Cannon Family Christmas Photo

Happy New Year from the Cannons. Sorry we're not on the ball enough to actually send something out. I can assure you that we had the very best of intentions. I even got out the camera and tripod and tried to orchestrate a family picture. I was so bound and determined to get a picture of my smiling, happy family, that I was willing to bring literally everyone to tears doing so.

Not 30 minutes before the above photo was taken we were asking, pleading, persuading, cajoling, arm twisting and finally threatening the kids to act properly for the family photo. It's at times like these that I think my parents must laugh with glee. Because I remember ruining numerous family photos because I, and sometimes my sisters, would enjoy foiling my Dad's best efforts and at capturing a normal, happy family. And of course the most ironic of all phrases which has been uttered in my home by my parents, later my sisters and now by me, "Will you please stop crying and smile for the camera for one second?" Consequently, too many of our photos ended up like the one below.

Nevertheless, we at least wanted to say to you all that we wish you a happy and safe 2010. As for us we ended the year spending Christmas in Thailand and ringing in the new year by actually staying up till midnight...barely. We're talking seconds or a minute tops.

And about that Christmas card we undoubtedly owe many of you...we promise sending out a card in 2010 is high on our list of new years resolutions.

Holiday Recap...

I don't feel it's too late to make a quick holiday recap since at the Cannon household Anthon won't let us take down the stockings and Christmas tree. Luckily it's fake.

Christmas - great day, but did I really have to take a vacation day to celebrate Christmas? Yes. Doesn't quite seem fair until you remember that in Japan you basically get the entire week off the following week. More to the point, growing up Christian in the U.S. you really don't know what life is like as a religious minority - but while we're in Japan we're definitely the minority here. It was weird to see life carry on as usual on Christmas day when things basically shut down for the day in the U.S.

We were asked all the time if we were heading home for Christmas and while we would have liked to spend time with family, Shelley and I were excited to forge some of our traditions for our family. So what traditions did we create for ourselves? Well, food wise we ordered hamburgers via delivery...and that night we made shabu shabu at home for dinner. While it might seem more like what Ralphie's family would have done after the neighborhood dogs ate their dinner, but we're open minded people and the food was really good. Christmas was one of those all time great days where from top to bottom it was filled with happiness. Oh and yes, Santa (by way of the local FedEx) delivered our new plasma TV.

New Year's - Most of our activities can best be read on Shelley's blog. I don't have too much to add other than to say how gross my feet must be to have been the main attraction for the Turkish Dr. Fish. They literally attacked me and wouldn't leave my feet alone. I made sure to add that onto my list of things to accomplish this year.

Finally, it was a rarity to see Mt. Fuji with such clarity up so close. For someone who is a sucker for vistas and expansive views, it was really, really cool. If it hadn't been so cold I think I could have stayed up there all day. Anyway, read Shelley's blog and you can get all the low down on the day - here is a short video from Fuji and then the next day at Meiji Shrine. Also, click on any picture to go to the gallery of shots over the holidays.