getting old and sentimental.

The drive to Cedar Breaks was scenically spectacular with the roadside covered in wildflowers. When we arrived in Cedar Breaks we found out that this was the week of the Wildflower festival and they were at their peak.

Sadly I did not bring my camera, but happily I had my iphone. Sadly, my iphone takes some pictures in real color and some pictures are super green. Nice contrast, don't you think?

4th of July Reunion, Wii Qui

2008-07-15T07:02:00.003-06:00

There's nothing like a vacation where the goal is to do nothing. Nothing is a sweet thing to do.

We found ourselves again in that heavenly home in Bloomington relaxing and enjoying one another's company - some of us hadn't been together in a year and a half!

Baby Corbin was a highlight. He sang to us every morning and all day long taking pauses every few hours for one of his many daily naps.

We had daily adventures in the swimming pool where the highlights were floatie races compliments of Miss Mandy. Another highlight ended up in my hair. Brett, the caretaker apparently put blue dye in the pool at the end of the week. Our suits and ears and perhaps other unmentionable things turned blue including the ends of my blonde hair. My only hope is that blue hair is in style and people think I'm a hip old person.

It was especially fun to get Aaron there with us for a little R &R. Of course Barkley was thrilled and Aaron won all the floatie races.

Dad was a champ and acted as chief babysitter for Corbin while we took in a movie - Hancock which if you didn't have any sense of appropriate language did have a great plot twist.

Scott & Clark beat everyone else at the Wii games which went non-stop throughout the week. Mitzi got in several nights of spit and a round of cartoon captions had us all laughing.

Laura and Austin came and visited with us a time or two and Baby Corbin was enchanted by her.

I just hated to have to come home.

Saying goodbye to Carole and Aaron was hard.

Pics with Carole

2008-06-09T23:28:00.004-06:00

Yes, I've fallen behind in my posting but I just downloaded these photos from my camera today and it reminded me of what a great time we had when Carole was here. It was especially special for Dad. He got to take his girls back to the scene of his high school days, the former South High, when we went to see "Big River" there at the Grand Theatre. He showed them his classrooms and recalled his favorite teachers. Friday morning, Carole got up at the crack of dawn and they went to the temple together and strolled through tulips and gardens on Temple Square later that morning. He was so impressed that Carole went with him. It seems he was very excited to have her here, enough to inspire him to cook! He's rarely cooked in the 36 + years I've known him, but he pulled off a spectacular crepe breakfast without a hitch. We all enjoyed a wonderful morning on the deck - the most beautiful place you could ever have breakfast in the treetops.

Happy Birthday Dad!

2008-06-04T15:40:00.007-06:00

Oh somebody's had a BIRTHDAY, our little friend so dear. May Father in Heaven bless him, throughout the coming year!

Happy Birthday to my sweetheart of a Dad! We have the coolest Dad. I am convinced. Here are just a couple quick things that come to mind when I think about him, and reasons why he is so totally awesome.

Going with him to early morning temple sessions
Him making me crepes to eat out on the deck since I missed Mother's Day
He & mom coming down to SD to help us move and working non-stop the whole time!
He stayed up into the wee hours of the night repairing all our cabinets, etc. in our new place
Making a midnight trip with Mom to Walmart to buy us lightbulbs
Always treating us to dinners/lunches/movies, etc.
Letting me use his car while I'm at home - while he rode his scooter (in his suit!) to the Stake Center!
He keeps me updated on how much snow Alta got in the last storm. I love that!
He ate gelato for lunch one day. And another gelato for dessert. Is this where I get it from?

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful example in my life who I look up to so much. You are a great example of complete selflessness. Thank you for being such an awesome Grumps. I hope you have a very happy birthday!!! Love you, love you! Carole

Carole's Coming

2008-05-17T15:08:00.006-06:00

Barkley was so thrilled when we brought Carole home from the airport, that he kept letting out little whelping cries over and over again. And oh has she made his dreams come true. She's taken him to Millcreek Canyon and running and to the Dog Park and down to Cottonwood Creek. What fun we've had while she's been here. There is nothing quite like having family together again. We've watched and screamed through 2 Jazz playoff games and eaten and eaten and eaten all kinds of yummy goodness. Thank you for coming, Carole. You've made us all so very happy!

