Cannata Family Reunion

This year the family reunion was at my brother David's house in Tucson. The weather was great; not too hot, but hot enough to hit the swimming pool. What do we do at our family reunion? Mostly hang out, chat, play games, swim and eat. We started the party at Aquas Caliente Park, a desert oasis.

I'm not sure how long we were here before Ashley fell in the water.

She was fine, but she got to change clothes.

Our friend Lori and Zachary at the park. We had a fierce game of Ultimate Frisbee and Three Flies Up. The victors were team Mickey (green shirt), Zac, Jess and Rene.

Ashley in her new outfit. I swear, that girl loves heals. Even though she could ride this bike, I'm not sure she knows what she's doing here.

My brother-in-law Duane came with Stevie and Mickey. We missed my sister, Chris, who was at a bridal shower for my niece, Markie, who is getting married in August.

We love to eat and David's wife, Leticia, did a wonderful job. In this picture (moving clockwise) is the back of David's head, Leticia, Jenny (Harry's wife), Harry (Leticia's son), Amy (Leticia's daughter, Jess, Mom (Kathy).

Kristin and Rene (Amy's daughter).

Lori took this picture of the kids before we left for church. Zac 12, Nic 9, Mackenzie 6, and Ashley 2.

Nicholas taking a break with his cousin Joseph.

Nicole, Mackenzie and Rene. The three cousins were unseparable.

Ashley and Grandma Kathy.

We went to Colossal Caves. Ashley had the best seat and view, til she bonked her head.

Cool caves.

Ashley hamming it up in the cave.

Jess and Leticia hanging out in the cave.

The view of Tucson outside the cave.

Ashley and Lori.

Desert prickley pear flower. Playing around with my macro focus on my point and shoot. Man I love this camera.

Finding out what's in Zac's geode.

The end result. Kinda cool, eh?

Father and Son's Outing

Well, we just got back from our father and son's outing this year up at Camp Stimpson on Mount Charleston. The weather was great. We invited Nic's friend, Antonio and his father, Paul for the camp out. We had a good time. Got up there around 5PM. Set up camp, made a good hobo dinner, hot dogs and of course smores.

Next day got up and had breakfast, helped with a service project of moving firewood then had fun hiking, going up the rock climbing wall and speeding down the zip line.

Zachary at the top of the west side of the valley.

Antonio and Nic, two peas in a pod.

Bunch of kids trying to be Man vs. Wild and start a fire with flint and steel. Not too successful.Antonio's dad, Paul, chatting it up around the fire with Joseph Lamb.Zachary coming off the zip line!

Fearless Nic, being all boy in the wilderness.

Nic on the line.

Bike Riding with the Girls

The girls wanted to go on a bike ride last night. The weather was not too hot. Can you see Ashley's personality in this picture? We ran out of time and had to head back to the house for dinner, but not Ashley, she wouldn't turn around until we made it all the way to the end of the road. The best part is she's just an inch too short for her feet to stay on the pedals so she does the Fred Flintstone move. It's great! Two tough girls on their bikes.

Here's Ashley and her patented move.

Ashley's first fingernail polish

Ashley picked out the color, but I think she thought it was lip gloss

After numerous pictures trying to capture the cuteness of her first nail polish application Ashley grew tired of posing for pictures and this is the result.

California vacation

Posing with the Bionicle at Legoland

The kids at Mission Beach in San Diego, California

We were supposed to take a Spring Break vacation during Conference weekend to St George, but fortunately and unfortunately Aaron got a few days of work. I braved a long weekend in San Diego with the four kids. The first day we actually stayed the night in Ontario with Aaron's sister and her family (big thank you to them). The next day we hit Balboa Park and the museums. We also went to Legoland and the beach during the trip.

Camping - Lake Mead

I've been threatening the kids that I would take them camping and I finally followed through. Mackenzie joined the boys and I this time as we headed to a warmer clime. Since there is no camping in the valley here, we made a short drive to Lake Mead National Recreation Area and Callville Bay.

Nic and Mackenzie wondering if this is such a good idea.

Me, wondering if this is such a good idea.

A cool shot that Zac took on the way to the campground.

Tent's up, now it's time to get on the fire.

Success! Though I think Nic isn't too impressed.

Dinner! Mmm, s'mores.

Roughing it with the Nintendo DS. Not exactly how I remember camping but it is the 21st century.

Playing around with my camera. I'm still learning new tricks. These are 15 second exposures. The top one is Mackenzie spelling her name, you can definitely make out the "M".

Snug as a bug in a rug. We actually got to bed around 9PM and we didn't freeze to death.

Morning comes early. Around 6:45am we were up. I love that Mackenzie always wakes up with a smile.

Here's the hill we're going to hike.

Halfway there, time for a rest and a picture. So far, they're all smiles.

The view of our campground from halfway up.

Making the summit.

On the way home, a bonus treat of seeing these old roadsters heading into the park.

Snow day

Ashley and Mackenzie sitting near the ski slope

Grandpa John and Nana came to visit all the way from Oregon. Zac and Nic went skiing and snowboarding and the girls just plopped down in the snow. It was warm on Mt Charleston and a perfect day for skiing.