Where do I even start to brag about this kid? This past year he finished 4th grade with flying colors. It only took him 5 years of school to finally realize that he gets as much as he puts in. So after the first trimester he worked really hard and did extra credit when ever possible and stayed on the A-B honor roll the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. I can't believe he only has one more year of elementary school and then it's off to Jr. High. 
He has watched his cousins participate in the Massula Children's Theatre the past couple of years and decided during the tryouts I had taken Madisen to that it looked like fun and he joined in. He was cast as one of the "Camelotian's" in the play "King Arthur's Quest." They rehearsed every night for a few hours for 5 days and then Saturday performed twice. He had a blast and wants to do it again next year. He's the one on the left in the second row of the picture above.
Tanner played AA Minors the year in Little League with the D'Backs. He had an amazing coach and grew leaps and bounds from all the hard work and many hours at practice. All the hard work paid off as they took 1st place in the League for the over all season and then were invited to play in a special baseball tournament called the Tournament of Champions and on Saturday they took 1st place in that they had an amazing season that was a blast to watch.
He is such and joy to have in my life. He is the most amazing big brother. I was looking through Madisen's year book at all the signatures and on the front page Tanner had written, "Have fun in second grade. You have done a great job. I am glad Heavenly Father sent you to be my sister. I love you."
This last week was a bit of a struggle for him. He had to choose between playing in the championship game with his baseball team or attending his great-grandfather's funeral. After talking with him Monday night he decided that he thought grandpa would tell him to play ball instead of coming to the funeral. Madisen and I got up and were about ready to walk out the door when Tanner came running down the stairs, dressed in his suit, tie in hand and crying, "I need to go to the funeral with you." He had been my little rock all week reassuring me when I got teary eyed that Grandpa was happy and no longer in pain. He was quick with a hug and full of smiles. We got in the car and when we got to the church he found my mom and that is the one and only time I saw him cry. He told her he was exactly where he was suppose to be when she asked if he was sad he was missing his big game. He is an amazing kid with such a strong, protective, gentle spirit.
January found us a bit restless and looking for a weekend away from the city and work so we headed to our cabin in New Harmony over a long weekend. We went to the tubing park in Brianhead and had a blast. The weather couldn't have been better. It was warm enough to melt the snow on the tubing lanes so they were faster to ride down. The kids were giggling and having so much fun as we raced down for hours. 