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-13T23:20:00.002-06:00

Mandy Graduates amid moustaches

2008-05-07T08:58:00.004-06:00

May Day 2008! One of the great moments in a mother's life. I got to present a bachelor's degree to my Baby Manda! What a thrill! She did it and she did it well. As her dean said, "Welcome to the fellowship of educated people." Scott & Mitzi made the trek to our house from Boise to help us celebrate the occasion, with sweet baby Corbin in tow. PF Chang's was the setting for our post-grad victuals. It brought back memories of Carole's graduation day. Saturday morning was the convocation for all the colleges. We heard from the U of U's Nobel Laureate, Dr. Mario Cappechhi. Post grad brunch was at The Garden Room in Hotel Utah bringing memories of Nicole's graduation. It was a spectacular morning in contrast to the snow we had the day before. We walked through glorious spring flowers on temple square before gearing up for the nighttime activity. Yes, Clark resurrected his annual "Moustache Party Saturday night. People had been growing facial hair for about three weeks. Top honors went to Monsieur Corbean for his French-flair moustache. Scott was sporting a mirror-image moustache shave. And Uncle Rick was not about to be left out of the fun. Barkley, too, joined the party at Nicole's house and had a name tag attached to his chest-hair identifying him as "The Beast". He made quick work of the every mini-powdered sugar donut he could nuzzle anyone in to feeding him and would have eaten the entire platter-full if allowed. All in all, it was a great, memorable weekend until Scott and Mitzi insisted on taking Corbin home with them which brought tears to my eyes.

It's a Jolly Holiday with Clarkie

2008-04-30T10:08:00.002-06:00

Wow - the past few days have been brightened by the celebration of Clarkie's 30th birthday. Good Grief, how did this happen so quickly?! Those 30 years have been happier because Clark knows how to liven up any party, bring a smile to any face and by golly, he's just plain funny. As I think about it, God had to have a sense of humor when he created people. We're the only one of his creation that can laugh. Clark is one of his best creations and around him the laugher flows. Thanks for the joy you bring my life!

"Just Keep Walking - Just Keep Walking"

2008-04-27T18:13:00.002-06:00

Well, we walked all over the EPCOT center and it truly lived up to its name - Every Person Comes Out Tired. I admit that my feet hurt, but I really felt bad when we got back to our room and Aunt Nita took off her shoes and had - BLOODY TOES! I had been so happy because Nita and Rick have done everything I planned and been such trooper bunnies. We have seen EVERYTHING there is to see at DisneyWorld. And now Aunt Nita has bloody toes. She may never want to go on a trip with me again. I had no idea I had so much energy or kept such a strident schedule. Poor Nita. . Nonetheless, it was a great day. We had a lovely lunch at the Coral Seas where the aquarium is all across the wall. We had a lovely dinner at the newly renovated Mexico pavillion that was yummy. We were captured by the spirits of the Oaxacan animal carvings and it cost us a lot of money. Aunt Nita got an alligator - her signature animal. He is darling! Rick got an armadillo. We headed for the United Kingdom to watch the fireworks show. Apparently, an English/Columbian gentleman standing next to Aunt Nita took a real shine to her, because he talked to us for about the next 15 minutes before the show started and must have told us at least 8 times how we were about to see the best fireworks show in the world. Then the fireworks came and he told us "Beautiful! Beautiful!" Yes, they were beautiful. As was the Chinese pavilion where Nita and Rick tickled a Buddah and I coochied a 9 foot troll in Norway. Just more fun of a different color. Good thing we leave tomorrow. Our feet need a rest and Aunt Nita can get back to work where her toes can heal.

