Tag Archives: Tanners

An artist….who knew?

Posted on by

My parents have been friends with and fans of a local artist for many years.  His name is Andy Smith.  You can see his works here.

Last year my mother gave my father four lessons with Andy as a gift.  My dad dove into these lessons the same way he approaches everything in life, with full gusto!

Turns out my dad really has some talent.  We’ve all been impressed by the watercolors he’s created.

Last weekend Andy had an open house for his students.  We went to support my dad and it turns out he was placed next to his best friend who has also been taking classes.  It was a fun time and I was really impressed by works from all of Andy’s students.

I was especially proud of my dad and his beautiful watercolors.

You can see the students’ works here.  Just click on “my students’ paintings” on the right hand side.  Then scroll down a bit until you see Jim Tanner.  These are my dad’s works.

I told him that I’d really love one of his works for my birthday this year.  I wonder which one he’ll pick out for me?

Brynn is 3!

Posted on by

How can that be?  She was just a baby, sucking on two  fingers and scooting backwards across the carpet.

This year Brynn was beyond excited for her birthday.  She talked about the theme, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, since last summer.  Thanks to some help from my sister-in-law Julie and my friend Erin she loved it.  Erin made a great personalized banner with a Mickey Mouse theme.

View at Picasa
04-Feb-2012 12:02
View at Picasa
04-Feb-2012 11:47

Julie made this amazing cake.  She really did a great job on it and Brynn was in love with the cake.  She was particularly excited that she got to keep the figurines to play with at home.

View at Picasa
04-Feb-2012 14:02
This party was on February 4th and it was to celebrate not just Brynn’s birthday but her cousins’ Maiah and Zoie’s birthdays as well as their Dad, my brother Danny.  Julie was so clever because she created “another” cake on the backside of Brynn’s Mickey cake for Maiah & Zoie.  The girls had told Julie what colors they wanted on their cake and Julie hit it dead on.

View at Picasa
04-Feb-2012 14:04
Not to slight Danny she made him his own cake.  I will say he was a bit selfish and didn’t share his cake with anyone.

Since Brynn’s birthday was on a Saturday we made cupcakes for her to take to school on the Friday before.  Both Rylee and Brynn helped to mix up the batter.  I decorated them after Brynn went to bed and she was so excited to see these in the morning:  

View at Picasa
16-Feb-2012 19:26

Here are photos of her at school on her special day.  She was excited because she got to be line leader too.  That means she was first whenever they went out side to play and to come back inside.  Her teacher, Miss Erika, made her the cute hat that she has proudly worn ever since she got it.  Note the big difference in the before and after shots!

View at Picasa
17-Feb-2012 14:48
View at Picasa
17-Feb-2012 14:57

Love ya like Brynn love cake!  I like the bit of icing on her nose the best.  (Of course she commented on how messy Ryland’s face is in the background.)

On Brynn’s birthday, this past Saturday, we headed out for a fun day that Bill and I planned a few months ago. Brynn couldn’t wait to get started on her fun day.

Our first stop was Adventure Aquarium.  We took Maiah and Zoie many years ago when it was first remodeled.  There’s a lot more fun stuff now and there’s still one area, for the kiddos, that is under construction and will open in the Spring.

Brynn’s favorite part was the Hippos.  We had to go back to the exhibit about four times because she wanted to “see them again!”.

Bill and I really enjoyed the shark tunnel..

View at Picasa
18-Feb-2012 11:14
View at Picasa
18-Feb-2012 11:36

View at Picasa
18-Feb-2012 13:10
Rylee said that “everything!” was her favorite.  She really did enjoy the touch pools they had.  Brynn wanted no part of them though.

View at Picasa
18-Feb-2012 12:00
We got to see a 4D show too.  We saw Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs and Sea Monsters.  We really thought the girls would enjoy it, but we were wrong.  Also, the 3D part of it was rather blurry.  But didn’t Brynn look great in her glasses?

It was such a fun time for all of us.  We’re thrilled that we got a super deal on an annual pass because we all want to go back again soon!

