Our Christmas letter...

Merry Christmas!

This year as sure been a fun one! Tanner and I have been married for almost 2 1/2 years! Crazy how fast time as gone by! Well we still live here in Nampa own our own home for about a year now. trying to spend as much time together as possible!

Tanner is working a TON. Supporting the family by working at T-Mobile's call center. Idaho Power got rid of all their meter readers so Tanner had no choice then to find a new job. He is also going to school full time, changing his major like most college students do. Fine by me as long as he figures it all out in the end and gets a degree :-) When home he loves spending time with us and reading with me. Or playing any football x box games. Family always come first no matter what. Tanner and I teach Primary together. It has its ups and downs but we're enjoying the extra time we get to spend with each other in church.

Well I (Dani) spend my days chasing our little 1 year old! I'm lucky enough to get to stay home with Joseph. With Tanner working nights I find myself sometimes feeling lonely and longing to have a 2 way conversation. I'm excited when Joseph really talks. I have been into crafting a LOT lately, finally learning to sew (somewhat). Also baking, trying new recipes for dinner and yummy goodies. Is it bad that when I make dinner and I don't think it looks good I won't eat it but will give it to my husband and son? my bad!

Joseph is a blessing to our family! He has his own attitude and isn't afraid to share it with the world. He turned 1 on November 9Th, I can't believe how that fast went by! He started to walk at about 11 months and now runs everywhere. He's such a busy body I don't think he EVER just sits there. He is VERY independent when he wants to be. When ever I try reading to him he takes the book away sits a distance away and rambles to himself as if reading it. He has been talking lots more but his FAVORITE word is DOG yes dog or doggy, he'll say it over and over again. It's a good thing our dog D keeps him company. When Joseph gets mad at us it never fails that we find him cuddling with the dog. When eating snacks it never fails whether he's in his highchair or on the ground he's there always giving half of his food to the dog. It makes me wonder how different his personality would be if we didn't have our dog. He for sure is a mama's boy. But loves giving kisses to anyone and everyone. He knows how to do a few words in sign language as well. He's a smarty pants!

Well I hope you guys all have a wonderful Christmas. We love you all very much and miss everyone!

Love,
Dani, Tanner, and Joseph Barker

Snow!!!

Yes that's right I LOVE SNOW!!! wahoo! It didn't snow to bad when at all last year and it made me SO sad. I've decided I'm moving to Alaska where it will snow ALL the time! I mean who can't beat wearing cute boot, scarves, hats, coats, sweaters, socks, etc. Any who it snowed like CRAZY here we got about 6inches or so (yeah I know that's nothing compared to Utah) BUT it doesn't snow like this here in Nampa/Boise very much so It for sure put me in one HAPPY mood! So this morning A lot of my neighbors were out shoveling snow and the kids playing in the street. So I got Joseph in some snow clothes and we headed outside while Tanner shoveled the driveway. First time ever Joseph got to play in it and boy did he LOVE it!!! I sat him down in it and he just sat there giggling until he started crawling around in it because he wasn't able to walk in it. If I put him on the sidewalk he would walk into the snow and face plant it ON PURPOSE! then he would eat the snow. haha he's such a goof ball. Here are some pictures of Joseph in the snow, enjoy.



Side note: If you want to have a snowball fight with your husband don't do it when he is shoveling because well he'll use it against you and dump a whole bunch of snow on you.
Okay sorry It won't let me add pictures for some reason so check out my facebook you can see them all there.

Thankful Day 25! Last day

Today I'm thankful for Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for all the yummy food, for all the family laughter and love.

Thankful Day 25!

Day 25 I am thankful for Baking, yes that's right I LOVE baking. not so much dinner but sweets I love doing it. I don't enjoy cleaning up afterwards but I love making yummy treats that bring smiles to my baby boys eyes and his "mmm" sounds :-) I love baking gets stress off me. I actually really miss decorating cakes for my parents when they owned Baskin Robbins. But time to go and bake a pie!

Thankful Day 23!

