Matt and His "Shadow"

Well...it seems that I have been on a blogging vacation. I won't go into too much detail, but things at my job have been absolutely insane. I got a promotion (yahoo!!) but it is now requiring a ton more work. I am still working on finding a balance between work and everything else.

This is a picture of Matt and his dog, Shadow. Matt was about 12 years old when he found this scruffy dog at a gas station in South Carolina. Matt instantly was drawn to her, so he "coaxed", well basically dragged her home with him, although he told his parents that she followed him home! They ended up keeping her for the next 12 years and she became part of the family. She was always considered Matt's dog, and he has always just loved her. We have made a number of trips to Sandy just because he needed to see his dog.

Recently Shadow became really sick. We thought she may have had a stroke, or something similar to that. She had a hard time walking, eating, drinking, and even sleeping. Finally, Matt's parents made the decision to put her down. I was lucky enough to be able to be there when this took place, with the rest of the family. Maybe it sounds odd to say "lucky", but that is how I felt. I never realized that an animal really could become such an important member of the family, and it was really difficult to watch this sweet old dog go. The night before we took her to the vet, Matt and his brother Jameson spent part of the evening laying on the bathroom floor where Shadow's bed was kept. Shadow really was a sweet and loving dog. She is definitely missed by the Tanner family. We love you Shadow!

Hooray for my Mom!

I don't know if my Mom actually reads this blog or not, but I want her to know how much I love her.


I am the Enrichment Counselor in the Relief Society in my ward. It has really been a challenging calling for me. I have truly grown to love it, and I absolutely love serving in my ward, but I certainly wouldn't say that it has been easy. It seems like there is always an activity or service project, or something that needs to be planned or done. My Mom has stepped up to the plate in more than a few ways to help me out.



She gives me ideas, helps me do the planning, and at the last activity, helped with the food and shopping. She is so incredible and an amazing example. I know my Mom is busy with her own life and her own activities, but she doesn't ever hesitate to stop what she is doing to help me. I hope that someday I can be just like my wonderful Mommy. The older I get, the more attached I get to my Mom, and the more I realize what an incredible and selfless woman she is. She keeps out entire family running and keeps us together. I admire her wonderful spirit and good heart.

I love you so much Mom, thank you for everything you do!

A shocking New Do

I decided to chop my hair off, once again.  I can only handle long hair for so long, because it just doesn't quite work for me.  I always wish that it will and get excited about doing cool things with long hair, which I why I continue to grow it out time and time again.  In reality, when it gets long, I can't stand it.  Anyway, here are some before and after cheesy shots.

BEFORE

AFTER

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful Easter this year.  We were able to go down to my parents' for a delicious dinner of tri-tip steak.  I ate so much I thought I just might explode!

After dinner we all went for a walk.  Molly sure held the process up, but it was fun to watch her being so independent and inquisitive about everything.  

After we got back, the guys were hanging out front playing frisbee while the girls were just chatting on the porch in the lovely weather.  While we weren't watching, Molly stepped in some dog poop, not to mention, somehow got it on the seat of her pants, and it was pretty funny to watch Justin carrying her up to the house at arms length.

On the way home, Matt and I called all of our Grandparents just to chat for a few minutes.  We want all of them to know how much we love and appreciate them, and just love talking with them.  I wish we lived a little closer so we could see them more often.

I also want to express how grateful I am for this wonderful season when everything is new and clean and fresh.  Everything reminds me of My Heavenly Father's love for me.  I am so grateful for the "newness" of the atonement and how it can make me clean each and everyday.  I feel so blessed for that blessing in my life and for the Savior's incredible sacrifice for me.  Happy Easter everybody!

Yeah for Cheri the Missionary!

My old roommate Cheri had her mission "not-farewell" a couple of Sundays ago, and left the same week. She is going to Iowa!

I just wanted to tell Cheri (although she won't actually see this) how proud I am of her. She has had some really difficult times in her life, and gone through a lot of changes to get where she is now. I have no doubt that she will be a wonderful missionary. Bye Cheri, and good luck!!

Weekend Vacation

Some friends in our ward invited us up to their parents' cabin a couple of weekends ago. We went with a few other couples in the ward, and it was really fun to hang out with them and get to know everybody better.

We played a fun game about proverbs after dinner and then everybody wanted to play "Rock Band". I'm not so good at it, but it was fun to watch everybody else. I don't think I knew more than 4 songs on the whole game. Matt and I ducked out for awhile to go for a short swim. I guess the pool and hot tub were closed, because we got kicked out about 10 minutes after we got there, but it was still fun to take a quick dip.

