Good morning, and Happy New Year to all of you! What an incredible year 2009 has been for me! I just wanted to take the chance to recap my year. I am going in chronological order, and using pictures!
Tara Thatcher. Highlights of 2009!
In February, I was fortunate enough to be chosen to shoot for a Life Fitness ad! They used two photos of me the ad! My first big fitness modeling shoot!
In March, I went to Columbus Ohio, to work at the 2009 Arnold Classic Expo. Here I am pictured with my friend, Lori Harder.
April. I shot with Wendi, of Satio Photography while she was here in Minnesota! She is an AMAZINGLY talented photographer, that I cant wait to shoot with again!
May. I won the tall class at the NPC Wisconsin State Championships! This was my first show of my ‘09 season. I had a blast and met some really nice people!
May. I competed at my first National level NPC show, Jr. USA’s, in Charleston SC. My mom came with me, and I got to hang with my friends, Alyssa Stroud and Lisa Maguire, backstage. We had a wonderful time! I placed 12th.
June. I competed at NPC Jr. Nationals, in Chicago IL. I had a great experience! It was such a well run show, and Ben came with! I made my goal of top half of the class, and top 15 by tying for 13th place! I was so pleased with how I looked, and all of the results of my hard work. Special “thank you” to my trainer, Shawn Myzska of Explosive Edge Athletics for being simply the best!
June. I shot with Ben Saefke, and just loved my images. Here are a few of my faves!
In July, Ben proposed to me up at the cabin! He took me out for a sunset boat ride, we sat out on Big Trout Lake and talked for awhile. Then he got down on one knee, and presented me with the most beautiful ring, and asked me to marry him! Of course I said YES! When we got back to the cabin, his family was waiting at the top of the boat launch. They threw white doves at us and welcomed me into the family. It was an event that I will never forget! We are planning a May ‘11 wedding.
Also in July, I joined the Savage program, Perfect Body Online! They sent me my workouts, nutrition, and homework, ( yes homework), for each month! I signed up for Camp Savage in Chicago. In August, a few of my “Savage Sisters”, road tripped it out to camp, and had a BLAST! I made a GREAT connection with Cathy, and look forward to representing her, my Savage sisters, and Perfect Body Online!
After Camp Savage, I came home and started practicing yoga! It has been so wonderful for me in many ways! Not only does it help with flexibility and core strengthening, it also helps me compartmentalize my stresses and let them go!
In October, I shot with Imirage Photography! I have been working with him for years, and it has been such a wonderful experience to see him improve and grow in his photography! Here are some of my favorites from that shoot!
Also in October, I signed a lease on my first new car! A blue, 4 door Honda Accord!
In November, it was off to VEGAS for ‘09 Fitness America! I decided to sit this one out, so I did not compete there. I was lucky enough to be able to support my girls, by helping with tanning, hair, makeup, eyelashes, etc! I had an INCREDIBLE time there, and cant wait to compete again! I am so proud of all of my girls that competed! I also felt really good about my decision to change federation!
December! We had a wonderful, busy month of work, family and friends! We had another incredible Christmas together, with both of our families!
So, as you can see, I have been so blessed in 2009! It was a great year full of wonderful people, memories, and events! Thank you to all of you that were a part of it! Looking forward to an even better year, in 2010!
Happy New Year!
~ Tara Thatcher
