The Cannon Fab 5: November 2019

November went by in a blur. There was so much packed into one month. Seminary is up and running. The kids are really enjoying their mornings together and sometimes we have a chance to get a little silly.

Nick, Ben and Brian getting a little sleep in before class starts.

November 1st I spent the day at school subbing, came home and had a brief moment to eat and collect the items needed for the night then it was back to school to help set up the Spirit Wear store. Naomi came early with me to help set up because she had to be early for band anyway.

Naomi and Maeve during a brief moment where the band was not playing.

During half-time all the senior athletes and cheerleaders were spotlighted. Steve and I got to go on the field and escort Nick while they read a short paragraph on what he accomplished and what he plans to do after high school.

Getting some love from his siblings..

Back Row (L to R): Tre, Colby, Chris, Dwayne, Adam, David, Nick
Front Row L to R): Briana, Anna, Monique, Coach Zamiara

They called themselves "Dem Boyz"

You can see why they had so much fun during their senior season.

November 3rd Jeremy was in an accident on the way home from church. He didn't stop in time getting off the freeway and rear-ended the person in front of him. Steve and I were halfway home when we got the call from a very shaky Naomi. We hurried to where they were and helped answer questions with the police officer and get the insurance and tow arranged. Since the airbags deployed, it had to be towed and would probably be totaled. Luckily, I didn't have many subbing jobs the next couple of days and was able to drive Jeremy around and get the insurance stuff taken care of. We even figured out how to get him to school in uptown on the days I was working. He loved riding the bus and train in Brazil and we got him connected with the transit system here in Charlotte. He always hated driving in uptown traffic and now he doesn't have to anymore. That is the silver lining in this whole situation.

RIP Tori

That night we had the Balls over for Korean Chicken. They are so much fun to spend time with. The kids even stayed around for the talking after dinner.

November 5th I had asked Steve to get a hold of a Highland Creek neighbor who was advertising aeration. On his way to work he stopped to get gas and noticed a young boy and a couple of men trying to fix the boys' bike tire. Steve walked over and offered to help since they all looked like they were struggling. The man was so thankful for the help. He gave Steve his business card and told him if we ever needed yard work done to call him and he would give us a discount. It was the same guy Steve was going to call anyway. COOL.

November 8-10 Steve was at OLS and having a grand old time. He loves doing these events with the council.

November 9th Nick helped me get our old freezer to the dump. The bishop decided he didn't want to keep it "just in case" anymore. The kids had a grand time pushing it out of the back of the truck. WIN-WIN. After helping with the freezer, Nick went to support his teammates at the state meet. Jeremy had to work so Naomi and I dropped him off and then went to find some leggings for her. We then went to the church to help with the Fall Festival. It was so much fun. Julie and her committee always do a fabulous job.

I was in charge of the popcorn station. It was a great way to get to talk to everyone.

Karilee, Me, Juli and Ashley

The Young Women were in charge of the face painting. Naomi LOVED this assignment.

Ashley, Mia, Bella and Naomi got to take a break from face painting to join in the line dancing.

The team did well at states, placing 4th overall. Nick loved cheering them on.

Nick got back to the school just in time to save me a trip from the church to pick up Jeremy from work. I love how this family works together to get things done. I have good kids.

November 11th we didn't have school or seminary. We used this day to get the boys registered for their spring CPCC classes and get the tuition paid so we wouldn't loose their classes. I am glad we took the time because Nick got the last slot in the lab he needed for his Brake Systems class. Jeremy secured his spot in the class he lost last semester and was able to get all his classes online except for one which was a mass communications class at the WTVI/PBS station in uptown. It sounds really cool. The boys are all set for spring semester now.

November 12th was the Cross Country Banquet. The team did really well this season. Nick was excited to finally receive his letter certificate, patch and pin. Also, the seniors were highlighted and honored. Each senior boy got a t-shirt with their names on the back. It was a good night.

Getting his letter

All the seniors

The senior boys and their t-shirts.

He did it! From last season to this he shaved 10 minutes off his 5K time in order to letter.

November 13th Naomi turned 14. That is almost more than my mind can handle. She is growing up so fast. We celebrated the day with a dinner and cake and presents that night.

Wearing her much-anticipated "tax evasion" sweatshirt. She fell in love with it and it was the only thing she asked for for her birthday.

Nick just horsing around, as usual.

Jeremy got her some of her favorite anime character pins.

Other events of note for the 13th - Jeremy took Traxx to school and Steve joined a gym.

November 14th I took the truck in for a check up and then went to the school to learn how to run the front desk in case they need me to back up Mrs. Shipman. There is a lot to learn.

November 15th we spent the day getting ready for Naomi's party. All her friends descended on the house about 6 and we ate pizza and played games and roasted marshmallows and they had a fun time. I really like her group of friends.

Playing games in the living room.

Front to back: McKena, Gracyn, Ashley, Ryland, Bella, Keagan.

Left to right: Summer, Morgan, Naomi, Autumn, Bella

Left to right: Ashley, Liza, Keira, Summer, Morgan, Naomi and Autumn

Outside roasting marshmallows

This is Naomi's favorite picture from the party. The blur on the left side of the picture is Keagan running away while the shutter was still open.