Day 23 I am thankful for SNOW!!! Yes that's right I said it. I'm Thankful for SNOW! I love snow and will always love snow? sure it sucks to walk in and drive in but what about skiing? what about sledding? what about snowman building, and snowball fights? And of course the best thing of all how it CHANGES the way everything looks! The world never looks prettier to me! when the snow is falling how beautiful it looks coming down, how everything seems so peaceful. Then when it sticks to the ground how everything is covered all in white. SO pretty! Here's hoping for more snow!

Thankful Day 22!

Day 22 I am thankful for a Social Life! We went over to one of Tanner's co-workers house for dinner, and we had fun. I love getting out and hanging with friends, some times I get lonely when I only have a one way conversation or all I get in return is "dog, baba, mama, a blah blah blah blah" So I'm thankful for friends and adult conversations.

Thankful Day 21!

Day 21 I am thankful yummy food!!! I was out at my friend Jessica Kunz's house and she made such amazing chicken fajita's so i got the recipe! no way in heck I was leaving without it! Well I made it for dinner tonight we had the Duffins over for dinner. As far as I can tell everyone liked it. Erin though was the only one who really said anything about it. I of course loved it and am still SO FULL! its like 10:30pm and we ate 5:30. crazy stuf! Thanls Jessica for the recipe!

Thankful Day 20!

I know I've already said that I was thankful for my parents but today Day 20 I am thankful to my daddy. Tanner and I needed to get our sprinklers blown out for quite awhile and yesterday I called my dad asking him if he knew where I could find a good deal on that and he said "oh I can do it no problem, I'll come over tomorrow and do it for you" what a blessing, helped us save some mula which is nice, and now we don't have to worry about our sprinklers breaking in the winter :-) wahoo! Thank you Daddy, I love you!

Thankful Day 19!

Day 19 I am thankful for free babysitters... I love that I have both families who are always willing to take Joseph when needed. Or when wanted. Today was such a stressful day... I guess more lonely then anything, Tanner got work off because he had a test for school. I was SO excited to have him home for the night but some how things got mixed up and he had to leave in the middle of our grocery shopping (I usually do it by myself but i tought it'd be fun with him) Thankful his brother was able to give him a ride home to get his car. So no night with Tanner, and I bought a TON of food, much needed. Checking out though putting food through check out Joseph gets ansy. He tried standing up, and screaming his head off. I just kept thinkg "ugh I wish Tanner was here to help me" The clerk could even tell how stressed i was so she just ignored me. Seemed like she wanted me gone and fast. That overwhelmed me SO bad. But I got home in one piece. I just kept thinking on my way home I just need time to myself. My prayers were answered my sister Samantha sent me a text asking if i needed anyone to watch Joseph, I said I was okay unless she wanted him. (of course she wanted him) then she gets here and asks if he can spend the night (even better Joseph hasnt slept good in the last few weeks and I'd love a full nights rest) so now I'm here listening to Christmas music breaking every tradition I had of waiting till Thanksgiving to decorate but oh well! :-) and super much needed cleaning.

Thankful Day 18!

First off Happy 1st Birthday to my beautiful niece MIRI MAY!

Day 18 I am thankful for helping hands. Okay my garage was MESSY I mean MESSY!!! Like can't even walk in. Our laundry room is in there and I have a hard time keeping up with laundry and days Joseph is cranky I just throw things in there. Well anyway My friends Sam P. and Jessica L. came over and helped me.

HORRIBLE this is from the garage door.

and now!
I can now park in my garage!!! I'm getting rid of the couch and chair then I'll have more room in there. SUPER EXCITED. If it wasn't for Sam and Jessica's help I never would of gotten it done. So THANK YOU!!! Love you guys! and a BIG thanks to Lori for taking Joseph for the night when he just wouldn't let me do ANYTHING!

Thankful Day 17!

Day 17 I am thankful for SALES, I went out and got things I have been looking for awhile but didn't want to spend so much. I got a Christmas tree skirt for $3.00! wahoo... I also got a cute Halloween welcome sign that used to be $6.00 for .60 cents!!! wahoo. I love sales and I love cheap stuff...

