Tannie Outnumbered

We've moved!

2011-09-21T11:14:00.001-07:00

Hello friends!

The Smith's are not only moving physically, we are moving digitally as well. Come see us on our new blog - The Smithocracy. Don't forget to like us on facebook. See you there!

Good bye Old House

2011-09-16T18:39:00.000-07:00

Well before we focus on the new house we should say farewell to the old. You were a good house, Old House, you kept us warm in the winter and cool in the summer. You were always there for us when we came home. You also grew grass very well. Amazingly well. A little too well in fact. Why did you do that? We had to mow ALL the time! I will NOT miss that about you Old House. But I will miss how cozy you were and all your pretty colors. We have had some great memories with you. Good bye Old House and good luck being someone else's New House.

This way and that

2011-09-16T08:04:00.000-07:00

Well hello! Once again my life has been cuckoo cu-choo. So much has happened I don't even know how to sum it all up. The biggest thing is we are building a new house (jumps for joy). We sold our old one and are now living with the parentals. My parents are awesome so no groaning on my behalf. It is an awesome set up. The only sad part is that long, oops I mean loooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong drive we take each day from Cedar Park to SW Austin. But in a sea of positives that is not too bad. We are excited about our new place that should be done sometime in December. Merry Christmas us! I will start posting pictures and stuff for all the curious peeps that want to see progress on that. Maybe throw in the DIY projects as well once we are in. We plan to do a LOT of DIY because we will be poor poor poor.

Why do I have time to DIY and blog again? Well that is something else that happened. I no longer work. tann|design is no more. *shed a tear* but just one tear because now I can have time for you. You can read more about that decision here.

I think that about sums up my life right now...oh did I mention we are doing it all on one car. Wheeeeee. Anyway exciting things in the life of the Smiths.

Well that just proves my point...

2010-08-26T19:07:00.000-07:00

So I feel the need to complain further about the whole weight loss/getting fat thing. I promise after this I will step off the soap box and post something fun.

At the beginning of the summer I did a fit test at my gym. The news was not good. I pretty much failed everything and the final result was my body age being that of a 35 year old. I am 32 by the way. LAME... Also keep in mind that for my whole life I have been working out, doing my best to eat right, etc. etc. blah blah blah...

So Dan, who by the way I am way proud of, has just recently begun working out again after an 11 year, on again off again, hiatus. He took the same fit test from the same gym and viola, has the body of a 29 year old. ****SO MUCH ANGER!!!**** He has not missed the opportunity to point out the three year difference between us and has begun calling me a cougar. Not cool Dan.

He also does not fail to point out that if he continues working out as he has been, he will soon gain the body of a 21 year old.

And this is why I hate men.

I eat a grape and gain a pound. He starts drinking water and loses 10. Did I miss the "design the human body" meeting in the pre-life? I am pretty sure that I would have noticed this major flaw. Hello????? Women who run around all day chasing kids, picking up kids, grabbing grocery's, up and down, left and right, and then go to the gym and work out for an hour, then just in case add another run for 20 minutes, just on the chance the hour long workout wasn't "good enough", then rushes home, cleans the house, makes dinner, puts kids to bed, and then finally for the first time in the entire day sits down at 10:30 at night, does not lose one pound. She is maintaining. Read the previous post if you want to know what it takes to lose...

Men on the other hand, wake up, sit in a car, sit at a desk, work out for an hour (if he wants to,) then sits in a car, then sits at a table, then sits on the couch, then lays in a bed...this man will lose 20 pounds.

So I would like to call for a re-vote on the whole system here. Time to go back to the drawing board and fix this situation people. And while we are at it, can we go ahead and just nix the whole body hair thing, I am so sick of shaving...

I'm Baaaaaack

2010-08-12T21:08:00.001-07:00

Alright, I have heard the moaning and groaning. I will start posting again to this blog. Let the cheering commence. I actually almost deleted it, but I finally took pity on the three people that follow me and decided to be a better person than that. Therefore as your reward you get to hear my latest rant...Oldness.

What the heck! Why do we have to get old. And fat, what is up with that? And why do they combine it the way they do. Old and Fat. I am really bugged about the whole situation. If you live to be 80, you get about 25,(29 if you take care of yourself) years to look fabulous. Than you get 55 years of ugly? What kind of deal is that? Your not even a grown up for 18 of those 25 years. So really, you only get like 7 years to enjoy it. But your self-esteem is so shot from being a teenager that you don't even realize that you are fabulous until your turn 30. THEN you look back and think, wow, wish I could look like that again. But it's too late, you are 30 and you now have some crows feet coming in, and there is some flubby jiggle on your thighs, and what is that?? A hair? A hair growing out of your chin!?!?! So you work out, you pluck the hair, you eat healthy, try not to smile or frown too much, and look again. What? You look exhausted. You stayed up till 9:10 and now look like a zombie. You used to be able to stay up till 4am, and wake up looking refreshed and ready to go. Now if you don't get a full 18 hours of sleep, you look like you've been up for a year.

And your voice, there is something different about your voice, it has a nag to it. A "stop doing that, don't break that, leave it alone, don't forget this, trash is not a toy, are you listening, don't hit your brother, look out for the wall, I don't know where your shoe is, why are you naked, water stays in the tub, we don't eat bugs, not right now" sort of nag. What happened? You used to be fun and pleasant and energetic. You used to walk out the door and not care if you had makeup on, because you looked good either way. Now there are looks, looks from younger people that tell you "you really should have put some makeup on."

