Merry Christmas from the Tanners 2021
We have spent our eighth full year in the Dallas metroplex, and we 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.
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| Tanner Family in Plano, Texas, October 2021 |
2021 hit us with with the coldest weather we have experienced since moving to Texas. Winter Storm Uri debilitated the entire state with record cold temperatures, icy roads, power outages, frozen pipes and flooding. While the kids enjoyed making snowmen and seeing icicles for the first time, Erica and Stephen were dripping faucets, charging power banks and getting every possible blanket in the house to stay warm and draft-proof our home. We felt extremely blessed that we never lost power or had major flooding damage.
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| Erica and Stephen, February 2021 |
Stephen kept busy at work in 2021, working as a Legislative Analyst for the City of Plano during the 87th Texas Legislature from January to May, and three special called sessions from July to October. He read and monitored more than 1,400 bills, and worked with Texas state representatives and city leadership to implement Plano's legislative agenda.
Erica is the glue that keeps the family together, making sure the kids get to soccer games, dance practice, and more. This year she has enjoyed her new calling working with the youth at church, volunteering with a local home hospice organization, training with a friend to run a 5k together, and getting to travel once again.
After receiving our COVID-19 vaccinations, and with flexible work from home options, we decided to catch up on our traveling we had missed for so long. In April, we spent quality time with family in California.
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| Playing at the beach, Carlsbad, California, April 2021 |
In June, we travelled to Lake Tahoe and celebrated with a Feeley (Stephen's mother side) family reunion.
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| Feeley Reunion, Lake Tahoe, Nevada/California, June 2021 |
In July, we visited Sun Valley, Idaho to say goodbye to Stephen's parents for 18 months (serving a church mission in Germany) and to celebrate the birthday of Stephen's sister, Emily.
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| Sun Valley, Idaho, July 2021 |
In 2021, Erica and Stephen celebrated their 10-year anniversary. They enjoyed a nice getaway (without kids) in Playa del Carmen, Mexico to mark the milestone.
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10-year anniversary, Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 2021
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In August, James began Kindergarten and Lily began preschool. Both children (and parents) love their schools. James loves learning about numbers and reading. Lily enjoys the dance breaks in class. Mom loves the extra free time she now has.
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| James with his friend Reese, October 2021 |
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| Lily (the black cat) with her classmates, October 2021 |
As we close out 2021, we know many of you have dealt with struggles and heartbreak. We pray for those who have lost loved ones and for those that are at risk. We hold onto the hope "
that sustains us through despair". And as we begin to move past the pandemic, the
miracle of hope inspires us even more to love our neighbors, unmarred by any form of racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice.
We love you and wish you a Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year!
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| Tanner Family, Easter 2021 |
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