On other news Joseph had his 12month check up today. Shots are horrible :-( But he is 21lbs (35%) 31.5inches tall (90%) the pediatrician said Tall and Skinny, but said very healthy, he also said for Joseph's age he says a lot of words and is very advanced! :-)

Thankful Day 16!

Day 16, I am thankful for cold weather, I LOVE cold weather, I love boots, seaters scarfs coats! I hate the heat you can always put layers on but you ant take layers off. I want to live somewhere where in the summer it gets the high of 80ish and snows a LOT in the winter.

Thankful Day 15!!!

Day 15 I am thankful for baby cuddles. I'm writing this as my Joseph sleeps in my arms, I don't always let him but the times I do it's my favorite thing. even when he ends up in bed some nights I'll wake up to him bouncing on me, because he wants to cuddle. I love him.

Thankful Day 14!

Today I am thankful for sunday naps, where Tanner, Joseph and I pile up in our king size bed and take a nice couple hour nap. Some times it feels good when we wake up other times it feels like ove been hit by a bus but the sleep is much needed. especially when we stay up till two. thank goodness for the day of rest!

Thankful day 13!

Today I'm thankful for NAPTIME!!! Sometimes it's a much needed time for mommy's, and Joseph doesn't always take a nap which then makes him very cranky and me very miserable. So thank you Joseph when you finally take a nap!

Thankful Day 12!

Day 12 I am thankful for SISTERS!

Bad picture but this is the only one I can find that was recent. But I love my sisters, their all my best friends, and I have a close relationship with all in a different way. I wouldn't have it any other way, I LOVE my sisters!!! oh and Happy 20th Birthday Samantha! my not so little sister anymore ;-)

Thankful Day 11!

Today I am thankful for AMERICA!!!

I am so thankful for all the soldiers out there that help protect our country and continue to make us a free country, To all the veterans out there that fought for our country to make it free. I LOVE Amercia, wouldn't want to live anywhere else. (if Italy perhaps becomes America i wouldn't mind that to much) all those that died fighting for our country God bless you!

Thankful Day 10!

Day 10 I am thankful for SLEEP. Tanner let me sleep in today and it felt SO nice, much needed sleep I might add yesterday was crazy

Thanful day 9!

Sorry it's a day late but yesterday was thankful. On Day 9 I am thankful for my son JOSEPH!!! He was born NOV. 9, 2009 at 9:36pm, He is the Joy of all my being, He has taught tanner and I SO much Joy we love being parents and we LOVE him SO much, we had a little birthday party for him yesterday we had a ton of family come over and my friends sam and jessica, and Jessica brought her two little boys which Joseph had a blast with... I LOVE you Joseph SO much, you mean SO much to us!... WARNING: there are a LOT of pictures so be prepared!

Jospeh's present from Grandma and Grandpa HE LOVES IT!!! His birthday cake, I didn't do anything to special since he was just going to eat it and make a mess of it anyway

The cupcakes foreveryone else.

Opening presents, he got a ton from mommy and daddy (That I got all at D.I saved a ton of money) you can't see it but he was playing with a truck.

Joseph eating his birthday cake!

He didn't want to keep his pants on, playing with toys he got for his birthday. His shirt says "It is my birthday." ha just an office humor thing.

LJ Kunz playing with Joseph on his toy.

A family picture, Joseph was fussy so I had to tickle him and I made a face where it looks like its big and fat, not my favorite picture.

he knew he could put things under the seat so decided to put himself in it! haha silly boy, I woke up this morning to find shoes in it.
The birthday set up. I had streamers and balloons up above. If you want to see more pictures check my fb. All in all it was a good birthday party I think.

Thankful Day 8!

Today I am thankful for TANNERS DAYS OFF!!
No picture with this, but I am however way thankful for my wonderful husband who works so hard everyday at school and work, and makes it possible that on his days off he usually doesn't have to work on anything so he can just spend time with is family. Today (Monday) is one of his days off and I LOVE IT! so far we have managed to finish the fourth book of the feather serpent. The Tennis shoe series books because Chris Heimerdinger FINALLY came out with book number 11 So we decided to start re-reading them, they are such amazing books! anyways, Tanner's days off are truly a blessing and much needed time.