I know someone older than me is going to say, "you are still young and you should appreciate it while it lasts." Well guess what? I am not appreciating it, because the bad news is that it just keeps getting worse! I see my future and it involves 4 hour workouts on 600 calories a day, with a two hour makeup session, two hours more of meditation and than 18 hours of full sleep. All in the name of beauty. Just thinking about it makes me feel exhausted. And of course it is nearly midnight so I am adding to the wonderful bags below my eyes. I think I will just go eat a pizza, yes a whole pizza, stay up all night, and skip my workout. There is no use fighting it any more. This is who I am.

An Example Worth Following

2010-05-15T07:03:00.001-07:00

Last night at 12:17am one of the greatest people to ever live, my grandpa, Leon V. Honey, passed away. He did not accomplish much in the worlds eyes, but he accomplished many things in Gods. He was an excellent father, a great teacher, and had a vast talent for music that touched thousands of lives. But most importantly he lived his testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ every day of his life. He was the first to tell you that he loved the Savior and would do all that was required of him. I love you Grandpa and if all I ever do in this life is live up to your example, than I have done enough.

School Pictures

2010-01-12T20:06:00.000-08:00

The most adorable Kindergartner on the planet. You know this is true.

Summer- and yes I know it is December.

2009-11-30T20:51:00.000-08:00

I came across these pictures from this past summer and just had to post them. Some things are just too good to pass.

This is a picture of one of Logans dreams coming true. For National Night Out a Firetruck came to our Cul-De-Sac and parked right in front of our house. Logan would not eat or do any of the games. He only stayed on the truck asking what the buttons did, how to turn the levers and anything else he could think of. The Firemen were really patient and showed him everything and even let him push some buttons and levers that usually are not available for tour. Later a motorcycle cop came a let him ride on the bike and turn on the siren. I think Logan still dreams about the wonderfulness of this day.

As much as he loves Firetrucks and any other kind of large motored vehicle. Trains take the cake. When it comes to trains, Logan is a Beatles fan and an Elvis fan, mixed with a twi-hard, tween, who just found out the Beatles, Elvis and the full cast of twilight are moving in next door. So for his birthday we rode the local "Sophie" train and had a Thomas party. It was a blast and Logan still talks about it.

This summer we also did some rock climbing. While I was distracted with that, this is what my boys were up to.

Just some cousins out on the lake.

Math

2009-11-30T20:45:00.000-08:00

I have always thought that I was dumb at math. Well it turns out that Math is just dumb at me. I mean if it would just do what I asked, than everything would work out. So now I feel much better and my self esteem has risen a little bit.

2009-08-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

Today is the first day of Kindergarten for my oldest son, Austin. It is official, I am now the mother of a big kid. My vacation time is now dictated by the Leander School District. My tears are now dry and I am thinking that this might be a good thing.

We are off to school. We all walked, or scootered as the case may be, to Austin's school.

Get it. Austin, Texas. Ha ha.

Right outside his class. He went right to it, like he has been going all year, but is still a little unsure.

He thinks having a locker is just about the coolest thing possible.

At our seat, excited to make new friends.

"what, I have parents?" He obviously moves on quickly.

I'm baaaaack.........

2009-07-22T15:11:00.000-07:00

I think that it is time to start up again and continue putting my thought and family out there. I don't have anything much to say today, but I do have some things coming up that I know I will want to write about. So consider this your heads up so start hanging out at Tannie's blog again. Joy.

Clutter

2009-04-30T22:00:00.000-07:00

My life is cluttered and it is time to clear away the excess. Unfortunately the first to go will be this blog. Don't cry my friends, there are many other ways to stay in touch with me. If you do not have a Facebook account, then get one as I frequent there. Also I will continue with my illustration blog. Another great way is to call me or send a letter in the mail or even send an email. But alas I am done for now with Tannie Outnumbered as the things in my life have also outnumbered me.

Good Clean Fun.

2009-02-17T15:38:00.000-08:00

Logan got very, very quiet and we knew it was time to find him. At least we know he practices good hygiene. :-)

Something silly

2008-12-14T17:29:00.000-08:00

Thought this might be fun.

Post your name and I will do each of the following:
1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll tell you which song or movie you remind me of.
3. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
4. I'll tell you my first memory of you.
5. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
6. I'll ask you something I've always wondered about you.
7. I'll tell you my favorite thing about you.
8. I'll tell you my least favorite thing about you.
9. If you play, you MUST post this on yours.

Life no longer sucks, now it is awesome

2008-11-12T21:38:00.000-08:00

okay so Dan got a job! Yay! It was also about a month ago, so, my bad for not posting earlier. He loves his new job and finds it interesting each day. I love having money and find that interesting each day. :-) Any who, It is nice to be gainfully employed and fun to say "remember that time you didn't have a job?" to each other. On top of that my life is super busy right now, thus all the non-posting. The thing I am most updating is my illustration blog. If you haven't checked it out in a while, then I am sure you will see some new things. Be sure to post something so that I know you are a real person and it will also make me feel special. I will try to throw some pictures up here soon but life...actually I think I have some halloween ones ready right now!

why yes, that is He-Man and don't forget his wonderful sidekick Orko. If you do not recognize those characters than you failed the 80's. FAIL! I wish I had better pictures, like of how much Logan hates his costume...oh wait...I do...

and here is He-Man in all his glory.

I will admit to cheating. These are actually the same costumes from last year. But lucky me, the kids still fit them. Now the real trick is which pictures are from which year?

Sometimes life just sucks...

2008-09-01T19:28:00.000-07:00

Well if anyone remembers my previous post about an evil man named Phong whom Dan worked with, Phong finally got his way and Dan was "allowed" to resign last Friday. On that same day we found out that Dans father had a heart attack and needs triple by-pass surgery. Hooray for Trials! So if any of you are in need of a good looking, hard working accountant that would be awesome. If any of you know of someone who needs some freelance design work that would be awesome. If any of you want to trade lives that would be awesome also.

