Best Moments of 2010 (captured on camera)

Ok, so I'm fibbing a little here - this includes things from late last year, too. But consider this a best-of-since-I've-known-Dylan post.

The first picture we ever took together - only a week or two after we went out for the first time. After one of our dates. When my hair was still long. And when Dylan still thought he needed to wear collared shirts every time he saw me.

Going to my first (and hopefully last) Jazz game. I don't love the NBA, but that's not the real reason I don't want to go back - those stairs gave me a panic attack! They are so steep and narrow! But it was really fun to enjoy that evening with Dylan

Going to my ward prom. It was really fun to get dressed up and go to a fancy dinner - and then I even made Dylan dance at the dance there.

In San Francisco, when he flew out there last December to ask for my parents' permission to marry me. We were in the Legion of Honor museum there in Golden Gate Park.

Engaged! Right after we got back to P-town. On New Years' - tonight at midnight marks 1 year since he proposed.

Engagement photos in February!

Wedding day, March 20, 2010

During the summer (well, as soon as it got warm), we went on A LOT of picnics. It was so nice to spend time outside and to have that time just to talk and soak up the warm sun

Noticing a trend? I have gone to SO MANY sporting events since we got married. Not complaining - I think it's fun to share that with Dylan, especially baseball games. Here we were at a Bee's game up in Salt Lake over the summer

At his Granny's 90th birthday celebration with all of his Cannon family. She's an amazing woman.

Dylan has become my built-in photo assistant. He doesn't mind one bit - he says he thinks I'm pretty attractive when I'm doing my photography thing :) Here he was, helping me with Ilarene's bridal shoot. She and Dylan went to England on the study abroad last summer.

See? More sporting events. At the first BYU football game of the season, 2010.

Down in Manti, Utah, at the temple there. Self-timers are fabulous.

His brother, Quinton, made us into models. I mean, look at those faces - why aren't we on a magazine cover?

Not THAT big of an event, but I think D is so cute (er, handsome) here. He helped me with a photography giveaway on my photo blog, and here he is picking the winner.

The BEST photo of that whole day - Isn't this classic? We look so ANGRY. Luckily, the giraffe we were feeding has no idea what expressions we had on our faces, and she just kept on eating away at that branch.

Our honeymoon in Hawaii over Thanksgiving. The best week of the whole year. We are so grateful to both of our sets of parents for making this happen, and for being so generous. It was a much-needed week away from life, and what better place to spend that than paradise?

Thank you, Dylan, for these wonderful memories and experiences. I love him so much, and am so grateful to have him by my side. Saying 'Yes' 9 months ago was the best decision I ever made.

Our first Christmas!

 Yesterday was mine and Julie's first Christmas as a married couple. Last year on Christmas, I was trying to convince her Mom and Dad that I'm not a bum and that I would make at least some money (ok, it didn't take much convincing). So, this year was much less stressful. We had such a nice Christmas; it's sad to see it go. We went up to see my family in Salt Lake and my entire family was there. My family is a little bit crazy, but fun.

Some highlights: My Mom established a new tradition of dancing to "Santa Claus is a Black Man" with her first grandchild.

This Santa Claus is way cooler. Coca-Cola should start using him as the symbol for Kris Kringle.

My Dad was given a Wii for Christmas; he has always been strict about no video games in our house, so he's still "warming up" to the idea.

Julie bought me NBA JAM!!!!!

The closest I will ever come to jumping this high. Well, or any person for that matter.

  Geoff got a book explaining rap lyrics so that old white women can understand them.

I would never want to see this woman in a dark alley.

 Julie bought me NBA JAM!!!!

How can you not love a game where you can throw down killer jams with the President of the US?

 My hippie brother, Quinton, got a bunch of classic vinyl records. Being on Phil's team in NBA JAM (which Julie bought me!!!) and losing by 30 points to the before mentioned hippie. In Q's words, he "powned some newbs."

Thinking about Christ and the hope He brings me.

Ironically, I did a google search for LDS images of Christ and this image came up...from an anti-Mormon Utah Evangelical site. Oh, well, it really is a beautiful statue we use to celebrate the living Redeemer.

 
 Having my Dad read The Night Before Christmas, followed by my Grandpa reading the biblical account of Christ's birth (three men I look up to highly; well, two men and a baby that later became a man I look up to greatly).


Trying to talk to all of Julie's huge family at the same time on Skype. It was a very good effort by her Dad to get us all on at the same time, but some hilarious (and perhaps inevitable) circumstances made that very difficult to accomplish.

Being with people I love (especially the person I love most, my baby cakes Julie). I hope you all had as interesting and as happy as a Christmas as we had. Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Decisions, decisions

Well, I finally took my GRE. According to most of my professors, I did pretty well on it. I did well on the English and did about as well as most non-science and math intensive majors do on the math (dang you Engineers and mathematicians!) So, now comes the "fun" part of trying to find a school that will take me, give me some money, likes my work and that won't teach me that marriage is an outdated relic. My big 3 right now are: 1- Virginia Tech (Falls Church), 2- Maryland and 3- East Carolina.

