It was finally warm enough to play in the snow!

This past weekend the temps were finally out of the negative and single digits. Infact they were in the high 30's! In celebration we decided to have a picnic!
Ok not really - but the difference in temp was enough to motivate Ryan and the kids to go out and build a snowman! (Complete with a hotdog nose!)

I being slightly immobile and not fitting into any of my winter snow clothes took pictures - from INSIDE. :)

Ryan is such a good dad - and the kids and dog had a blast!!


p.s. The snowman was a 5 ball snow man. :) ;) :)

Bedtime for Bozo's

Cardon will probably hate me for making this public knowledge. Really I should probably be ashamed of myself for making this public knowledge. However, if you don't cry for poor Cardon you will for sure be laughing.

As you know - we have a new one on the way. His arrival will be here in a couple of months. We have been meaning to get Luke a real bed for many months now but it has been put off for other things here and there.

One night Luke had a nightmare and from that point on he refused to sleep in the crib. Instead, he preferred to sleep with Cardon in his twin bed. Poor Cardon - he and Maddy shared a queen bed for a couple years when Luke was born. It was just this past summer that he finally got a bed to himself again.

Then a couple of weeks ago - Luke woke up with croup. I had never heard a sound like that before. I didn't want him and Cardon sleeping in the same bed while he was sick. So I got the idea to take the front part off the crib. The part that slides up and down. Hoping that would make his bed look like a "real" bed. He would still have nothing to do with it.

I got the great idea to ask Cardon to pretend he was going to sleep in Lukes bed. Luke didn't fall for it. So I told Cardon - why don't you just fall asleep in his bed and we will move you back into your bed. (One thing I failed to mention is that they kept each other up another hour after we tucked them just dinking around.) So atleast they would get some decent sleep.

Well, one night we forgot to move him and what do you know! They weren't up at 6:15 am!! We actually had to wakt them up at 7:30. And well... we just kept asking Cardon to sleep in Luke's bed! :(
It was time to quit putting it off - we HAD to get these guys bunk beds.

So..... after searching on ksl.com for a deal - we made the purchase and promptly put them together. Cardon gets the top bunk - and we left the ladder off. Neither Maddy or Luke can climb up there and poor sweet Cardon who NEVER complained about his sleeping arrangements FINALLY has a space/sanctuary of his own!

Cardon's Special Day

This weekend I re-learned some important things:
- I am getting old and rounder by the day. :)
- I am blessed beyond what I will ever deserve.
- I have an awesome husband who respects the priesthood he holds.
- I have an amazing son who is an example of faith and goodness to his mother.
- Our family is loved and supported by wonderful and caring family and friends.

Thank you to all of our family and friends who came to support Cardon as he was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Thank you to those of you who sent your love through phone calls and emails and letters.
Here are some pictures (I wish I would have taken more).

Cardon's baptism was a special time. Maddy opened the meeting by singing a solo "Joseph Smith's First Prayer". I have to say - she did a great job singing by herself infront of 30+ people.

Cardon's two Grandma's gave talks about Baptism and the Holy Ghost. Cardon was baptized and confirmed by Ryan with uncles, Grandpa McEwen and friends standing in the circle.

Cardon had two GREAT Grandmother's present as well. I am still kicking myself for not getting a 4 generation picture. Cardon also had cousins and aunts and uncles who had made the 5 + hour drive from Colorado and Boise. Good friends from the neighborhood were also there.
'
After the baptism we had a birthday luncheon afterwards with cinnamon rolls instead of birthday cake. MMMMM Aunt Rachel makes a mean cinnamon roll! Cardon's cousin Jaydn was thoughtful enough to bring a pinata full of candy and toys. It was a little nerve wracking trying to keep the kids away from a swinging metal bat but we all came out unscathed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARDON and congrats on your decision to be baptized. We love you!