When we got back, everybody was still playing "Rock Band". Matt and I are not used to staying up late, and it was about 11:00, so we were getting pretty tired. We stayed and chatted for awhile, and around 12, everybody wanted to watch "School of Rock". It was about that time that everybody found out just how boring we are. We did stay up, but I was out about 15 minutes into the movie. We didn't get to bed until 2 am and by then, neither or us could sleep!

The next day we got up, ate breakfast with everybody, wandered around Heber a little bit and then met up at a delicious authentic Mexican restaurant in Park City (I can't remember the name, but when I do, I'll let you know...it was amazing!)

Matt and I got home around 5:00 in the afternoon and crashed the minute we got in the door. We fell asleep almost immediately, and slept until about 6:30 the next morning. I guess we really have turned into an "old married couple". Okay, I'm kidding, but I guess we are pretty lame sometimes!

KFC Celebs

Matt and I went out to dinner the other night at KFC. We were sitting next to a cute elderly couple and Matt said, "I think that is Elder Ballard". I told him "NO WAY, that it definitely not Elder Ballard!" We kept taking different unnecessary trips over to the condiment and plastic ware table to get a better look at his face. People were probably staring to wonder why we needed 5 spoons and 7 butter packets each. As we listened to him talking a little bit, I did have to admit that it sounded like Elder Ballard. Finally, as he and his wife were leaving, I walked over and said, "I'm sorry...I'm sure you hate to be bothered, but your husband looks a lot like..." I was too shy to say it, and his wife look at me with a big question mark on her face..."Elder Ballard." She confirmed that it was him. He shook our hands and talked to us for just a minute. Poor guy. It is probably so awkward for him to try to have a nice evening at KFC with people like us bugging him, but I couldn't help myself!
Anyway, it may sound like a silly story, but we are not used to seeing the apostles just out and about, so we thought it was pretty funny and interesting to meet one at KFC of all places!

Tanner-Rama

Matt's parents went out of town a couple of weeks ago to look after the house, the dogs, and well...you know...Jameson. Matt and Jame had a great weekend together and I well...spent the entire weekend sick. I was coughing so much that neither Matt or I could sleep, and we had to raid the medicine drawer. I took absolutely everything possible, but nothing worked. It was a pretty frustrating weekend, but don't worry, Matt and Jameson took good care of me.

The good part of the weekend was Friday night. I was sick, but not too bad by that point. I played with Kisha for awhile and by the end we were both pretty tired out. I have never really wanted a dog, but I have to admit that the idea is growing on me.

Matt and I had a gift certificate for Outback Steakhouse, so we went there and waited fooorrreeevvveeeerrrr, but it was delicious when we finally got in.

Finally we spent the rest of the night by a cozy fire watching a movie (errr...Matt watched the movie, and I slept).

On the whole being sick note, I just wanted to say how much I love sleep. This is now the second time I have been sick this year, and I haven't been able to kick this cough since the first time, roughly 2 1/2 months ago. It has been hard for both Matt and I to sleep because everytime I lay down, I start coughing so hard I can't stop, and I just wake myself up several times a night. Last night was the first time in the last couple of months that I slept straight through the night without coughing, and it was glorious! Sleep is truly a beautiful thing:)

On Saturday Matt and Jameson made a yummy pizza, consistent with the Tanner's Saturday "pizza and a movie" night. It turned out a little different than Ric's, but it was still delicious!

Happy Birthday Megan

It was really fun to get everybody (except Brett, Aaron, and Matt) together for Megan's birthday. Lizzy and Tiana had a great time playing bumper cars while Molly and Andrew entertained everybody in the living room. We love our fun family!

More Family Fun

I have not updated in almost a month! Sometimes I'm really good about, but then I find myself getting busier and busier and then (whoa!) an entire month has passed by!

So I wanted to post a few more pictures taken while my sister was here visiting.

I have a secret love for hosting get togethers with friends, family...basically anybody. I enjoy cooking for a group and setting everything out just right. So, Matt and I were happy to have my sister, her kids, and my parents over for Sunday dinner. Rachelle came over in the afternoon with the kids, and we had a lot of fun just playing with them. Andrew's sweet little personality just cracks me up, and Lizzy is such a sweetheart! Here are a few fun pictures of the cuties!

Andrew loves playing with Matt and was dragging him all over the place!

We had lots of fun tickling and wrestling with Andrew and making him say "uncle, uncle!"

The next day my parents took Rachelle and I out to lunch. It was really fun to be able to catch up with her. I am so grateful for my sister. She is so funny and sweet and thoughtful. She has always been my very best friend, and the older we get, the closer I feel to her. Love you Chelle! We are so glad you were able to come and visit!