Actually sarcasm aside. We feel pretty good about things. The great thing about Dan is that I know that if we ended up homeless in the wild (I refuse to live on the streets, so wild it is) he would be the first to hunt down some sort of animal to eat. He would dig up grubs, build a fire and carve a pot from the trunk of a tree. So I know that no matter what, we will be taken care of as a family. I also know that no matter what you are thrown in life, there is always a valuable lesson to be learned. So I actually am excited to go through this trial with my family and come out a better person on the other side. Hopefully the other side will involve a job and housing, preferably food, but either way we will have grown!

Memories...

2008-08-10T20:56:00.000-07:00

Okay you have all probably seen this. The deal is to post a comment and leave a memory you have of me. Something we did together or you remember about me or whatever. At least I think that is how it works. I didn't read the instructions very carefully. Anyway I hope I get at least three posts on it, and Dan you better be one of them. *glare*

Hooray memories!!

Kinetic Typography makes me drool

2008-08-07T18:14:00.000-07:00

I love this video enough that I have posted it on both of my blogs. Many of you wonder at my obsession with typography and why some make me cringe and throw up a little (papyrus, comic sans) and why others are so simple and beautiful I just want to cry (Gills Sans, Futura, Garamond...the list can go on). Anyway watch this video and tell me if maybe perhaps you too could come to love typography.

Click here to view the video

Postin just to post

2008-07-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

I don't have much to say. So here are some awesome pictures of Laurisa and I being goofy. For those of you who don't know, she is living with me for the Summer and it has actually been pretty fun as you can see for yourself.

This is Laurisa wondering how she can possibly ever be as awesome as I am.

Then I show her how.

After that we decided to start a fight with the computer.First it gave us attitude...

Then Laurisa told it how it's going to be...

I backed her up...

Then...whatever!

Anyway, thanks for being my sister Laurisa! I am glad for the chance to live together as she doesn't even remember me at home, and now I have access to way more clothes as she is now older then 7.

My very first Tag!

2008-06-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

I am so excited because I finally got tagged by someone. I never get tagged! Probably because everyone knows that it will take me about 6 months to get around to answering it (sorry Syl) and plus I think about three people consistently read this blog. And no, Dan is not one of them. So here it goes!

1. What was I doing ten years ago.

First of all I can't believe I am old enough to have a "ten years ago" let alone to have actually have been doing anything. But alas ten years ago...what year was that...Ah yes 1998. Yea the 90's I still miss grunge, Nirvana and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I was hanging out at the Austin Institute going to ACC trying to figure out what to do with my life. Dan was still on his mission, but I did have fun writing him. I was dating a fun guy named Michael. I believe the 10th book in Wheel of Time came out that year. I was also on the Institute Council - which, side note here, there is a facebook group with tons of pictures of my friends from the good 'ol days at the activities that I helped organize yet no pictures of me. This kind of bums me out. -moving on...I drove a Volkswagon Passat and worked at Old Navy in Westlake with my friend Ruth Williams who called me Louie. I am not sure why, but I liked it.

2. Five things on my to do list.

1. Put wood floors in my house
2. Finish landscaping the backyard completely
3. Go back to Jiu Jitsu and possibly start Kung Fu
4. Go back to school for illustration and animation.
5. Pay off my ridiculous student loans

3. If I were a billionaire I would...

Pay off my ridiculous student loans.
Build my dream house
pay off my families debt and travel a lot.
Help my dad start his construction company, software company and chocolate shop
Help Trent open his own restaurant
Pay cash for everything
Get a manicure and pedicure
Visit family a lot
smile a lot, cuz hey, I have a billion dollars!

4. What are your bad habits.

Crackers, I love crackers.
Reading too much and staying up late.

5. Five places you have lived.

California, Utah, New Mexico, Texas. That is all. Although I have lived three of those places twice. Can you guess which?

So this is the part where I tag people. How about this. If you actually read this blog, then you are tagged.

Soccer is king!

2008-04-24T05:57:00.000-07:00

As most of you know Dan is slightly over the top obsessed with soccer. Since day one of Austin's life he has been gradually brainwashed into have a similar obsession. When he was an infant I was not allowed to dress him in any clothing that had sports logos other than soccer. Dan has let up a little on Logan, but not much. So now after four years of careful cultivation Dan finally gets to start living vicariously through his children. Austin is the smallest kid on his team, but I think he puts forth the biggest effort. He plays the whole game, refusing to sit out at his turn, which is fine since a couple kids on the team refuse to come in. It also will not surprise you that Austin is actually pretty good. So here are some pictures and highlights of the next Beckham.

In this picture Austin is actually teaching his teammates about Air Bending (if you watch Avatar then you know what I am talking about). The video below is of Austin and his best soccer buddy.

Creation is a challenge

2008-04-08T22:28:00.000-07:00

So I have been really searching for great art out there on "the nets" and rediscovered an old friend. In the rediscovery of that friend and following links to other amazing artists, I find that I really miss doing the illustration and fine art I used to do. I have become so involved in graphic design that I think I am starting to lose that side of me. So in an effort to redevelop lost talent, and from inspiration of old and new friends I am setting up a new blog to showcase that art. Just a chance to make me keep going. I figure if I have somewhere to show it, then I guess I better create it. Also since no one will pay me for it, I might as well do it for myself. So go to w ww.tanniesmith.blogspot.com to check it out. Tell all your friends too! (this is in a desperate attempt to gain clients of course.) :-)

And the winner is...