Halloweenies

This year I had my fill of Halloween.
According to my mom and dad it used to be one of my favorite holidays. Um, that couldn't have been true past the age of 8. Even in college I think I dressed up once - and I was a farmer with a flannel shirt and braids.
Well, this year was filled with THREE days of costumes and the gathering of more and more sweets. Thursday at school (because they had Friday out of school - joy of joys). Friday was the Omniture Halloween party complete with candy and real midgets dressed up as Smurfs. (I was a little nervous to take pics - is that politically correct to as a smurf midget for their picture?) Then on to the ward "Trunk or Treat". I personally think trunk or treat is a fabulous idea. You hit a bunch of people with in 50 yards and you are done. However, if not done on Halloween creates 2 dilemmas. Apparently for my kids - it didn't count as trick or treating because it WASNT on Halloween - and the second issue ofcourse - is all the kids that went around trunk or treat 2 or 3 times come to your door on Halloween too.
To remedy these 2 issues we went to Grandma's house and let the kids go around her neighborhood. Leaving our house dark and candyless - and luckily no tricks.
Here are some pics from our adventurous weekend! Bah Humbat!! ;)
Oh and incase you need descriptions:
Cardon age 7 (almost 8) as Anakin Skywalker
Maddy age 5 as Violet (NOT Elasti Girl)
Luke age 2 elephant with a big bum
"T" age 2 (cousin) Rudolph.

The Settlement

This was forwarded to me...
Whether or not the author is real - the content is what rings true to me.
I don't apologize for these thoughts - while some of them are filled with sarcasm.
It made me smile and maybe it will make you smile too.

American liberals, leftists, social progressives,
socialists, Marxists and Obama supporters, et al:

We have stuck together since the late 1950's, but the
results of this latest election process has made me realize
that I want a divorce... I know we tolerated each other for
many years for the sake of future generations, but sadly,
this relationship has run its course.

Our two ideological
sides of America cannot and will not ever agree on
what is right so let's just end it on friendly
terms. We can smile and chalk it up to irreconcilable
differences and go our own way.

Here is a model separation agreement:
Our two groups can equitably divide up the country by
landmass each taking a portion. That will be the
difficult part, but I am sure our two sides can come to a friendly
agreement. After that, it should be relatively easy!
Our respective representatives can effortlessly divide other assets
since both sides have such distinct and disparate
tastes.

We don't like redistributive taxes so you can keep
them. You are welcome to the liberal judges and the ACLU.
Since you hate guns and war, we'll take our
firearms, the cops, the NRA and the military.

You can keep Oprah,
Michael Moore and Rosie O'Donnell (You
are, however, responsible for finding a bio-diesel
vehicle big enough to move all three of them).

We'll keep the capitalism, greedy corporations,
pharmaceutical companies, Wal-Mart and Wall Street. You can
have your beloved homeless, homeboys, hippies and illegal
aliens. We'll keep the hot
Alaskan hockey moms, greedy CEO's and rednecks.
We'll keep the Bibles and give you NBC and
Hollywood ..

You can make nice with Iran and Palestine and we'll
retain the right to invade and hammer places that threaten
us.. You can have the peaceniks and war protesters. When our
allies or our way of life are
under assault, we'll help provide them security.

We'll keep our Judeo-Christian values.. You are welcome
to Islam, Scientology, Humanism and Shirley McClain. You can
also have the U.N.. but we will no longer be paying the
bill.

We'll keep the SUVs, pickup trucks and oversized luxury
cars. You can take every Subaru station wagon you can
find.

You can give everyone healthcare if you can find any
practicing doctors. We'll continue to believe healthcare
is a luxury and not a
right. We'll keep The Battle Hymn of the Republic and
the National Anthem. I'm sure you'll be happy to
substitute Imagine, I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing,
Kum Ba Ya or We Are the World.

We'll practice trickle down economics and you can give
trickle up poverty your best shot. Since it often so offends
you, we'll keep our history, our name and our
flag.

Would you agree to this? If so, please pass it along to
other like minded liberal and conservative patriots and
if you do not agree, just hit delete. In the spirit of
friendly parting, I'll bet you Answer which one of us
will need whose help in 15 years.

Sincerely,
John J. Wall
Law Student and an American

Tanner's are Talented

The last couple weeks of school there are lots of events going on in 1st grade.
This was Cardon's class talent show - where Cardon decided to show his self taught break dancing skills. He was a little nervous at first and forgot some of his signature moves - but he "brought it" after he got over his stage fright. ;)
Go Cardon! Go Cardon Go GO GO Cardon!

TRI as I may....