Thankful Day 7

Today I am thankful for my IN LAWS all of them!

So it has occurred to me that ever since I have been with tanner we all have NEVER been together at one time (hence all the different pictures) Every time it was supposed to happen it all just kind of fell through, and we just keep adding more! But any who's I am so thankful for my in laws, they truly are amazing and I get a long with them well. I was always afraid that my in laws would be like in laws they show on t.v. you know into your business and never getting along with them but I love them all. All but Mal are married so they just keep on coming. But I love families I love holidays and it's so fun getting together with them (even though Stacie and Tysen would rather go to Mexico... haha j/k I'm just jealous love you guys!) I'll soon have a new niece which I'm very excited for what more can you be grateful then more family? I love you all, Elise, Justin, K.ley, Riley, Stacie, Tysen, Tyler, Aubrey, Preston, Delaney, (soon little Lillian), Mallory, and my GREAT mother and father in law Sandi and Mitch. Thank you all for welcoming me into your family for loving me like you do your own kids. LOVE YOU GUYS!!!

Thankful Day 6

Today I am Thankful for my PARENTS!!!

They seriously are the best! They both work so hard, and when I was growing up they made sure they knew what it was like to work for things, we were never really handed anything. They are always willing to help us anytime in need, when we were trying to buy a house they let Tanner and I live there for 6 months until we were able to move in our house. my parents are truly amazing. I love them so much and trust them so much, sure we don't always agree, but all I can say is I am truly grateful for getting the parents I got! They also have shown me how to love my husband, I know my parents still love each other oh so much even after 31 years of marriage.

Thankful Day 5

Day 5 I am thankful for the SCRIPTURES!

I LOVE the Book of Mormon AND the Bible, my favorite two books in the world! Yes Mormons read the Bible and follow the Bible, how a lot of people think we don't is beyond me. When ever life is getting to stressful or heartache I know all I have to do is open up my scriptures and I'll find comfort. Isn't that the best thing in the world? yes I agree! I'm very thankful for all the prophets who kept records of everything they experienced that we can use in our everyday lessons.

Thankful day 4

Day 4 I am Thankful for MARRIAGE!

One of the best days of my life, I was married to my spouse on August 9, 2008. Nothing is more better then falling in love and being sealed to the one person you want to love forever. I love having somewhere there all the time, I love being myself with him, cuddling, holding hands, having a life together, snuggling, and bickering.... yes I said it bickering because some times it's healthy to get a little steam off. I love that we don't fight, we'll argue shed tears but not say hurtful things that we'll hold grudges too. I know quite a few people going through divorces and hearing about them breaks my heart. I always know the statistics of divorce growing up but never dreamed that I'd have friends, family, etc. going through it. I'm lucky that my parents still love each other and show their love. Hearing of all the divorces makes me realize how much more I love Tanner and am grateful we have a great way of communicating to each other. I love being in love and I love being married. It drives me crazy when people say "marriage is just a piece of paper" GAH it's so much more, you share your life with someone you devoted yourself to ONE person! I love you tanner I love being married to YOU and only YOU! You're my happily ever after!

Thankful Day 3

Day 3, I'm thankful for the TEMPLE!!! and not just the Salt Lake temple, ALL the temples. (did you know it took them 40 years to build the Salt Lake temple? truly amazing) Anyways. This is the place where I feel closer to my Heavenly Father, where I go to pray about all the troubles I have and for our little kingdom. This is wear I was sealed to Tanner, Where we promised to love and be with each other for time and all eternity.
I however NEED to go more, I only live 30 min from one and don't go as often as I should so I WILL go more!

I have a lot of friends who aren't LDS and I have heardsome awful stories of what people actually think goes on in the temple especially during the weddings and it breaks my heart. So please if anyone ever has questions about what goes on there just ask nothing but good things go on in there. It truly is The house of the Lord.