View at Picasa
18-Feb-2012 15:30
After leaving there we headed toward home and Chuck E. Cheese.  The girls really have a lot of fun playing the games and riding the few rides they have there.  Rylee is definitely getting better at the games.

Once the girls turned in their tickets and gathered their loot it was time to head home for our family party.  Brynn loved her ice cream cake and the gifts she got to open too!

View at Picasa
18-Feb-2012 19:01
View at Picasa
18-Feb-2012 19:12

Happy 3rd Birthday to my Baby!

Love, Momma

 

Love Letter: Month 16

Posted on by

Well Brynn, this month I’m a bit earlier aren’t you impressed?

View at Picasa

22-May-2010 15:10

We have really had a fun month!  Aunt Julie, Elijah and Molly were here for a week and we got to spend lots of time with them.  We got to go to The North Museum with them as well as Aunt Lorrie, Maiah, Zoie and Evan.  Then we all went to lunch and boy did you enjoy that!

Speaking of enjoying food…there really isn’t much you enjoy more than eating.  It really is true.  If you see someone in the house with food, you immediately stop what you’re doing, drop the toy you’re holding and go running to find out what they have.  It’s almost comical to watch.  If someone has food, it is mandatory that they share it with you.  And by share I mean pretty much let you eat all of it.  Someone made a comment recently that they can’t believe that you’re not bigger given the amount of food you eat.  I told them it’s because when you aren’t eating you’re in constant motion.  You seem to only stop to eat or have your diaper changed.

View at Picasa

04-Jun-2010 17:22

The plus side to you being so busy is that you are a great sleeper. You take nice long naps and you sleep really well at night.  The only exception to night time sleeping is when you’re teething. You are currently working on the last four baby teeth.  So far you’ve handled it like a champ. I just can’t wait till they are all in.

While Aunt Julie was here we took our annual trip to Knoebels.  Bobbi and Papa take their grandchildren every year.  This year the weather really couldn’t have been more perfect.  The temps were cool, there was a great breeze and there was very little humidity.  Quite a change from last year when it was just sweltering!

I knew there were a few rides that you would be able to go on, but you really surprised me. You had your hand stamped and you went on as many rides as possible.  You had so much fun and it was really great watching you.  Rylee enjoyed riding rides with you and so did Maiah.  You even went on the BIG ferris wheel with Papa and laughed the entire time.  I’m already looking forward to next year when you will be able to do more.

View at Picasa

07-Jun-2010 12:22

After all that excitement we have a pretty tame month ahead of us.  That’s okay though.  That leaves time for some trips to the zoo and fun times here at the house.  You really love playing outside.  Most times when it’s time to come in you get upset unless we’re coming in to eat.  You like going for walks, playing on the deck and playing out back with our neighbors.

A few weeks ago I thought I’d be funny and ask you to count.  I know that when asked how old you are you hold up one finger on each hand and say, “One” so why not find out if you can count.  Rylee is always counting or singing her ABC’s so I was curious if you’d picked up on anything.  You didn’t miss a beat, as soon as I asked you responded, “Onnnnnne”.  That’s all you had.  But the way you said it made it seem like there was more to come.  So I said, “Two” and then you said, “Onnnnnne” again.  You had Daddy and I cracking up. Any time we need a laugh we just ask you to count.  We’re thinking about hiring you out for entertainment at parties.

Over the weekend we took you to Aunt Jean and Uncle Jim’s 25th anniversary party.  At one point you decided to count the magazines on the coffee table.  As you picked each one up you were counting.  So each magazine was number one.  Everyone got a kick out of you counting them.

View at Picasa

09-Jun-2010 16:51

You also have a new face that you make.  You usually make it when someone asks you a question.  It’s hard to describe or capture with the camera though.  You basically look at the person as if to say, “What? You expect me to answer that?”  Then there are times you just sit there and look at me with the look for no reason.

As usual, there’s never a dull moment around here.  We are really enjoying having two daughters.  Rylee continues to be your best friend and you two are having a lot of fun together this summer.  I am too.

Love,

Momma

Love Letter: Month 11

Posted on by

This month the news is BIG!!  HUGE even.

