Merry Christmas From The Tanners 2014

Merry Christmas from Stephen and Erica

We have spent our first full year in Dallas, Texas and are continually grateful for the many blessings we have received. We would like to share some of the special moments from our lives this past year with you. 

Dallas has been quite the experience for us. We have done our best to enjoy our "urban city" living. We have taken advantage of the great art, theatrical productions and food while we can. Dallas has been a fun experience, especially for the "California boy" Stephen. 

Erica doing her "Single Lady" dance and Stephen found his dream bed.

This year, Erica made it a goal to get in better shape. She started attending a 6 a.m. workout class 3 days a week with her friend Susie. They were able to run a 'Color Run' 5K together. Erica ran 2 more 5K's this year and is currently training for a 10K.

Susie and Erica after finishing their Color Run 5K

On Memorial Day weekend, we flew up to Seattle to spend some quality time with Stephen's family on San Juan Island. We had a great time hiking, kayaking, zip lining, and enjoying each other's company. 

The whole family before heading off on our kayaking trip in Haro Strait.

We are leaning off a platform that is more than 60 feet above the ground. As you can see, Stephen was a little nervous.

Soon after our trip to Washington, Erica graduated from her 10 month dietetic internship program at Baylor University Medical Center. Her supervisors gave her the "Grace Under Pressure Award" because of her "ability to juggle more than 20 trauma patients daily, marathon rounds and [work] with the preferences of 4 different attending physicians, 5 nervous residents and 1 overtired preceptor". 

Erica after receiving her diploma.

For the 4th of July, we went to Wisconsin to visit Stephen's siblings and their families. As Stephen said, "it was the quintessential American 4th of July". We had barbecue, went swimming, watched the parade and watched fireworks from the backyard. We also took a quick trip to Madison, Wisconsin and enjoyed the amazing farmers market. The cheese possibilities were endless! We also returned to Chicago for a day. It was more pleasant this time around than mid-January.

In front of the state capital in Madison, Wisconsin. The farmers market wraps around the capital grounds.

Pool selfie with family!

In late September and early October, we had to live through a scary time in Dallas. The rare and deadly disease, Ebola, was confirmed in Dallas. On October 15, 2014, Stephen received a reverse
9-1-1 phone call from the City of Dallas at 6 in the morning, informing us a person that had contracted Ebola lives within our apartment complex. We couldn't fall back to sleep as 3 helicopters hovered over our apartment all morning. It was a nerve-racking experience to have this hit so close to home. Stephen was nervous for Erica as she works in one of the  major hospitals in Dallas, and Erica was told her hospital would be the next one to admit Ebola patients if the disease continued to spread. Thankfully, there were no more new cases in Dallas after the third person to contract Ebola and had lived in our apartment complex got it. We do have to say, we are extremely grateful for the prayers and thoughts sent our way during that time. 

Erica nervous as she prepares to go into work. Notice one of the helicopters overhead.

For Stephen's birthday in late October, we decided to get out of town and visit Austin, Texas. Stephen's brother Stewart, was also there to teach a 'business boot camp' class at UT Austin. While there, we visited the Texas Capitol building, saw the bats at Congress Bridge, enjoyed the 70 degree spring-fed Barton Springs Pool in the heart of Austin, cruised down 6th street, and learned about the history of the great state of Texas at the Bullock Museum.

Texas Capitol building in Austin. 

Barton Springs in late October.

After we took a dip at Barton Springs Pool

Stephen decided to be a better citizen and signed up for a 12 week Plano Citizens Police Academy. Every Thursday night for 3 hours, he would learn about how the Plano Police Department operates. From K9 units, fraud, Crime Scene Investigation, shoot, don't shoot and driving the patrol cars, Stephen thoroughly enjoyed the academy. It helped him better understand the quick and difficult decisions police officers must make. Erica was supportive of Stephen, even though she didn't get to spend any Thursday nights with Stephen for 3 months. 

Stephen had the 5th best time on the driving course, out of a class size of 40 people.

In November, Stephen had to say goodbye to his beloved 1997 4Runner. With 228,000 miles on it and 15 years of wear and tear and thousands of dollars worth of repairs needed, it was a hard goodbye for "Stud". However, we made our first major purchase together and bought a 2011 Honda CRV SE. Although slightly smaller than the 4Runner, it does get better gas mileage. We named it "Bluebell". :)

Saying goodbye is hard sometimes.

One last look at "Stud"

Hello "Bluebell"!

For Thanksgiving, we had an opportunity to go to Carlsbad and visit Stephen's parents (we did visit Erica's family many times as they are a quick 2 hour drive away from Dallas). It was fun to take our nieces to Legoland California, the place where Stephen had his first job in high school.

In front of the dragon at Knights Tournament.

Overall, it has been a wonderful year for our family. We care about you and love you. Merry Christmas and have a happy new year!

Sunset in Carlsbad.