MR. TANNERS

Monday, January 7, 2013

Christmas in the Big D–Part 2

Graduation was just the beginning of our trip to Dallas. The kiddos and I stayed in Dallas for 10+ days.

Of course I had to leave one day early so I could hit up my old Lake Highlands Book Club. And with Pier handing out the homemade caramels and ornaments, it did not disappoint. Even if I had to bring a baby who had refused to sleep the entire day cause she refused to fall asleep after an hour of feeding and rocking and every trick in the book.

We also stayed a few days with our awesome friends, the Georges. We hung at the Museum, ate at all our favorite places, and just had a good ole time letting the kids run around the house while we caught up on each others lives. We even visited Tanner’s old preschool and listened as Santa Claus read Tanner’s favorite Christmas story, “The Polar Express.” Tanner was as shy as ever, but I admit, I wasn’t expecting an African American Santa either.

By the end, Brynlee and Tanner were calling each other cousins – and by now they mine as well be our family.

All week long we were meeting up and hanging out. Tanner had a play date with his number one old preschool buddy, Easton. Seriously, these two have man crushes on each other. We’re still hoping to find the Easton of KC.

We headed to Ft Worth for some cousin bonding time at the Ft Worth Botanical Gardens. And to meet Ms. Kadynn for the first time at just 2 months old. A bit windy, but still a beautiful day for a walk in the park.

The Gang – minus the babies

Tanner, of course, can’t stay still long enough for a pose. Whereas the other girls are so adorable and photogenic.

Now just use your imagination of what would happen when the wind started to blow…

And since I still technically work for Deloitte, I got to visit with all my old work buddies, and heck, even work half a day. It’s been nearly 8 months since I’ve worked, so it felt good. Real good. Especially considering how I had no real work to do and could just catch up and chat with everyone.

The rest of the time – we stayed at the parent’s home base and just hung out with everyone. It wasn’t long until everyone else got into town.

We spent time with Casey and Crystal, Eliana, and met the newest member of the fam – Christopher Liam. Tanner did a great job playing and laughing with Eliana…I now have BIG HOPES on how he’ll treat Brooke when she gets a little older.

Then Anthony flew in and I’ve never been more happy to see him. I don’t think I realized how crazy traveling with 2 kids in tow would be. Brooke was an obsessed momma’s girl who was sick and miserable. At home, she never cries. And on the trip, that’s all she did. And then at night, she was awake every few hours, topped with Tanner waking up at the crack of dawn at 6am. Definitely outnumbered. But it made me realize how much I missed my husband, how much I need and want him everyday.

Anthony got there…just in time for everyone else to get sick. We didn’t get to do all the wonderful, grand things we had intended but we enjoyed the downtime and smaller family gatherings. And he got to do a guys night with the boys, seeing his favorite movie. Eating at his favorite restaurant.

Alas! On Christmas Eve--- all the festivities began

Brooke and Grandpa

A less enthusiastic Tanner

But nothing a few classic Christmas Carols couldn’t cure

The Christmas Nativity Story – M&M Style. Melinda always has the best ideas. ever.

A very Happy Cousin Book Exchange

And sweet kisses from Grandma. Tanner kept walking around the house that day, “I just love Grandma!” Yes! We all feel the same way!!

As much fun as it was, we were ready to come home. Our home isn’t in Dallas anymore…but here in Kansas City. And being away made me realize it.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Graduation–the Big D

In December, my “little” bro Brendan graduated from UNT and we went to celebrate for the weekend. Sorry Brendan, no matter how tall or old you get, you’ll always be my little brother :)

People always say we’re the most alike of all the siblings – maybe in looks, personality, and let’s just add charm while we’re at it :). Thus, it shouldn’t come as a complete shocker then that he decided to graduate in Accounting. And will be interning at Deloitte this Spring. Not sure if Deloitte in Dallas is ready for 2 Knickerbockers! But that’s probably why he decided audit…and I’m in tax. Just sayin.

My parents and Chelsea’s family joined in the celebration. A fun pre-grad celebration…

And yes, the whole family joined in for the graduation ceremony. Don’t ask what I was doing with a sick infant at the noisiest place in all of Denton that was just getting started at her bedtime. But it was worth it to see that smile on Brendan’s face.

And Quincy was in her element – she was a huge fan of all the cheering and waiving. I’m pretty sure she cheered for 99% of the folks, but she was the loudest for Brendan. Brooke, on the other hand, didn’t have a clue what was going on. And I questioned what I was doing with 2 little kids at the nosiest in Dallas.

Tanner walked right up to Brendan and gave him a huge hug – he was so proud of him. Tanner kept asking me, “Did Brendan win?” Next time, I need to explain college for a preschooler.