View at Picasa

18-Jan-2010 18:13

Today you decided that you are really committed to this whole walking thing.  You have been thinking about it for a while now and today was the day.  You decided to hit the ground running pretty much as soon as you were out of the crib.

On Christmas, three and a half weeks ago, you took five steps together for the first time.  Before that you had been taking a step here and there.  I kept thinking that you’d be walking by Thanksgiving, then Christmas, then New Year’s and all along you were waiting till you were exactly eleven months old.  You little stinker!

View at Picasa

25-Dec-2009 08:14

Wow, Momma and Daddy’s world is changing again and it will never be the same.  You think you are pretty big stuff today and it’s been fun watching you roam around the house.

In the past month you have had your first Christmas.  Just like your sister you were a big fan of the bows and ribbons on all the gifts.  Rylee was thankful for the gifts and you were thankful that everyone made the packages so pretty.  You are enjoying your new toys so much that we were able to take away a lot of the baby toys.  Yay!

You have been growing like a weed recently.  Again, like your sister, you are long waisted so your onesies are a size bigger than your pants.  Since we’ve been through this before we are well situated with clothing for you.

View at Picasa

11-Jan-2010 10:54

Last week we went to the Farm Show with Bobbi & Papa and Uncle Danny’s family.  You had a lot of fun watching all the people and checking out the animals too.

I cannot believe we are one month away from your first birthday.  The past year has been a lot of fun for Momma.  I have been home with you for all of it except for a six week period early last summer.  I’m glad that I was given this gift of time to be home with you and your sister.  I think that you two have a wonderful relationship already.

I think this next month is going to fly by and before I know it we’ll be having your first birthday party.  I can’t wait. I know you’re going to have so much fun.  I’m curious to see if you will dig into the cake or just look at it like your sister did.

Love,

Momma

A day at Knoebel’s

Posted on by
View at Picasa

08-Jun-2009 15:19

On Monday we spent the day at Knoebel’s Grove.  My parents like to take their grandchildren there each summer for a day of fun.  It is something my grandparents did for us when we were kids.  I love that my parents have chosen to continue such a fun tradition.

View at Picasa

08-Jun-2009 13:11

I didn’t know how much Rylee would like the kiddie rides, turns out I had nothing to worry about.  She had an absolute blast!  Her favorite ride of the day was the Whip.  Her first time on she sat with Evan.  They two of them were a complete gigglefest at each turn.  They were even brave enough to put their hands in the air just before the turn.  There is nothing better than hearing your child give an all out big laugh.  Take this times two and Bill & I laughed the entire time they were on the ride.  So did my dad and anyone else who watched them with us.

View at Picasa

08-Jun-2009 12:35

I think her second favorite thing to do was to play in the ball pit.  Now, I don’t think I’d let her play in one at a restaurant, but here it’s very well protected.  Rylee had a great time diving backwards into the balls.  Both her and Evan would do this and their little bellies would pop out of their shirts.  It had all of us giggling while watching and taking photos.

The weather was somewhat cooperative.  The temp wasn’t too high, but the humidity was.  So we traded a cloudy day for humidity.  At least we didn’t have any sunburn as a result.  With this and no nap I have to say that Rylee was wonderful.  She didn’t get cranky till we were waiting for dinner to be served.  Not bad for a two year old at all.

We finished our day at the park with everyone riding the train and the carousel.  This is a tradition that my parents kept from when my grandparents took us.  It’s a fun time as these days we take up almost the entire train.

View at Picasa

08-Jun-2009 12:55

This was Brynn’s first trip and we realized that Rylee was also three months old when she had her first trip to Knoebel’s.  Brynn rode the same two rides as Rylee did two years ago: the train and carousel.  We have to start them out on a mild ride.  They get to choose how wild things get at a future visit.

Thanks Bobbie & Papa for a wonderful day of family fun!

We’re Aunts Again!

Posted on by

My brother, Pat, and his wife, Julie, have added to their family. Molly Beth Tanner was born on June 20th.

We are so very excited for them and for our nephew Elijah who now has a little sister.

You can read all about Molly here.

We can’t wait to meet her and to see the rest of the family as well!