Outing With Granny & Grandpa Cahoon

Hollywood Connection With Ella & Hudson
Saturday, January 15, 2011

Our outing first began with picking Ella up and taking her out to lunch at one of her favorite places...Taco Bell for a Soft Taco Kids Meal. It was Uncle Joseph who started the Kids Meal tradition and Ella is swift to remind us. While Ella does love the Soft Tacos, we remain undecided which she is most fond of...the taco or the Kids Meal toy!

After a very entertaining lunch, Grandpa Cahoon drove us to Hollywood Connection and Ella was so delighted from the moment we walked in! She enjoyed one-on-one time with her grandparents; although, she was so happy to have her Mom and baby Hudson meet up with us, following Hudson's nap. She went on every ride visible, having no fear or reservation. She seemed to especially love the roller coaster and the bumper cars, which she delighted in chasing after and crashing in to Granny, Grandpa or her Mom. She seemed to also very much enjoy the Magic Show & Face Painting!

Ella also gave Roller Skating a whirl! As she navigated her way around the rink with Grandpa, she seemed eager to master herself on wheels. She found the carpeted area, just off the rink, to be easier to give it a try on her own. Granny was so impressed with Ella's good nature...Every time she would fall, she would laugh and then get right back up and try to skate. Initially, she fell frequently, but eventually, she did get the hang of it quite successfully!

Many Thanks to Ella, Hudson & Nanny for joining us in an afternoon of absolute FUN!!!

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2011

There is something about a "Fresh Start" or "New Beginning" that invokes Change. While Change may be good, it isn't always easy to break old or undesirable habits. But with determination and perseverance, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

Whatever Season of Life You find Yourself in, may You Take the Opportunity to Open Your Mind and Heart...Make a new Friend, Tweak a Perspective, Keep Learning, Mend a Struggling Relationship, Strengthen Family Ties, Serve More Willingly, Live What You Believe, Laugh More Often, Love with ALL Your Heart, Acknowledge EVERY Blessing and THANK God for His Presence in Your Life!

May God Bless You In Your Earnest Quest For 2011!

New Christmas Stockings

Doug's Stocking - Christmas 2010

After 28 Christmas celebrations, I decided that I would retire our Cahoon Family Stockings that I had made previously through the years...with each new family addition. I wanted something New...Modern...And ended up purchasing Oliver's and mine at The Quilted Bear; however, nothing really stood out...That Screamed "Doug Cahoon," through and through...so I opted to make an Original.

This Is Dedicated To MY Utah Man!

Ella's Christmas Performance

Ella Mae Zern - December 19, 2010
Sunday Dinner At Grandma & Grandpa Cahoon's House

Earlier in the day, our eldest Grandchild, Ella Mae, participated in a Christmas Program at their Church. The Primary children sang several songs and added so much to our Holiday Celebration! Our Nanny girl made this adorable dress for Ella and she positively looked like a little Princess!
We Love You, Ella Bella!

Lunch With The Girls

Some Treasured Friends From My Ward Family
December 2010

These Are My Neighbors, Sisters & Friends
They Lift My Spirit, Cheer Me On and Pray For My Happiness & Success
How Thankful I Am For Their Presence In My Life!

Celebrating The Christmas Season - 2010

Carrying On A Family Tradition
Dinner With Our Kids/Shopping At The Mall

This year we all dined at Morelia's Mexican Restaurant and then met up at Fashion Place Mall...We gave each of the kids some Christmas money to shop for a gift of their choice. Most of the time, we just walk around in a group, talking and simply enjoying each others company! We try to meet the 1st Friday or Saturday of December, to kick off the Holiday Season, but we were still away on our Cruise...So we met up last Saturday and had a blast!

We did; however, greatly MISS Nicole, Zach, Boston & Marley and hope that we will ALL be TOGETHER for Christmas 2011!

Our Recent Cruise - November 2010

Florida Keys & Cozumel, Mexico
November 2010 Cruise

In hopes of trying to make a special memory with our youngest son, Oliver, Doug took us on a post-Thanksgiving Carnival Cruise out of Miami, Florida. We were all so EXCITED to get away to a warmer climate...as SLC was in the thick of very cold temps and a big snowstorm...Little did we know that even Florida would experience a cold front and we would have lots of rain on this particular trip!

Barring the cooler temperatures, we still managed to see the sights in the Florida Keys and explore Cozumel, Mexico. The Highlight was the Mayan Ruins...We took a number of photos but our most favorite was one that included our Oliver!

There was something very wrong with lounging on the ship in our swimsuits and a sweater, taking cover from periodic rainstorms and the harsh wind gusts...But...A Cruise is still a Cruise and we're not complaining! The food was fantastic and I think Oliver enjoyed eating as much as he liked, whenever he pleased!
THANK YOU, DOUG, FOR YOUR GENEROSITY & ALL THAT YOU DID TO MAKE THIS TRIP HAPPEN! WE SO APPRECIATED IT!!!

After debarking the ship, we spent a day and a half in Miami. Oliver has a former High School friend that is attending school in sunny Miami...Brady picked Oli up at our Hotel and we didn't see them again until time to head to the Airport. Thank You, Brady, for showing Oliver a great time!

Miami is a really interesting city, as we quickly discovered, and I really enjoyed our walk along South Beach!
It was a GREAT trip!