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. :)