Walk Like an Animal

2008-04-26T05:14:00.002-06:00

And walk is exactly what we have done. MY FEET HURT! Anita thinks we've walked at least ten miles a day every day we've been here, but we are all so excited to get to see everything and everythng is so worth seeing that who can complain?! I'm thinking I'll take some tylenol today - not for a headache but for a footache as we tackle the EPCOT Center. However, Animal Kingdom was the bomb. We went to see "It's Tough to be a Bug" -twice. Rick loved it and I got a great pic of Nita and Rick - bug-eyed. I still think the "Finding Nemo" show could be on Broadway. And this trip we encountered a white rhino on the safari ride. He weighs about 4500 pounds (so the guide said - who weights these guys?) and as our bus came through he decided to stand almost in the road. We went very slowly and I could of touched him, he was so close. As it was I just took a quick picture while pondering the nearness of my being to a white rhino. (They told us these were the nice rhinos, it's black rhinos that have grumpy personalities). Other fun animal sightings were Komodo dragons, large, leathery fruit bats, and tigers. Lots of tigers. They were close up and beautiful and active. Anita says they are developing a tiny tiger in Utah, called a toyger - pussy cat sized with tiger markings. One tiger we watched did his imitation of the Bitten. He licked himself all over, rolled over on his back exposing his white furry tummy and looked like you could just cuddle him. We walked the tiger trail in order to dry out after our spin down the Kali River Rapids ride. Anita and I were determined not to get our hair drenched this time. As soon as we got in our tube, we broke out plastic sacks and put them over our heads - to the laughter of our fellow passengers. True to form however, when the tube went down a steep incline and hit the bottom, Anita's sack flew off her head. I've included an "after" picture. I guess the reason I love Animal Kingdom is that right now the gardenia bushes are in blossom & all over the park you can smell the fragrance of gardenias - it's like walking up to a bush full of Mother's Day corsages. Oh, there must be gardenia's in heaven.

Universally Sennnnsaaaation

2008-04-25T06:30:00.002-06:00

We toddled out to Universal Studios to check out Disney's competition. There was no shortage of people, although they keep telling us this is the slow season. Take my advice and NEVER come during high season. The crowds swept us over to Universal Studios where we promptly paid another $30 to "fast pass" into all the lines. It turned out to be a good investment we got into everything we wanted with short waits. For Clarkie's information, there is a new ride that replaced "Back to the Future" that was opening this very day. It is the Simpsons ride. You couldn't use a fast pass and the wait to get in was an hour - so you'll have to come back and try it for us. Things were going swimmingly until we determined that a cooling ride on Popeye and Bluto's Bilge rats was just the ticket. We came out looking like the original drowned rats. Aunt Nita did a reprise on her Las Vegas "bucket of water in the Head" routine that was quite spectacular. Fortunately this was late in the day. As we left the park it dawned on us that it would be a great idea to stop for dinner at one of the city walk restaurants. Everyone in the park had the same idea. There was an hour to 1 1/2 hour wait everywhere until we had the gall to check out the elite restaurant of the bunch, Emeril's. A very dignified gentleman overlook our "bilge rat" appearance and seated us right sway. Attentive waiters took very good care of us and we had a fabulous, expensive meal looking worse than I ever remember looking in a nice restaurant. I learned this lesson, that if you're willing to pay for a fancy restaurant they'll take your money no matter how bad you look.

Spaced Out

2008-04-24T06:39:00.002-06:00

Wednesday - a break from the intensity of the crowds - we took a drive up to the Kennedy Space Center. We didn't even get lost until we tried to find our way home and the road sign that said next left, really meant next left after the next left. Humphff. We got ourselves all up to speed on the international space station. We met astronaut, John Blaha, (in the picture with Rick) who told about living on the space station. We say a model of the space shuttle which is really big size-wise but just has a tiny bit of space for the astronauts - three on the top deck, 4 mid-deck. Have you ever heard of NASA - TV? At the launch briefing, a gentleman from Australia thanked NASA for NASA-TV. He watches it everyday. The NASA employee who was doing our briefing said that everybody who works there goes home and watches it. These guys really LOVE their jobs and you can hear it in their enthusiasm sharing things with you. We headed back to Downtown Disney for dinner at House of Blues who now qualifies to be part of our book on the the "Best Bathrooms of the world. Crazy paint job. We all ate baby back ribs and then took off for a windy ride across the Lake. The Water taxi lady told us about the huge black water birds that were hanging out in the trees. They are Commorants. They dive for their food underwater, but because their wings are not waterproof, they have to come up on shore and hold their wings out to dry. We saw all the shops that are filled with Mickey-stuff, except for the delightful LEGO store that sports a giant LEGOness monster on the lake. We were dazzled by "LaNouba" at Cirque Du Soleil. We had front row seats and were in danger at one point in the show of having the hopping bicyclist guy in our laps. The audience was super and the performers got an enthusiastic standing ovation. The fun just keeps coming at the Happiest Place on earth. Perky Aunt Nita (who is used to getting up at 4AM) and Uncle Rick (who is used to getting up at 3AM) are ready to go early every day - slacker Janet (who gets up at a balmy 6:30AM) is the slowpoke of the group.