2008-04-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

Thanks everyone for all the great feedback. The winner was a pretty close shave between Russell and Trent. I did go with Trent, just for the fact that he made me remember a term from my childhood that I had completely forgotten. So thanks again and whenever we meet a jerk we can all just call him/her a "Stupid Idiotic Dumb Retarded Clutzoid Headed Nong nong."

Sometimes we need more words

2008-03-13T11:47:00.001-07:00

Sometimes I feel limited by my words. I really do not swear or try to use strong language, but what if calling someone a poo-poo face just doesn't cut it? Dan had a lunch with this (poo-poo face) guy he has the pleasure of working under. At this lunch he was basically told that Dan needs to stop being lazy and start working more hours. Now here is the funny part. Dan has been working consistently from January, 9am - 2 or 3am sometimes at late as 4:30am. This is 17 hours on the low side which averages out to 102 hours a week (So actually it is probably closer to 150.). So he told Dan that he needs to be there by 7 in the morning (which by the company standards, work doesn't start till 9am, so Dan was not coming in late, just so you know) and then to not leave until 10 or 11pm. So that is about 16 hours a day which makes 96 hours a week. So in other words this ***moron head*** forgot to look at the facts and just wanted someone to blame his own lateness on. He told Dan we wasn't working enough hours to get the job done, and then gave him less hours to work. Then he told Dan he had to stay after everyone else has left. Which is funny because he already does that. However dummy head, leaves early everyday, turns in projects late, and comes into work late. Hmmmmm. I suggest to this worm of a man, that the next time you want to blame your own laziness on someone else, you get the facts straight. Dan of course is so angry, but can't do much about it (except secretly start recording this dorko-hickos hours and Dans and turn them into the managing partner at the end of busy season) so I am ranting for him. That way he can know that he can read my rant and yell silently in his head in agreement. So to get back to my "not enough words" I sure would love some posts on some great alternatives to call this booger brain. Something that would just feel right, yet still be clean and follow the standards of clean vocabulary. Then Dan can read them and feel better. Here is my own special contribution. Thpppppppppppppppppp.

Dan who???

2008-03-03T19:36:00.000-08:00

Well it IS that time again. Right smack in the middle of tax season, which means no more Dan. I keep expecting to just eventually grow numb to his absence. Letting it just seep into my daily routine, but then he shows up for Sunday and is so much fun, I have to start all over with realizing that he is literally only there on Sunday. I wake up Monday and it's like "who was that mystery man?" I don't know if any of you noticed in the video of Austin in the previous blog, I ask Austin if he wants to say anything to his dad and he looks up and says "who?" and I have to repeat "you know, your DAD." So that about sums it up. "Oh where, oh where has my little Dan gone?"

Climbing Monkeys and Daredevils

2008-02-28T20:53:00.000-08:00

Since I am once again the dreaded accountants widow, I have been trying to take pity on the poor man who is stuck in an office instead of spending time with his family in the beautiful weather we have been having. One way of accomplishing this is by being better at taking pictures and video of some of the activities we have been doing. I have noticed a consistency with these videos, and that is my boys are B-O-Y-S. In the first video Austin has just learned how to climb the monkey bars. Litteraly at the moment of this video and takes to it like a natural. The second video is Logan thinking that he is a professional stunt man and jumping off a car with all the grace associated. Unfortunately he has yet learned how to actually jump. So with that said, please enjoy a peek at my life and hopefully Dan will be able to see these someday too.

It's never the same

2008-02-24T19:52:00.000-08:00

Just when I think I have a handle on the whole motherhood thing, something happens to show me I know nothing. I am not sure why we like to put our kids in the same mold. It would be nice if what worked for the first kid, worked for every kid afterwards. Without going into details I recently had a situation where Logan had a literal melt down. I tried all my tricks as a mother. Everything I learned from Austin and four years of experienced mothering, and nothing worked. I just looked at him with all the same feelings of helplessness and insecurity that I felt when Austin was a newborn. It was so weird feeling that way. I was under the delusion that I "got it." I knew how to be a good mom now, because I already did it. Just like riding a bike. Unfortunately I have learned that Logan is NOT Austin. He is actually his own little person with his own, and very different, needs. It is like a trick. I feel like someone is pointing at me and saying "ha ha you thought you could ride, but you have to relearn that bike each time you get on!" So now it is time to let go of all my old tricks, learn some new ones, and really get to know the uniqueness and wonderfulness that is Logan Zachary Smith.

Oh where oh where has my posting gone

2008-01-15T20:23:00.000-08:00

Each new year seems to bring the same resolution of being better at connecting, writing in journals, posting, etc. I read other peoples blogs (ex: my friends blog, My Many Colored Days) and am impressed with what they do for others just with the use of the internet. I know I have complained about it being a tool to take closeness and connection from relationships, but I also think it can be a great way to reach out to people that you may never meet on a day to day basis. I see people who talk about things that matter to them and then read comments from complete strangers to that person, yet what they said touched them in some way. So once again I would like to be better. Time is always a great thing to blame, there is never enough. Actually there is plenty if I just use it wisely. So here is to you 2008. You are giving me 12 months to get my act together, which if you think about it, is plenty of time!

Mirror, Mirror

2007-10-13T11:42:00.000-07:00

O.k. so I really am not this conceited. But for once in my life a good picture of me has been taken. I would really like everyone to notice the absence of a goofy face, my tongue is properly hidden and I am not looking too snotty. I am not sure how it happened. Maybe Saturn and Jupiter were aligned that day, or maybe it's some good Karma I earned while working with scouts. Actually it is probably the sweet shoes and the lack of children hanging off my limbs. So let us all take a moment and remember what Tannie looks like without spit-up, mud, something indescribable placed by little loving hands and wearing make-up. O.k. moment over. But permanently saved in blogdom.