Willpower, training, determination, blood, sweat, tears. All things required of a person to accomplish a goal. I my case it's just to keep this stinking blog current. In RYAN'S case - it's a TRIathlon!!

Early on the morning of June 20th Ryan competed is his first Triathlon Sprint. This includes a 1/2 mile swim followed by a 13 mile bike and finally a 5k run.
Ryan made this goal about a month before and it was amazing to watch as he persistently trained for it. I am so proud of him! He is in some the best shape ever and he inspires me to try harder.

If you ask Ryan how he did - he might hesitate. However, I think for his first - he should be doing cartwheels. He took 18th in his age division and 68th overall with a time of 1:29:47.65

Here are some pictures of the fun....

Slacker

Today I looked at my blog and realized it has been over a month since I posted last.
I have lots to catch up on....
I am working on it.... along with the rest of life.
While you are anxiously waiting to read up on the last month at the Tanner's (ha ha) here is something that as soon as I read it on Tia's blog. I thought - this is a must read...
Getting a little political again that's all...

Why socialism won't work.....

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class.

That class had insisted that socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on socialism. All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.

After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.

The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.

As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.

The second test average was a D! No one was happy.

When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great, but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.

Whether or not that story is true - I think it is a great illustration... Pass it on. :)

The Mouths of babes..

I hope all of you amazing women had a good Mother's Day!
I wanted to share a small part of Cardon's Mothers Day gift that he gave to me.
He was so excited that he came in nice and early that morning to share this with me.
It's actually really cute. All of the blue parts - are the places where he filled in the blanks. :)

"My Mother is the most wonderful mom in the whole world. She's as pretty as a butterfly. She weighs 50 pounds (he whispered - I wanted to you to feel good.) Her favorite food is Cafe Rio. My mom looks prettiest when she gets meryed. (That's married for those of you who are rusty on 1st grade spelling.)
When mom was little she used to only listin to church music. (I am not quite sure where he got that - maybe it's because Ryan always teases me that I learned all these weird songs from girls camp.)
I like being with my mother most when I'm sad. I go on roller coaster's.
I think my mom looks funny when she makes funny faces.
But I know she's really angry with me when she sees me playing with bug killer. (Don't ask.)
My favorite thing about my mother is she's nice, she helps me.
I wish my mom would let me play the wii 1000 hours every day.
I wouldn't trade my mom for the wii. (That is REALLY saying something).

Oh - Jack Handy is SO right. "The face of a child says SO much - especially the mouth part." :)

Jack Bauer Wannabe's

I don't know how many Jack Bauer fans are out there. However, Ryan and I happen to be followers of the show 24.
There just seems to be some sort of endorphin release when Jack takes care of the bad guys.
Now it seems that he has influenced us to pick up a new hobby - sort of.

I have to say - SOOOO FUN!!!
Ryan, myself and our neighbors drove a couple miles from our house - up Price canyon and found a great spot.
We set up some targets and went to town.

I have to brag a bit and say I am pretty good with a 9mm! I wish I had a scanner and I would show you. :)
For now you will have to settle for some pictures.
p.s. okay Jack didn't have THAT much influence but he sure makes it look cool! ;)

I have never seen a cuter view of the back of a hospital gown!

This morning Luke was the lucky recipient of a myringotomy. He has had chronic ear infections for over 2 months. The ENT had pity on him and put some tubes in his ears this morning. Now the fluid that never drains and causes the ear infections has a way to drain out of his inner ear.


We had to be to the surgical center by 6:30 am. Luke wasn't allowed to eat after midnight. So we just grabbed him out of bed and stuck him in the car. He probably thought we were nuts. On the way there he kept saying "dark!" "dark!" - he knew something was up.

To prep him for surgery they had him wear this little hospital gown, those nice thick socks, and a hair net. It was both sad and funny to see.

Then the nurse came to take him for his surgery. Luckily it is such a quick procedure that Luke didn't need an IV - just the gas. The sad part was when the MALE nurse (I think a female would have been easier on him) took him from us and walked away with a very sad and scared Luke.

We had to wait about 15-20 minutes before they let us back into recovery. I could hear Luke all the way down the hall. A nurse (female this time) was trying to comfort him. He was pretty out of it and really sad. I pulled out a bottle (I am sure he was starving) and that seemed to calm him down.... until it ran out.