Thankful Day 2!

Dat 2.
I'm thankful for...


My husband.

My best friend, My love, My life, My eternal companion, My EVERYTHING!!!

Every girl says they have "the best husband in the world" But I'm not going to say that, what I'm going to say is I have the best husband for ME! No one else could be a better choice for me. He knows how to make me laugh, make me smile, knows how to hold me when I'm crying and wipe away my tears. The one who can calm my troubled heart. Who will make me watch scary movies just so I cuddle up close to him. The one who lets me be me, who's not afraid to be goofy with me. All in all the one who supports our family, who makes it possible for me to stay home with our son while he works his butt off in school and work. The one who is my eternal companion who I couldn't imagine life with out.

I love you Tanner, I am so GRATEFUL for you. Thank you for marrying me, for stealing my heart and not taking advantage of it. I'm thankful for my husband!

Thankful Day 1

Welcome NOVEMBER!!! I notice a lot of people pass through November forget thanksgiving (besides the day for the food) and go straight to Christmas. Yes I do decorate before thanksgiving for Christmas HOWEVER I don't EVER want to forget things to be grateful for. So everyday for until thanksgiving I am going to post something that I am grateful for.

Day 1!

Due to all of us in the house hold being SICK I have to be grateful for modern medicine

(just a picture I got online)

Anyway you may think "what the?..." but Its medicine that has been getting me through my days and able to take care of a cranky Joseph, So without this I'd probably break down crying. Thank you doctors, thank you pharmacist. With out you guys I would be more miserable then I am.

Happy Halloween!!!

Our Halloween fun started on Friday, T-mobile had a little carnival thing for the kids So while my mom had lunch we went a visited her and Tanner he got lots of "awww so cute" and candy! haha here are pictures I did just for fun in my parents yard.
Then our ward Halloween party was on Saturday, I was really sad that Tanner had to work and couldn't come with, I actually wasn't going to go because I don't know to many people in our ward but I told them I would bring a soup so I went, and heck if I was going to go Joseph was going trunk or treating!

He has perfect fangs for a vampire but I couldn't get them at all in any pictures.

Since Tanner had to work Saturday night we decided to take Joseph Trick or Treating we also had a monkey costume my sister Angie bought him

He didn't like it all to much so when we went trick or treating we put him back into the vampire.

We were really debating whether or not we were going to take him trick or treating but after we got a few he started crying because he wanted outside and to see all the kids so that was our decision to go.

People LOVED seeing him.

the thing on the left by the front door scared Joseph he just looked at it and started crying. haha it was cute. but yes that was our Halloween...

Now for November everyday up till thanksgiving I am going to post something I am grateful for, it won't be in any certain order. Enjoy.

My boy is officially walking!!!

This isn't his first time this is like his millionth time finally got it on video.



p.s. look at his shirt he's charlie brown

Just some fun

Look at my pumpkin crafts

These are my Halloween ones. So fun and easy

Just some fall/thanksgiving ones. They sure helped calm me down at the end of the day.. :-)

Now here are just some fun pictures of Joseph, He's growing so BIG!!!

Yes he climbed up on the stroller ALL by himself. started from the bottom went under the drink holder and up higher... I had to take a picture before I took him off. Such a dare devil.

Ha this one was taken today, He got stuck under it and started fussing because he couldn't get out. I had Tanner take a picture before he saved him.

Ha ha this is how I get greeted almost every morning/nap time... SO CUTE!!!

Much needed girls time...