In other news. I am obviously not posting as regularly as promised and so therefore will keep up with the email notifications. I promised pictures and an update from Mexico...well I also promised Christmas cards and if you haven't noticed, those didn't happen either. So let it be known we went to Mexico, had fun, would go back, and life has resumed normalcy. Although it would be nice to have a mint placed on my pillow at home. I'll take a gourmet chef in the kitchen also while we are at it.

Now for those of you who only want to see grand kids. Here they are, both sucking there thumbs in the rain in Mexico...
...wait, you tricked me, now I am showing Mexico after all. Oh well if I have already accessed the pictures I might as well show some more. So this one we were at the market and it just cracked me up how they were both just looking at me like "mother, do you realize that we are tired and hungry and it is raining and we want a nap, yet you just want to shop" Well sorry kids, I do want to shop so suck your thumbs and live with it.
This is pretty much how Logan traveled. He had some shade, Dan got a workout and we all were happy.
Here is me about to go scuba diving. It was pretty much awesome.
Later Christy and I met our new Mexican boyfriend. Dan is taking the picture so he was cool with it. Actually this was a really cool guy who is a descendant of the Mayans and he told us all sorts of neat stuff about the headdress and the Jaguar skin he is wearing. All translated through Dan of course.
This is Austin enjoying the local wildlife with his Mom. This is actually a picture of stupid Americans who will pay money to hold a dirty bird and an old lizard while taking a picture with your own camera. Oh well Austin thought it was cool.

So there you go, some pictures of Mexico. Wow maybe this year I will actually get Christmas cards out also?!

Last but not least, some of you may have heard about Austin splitting his lip. WARNING: * if you are of a sensitive nature please stop now and read no further as the rest of this blog is graphic in nature** So anyway Austin split his lip open on a window seal in Albuquerque. Here is the before and after pictures, since some of you have wanted to see. I will tell you that it does not look as bad in the picture as it was in real life.

So here is the cut and the story. We were on a return trip from Utah and had a stop in Albuquerque. Austin was standing on the air conditioner looking at hot air balloons. He fell and hit is mouth on the window seal. My mom was with him and so she said "go see your mom" She couldn't tell how bad it was, just saw it was bleeding. So Austin comes to me and I take one look and think in my head"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! My child has torn in half and is going to die!." What I said was, (in a rather calm voice) "Well, we need to go to the emergency room." So we did and it is a good thing I used to live there, so I knew right where to go. I will skip the details of the ER, just know that it was very traumatizing, more so for mom, lots of blood, lots of tears, lots of muscle holding a three year old down. I do have to say that my Dad totally came through and was there with me the whole time and was a huge help in the muscle department. So here is the after.

You can see in this first one, Austin is emotionally scarred for life (or so I thought) the second picture was taken like 20 minutes later. I only wish I could have recovered as quickly. So that was real exiting and now there is not even a scar visible. So if you ever need stitches it is totally worth getting to Albuquerque first. Not only is it an awesome city but it just so happens that the Children's ER is brand new (one month when we were there) and has all the latest technology and really awesome doctors. So thanks. Although I did resent the fact they thought my Dad was my husband. Not that my Dad isn't awesome, and he is rather a handsome man, but do I really look old enough to marry a guys in his 50's! Unless they thought I was weird enough too, or maybe my Dad looked young enough to marry a girl in her 20's (hey 29 is still in my 20's) Either way no offense Dad, but I will keep Dan. So that is the story of Austin, Albuquerque and stitches. Lots of fun, don't want to do it again. So now that I have written way too long of a blog, I will leave you with one last picture that pretty much sums up how life is going right now.

p.s some of you have asked how you leave a comment. Alls you do is click on the little comment link right underneath this blog it looks something like this: 2 comments Only underlined.

A Year Already!

2007-07-30T20:45:00.000-07:00

Well there it is. A year in the life of Logan. I can't believe how fast he is growing, in fact he said his first word today (wawa = water) and he is trying real hard to walk. All in all I can say he is a pretty cool kid. Austin is excited because he is finally getting someone who will play with him a little more. I am excited because he is getting more and more independent. So happy birthday Logan and keep up the good work!

p.s If you haven't figured it out, my camera works again. So next post...Mexico!

"Oh the Cleverness of Me!"

2007-07-20T13:12:00.001-07:00

So there is this fun thing going around on "the nets" to steal a term from Enders Game, of listing 101 things about yourself. I thought I would give it a try as I have learned a lot of really interesting things about people I know. So hopefully all of you out there can learn a little more about what makes me, me.