All went well so they let us leave. As we walked down the hall - Luke was still having a rough time. When we walked outside there were two DUCKS by the front door! Random! But it made Luke laugh - I think they were sent to help Luke. :)

Anyway, we have been home for a couple hours and Luke is doing great. You would never have known anything happened this morning. :)

I feel so blessed.

Spring pics

Here are some of the spring pictures that we had taken a couple of weeks ago.

Originally I was only planning on getting Luke's done. Since he has pretty much been shafted in the pictures area.

Actually, Maddy has too. When Cardon was little I took him every 2-3 months.


Anyway, I figured I would just take them all.
This was the FIRST time they were willing to cooperate with the photographer. Which is GREAT for pics but not for the wallet.

However, I justify my spending money on pictures quite easily. Why? It goes back to my wedding. I only had the photographer come to the temple when we were married. I didn't have any from the luncheon and only 5-6 snap shots from my reception. I hardly remember what it looked like! I didn't even get a picture with my mom or my roommates. Sad.






It was a tough lesson to learn. My advice to you DON'T under budget for pictures!!! Whether it's your wedding or baby pics. Get lots. Get them as often as you can. Treasure them. :)
So here are my kids - how I like to think of them - clean, happily getting along and smiling.

Tara's 3-ring circus

Cue the circus music... dee dee deedle de de dee de deedle..
You know the music I am talking about - right?

That is what life seems to be like. And I am this supposed tight-rope walker. Trying to balance family, work, internet usage and health.

I finally gave in and got a Facebook account. It has been as addicting as I thought it would be - and now my blog is loosing some serious face time. I need to be better!


My family has been taking turns getting sick - and I AM SICK of SICK!! All of us have been on antibiotics in the last 30 days. Lovely. Oh, and I will be making my 3rd trip to the ENT for Lukes ears. :)

My diet was going pretty good. Until I took a business trip to Phoenix where I indulged in some SERIOUS Italian food from Maggiano's. Once I gave into to the temptations - it's been harder to resist. Now that I am home - I need something else to look forward to - that keeps me motivated. Something like a warm tropical vacation - hint to Ryan if he is reading this. :)

All the while I am realizing that Maddy turns 5 in less than two weeks and will start Kindergarten in the fall. Cardon will be 8 later this year and get baptized and my little sweet Luke is turning TWO. The TERRIBLE two's - in fact I have already seen inklings of these days. Scary stuff I tell ya. Nevertheless, time is going by faster and faster. In someways it's exciting and in someways it's scary and in some ways it's sad. I am not ready for an 8 year old and a 5 year old going on 15. Alas, I am in the middle of the tight rope. There is no point in going back - only forward.

So if you are looking for tickets to the show - let me know! ;)

I am speechless....

Happy Birthday Grandad!

I just want to take the time to celebrate the birthday of a wonderful amazing man.
While we are sad that we aren't able to celebrate this day with him here.
We know that he is watching over his family - guiding and protecting us.

I first met Leonard when he and Anita came to Provo to visit Ryan. We had only been dating a couple of weeks and they invited me along.
From the very start he was so accepting and kind to me. Going forward, he and Anita always welcomed me to their home in Cortez. There we played lots of chicken foot and mexican train playing. He was just as competitive as I was - and at one point almost had me in tears! ;)

Another memory I have is of Leonard relaxing in his chair watching television and laughing. He was so laid back and you couldn't help but feel the same way around him.


Even after he became sick - he never complained and was always smiling.

Ryan and I found out (surprise!) we were pregnant with the first grandson to be born with the last name Tanner. Leonard started calling me "little mama" which seems like a little thing - but it meant so much to me! (Especially if you saw how BIG I was!)
After Cardon Leonard Tanner was born. Leonard carried 5 or 6 pictures with him everywhere he went.

I think Ryan makes Leonard proud. Ryan learned a lot from his father that he has carried on with his own family. He is a hard worker and provides for his family. He loves being home with his family. He loves the Lord and serves in his church callings and responsibilities faithfully. He has a way with the feisty little girls that makes them melt with his teasing and loves.

Leonard is sorely missed and eternally loved. I wish my kids could know him NOW but I am so grateful that we will be able to see and hug him again someday.