Pros and cons: Virginia Tech.  Pros: 1- Great location (just outside of Washington, D.C. which is a city both Julie and I love). 2- Their program is focused on the clinical aspects of marriage and family. 3- Close to Jen and Steven (Julie's sister-in-law and brother). 4- Close to Camden Yards (to watch the Orioles get smacked by the Yankees). 5- Highly recommended by all my teachers, including one who is writing me a letter of recommendation. 6- Beautiful campus. 7- Close to my cousin, Chris, and his wife, Karim.

Cons: 1- Expensive out-of-state tuition. 2- Have you seen their colors? 3- Far away from mine and Julie's parents (and my brothers. Julie's siblings are all over so some of them have to lose). 4- Far away from both of my friends. 5- What is a Hokie, exactly?

Pros and cons: Maryland. Pros: 1- Beautiful campus. 2- More focused on clinical part of Marriage and Family Therapy. 3- Close to D.C. 4- Red and black resemble West High School. 5- Close to Camden Yards. 6- Close to Jen and Steve; Chris and Karim. 7- I used to have Maryland basketball shorts until I fell into the rose bushes in my backyard and got blood all over them.

Cons: 1- Expensive out-of-state tuition. 2- A little wary of its program being called "Couple and Family Therapy." 3- Far away from mine and Julie's parents (and my sibs). 4- Far away from both of my friends. 5- I hated West High School. 6- What is a Terp? Might be even less fierce than a Hokie.

 

 

Pros and cons: East Carolina.  Pros: 1- Beautiful location. 2- Most likely to give me financial aid based on my credentials. 3- Beautiful campus. 4- Focused on clinical part of Marriage and Family Therapy. 5- North Carolina is only acceptable southern state. 

Cons: 1- Still far away from everyone. 2- Still part of the south. 3- Purple and gold make me think about the L.A. Lakers. 4- I have a slight fear of flying and they invented it. 5- I thought the second and third Pirates of the Carribean movies were really disappointing. 

If anyone has a good sales pitch from anywhere else, I'm all ears.





 

What Life is REALLY like at the Cannon House

(Written by Julie on Dylan's account)

Who said that you do stupid things when you're bored? Well.....maybe the following is proof that you DO. Or just that owning an iMac is far too entertaining.

So, on an episode of Bones I watched the other day, there was this creepy girl in an insane asylum that believed she was an archangel. She made this super creepy face when they were questioning her....this is our interpretation of it. But it freaks me out when Dylan does it to me.

Life is bliiiisssssssss

Oh Popeye!     Olive Oil, "spare me your lies, temptress" (partial quote from Toy Story 3)

So we've gotten a little deformed around here, a'ight?

Imitating my parents' Christmas card photo (they took it at an aquarium in Hawaii)

What Dylan will look like bald, and the extent to which I will have to squint my eyes to see ANY hair left on his head

I don't even know what to say about this one

So what? So we're a little wrapped up in each other....hardy har har.

My normal face when D flexes for me

The sunset picture we should have taken in Hawaii, on the beach, at sunset....minus the missing body parts.

Hawaii!!!

You want Hawaii? Well, then, go to Julie's photo blog, because she added tons of photos on that. juliedphotography.blogspot.com

We love Hawaii!!!!!

NOOOOOO!!!!!!

I was doing my daily perusal of ESPN.com (speaking of important things, as my last post discussed) when I stumbled upon this horrific image:

I felt like vommitting at this disgrace. If Jeter ever did leave the Yankees, though, I am so spiteful that I would wish this upon him:

Putting the important things first

   This semester has been a very busy semester for me. I have two jobs, taking 15 credit hours, have been studying for the GRE (though my math is still pathetic) and am in a bishopric. There have been times where I have had so many different things to do at once, that sleep is not an option (though like George W. Bush as portrayed by Will Ferrell on SNL, I take frequent "cat naps").  Unfortunately, all of these good things I have allowed to get in the way of the best things, at times, bringing back memories of Elder's Oaks' talk a while back. I have decided that the most important of these best things are spending time with Julie and growing closer to my Savior and God.
    The other night, I again put good things in the way of best things. I was trying to edit all of the papers of the students in the class I TA for. It had me stressed and had to be done the next day. I was not looking forward to a long night of reading. While I was beginning to edit, Julie informed that it was December 1st and that we needed to put up the beautiful nativity scene she bought (it was made in Africa). I thought 'ok, that will only take 5 minutes and then I'll start.' However, Julie wanted me to read the different accounts of Christ's birth and said she would put the characters involved in the nativity up as I read off their scriptures. At first, I was slightly annoyed with this, but (being the awesome husband I am) I agreed. As I read, Julie pulled out the donkeys and made their noises as they went into the scene. Then, the wisemen, etc. She even made the baby Jesus cry at His birth, thus proving that silly line from the Christmas hymn that says, "the little lord Jesus, no crying he makes" to be false. As she was doing this, it made me chuckle but realize that other things, no matter how important they may seem, are secondary. My relationship with her and my Creator and Redeemer are much more important. 
    Ironically, as I've put less emphasis on school and other temporary things, the better I have done in those fields as well. I guess those apostles really are inspired, after all. 

