Happy 4th of July! Today began early and we stayed busy with fun activities! I decided to run the Freedom Run 10k this year. The course ran right along the parade route which brought lots of screaming spectators. I loved the crowd. The course had some tough hills, but I ended up placing 2nd in my age division and finished with a 41:45. It was really fun to have family there to support me! Thanks guys!
After the race we headed straight down to the parade where Angela and Jeff were saving us a spot. The kids had a great time watching everything go by. Lilah especially loved all the huge blown up characters… lol
After the parade we headed home for a quick break before leaving for Seven Peaks. We thought we’d have to brave some pretty big crowds at the water park on the 4th of July, but it ended up looking like a pretty average day! We were grateful for shorter lines which made it possible to ride lots and lots of water slides! Grandma and Grandpa win the prize for being the most fun! They ran around with the kids until the park closed! It was super hot all day which made me a little nervous, but I used my new Alba sunblock on Lilah and she didn’t get burned at all… Yah!
Some people in our neighborhood have been throwing a pretty great 4th of July bash for the last 4 years, so we decided to join in. Last year we stopped in but got there late and didn’t know very many people yet. We had a great time this year! They had music playing and fireworks exploding all evening long.
It actually started raining during the fireworks and they had to hurry and do the finale earlier than expected. I was surprised, as I was last year, with how many big fireworks they lit off! It was quite a good show. Thanks again to our friendly neighbors for letting our whole family participate in the festivities!
After the show we actually headed home and lite off a few of our own fireworks. Thanks Jeff!
We ended the night laughing our heads off playing a game because a) we really are that funny; or b) we were all exhausted… I’m gonna have to go with A. I am so grateful to be able to celebrate our Nations birthday with some of my favorite people in the world!! All I have left to say is MMmmmm…. Betsey…
Tanner Reunion Day 3
Tanner Reunion Day 1
After the Tanner Family 5oth celebration our immediate Tanner family headed back to Provo for our reunion! Friday night was spent getting settled and talking.
Saturday morning we got everyone out of the house by 8:50am to hike the Y! We thought it was pretty awesome with all those kids! We were grateful that we started early and missed some of the intense heat.
Lilah did really well in the mobe wrap which surprised me… As long as she was moving she was happy.
Angela, Emily and Cole
All of us at the top of the Y.
Hanging out at the top. I love that Jacob has dirt all over his face in this one…. lol
After we hiked down tot he base Angela and I ran back to our house, which was probably a bad idea cause it was super hot by that point! But it was really fun to get to run together. We don’t get the chance very often and love to when we can.
This year Tom’s company Qualtrics was a sponsor for Stadium of Fire and we received 4 tickets! Mom and Dad decided that they would take the kids to watch the firework show up by the temple while Tom and I took Angela and Jeff to the show! We got a babysitter for Emily and Lilah which worked out great for everyone. The 2 babies were asleep before the fireworks even started. Us four went to a company party before and mingled with everyone before heading over to the stadium.
The boys happily holding our purses while Ang and I went to the bathroom.
We had no idea that we’d be so spoiled! Our seats were amazing, and we had free food and water. Tom and I were even just happy to be out on a date!
The show was awesome, and I have to say that I heart Brad Paisley! It was my first time seeing a country artist with Tom and will probably be my last… lol He is not a fan.
Luckily because of some careful, parking-planning, we were able to make it home pretty quick. We actually beat Grandma and Grandpa home, but when they got there this is what we found in the back seat! We all had quite a long day I guess… lol
Random May
Lilah & Tom just hanging out.
Lilah absolutely loves this Dog at the Library.
Again, I couldn’t understand why she was in such a bad mood for this short car trip…. until I went back to get her. I guess I’m a little mean for making her stay that way until I got a picture. lol
Lilah at Costco. Tom let her play with this bear while he walked around. She loves big stuffed animals.
More reading time.
We went to Trafalga on Memorial Day with our pass of all passes, and I got to climb the rock wall. We have already gotten more than our money’s worth with these passes and the summer just started! I love having so many free options for date nights and family outings.
Mother’s Day 2011
As I sit here typing this, Kristie is jumping out from behind the island in the kitchen, playing an extremely animated game of hide-and-go-scare-the-pants-off-our-little-girl. Lilah is laughing harder than I ever seen her laugh before.
I have every confidence that it’s the mothers in our lives that have taught us how to establish a family rooted in love and devotion. Lilah is the luckiest girl in the world to have Kristie as a mom, and I’m the luckiest guy in the world to have Kristie as my wife.
Happy mother’s day, babe…here’s to many more.