1. My real actual name is Tann Michelle Romriell Smith, but you can call me Tannie.
2. I love to read. I mean LOVE to read. I would rather read than eat food.
3. I have never left the country until this year when I went to Mexico.
4. Now I want to leave the country all the time.
5. I never wanted to be a mother. I would say that I wanted to be one, but I didn't mean it. I just knew it was what you were supposed to say.
6. Now that I am a mother, I love it! I wouldn't trade it for anything.
7. Sometimes I really am as snotty as I look, but most the time I am not.
8. I have always been the friend and never the best friend. The only person who has ever considered me to be there best friend (and told me) also married me.
9. I think that Dan is as hot today as he was in high school. Even with the grey hair.
10. I am way smarter than I act most of the time.
11. I am also more mature than I act, but that is not as fun.
12. I think that I am a ton of fun!
13. I am a huge dork. I have proof of this by the fact that Dan introduced me to Dungeons and Dragons and I went as far as to create and draw this Kestal 'Sohna character. She was adopted and raised by Drizzt Do'Urden 90 years before his death. He wanted someone to pass on his legacy seeing as he is the only good dark elf. So now there is another. See HUGE DORK!
14. I am really happy that at least three people (Trent, Dan and Rachel) will truly appreciate number 13.
15. As a child I was rediculously obedient. To this day I feel guilty of doing anything in contrary to what I am told.
16. In high school I won state in Texas for a painting I did.
17. I have some professors who won't talk to me because I chose the "mom" route instead of a career. And one who is my hero for supporting me.
18. Logan's name in actuality did come from wolverine. We are not kidding when we tell people this.
19. I am constantly amazed at the really good and kind people in this world.
20. In my heart I own 200 pairs of shoes. In the real world I own 10. Dan thinks this is still to many.
21. I have a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitzu
22. I would love to get a black one.
23. My favorite illustrator is Norman Rockwell, but I would never hang anything of his in my house.
24. Dan and I never buy art because we feel like we can do it ourselves, and then never do. Therefore my walls are usually bare.
25. If I could live anywhere it would be right smack down town Austin. I think that in another life I would have been happy as a metropolitan sort of gal.
26. I still feel homesick for Albuquerque.
27. I still think that Professor Snape is a Friend.
28. I have never been seriously ill, never been hospitalized for any injury and have only broken toes on my body.
29. For some reason the band Weezer reminds me of The Beach Boys and that is why I like them so much.
30. I would of married Dan even if I didn't love him. I knew we would always have fun together. So it is just added wonderfulness that I do love him so much!
31. I think that my boys are geniuses.
33. I love ALL of my in-laws and I am discovering that that is actually pretty rare.
34. I love to work out and get sweaty. (Mornings only)
35. Once I shower that is it, no more sweating for the day.
36. As I get to number 36 I am realizing that I don't know that much about myself.
37. I am more scared of being 29 than30.
38. I was 27 twice. I forgot I was 26.
39. I am still mad at losing that year.
40. I think I am funny.
41. I think Dan is hilarious.
42. I am reading the collected works of Hugh Nibley...and I get it.
43. I have really cool parents.
44. Most of my friends have expressed wishing to be in my family.
45. I agree. Everyone should be in my family.
46. I am proud to be a California girl even though I lived there only two years.
47. I have no idea where I am from so I claim Texas.
48. Most (not all) of my friends in High School, I didn't really like.
49. I like all my friends now.
50. My true friends are still reading this.
51. I am learning to play tennis.
52. My dream is to learn how to scull and then compete in the Olympics.
53. I should really be doing something for my church calling right now.
54. This is more interesting.
55. I have a problem being too honest sometimes.
56. I had a black boxer named fluffy who was not fluffy at all.
57. I would really like to write and illustrate childrens book.
58. I have a hard time motivating myself to do the things I would like.
59. Once I am motivated I work really hard.
60. My children inspire me.
61. I fully expect to be rich one day.
62. I am a confident person.
63. I don't believe women think enough of themselves and what they do.
64. I have my bachelors in Communication Design.
65. You should check out my website then hire me for something.
66. I don't get embarrassed easily.
67. What does embarrass me is social faux pas.
68. I was actually one of the popular kids in high school. Then we moved.
69. In high school, I secretly really wanted to be a cheerleader.
70. I still do.
71. Instead I played softball.
72. I was team captain and MVP.
73. I am just now realizing that I wasn't as ugly as a kid as I thought I was.
74. Logan's middle name was almost Drizzt or Ender.
75. I wish I was better at staying in contact with people that I love.
76. I once wrote a really cool fantasy story and then lost it.
77. I feel that I am a pretty congruent person.
78. My pet peeves are dishonesty...
79. Know-it-alls...
80. irresponsiblity...
81. people that cut themselves down.
82. Sometimes I do those thing.
83. I think that I would like a Speaker for the Dead at my funeral. (post if you know what I am talking about.)
84. I really, really, really want a 2009 Chevy Camaro.
85. And I don't care that it would be unusable for kids.
86. I put form over function, before function over form.
87. I am still mad that my little brother got an iphone before me.
88. Even though I am 29, I would still beat up anyone who messes with my younger siblings.
89. I never wanted to marry another artist because I didn't want the competition.
90. I HATE scrapbooking. So don't ask me to do it.
91. I do like looking at it though.
92. I prefer silence.
93. When it is nap time, I do not answer the phone. As my friend Rachel says "do you think it is the President?"
94. I think that my Dad and brothers should actually start one of the business' they are always talking about starting.
95. I am proud of the fact that I know how to speak in public.
96. In fact I love speaking in public.
97. I have been published in two magazines.
98. This shouldn't be as hard as it is.
99. I feel happy because I have finally overcome all the self-esteem obstacles that I grew up with.
100. As a kid I really wanted to be a model. I am really glad I wasn't.
101. Last but not least...I am pregnant!
101.a. Just kidding! But I got you!
Real 101. In mexico my sister in law and I got henna tatoos and I was really bummed out when it faded.

