Anthon turns 3!

Our big little guy turns three years old today. While on the one hand Shelley and I find it hard to believe that he's been in our lives for just three years, we can't really remember life without him.

Anthon has a good sense of humor, which he first exhibited minutes after his birth. Shelley and I read a baby book that suggested we introduce our child to its name. So I held Anthon and said, "Your name is Anthon Steffensen Cannon IV...what do you think about that?" Upon which time Anthon proceeded to cry. Apparently he didn't like it very much. But he quickly identified himself as Anthon and despite it being an oft mispronounced name, I can't see him being anything but Anthon.

Anthon has been blessed with a sharp mind, good memory and an extensive vocabulary. I taught a family home evening about the different roles of Christ. I listed that he was our Savior, and our brother, etc. I didn't do a very good job of teaching to the level of audience because I then launch into this thing about Christ being our advocate. Rightfully, so I get made fun of by Shelley. Fast forward a few days and we're in the car talking to our neighbors, the Ames, on the way to church and Anthon says this to Evelyn, "Grammy Ames, Jesus is our advocate." Sweet redemption.

But mostly Anthon is my little guy and I can't imagine loving him any more than I do. I've felt this way at each stage in his life and I'm finding my capacity to love grow bigger as they grow older. I like that. I truly am so lucky to be Anthon's Dad. He brings me so much joy and happiness. He's getting so big and doing so many thing that I'm proud of - going to school, saying his prayers, being a loving big brother to Ella. Though I have very limited interaction during the week with Anthon because of my work and his sleep schedules. But weekends are our time to throw the ball around, wrestle, watch family videos and just be together.

After I type this, I'm off to have a McDonalds lunch in the park with Anthon and the family. They are coming down to see me during my work day so we can celebrate as a family. I'm tasked with buying McDonalds cheeseburgers, shakes and fries - the birthday boy's lunch of choice.

Guess whose having a birthday?

It's birthday time in the Cannon home and the love of my life is celebrating her birthday today, September 24. I am truly lucky to be married to such a wonderful woman. She was born, and lived her first five years of life, in upstate New York before moving to Evansville, Indiana. When I met her in Los Angeles, she was working as a pharmaceutical rep and had chosen LA because she was sick and tired of cold weather. It's funny how in life such decisions one makes, like choosing your home because of the weather, can have a tremendous impact on other people's lives. And my life is so much the better for having met and married Shelley Daetwyler.

There are so many reasons why I love Shelley. Shelley is smart...really smart. She has a great mind. Did you know that Shelley was the math champ of Evansville? Well, she was. She also prides herself on having a mind like a steel trap. She frequently used it against me...since my mind is more like an old leaky bucket.

Shelley is also a great public speaker. When she was giving the commencement address in middle school, she said it was her wish that her class could have a successful high school career. Unfortunately, Shelley wore a retainer and successful came out "sexful", twice. The ground cheered loudly. In all seriousness, one of the things that attracted me to Shelley was her strong presence. I remember a church event that Shelley gave the spiritual thought and I was literally blown away at how powerful she spoke. I kid you not, it was that night that I ultimately decided I would ask her out.

Shelley is a wonderful daughter, sister, wife and mother. She is devoted to her family, where ever they may be. There is no other place she'd rather be than with family. She once told me that she was such a good sister that she would dangle her retainer over her younger sister Pam to make her do whatever Shelley wanted or else Pam would be touched by the retainer. (I see a theme with this retainer). Certainly Shelley has had to sacrifice a lot being here in Japan - away from family. I'm grateful for her spirit of adventure in making this time in our lives so fun.

I love Shelley because she makes me want to be a better person. She makes me feel loved. She is beautiful, funny and a lot of fun to talk to and be around. She is extremely spiritual and leads a true and honest life. She is a wonderful mother to our children. Each and every day I'm so thankful that Shelley is in my life.

So happy birthday, Shelley! I love you tons.

I've collected a number of pictures of Shelley as a baby and young girl. Click on any of the pictures in this post to see a gallery of those pictures.

Guess Who's Having a Birthday on August 26?

My father celebrates his 70th birthday today, August 26th. Wow, by looking at him you'd never guess it. He looks great.

There's a lot to love about my Dad - he's the most generous person I know. Growing up, though he was busy with work, he was always at the important events in my life...which meant a lot. And now that I'm grown I see how he's sacrificing his time and means to create memories with his kids and grand kids. Anthon adores his Papa.

My Dad for the most part grew up in Salt Lake City and had a paper route. He is named after his dad, the original Anthon Steffensen Cannon. As a side note, my Dad's older sister, Flora, is named after their Mother. So I'm sure conversation was confusing at times around the dinner table. Dad was on the debate teams in high school and college and he served an LDS mission to Australia where, as legend has it, he was actually the best man at the wedding of his companion who had just finished his mission (times are different, aren't they?).

Upon returning home, he studied political science at the University of Utah and was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. If you saw that fraternity nowadays you'd wonder how such an upstanding guy could join a group like that...but he assures me that it was different back then. I, however, am not convinced.


He married Mom, drove back to law school in Boston, then moved to New York to pursue a career practicing law. Evidently the illustrious career could have been for naught. During his ethics interview, after taking the New York bar exam, they unearthed an unresolved jay-walking ticket he received in San Diego when the Utah debate team descended upon the poor, unsuspecting town. Those debaters get in all sorts of crazy trouble!

In 1975, about 6 weeks after I was born, my family moved to La Canada, California, where they have lived ever since. Growing up in LA with my Dad, our activities ranged from playing tennis on Christmas mornings, attending Lakers games in the 80's 90's and 2000's, and adventurously tagging along on Dad's exploration of new, odd and sometimes disgusting restaurants - Managua anyone?. I was also an unwitting sidekick when Dad went "Dirty Harry" on a few squirrels in our back yard who were causing trouble.



I'm blessed to have a great father who's been there for me and loves me. What a great example he's set and I'm trying to be like him now that I too have a son. It's been wonderful these past few weeks and months for my son to get to know his Papa better. I hope I can be half the father to Anthon that my Father was to me.

So, happy birthday Dad. I love you.



PS: I've tried to upload a smattering of funny and interesting pictures of my Dad through the years. He used to keep a "family humorous" section of pictures (slides) at our less than best...nostril shots, funny faces, etc. I've thrown a few of my favorite ones of my Dad, though if I had dug I'm sure I could find more embarrassing. From the top - picture of my Dad and me...maybe our first picture together. Then a picture of my parents before getting married. The next picture is of my Dad riding a camel on a trip to Egypt and then one with Shaq. You know, my Dad and Shaq are old buddies.

My other favorite picture is from my Dad's 50th birthday, but you'll have to click on the link to see it. I don't want to embarrass him too much.