Happy Birthday Leonard!

Just needed to vent...

I don't normally post my political views.
Not because I don't have any but because "debate" is not my forte. But you know what...
I can't hold it in any longer! I believe that while some may not agree with me - that maybe there is someone out there that feels the same. If that is true then maybe it will help others feel they aren't alone.

I believe that this country was given to us by a loving God. He has given us the gift to chose how we will live. This includes how we spend our money, raise our family, career paths, and even how we serve others.
While there is a place for government to keep a country running smoothly - such as interstate highways, yadda yadda etc. Once they start down the road of "controlling" or "leading" the individual - that is when it's bounds have been overstepped.
How do we learn from failure or mistakes if 1.) we aren't allowed to make them OR 2.) we don't see the consequences?
Are there those who need help. Ofcourse, and I believe it is essential to do so. Although, I don't trust the government to do it.
I have a hard time paying for someone to have free healthcare who doesn't have a job - when my family is working hard and paying huge premiums for an emergency health plan that doesn't even cover sick visits. YES I have been there. Or most recently - paying my own mortgage and my tax dollars going to someone who didn't know how to be responsible with their own finances.
Where is the accountability?!
I have such a feeling of helplessness that I feel right now. Does anyone else feel the same way?

This is a clip from Rick Santelli on CNBC - it did my soul some good. :) See you in Chicago!

Google analyzes Tara

My cousin Alicia did this on her blog. After reading her's the curiosity got the best of me so I had to try it. You google *your name* needs and report the first 10 things that come up. I thought they were pretty hilarious so I thought I would share. (Luckily I share the same name as the ever talented Tara Reid - yikes!!)
1. Tara needs… to be in one place long enough to establish a trusting relationship with a good, interested, capable therapist. Google knows me better than I thought!

2. Tara needs... to keep her clothes on. Okay - maybe not that well. I do not have a problem covering up BELIEVE ME!

3. Tara needs... to accept that no one is self sufficient all the time. Who doesn't need to learn that lesson?

4. Tara needs... a fashion coach who will not let her outside the house until she appears close to normal. I would be happy to go on "What not to Wear"!!

5. Tara needs... a nickname. Any suggestions? Come on fess up - what do you really call me? The "crazy one"?! Maybe this paranoia goes back to #1. ;)


6. Tara needs... a hug. Awwww sweet.

7. Tara needs... a home. Check that one off the list. :)

8. Tara needs... your presence. Ummm what does that mean...... exactly?!

9. Tara needs... all the get well vibes she can get. Well - I will pass those along to my family too. What is up with this winter? Ryan and I have been sick more times this winter then the last couple combined!

10. Tara needs... help. I seem to detect a pattern here....

Hope you got a good laugh! I did. What does YOUR name say?

Calories and Competition

You may or may not know this about me... but I have a very competitive side.
There are certain times when this side comes out in full force. One of those times would be during games. I LOVE playing games.


This is somewhat ironic because I married Ryan who while we were dating told me numerous times that he didn't care much for games. He must really love me - because we play games pretty much every weekend with friends and family. :)

But I digress. Back to my competitive spirit. Another way to bring out my competitive edge is add my friend Karen to the equation. I have never had a sister but I imagine that it would be THAT kind of competitive intensity.

So.... we both have our own "fitness" goals if you will. Of course we couldn't do it with out adding a little competition to the mix - so she is on a high protein program and I have decided to go on a 1400 calorie a day program. We are both going on a business trip in March to Phoenix and want to be atleast a size or two smaller.


Reason's why Tara might win:
- still get to eat sweets - in moderation
- still get to eat carbs - in moderation
- exercise = bonus calories!
- every pound is another reason to go shopping for new clothes
- to prove a point

Reason's why Tara might lose:
- high protein can melt away the fat really fast - thus discouraging me to carry on because of inability to catch up to Karen.
- Playing games almost requires yummy snacks with high calories
- short attention span
- too old - body doesn't work like it used to.

So wish us both luck and hopefully I will have some good news to report in a month or so.
p.s. If you are considering the Wii Fit as something to help you with your own fitness goals - be prepared to feel TOTALLY crappy about yourself after your "Body Analysis" is complete. :)