So my friend Jessica and I had planned a crafting day on the day of conference since she didn't have her boys and I got my mother in law to watch Joseph which was nice. It turned out we had to buy the stuff and didn't want to do it on Saturday, So we planned for Friday afternoon. Her and Sam had plans, but it ended up they invited me to go that night. So we started the afternoon shopping for fabrics. LOVED it but it was pricey. We then ended up meeting Sam there. Joseph then started SCREAMING (it was lunch time) so we ended up going to Taco Bell. Joseph LOVED his taco. haha look at those fangs of his! After Taco bell we dropped Joseph off at my mother in laws. He slept over there for the night which was good for me so I could shampoo my carpet anyway. Then Jessica, Sam, and I went SHOPPING!!! we finished shopping for things we needed for Saturday then at Michaels they had 40% off items at old navy so guess what we did afterwards? ha I got a CUTE cardigan. Anyway we hit up a movie at the REEL watched Eclipse. Love that movie. Anyway we ended the night shortly after that. Then the next day we met at my house (ha both Sam and Jessica LATE!) haha we turned on conference and started crafting.

Side note: Jessica takes this positive parenting class and they talked on how traditions were important for kids and such. Anyway they had a cute Halloween one. You make or buy a Halloween pillow case on Oct. 1st you put it on their pillow. They sleep on it until Halloween. Then they take it off and use it as a bag for trick or treating. (crafty right?) Then when they get home (after inspecting the candy) you get a zip lock bag and let them choose their favorite candy and put it in the zip lock bag. The rest of the candy you put in the pillow case and they put it on the front porch for the "Halloween Which" then the Halloween which replaces the candy with a good book! Then the rest of the Candy you use for Christmas. (what the parents don't eat of course haha) Saves you money!

So we decided to make pillow cases. I've had sewing machine but never used it so Jessica being the doll she is taught me how to use it!!! My first sewing project ever.

My first mistake. Don't even ask me how I did it, Jessica couldn't even figure it out. BUT I fixed it and in the end it turned out GREAT!!!

Joesph's Halloween pillow case! isn't it cute. Gotta love Charlie Brown! I've started pillows and stuff and I'll take pictures of them when they are done. Well that night Jessica and I hit up Ladies night at deseret book. We were number 25 and 26 of the first 100 ladies and got the free sign they were giving away. I also got a cute sign for 2.99! I also won a book during the raffle!!!wahoo

Oh I almost forgot I didn't have a pin cushion for my pins and Jessica made one for me!
isn't it cute? a little pumpkin! All in all it was a GREAT weekend much needed girl time I forgot what it was like to have just girl time!

Cancelled

I'm so sad. Tanner and I had a little vacation all planned out for awhile now

We were headed to Utah Oct. 8-12Th for my cousin Wayne's wedding.

He had work all figured out to where he could take the time off and everything. We had it planned his sister Elise was going to watch Joseph while we went to freightmares!

Have you ever been? If not it is a MUST!!! we went a couple years ago (since I was preggo last year) and it ended up snowing. But that didn't stop us! no one was there. We went on wicked 5 times in a row! that's not including ever other ride we did, and haunted houses! We sure got our money worth! We actually had it planned to go with my cousin who just got home from his mission. Nathan even was going to have a date for it! Him and I have always been close and I wasn't there to see him leave for his mission or come home :-( the last time I saw him was at our wedding and I was looking forward to spending time with him, we became close through the years.

this is us a few years back, Nathan is the one that won't look at the camera, his brother Jason is the one in that hat who is currently out to sea serving our country! we're pretty close too. Any who I had to text him today and cancel on him :-(

My cousin Wayne is getting married I haven't seen him since my wedding either, I was never really close to him, but when we ever got together as kids we sure had fun together, ha he taught me how to jump fences. He is getting married in the Manti temple.

I have only heard amazing things about this temple, how beautiful it is and was SO excited to see it and watch another sealing. I've only been to one and it was amazing!

Tanner took a lot of time off of work last week for school and sick and then our dog Abby who got parvo and we ended up putting her down :-( his couch went over the time with him so he was sure to get what he needed including this trip off. Well some how along the line things got mixed up and when Tanner went to look today found out that he doesn't have anymore time and his coach gave him wrong numbers or something like that. So our fun filled trip is cancelled. I was so excited our first real family outing and we had fun things planned. Who knows when we'll get the chance to get out again. I was so looking forward to my family meeting Joseph and everything. I'm crushed but I will get over it. Stupid work. Woe is life. Thanks for listening to me whine.