Accountants Widow

2007-03-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

O.k. so it has been a while, and yes my camera is still broken, but I realized that it is still actually possible to post a blog without pictures. I know, shocking, I bet you didn't think it was possible either. So here we go. As you may have noticed by the title of this blog, I have been rather alone lately. Dan happens to be an accountant which means from January to about May we don't see him. Oh, he shows up every now and then to sleep in a bed, or lift something heavy, but other than that nada. In fact for some strange reason, he happened to be home this morning and I had to just look at him, since it had been awhile since I has seen him in daylight. He is still hot by the way, I checked. I remember when we were deciding on a career choice for him back in college. The decision was between International Law and Accounting. We went for accounting because Dan "really didn't want to work 60 hours a week and miss his family that much." HA! Last week he clocked 80 hours and that was a slow week. Silly us. Oh well, I have learned how to be extra independent during this time, so much so that when Dan does show up, I almost don't know what to do with him. I hope he will understand and quietly let me control everything from now on. Actually the reality is that Dan will start being home, we will have a huge argument, feel better, and get back to life. After four years of account widowing, I have got the routine down.

Another thing I have learned from all this, is that independent really just means being alone all the time. Except of course if you have kids, then your alone without ever actually being alone. Unfortunately being alone, then makes you feel lonely, so then you call your husband randomly throughout the day, telling him really meaningless things that are suddenly very important. Like some late breaking news on how Oprah went on a road trip, or guess what, I just opened a door! Isn't that exciting? I think the next time someone tells me that it is a good thing to be independent or that they are proud of there independence I am just going to give them a hug and ask if they want to go to a movie, the mall, or just look at rocks together. Because- hey...me too.

more christmas fun

2007-01-29T13:04:00.000-08:00

O.k. so after begging and stealing from other peoples sites and computers I finally have more pictures to post and talk about. Yes my camera is still broken and I have been reduced to using my ultra nice cannon rebel film camera. Sigh. What a sad world for me. :-) Anyway I just felt like I needed to include some picture from Alabama that way all family is properly represented here. We don't need any blog spot custody battles going on. Anyway this picture is just here because I am in it with my favorite sister in the world. And even more amazing is that we both look good. So it was deemed web worthy. Austin on the other hand has a mouth full of food, but that is too bad for him because he is cute all the time and can just deal with looking funny in this picture in therapy when he is older.

Oh yeah, I forgot I uploaded this one. Yeah for my family in a kitchen.

So here we are in Alabama where we all had the great idea of having Santa come over. We all said "oh yes, Austin would love a big scary man dressed all in red that he has never seen in his whole life and is expected to love instantly." Needless to say he spent the whole time crying and doing his best to become a permanent attachment to mine and Grandma Smiths shoulder.

We made up for it with free daddy rides for the rest of his life.

Christmas morning was redicoulusly fun for a three year old. Here he is showing Grandma all about how to hammer and make a lot of noise.

and grandpa got the finer points in race car driving.

So this is really cool. Dan has gotten into wood working lately and he made this box for his Dad. He has made really awesome book shelves for me and two more boxes for my parents. I guess when alls you do is stare at numbers all day you really need to make boxes.

So there you have it. We do have other family in world, who we miss all the time and are seriously trying to get to move to Texas. But they only listened to the move part and forgot the Texas. So Grandma and Grandpa Alabama are going to soon be Grandma and Grandpa Utah. hmmm doesn't sound as exotic to me.

And so we begin again...

2007-01-03T18:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone. Well once again time resets and life marches forward. If only all things would reset each new year. I have way too much stuff hanging around from 2006, that I am having a hard time getting started with 2007. For example, you may have noticed that I have not sent out my Christmas cards yet. Fear not they are coming. in fact they are sitting next to me at this moment. For some reason that I do not understand, they will not address, stamp and mail themselves. So alas, I am going to have to actually do it myself. Oh well.

We have had a pretty exciting year (and when I say year I mean December also.) so far. First Liliana Romriell was born to my brother Trent and his wife Cinthya. She is so cute and you can check out pictures of her on his blog at http://trentandcinthya.blogspot.com/. I will link on the side there. Also Austin turned three which has been very exciting. This Sunday will be his first time in Primary. So wish him luck in sitting still for two hours. I will post birthday pictures asap, but a sad thing happened, which is my camera has broken. I am very depressed about the whole thing, especially since it is my fault for dropping it. So you can shed a tear for me, or even better send me money to fix it! :-) So if you happen to recognize the pictures below, that is because I stole them from various family blog spots. Enjoy!

For New Years we went to my parents house and built a huge bonfire, roasted hot dogs, and marshmallows and told stories. When I say told stories, I mean listened to my Dad tell stories about what a delinquent he was growing up. All my favorites. I never realized how boring I am.

My Favorite part about this new year was the fact that for the first time in well over two years, my WHOLE, family was together again. So we had to take a picture to commemorate the moment. We also took a picture of all the grandkids from small, medium to large. Just look at how happy Logan was about that idea.

As you can see he is thinking about maybe he doesn't care for Uncle Russell, or maybe it's cousins, or maybe he is just realizing that he is surrounded by girls. True boy through and through.

Logan has now decided that he is more than a little sad, he is just downright angry about the whole situation. "Whoever invented stupid new years anyway!" he says.

Making it even

2006-12-06T19:50:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows that the first child has about 2 million more pictures taken of them then any following children. I guess I am making up for it by posting way too many pictures of Logan. That way if Logan says "why does Austin have so many pictures?" I can say "Why son, he does have a lot of pictures, but yours were on the World Wide Web." And then he will be so amazed it will instantly solve any jealousy issues right then and there. At least that will be how it goes in my dream world. Because then of course Austin will say, "How come you didn't put me on the Internet." and then they will pummel each other as only brothers know how. Oh well. Here are more cute pictures of Logan and I guess I better find some for Austin. *sigh*

p.s. I love that Logans eyes are blue. I now have a chocolate boy and a blue boy. yesssss.

Here we go. This was taken today at the botanical gardens. You even get the benefit of seeing me in a picture. A rare occurrence since I am the family photographer.