She also liked this picture because it was blurry and spooky.

Steve and I stayed close by in case we were needed, but tried to give the kids some space to do their thing. It was a fun party.

November 17th was Stake Conference. This year was extra special because President Henry B. Eyring and Elder Gary Stevenson spoke. I can't describe the feeling of being in the same room with two apostles. The meeting was extra special. Both of them spoke and counseled us to keep the commandments and stay on the covenant path, but they did it in a way that felt personal to each of us. Gratitude is a great stress reliever. That is another take away from this conference. It was certainly a treat to have them with us for the day.

President Eyring and Elder Stevenson (to Pres. Eyring's right)

November 20th, Steve was just looking online to see what cars were available and came across a 2015 Nissan Sentra at our favorite dealership. He took Jeremy up there after work and they came home with a new car for Jeremy. He is now self-mobile again. Hallelujah!!! We are laughing because now we have three black Nissans and a white Ford. Nick is the white sheep in the family.

Jeremy and his new car.

While Steve and Jeremy were off buying a car, Naomi and I helped a neighbor move a heavy chest of drawers down the stairs. Naomi and I work well as a team.

November 22nd, I subbed in the 8th grade and it was the day we were handing out the 8th grade t shirts. We got them all handed out and only one kid "lost" his - which cause much stress on the part of the teacher in charge - until he remembered where he had left it. PHEW!!! That night was the cheerleading fundraiser. The cheer coach, Mrs. Locke, has taught all three of the kids and we wanted to help her out so Naomi and I came back to the school that night and helped with the cheer fundraiser. They gave the parents a night out and watched the kids. It was really fun. I was in the gymnasium watching the kids run around and Naomi was in the craft room helping them make beautiful creations.

Jeremy had his new car in the shop because it felt like the transmission was slipping and that is exactly what it was. The previous owner was a Lyft driver and so the engine needed some work. We had to wait a couple of weeks until the new car insurance coverage from the dealership kicked in and then it was all fixed without a penny out of our pocket. Jeremy basically has a brand new engine in his car now.

November 23rd we did some grocery shopping, went to AC Moore and fixed spinach puffs for Nick to take to his friendsgiving dinner with all his friends. While Nick was at his party, Steve and I went to the Stewart's house to celebrate Shelli's 50th. It was a fun night.

Happy Birthday, Shelli

I have been complaining about the new refrigerator now for almost two years because there just is not enough space to put everything. I got the brilliant idea to see if we could order one more door shelf (which would solve a huge portion of the problem) and YES!!! It arrived and I am one happy camper. It is amazing what one extra door shelf can make.

Nick spoke in church and did a really good job. This was the make for when he totally forgot last time. I was proud of him. He is an excellent public speaker.

November 25th I got to go see the movie "Harriet" with the 8th grade. It was all about Harriet Tubman and her contribution to the Underground Railroad. We all really liked it.

November 26th was the annual Turkey Shoot in seminary. The kids always look forward to it and this year we had just as much fun. It was an e-learning day for school so the kids were done at 11:30. I took Naomi and Nick to get their flu shots and then Naomi wanted to come with me to the skin doctor so we could then stop and get her some new glasses on the way back home. I am happy to say that I left with all my skin this time (no suspicious skin marks or moles to be removed). There was a suspicious spot on my face so he burned it off with liquid nitrogen. Naomi picked out a really cute pair of glasses. It was a productive day.

Naomi loved the cool chairs at the dermatologist.

November 27th I got all the Christmas stuff boxed up, addressed and mailed out to Utah! WAHOO!! Nick and I went to the grocery store to pick up all the stuff for Thanksgiving and then took his RC car to the shop to see if we could fix the wheel/suspension problem. Naomi and I then went to get her a pair of wireless earbuds. She helped me make the cranberry sauce. It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without the annual "clove hunt" to find all the clove pieces in the cranberry sauce. We also got the pumpkin roll made and in the fridge. Steve and Nick went to the gym and Jeremy went to work.

November 28th we were up bright and early for the Turkey Trot 5K. Nick felt confident going into this year's race.

At the start line. Nick is in the middle of the picture.

He finished in 18:42 and placed 1st in his age bracket and 4th overall.

Winner! Winner! Turkey dinner!

Back at home we got to video chat with Mom and Dad before they went to Thanksgiving dinner with the family. I loved getting to see them as we talked. Everyone at our house mobilized to get dinner on the table. Just as we were finishing all the baking the oven started glowing and when we checked it out we found that the bottom coil had arced and then melted.

We ate dinner, cleaned up and then searched online for a new bottom coil. We would have to wait a few days for it to arrive.

We spent the 29th decorating for Christmas and cleaning up the leaves in the yard.

Taking a nap in the leaves.

November 30th was the Footlocker 5K. All the runners in the southeast region were at McAlpine Park to compete. There was a lot of energy in the air and Nick was ready to run. He ran the race in 18:50. What a way to end the season. We went to Popeye's for lunch afterwards.