The Big 2 for Tanner!

Tanner turned two years old today! Time sure does fly. So much has happened in these last two years for my "Tanner Manner". So many firsts. Smiling, laughing, crawling, walking, and so much more! I love this kid. He is so funny. Yesterday I was talking to him about his birthday and the conversation went something a little like this:

Me: "Tanner it's your Birthday tomorrow! You are going to be 2 years old!"
Tanner: "Yes." (Only when he says yes it is more like "yeass")
Me: "Can you say 'two'?"
Tanner: "Two"
Me: "So how old are you going to be tomorrow Tanner?"
Tanner: "Four."
Me: "No you're going to be two Tanner. Can you say 'two'?"
Tanner: "Two."
Me: "Yeah. How old are you going to be tomorrow?"
Tanner: "Four."

I knew his birthday was coming but for some reason it didn't hit me until yesterday...evening. I hadn't even gotten his gifts yet. I know, I know. Total procrastinator. I will blame it on what I am calling my "pregnancy brain". I think it get's worse with every pregnancy! Anyways, I took Autumn and Tanner to the store and tried unsuccessfully to get his presents without him really seeing what we were getting. Oh well. He is only two...he wont remember! ;)

He had fun opening his gifts. And of course Autumn was right there next to him "helping" all the while! I think all of his gifts were a big hit! He didn't want to stop playing with them to get into the tub...which is saying a lot because he will always drop everything to take a bath! He loves baths! He was really funny with his cake. The first bite he tried to use the fork and then he just started taking bites 'hands free' off of the plate! I made him a Batman rainbow chip cake. I wasn't going to do anything special for the cake...then I started reminiscing about Autumn's birthdays and the cakes that I did for her and it made me feel bad that I wasn't doing the same for Tanner! Anyways, it wasn't anything really grand but I think he liked it!

Happy Birthday to my Tanner (aka: Tanner Manner, lil' Turkey, Stinker, Tanner Boy, TJ, Tanner James, Buddy, Buddy Boy & Monkey)!! I love you Tanner!

Fun With Friends and Washable Markers!

Autumn's friends came over the other week and were coloring with her new washable markers that Tanner gave her for Christmas. A few of them are scented and as they were holding them up to each other's noses, they accidentaly kept marking up their noses. When I discovered how easily they wiped off with a wet wipe it gave me an idea...and boy did they have fun!

Attitude of Gratitude - Nov. 30

Well, I figured I had better finish out the month with the things I am grateful for! It's the last day, so I had to at least get this one done!

1. I am thankful that Tanner is not a twin. Holy cow that kid is the Energizer Bunny! I am not at all kidding when I say I cannot keep up with him! He keeps going and going...

2. Washable markers. Especially when Tanner gets them.

3. My in-laws. I really have some awesome in-laws! I am continually amazed at what incredible people they are. We miss them a lot.

4. Holidays, families, and traditions. These together make up one thing for me. I love getting together with family around the holidays. I love looking forward to the things we do together, whether old or new.

5. Naps.

6. Christmas trees and lights.

7. Movies. If you know me, you probably know my love for movies...especially older classics and musicals.

8. Books. I love the feeling of getting into a book. It's like you are immersed in this other world. And in the winter, I just want to snuggle in on the couch with slippers, a blanket, hot cocoa, and a good book.

9. Wet wipes. Very handy indeed.

10. Chocolate. Have I said that yet??

11. Ham glaze. We always have Ham and Turkey on our Thanksgiving. My Dad grew up on a farm and beheaded & plucked one too many turkeys. So needless to say, he doesn't really eat the stuff. So my Mom always does a ham as well. Let me just tell you, I am all about the ham glaze my Mom makes! Holy moly, the stuff is unreal.

So I threw in some last minute things. It's the last day! And besides, I missed a bunch of days so I was just filling in! :) I am grateful for so many things and it is sad how many times we forget to give thanks where thanks is due. Or at least how many times I forget to!
But really, I am so blessed and I am truly grateful!

Attitude of Gratitude - Nov. 25

1. Autumn told me today that she was grateful for the temple. Then she says, "Isn't that a great thing to be thankful for?!" Yes it is and I am grateful for the temple as well.

2. Puffs Plus lotion tissues. As the household and everyone I know, is fighting the nasty cold that is going around, I am reminded of how grateful I am for this simple thing. Puffs Plus tissues are the best ones when you are suffering a cold, or allergies. They are soft and lotion-y and lets my nose survive for longer than any other. I should know, I have gone through many a box of tissues in my lifetime.

3. Cell Phones. We just got some cell phones after not having them for a couple years. I love being able to make a call or a text from wherever, whenever. It is nice for convenience reasons...but like my Mom says, it is kind of like a leash! "If I wanted to be found, I wouldn't have left the house!" haha.

Attitude of Gratitude - Nov. 23

Wow. I guess I have missed a few days!

1. Thanksgiving. I love this holiday!

2. Down Comforters.

3. Awesome people. I am continually thankful for the amazing people the Lord has surrounded me with in my life. Even some 'acquaintances' have impacted me in many ways.

Attitude of Gratitude - Nov. 18

1. Flavored drink syrups. There is nothing better than a little caramel, coconut, peppermint, or hazelnut flavoring in my hot cocoa. Or vanilla in my soda. Thank you Torani and all the other drink flavoring brands out there for making this possible.

2. Photography. I love the things you can capture with a photo. One of these days, it is my dream to become a photographer. I would love it!!

3. Netflix. I like getting movies in the mail! :)

Attitude of Gratitude - Nov. 17

1. That hair grows back! (See my last post)

2. Coaching Volleyball. I love coaching. It has it's ups and downs, but I really do love it. The team I worked with this year was really fun and it's always awesome to see them really start to "get" the things you are teaching them.

3. Pregnancy. I am constantly amazed at people that hate being pregnant. Or people that condone abortions. What an amazing thing it is to be entrusted to take care of these little beings. I think the whole thing is amazing and I am grateful for the opportunity! Plus, there is no time in your life that more complete strangers are more nice and friendly than when you are pregnant. People are constantly asking my due date, giving congrats, opening doors, letting me cross the parking lot, you name it!