Happy Fourth of July (in August)!

We had a great Independence Day this year. We had a big bash at my parents house with a lot of our extended family. There was yummy food, croquet death matches, fireworks, and games.

This sweet girl ran around all day screaming for the fireworks to start already.

Can you tell she loves her Grandma!

My loves!

The expression tells it all!

Preschool Graduation

We were so very blessed to have Madison be able to attend SMPK this year. It was the most fantastic preschool ever. Her teacher, Miss Karlene, is an amazing woman who poured all her energy and love into her class. Madsion really blossomed and overcame a lot of fears and struggles during the school year.

These are just a few of the wonderful gifts the kids received for graduation

It was bittersweet to say goodbye to all her classmates!

We love you Miss Karlene!

Displaying just a few of her many works of art from SMPK.

Dr. Dan

I am slowly (read turtle-like) getting caught up on my blogging. This post is amazingly past due. In May, my handsome, wonderful, brilliant husband graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science from Rice University. If you count his undergraduate work at BYU that is ten years of school finally under his belt. I can't even describe how proud I am of him and his dedication and endurance. Dan is the most amazing father and husband ever. He always found a way to balance his school, his family, and his church callings. I have to admit that I shed more than a few tears as I watched him walk across that stage. Congrats my love!

One Busy Lady

Lest you think I spent my year in Georgia sitting on my porch sipping sweet tea, gossiping at the hair salon, and spying on my neighbors (okay one to many times watching Steel Magnolias). Here is the proof that I left my mark on this area.

Just call me Pastor Tara

Nothing like a strip mall to bring in a little cash on the side.

Why settle for one mall when you could have two...

or three....

The apartment homes were not worth it.

after the fourth mall I figured why not upgrade....

to an Inn...

or luxury apartment homes

at this point the fifth strip mall was easy cheesy

My husbands favorite was the Tara Tow Trucks. You may scoff but they were painted to the nines and bedazzled with gems on the hood - I am not kidding about the sparkles. I just want to take this opportunity to thank Georgia for all that they let me do.

Family Comes to Town

In the midst of this (boxes, packing, head banging etc.) we were lucky enough to get to see these guys

Megan, James, Wes, Madison, and Matthew Smith

The Streets in our Neighborhood

We had a bunch of streets in our neighborhood that made us laugh or reminded us of friends. The above should be self explanatory.

This goes out to Josh and Brooke.

Come on I know you think it is a little bit clever. My most "cheesy" friend Em will get a chuckle. You know I love your corny jokes.

To my dearest Heather - every time I saw this I missed my gangly wench!

Springtime?

I know it is not Spring anymore and I am terribly late on my blogging. We spent a month in a hotel where we had no access to our pictures. Maddie and I then spent another month with my parents while Dan stayed in Atlanta. He had the computer and all the pictures. We are now living in our brand new home in Spanish Fork, Utah. We moved in two weeks ago and things are still in a bit of a whirl. So sit back and let time flow back to the cool months of Spring.

Spring in Atlanta was breathtakingly beautiful. If you have never seen it I highly recommend it.

Wisteria is everywhere and it is one of my favorites!

Opening Day

My husband is a baseball fan. It doesn't really matter the team or the place he just loves the game. When we moved to Atlanta he made plans for us to attend opening day at Turner Field. To say he was like a kid in a candy shop is putting it mildly.

The game was fantastic as the Braves crushed Chicago. It is always nice when all the people you are crushed into the stadium with are in a good mood.

Madison was so excited to go to a baseball game with Daddy. Her excitement lasted about five minutes in the 90 degree 100% humidity heat (that was streaming directly into our non-shaded seats).

Some of her energy returned upon viewing and attempting to climb the massive baseballs at the exit gates.

A Good Reason

I actually have a good reason for not blogging, not returning your phone calls, forgetting various parties/events, and not going to the RS activities I am in charge of....boxes. This is my life for the last couple of weeks. Movers come tomorrow and we will be temporarily relocated for a month or two and than on to our new house in good old UT.

Another House Update

Holy Smokes! I just got these pictures from my Momma and I about fell off the couch. Can you believe how fast things are moving? Not long now...