The next day, we went to the new “Perot Museum of Nature and Science.” Seriously, why did they have to wait until AFTER we left to finish the coolest museum ever. Even I had fun! This place was seriously high-tech. The steps that played music as you walk down, the motion sensor scoreboard and race track, programmable robots, and I can’t even name all the coolest I saw.

Tanner would have been happy to stay in the Construction Zone all day. Which was fine with me – which meant more talking with friends and family.

And last but not least, we went out to my absolute favorite Mexican restaurant, Chuy’s! And even Brooke and Quincy approved!!

Thanks for the fun weekend. Brendan – we’re proud of all that you’ve accomplished! But looking forward to the future cause I know BIG things will soon follow. “Oh the places you’ll go!!”

Christmas Letter - 2012

Just when I didn’t think 2011 could get any better, we decided to mix it all up. In 2012, we made every major life changing decision. We had a baby, sold our home, moved to ‘burbs of Kansas City, Anthony took a new job and I stopped working (well almost), and my sister Katelynn, along with her baby girl Scarlett, moved in with us. Now…we can only hope 2013 will be much calmer.

When interviewing for jobs in Dallas, Anthony was simultaneously offered a job here in Olathe, which happened to be right next to my family. Growing up in Dallas his whole life, he was itching for something different. That, and the hour plus commute every day was getting old. I, on the other hand, needed more convincing. It was hard to leave Dallas, my part-time job at Deloitte, my fellow book-clubbers in Lake Highlands, and my home that I had grown so fond of after 6 years and finally remodeled exactly how I wanted it. But after much praying, we felt it the right decision for our family.

So far, we’ve loved being here in Kansas. I love everything about the new house – especially all the extra space—which we’re still trying to fill. Anthony loves practicing dentistry in his brand new dental office and we love him being just a few miles away -- so he’s home in time for dinner, or better yet, to help make dinner. We love the wide open spaces, the rolling hills and green scenery, and let’s not forget – the rows of cornfields. We love instant access to highways free of Dallas’ horrific traffic. And we love being close to my family – my parents and siblings, and the kids growing up next to cousins. But for our friends and family in Dallas, there’s no replacement and we miss them dearly.

Brooke is now 21 pounds of pure joy! When she gets excited, she flaps her hands like she’s a bird and at her rate, is going to learn how to fly before learning to crawl. Rather, she insists on doing crunches until she’s sitting up and looking around. She claps her hands, insists on feeding herself the tiniest bits of food, eats anything in site, and begs until you share. She’s the quietly stubborn and already knows how to get her way, evidenced by having to be being rocked to sleep. Then again, she sleeps 10+ hours (well, on good nights!) so we can’t complain. She loves to serenade us with her sweet melodies and is quite the little jibber –jabber. If you ask my mom, she’ll insist that she’ll say Ma-ma when she’s crying or Da-da when she’s excited, which is 99% of the time. And if you want to hear her laugh hysterically, let Tanner enter the room and greet her with a big hug. There’s no sweeter sound!

Tanner just doesn’t stop growing. Every now and then, I still see in Brooke my little round baby boy, but it’s hard to imagine now that he’s so tall and lean. He’s just the happiest 4 year old to be left to his own imagination and play 24/7. He comes up with all sorts of adventures involving firefighters, superheroes, robbers, and pirates. His love for Legos has turned into border line obsession. Last year he would follow the instructions to a tee and point out our every variation, such as “No, that’s the wrong color, it has to be ___”. Now, he’ll freely builds all sorts of pirate ships, fire engines, space shuttles – it changes every day—and plays with the Lego minifigures like they’re Barbie’s – switching out heads, outfits, hats, and yes, even the hands.

Tanner started his first year in sports – starting with private swim lessons, playing “Me & Mini Me” Soccer with Anthony, gymnastics to get all that extra energy, and Rookie Basketball. Not to shatter any future in sports, let’s be honest and say he made a better observer than participant. We hope to change that one day…

But in spite of the chaos and commotion this year has brought, we have felt the tender mercies of the Lord blessing and enriching our lives. We hope this Christmas season you have time to pause – even if just momentarily – to feel the warmth of the Savior’s Light and Life. May His peace and joy fill your homes and hearts!

Family Pics–November 2012

Love, Love, love how the family pics turned out. Thanks Kristin for working your magic and the fabulous pics!!

I guess pics always stress me out – but this year we kept it low stress and made it all come together at the last minute – so I didn’t have time to worry.

Brooke was near impossible. Getting her to look, let alone smile, was a challenge. But when she did…she gave it everything! She’s my favorite part of the pictures.