This painting, like "Away in a Manger" is highly idealized. I don't think Joseph spent hours to perfectly put on his cloak and matching hood. But, hey, that's not important, either.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

   It is officially December 1st! Which means, that I am now ok with departments stores playing nothing but Christmas music all day. I have a problem with it before Thanksgiving. I think Thanksgiving is the most underrated and undervalued American holiday. Back to the point, though. There is a foot of snow on the ground, Jack Frost is nipping at my nose, and we put up a Christmas tree. Our tree is blue and silver, and then a football playing Santa Mom bought for us (we had one as kids that we would always fight over. Mom bought all us married kids the exact same ornament. It's nice, but still not as satisfying when I didn't have to punch anyone to get to put it up). Julie makes Christmas fun. She has gone crazy decorating every possible nook and cranny in our 5 by 7 apartment. We can't wait for Christmas at the Cannon home!
         Yet, a part of me is a little sad, realizing this might be the last Christmas I am living in my beloved home state of Utah. Next year, we might be living somewhere in California, where it will be sunny and warm...and not Christmasy feeling to me. Any suggestions of how to make it feel like Christmas when it's 70 degrees outside?

 

Aloha! That means goodbye, also

Aloha! By Aloha, I mean goodbye. Goodbye, cold Provo. Aloha, Hawaii! (meaning hello!) Yeah, that's right, we'll be gone for a week come Thursday so if you need to contact us...don't.

Giraffe Feeding!

(this is also posted on my photography blog, Julie D Photography)

warning: photo-heavy post! I just couldn't decide - I loved ALL the photos we took this day. And believe me, this is even narrowing it down a lot!
This is a combination of photos I took, photos Dylan took, and photos the Giraffe's keeper took while we fed the giraffes at Hogle Zoo last month.
Let me tell you, this was probably the coolest thing I've done, since I went to Africa. But, I didn't see any giraffes in Africa, so this has it beat on that count.
First we went up on a platform, so we could feed them while they were in their pens. We fed them specially-formulated crackers, and carrots. Then we got to go outside and feed them branches and more carrots and crackers. This was such a great way to do it, because you got to be at their eye level, and then you also got to be in a place where they really had to show off and bend all the way down to reach you. 

Me, ecstatic to be standing so close to a giraffe!

The Zookeeper said "Make him reach for it!" So I did

"You are so CUTE!"

This is Pogo in the foreground (she's pregnant, due next September I think), and Riley in the background (the only boy of the 4 giraffes)

And here is Kip. A shy one - she wouldn't eat the food from us outside, but she's gorgeous

Dylan, meet Daphne.

Daphne is the oldest, and probably only has a couple of years left in her. She was also SUPER tall, and just really sweet.

What is the giraffe probably thinking? "Man, I just ripped this branch out of that crazy dude's hand, and MMMM it tastes SO GOOD!"

They eat these branches in such a crazy way! They just wrap their tongue around it, and then their tongue is strong enough to just rip the leaves off the branch as they slide it up.

This is Riley - who I named my stuffed giraffe that we bought that day after

Apparently, giraffes don't like to be touched much (go figure - a bunch of random people wanting to pet you, and you don't like it? weird :) ) BUT, if you petted their face while feeding them something, they allowed it - momentarily. Their skin is pretty oily, but the zookeeper said that they rarely ever brush them. They just don't get that dirty, and their skin just takes care of itself. Pretty awesome.

My FAVORITE picture of the day - OK, not really, but it's pretty hysterical. We got caught in a moment where we both looked disgusted - pretty much the opposite of how we felt that day

Hello, gorgeous

With the zookeeper - she was fabulous. Nicest lady ever. We were the only two people that had signed up for that day, so we got a lot of time with the giraffes. And she even let us keep feeding them longer than usual - we got an hour and a half, when it's usually just half an hour.  Rock it!

Another great one of me

Their tongues are RIDICULOUSLY long. Not that I think it's cool to be able to pick your nose with your tongue or anything.....OK, just a little...

And there you have it! Our giraffe feeding experience! We love those giraffes (Riley, Pogo, Kip, Daphne). And it was awesome to notice how every giraffe has slightly different patterning. Kip and Riley, for instance, had REALLY different shades of brown, and Riley's spots were pretty close together, while Kip's were more spaced out, lighter, and had more speckling in them.

Aren't giraffes so gorgeous?