Wow I really do have a snotty face. Oh well, I felt happy on the inside. :-)

Food, Glorious Food!

2006-12-06T19:41:00.000-08:00

As you can see we are finally getting to try SOLID FOOD (said in a boomy sort of superhero voice). Logan has been smacking is lips for about a month now and finally got to see what the big deal about eating is and well...he LOVED it. While I was mixing his first bowl of rice cereal he got all excited like he knew exactly what I was up too. Then when I gave him his first bite, he just chomped it down like he had been eating his whole life. I have never seen a baby eat so well right away, beware the future.

Mom, I totally love food, but like my brother, I totally DON'T love a mess.

Look Alike Contest

2006-12-06T19:35:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I have said it over and over that my boys look just like Dan and well here it is again. The eyebrows have it Ladies and Gentleman. I thought that Dan was the only one able to do the whole pointy eyebrow thing, but alas I am wrong. Apparently I am breeding a whole generation of pointy eyebrow people. They, and Smiths, are slowly taking over the world one baby at a time. BEWARE.

I threw this one in just for the cuteness factor. And yes, for those of you that know about the sacred choo-choo blanket, Austin actually did put it there. How is that for big brother devotion?

Gotta love Texas!

2006-12-06T19:03:00.000-08:00

Howdy all. I just have to say the fall/winter in Texas is WAY better than winter any where else. Here are some great pictures of us enjoying the wonderful outdoors over thanksgiving. We have had a minor little cold front come in, making it super cold at night (about 35 degrees) then in the day it is around the 60's. I love it. I'll take a green Christmas anytime.

Here we are at McKinny Falls the day after Thanksgiving. Why yes we are wearing shorts, thank you very much. We had a blast and Austin really loved throwing rocks in the water. Logan got to ride in the Back Pack for the first time and thought it was just about the neatest thing since his fingers.

This is the way everyone should travel! and FYI my dad is the best
rock skipper in the world!

Wow, I never knew how exhausting it is to be carried around on Dans back. Logan didn't have to move one muscle and is completely gone. Now I know that if I want a really good workout, I'll just have Dan go hiking with me on his back.

Best Brothers

2006-11-29T18:56:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is the third attempt at this post. I have been trying to get this video directly onto the site, but alas, we will have to use some energy and click to another site. sigh.

Anyways as you will see, Logan LOVES Austin. He laughs so hard at anything Austin does. If you watch closely every time Austin leaves the camera, Logan quites laughing. Austin is already excited to have Logan grow-up and share a room and toys, but not a "bonk bed". I cannot get Austin to believe that it is called a bunk bed. He is pretty sure is does not sound fun to sleep in something that bonks. Well here is the link. Enjoy.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2677697442423563230&hl=en

Loneliness

2006-11-17T20:02:00.000-08:00

Like Dan, I think that I will take advantage of my blog to every now and then share my thoughts with the world. Maybe it is one way I can make a difference. Lately I've been thinking a lot about loneliness. I've noticed that in a lot of t.v. shows and movies the characters talk a lot about being lonely. A lot of people I know feel lonely most of the time. I think everyone, at some point, feels lonely, no matter what life they have. In the news there have been several articles and reports on the uprising of Internet addiction. Not to pornography, but just to the Internet in general. I think that the reason for that is the Internet is an easy way to feel connected. To feel like you are doing something about your loneliness. The only problem is that it is not real. It is the easy quick solution that, just like a "lose-weight quick diet", it doesn't stick. While we are surfing the web, and talking to "friends" in chat rooms the world is passing us by. I think the reason that people are feeling more and more lonely is because they put so much effort into a "virtual" community, that we are losing a sense of our true community and family. I noticed the other day that I checked my email 10 times in an hour, just to see if someone was there. Meanwhile I could have spent that time playing with my kids or going out and talking to my neighbors, who happen to be actual people with real words to hear, not to be read. If I was so desperate to hear from someone, why couldn't I just pick up the phone and call? I am not saying the Internet and e-mail are bad, obviously I am using it right now. I just think that the world could use a little less virtual connection and more personal connection. So maybe next time instead of sending an e-mail to say "hi" to a friend, just pick up the phone. You'll be surprised how good it feels to hear a real voice every now and then. I think that if we did that, there would be a lot less loneliness.

Moooo

2006-11-15T18:04:00.000-08:00

Dang I have cute kids! I know most of you have seen this one. But I think it is web worthy. Besides Dan has my camera while he is in DC so I only have old ones to rely on. FYI for those of you who don't know, this is post Halloween. I bought this costume for pajamas and mostly so we could laugh at our children. Isn't that why we have kids after all? And just so Austin doesn't feel left out, here's one of him to laugh at. :-) Ignore the scandalously robed gentleman in the background.

Dan won't do it...

2006-11-14T20:47:00.000-08:00

O.k. everyone it is now my turn. As you may have noticed Dan has pretty much called it quites on the 'ol family blog so I thought I give it a try. Unfortunately this will involve a lot less funny but more pictures. So we will see how it goes. You may have noticed that I have titled my blog "outnumbered" and well if you take a look at the picture you will see that it is true. Not only am I the only girl in this family, but all the boys look exactly alike! I think Dan has a secret plan to take over the world with mini clones of himself. Two down only eight billion left to go. Ummmm if that is the case then he really needs to find himself a new wife, no way am I having eight billion kids! We are lucky we got the two. :-) Hey I guess I will try to be funny with these blogs after all. Well wish me luck and I will try my best to keep this going. Hey and if you haven't read Dans check it out at www.dantann.blogspot.com He is totally hilarious even though a little out dated.