Cinco De Mayo Party
My friend Nikki loves to throw parties & decided to have one for Cinco De Mayo this year. We were very excited to be invited. There was tons of food & lots of friends to hang out with. Lilah had a blast playing with all the little kids that were running everywhere. She is getting better at walking on the grass, and I think she enjoyed being able to join in on some of the fun.
Lilah loved playing with this dog. He was very mellow and friendly.
They had a pinata for the kids and surprisingly, no one got hit with a bat…lol. My favorite part was the mustache contest. Everyone had to draw them on their spouse & kids. Some people went all out, it was hilarious.
Thanks again Nikki for all your hard work & preparation! We all had a great time.
Easter Weekend
I’ve decided that holidays are way more fun when you have an excited child to please! I know that Lilah is still young and doesn’t really even understand, but she does enjoy bright colors, and attention. We had a fun weekend celebrating.
We had some fun visitors on Saturday: Nathan, Kendra and James came to visit! The boys were able to go on a long bike ride in the morning, while Kendra and I hung out with the two kids. When they got back, Kendra hid some hard-boiled eggs for the kids to find. James did a great job walking around the room and finding them all, while Lilah had fun sitting in the middle of the room playing with one pink egg. We enjoyed the afternoon talking and being entertained by Lilah and James.
We had a second Easter Egg hunt, just for Lilah, on Sunday after church. I was surprised by how interested Lilah was in finding each of the eggs and showing them to us. We took a few cute videos of her hunting for the eggs, but readers beware: if you are not a grandparent, you might not be interested in watching both of them:
I am incredibly grateful this Easter weekend for the knowledge we have of the Savior and his atonement. I am grateful that he brought so much hope and joy to all our lives with the knowledge of the resurrection and what it promises to each of us individually. We watched this short clip together as a family and all enjoyed the message.
St. Patrick’s Day Party
My cute friend Nicki planned a St. Patrick’s Day party for a bunch of the little kids in our neighborhood. She did a great job making it a fun time for all!
Lilah eating some green broccoli.
Girls Weekend in Idaho
I got a chance to visit my parents for Presidents Day weekend. Originally Tom was going to be able to come with us, but he had a huge project for work. So I decided that if I made the trip by myself that it would be good for both of us. I would be able to spend time with family instead of being at home by myself & Tom wouldn’t feel guilty for putting in long hours. Tom ended up working 2 – 15 hour days while I was gone!
Thanks to Angela I have some pictures from the weekend! I forgot my camera sadly.
On Saturday, Teri, Jeff, & Aubrie were able to come over & bring Grandma & Grandpa Haworth with them! We had such a great time chatting and watching the little kids play.
Angela and I playing battle ship.
The little girls with our sweet dog Carlee.
They are starting to play together a little bit more.
The haircut I gave Cole… lets just say that Cole and I may have been the only one’s who liked it… lol
Lilah may not be a snugly baby, but Emily is, and I enjoyed it!
The weekend ended too quickly, and we can’t wait till next time!
Christmas in Acton, MA
This year we flew out to MA for Christmas with the McConnons. Lilah has already flown a few times now, but she’s to the point where she doesn’t spend the whole time sleeping anymore. Luckily for us she was really sweet–even if she didn’t stop moving the entire time. Holding a squirmy baby in a confined space for 5 hour blocks is quite a workout.
At the airport we confirmed her love for water fountains…I’d pin her arms to her sides and she’d try to sip water for as long as I’d let her. At one point she drew a crowd of admiring old ladies who insisted we needed to take a picture.
The whole family was there this year, which always makes for a good time.
Kristie and I prepared a special multi-course Christmas Eve dinner, which the brothers thought was silly. I had to remind them we weren’t raised in a barn. The barn is at least 30 feet away.
Christmas morning felt a little more magical than it had in many years for me, having a new child in the family. Even though she was likely oblivious to everything save the Christmas spirit and whatever wrapping paper she happened to be eating at the time, it made me excited for years of this to come.
We’re so grateful for all the generous gifts from friends and family (you know who you are), it was certainly a year to remember.
While out east, we got walloped with a pretty decent snow storm…so dad kindly built us a super sledding ramp with his tractor.
On the 30th we headed up to our cabin-house in NH to play and spend an evening. The next day we strapped on some snowshoes and took Lilah out to experience the outdoors. In an inspired moment, I decided to attach her car seat to a sled with some bungee cords and so we could pull her around with us in the snow.
Then, seeing the gradual slope behind the house, I couldn’t resist taking her for a ride. I don’t know which of us enjoyed it more…
While out plowing, dad lost the car keys (nice one), so the rest of the family decided to head home in a spare (smaller capacity) vehicle, while Kristie, Lilah and I stayed and spent New Years holed up in the cozy little cabin.
When it finally came time, it was really hard to go…but we had a blast and will miss everyone till we meet up again.
Pre-Christmas at the Tanners
