When searching for that dream home, a common practice for potential home owners is to generate a “must have” list. For David and Tina Tallant, however, their crucial question was, “Is there enough space to accommodate our family of 11?”
“I don’t think in this day, anyone plans for seven children; we certainly didn’t. David always wanted to have lots of kids, but together, we didn’t plan for it. It just ended up that way,” reflects Cypress Creek Lakes resident, Tina Tallant. “This is why we say God put us together for a reason. We started our family at young ages, 21 and 23, with twins. From there, we just accepted what God granted us and spent our 20’s growing our family of seven children.” Add Tina’s mother and father to the mix, and this extended family numbers 11.
The youngest child of three siblings, David Tallant grew up in Deer Park. Prior to his father’s passing, his parents shared a 50-year-long marriage. Tina’s parents, Daniel and Anita Luna, raised their daughter and son on Houston’s northwest side. Of Mexican-American descent, her father, Daniel, had five siblings. Mother Anita’s Italian-American family included seven children, giving Tina a personal experience with large extended families.
Tina and David met in 1991, while attending Sam Houston State University. “We feel like we are soul mates and God put us in each other’s life for a reason. We dated for a few months in 1991 and after a short break, ended up seeing each other again, and the rest is history,” recalls Tina. “We were married in September, 1994, at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Houston. We had a large wedding…a special and fun day. Some 27 years later, here we are, still married.”
Tina worked in banking for thirteen years before taking a break after the birth of her youngest son, Jason. For the past 11 years, she has been employed as Marketing Manager at Enventure Global Technology, a small oil and gas service company.
In the grocery business for more than 30 years, David’s career path has taken him to Randall’s, Safeway, Appletree, and now, Kroger, where he has been employed for 7 years. “As Manager of the Tuckerton/Barker Cypress Kroger for just over a year, I have the task of managing 200 employees. Hurricane Harvey was the most challenging time to date. We were fortunate not to flood at home, but I had to find a way to get to the store, and to open, if possible. I was amazed at how the community was willing to help. The morning after Harvey, I tried, unsuccessfully, to get through Towne Lake in my truck. A Towne Lake resident and volunteer fire fighter offered to take me there in his lifted truck. (PinPointe Magazine, August 2017: Kimberling Family, “Boot Scootin’”). Our son Jake and I did what we could with the few employees that were able to get to work. We served as a gathering spot for first responders as they evacuated residents,” comments David.
“Looking back on those early years, we were so busy that we don’t really remember how crazy it was raising seven kids, some only a year apart. At one point, all seven of our kids were playing little league ball! That meant we had to divide and conquer to get them all to practices and games. Thank goodness for grandparents! While our kids were young, we would go on camping trips several times a year with our parents and siblings and their children. These are some of our best memories. As our kids grew, their schedules made it difficult to go away on weekends. We try to take a couple of vacations a year; our family favorite is spending time at the Frio River in the Hill Country, or on the beach in Florida,” says Tina.
The family built their Cypress Creek Lakes home and moved in May, 2008. “We lived in Deer Park and loved raising our kids in a small community, close to family, with lots of neighborhood kids. My parents spent weekends visiting the grandkids, wanting to be closer to them. We decided to would look for a community where we could build a home for all of us to live.” Tina’s father, a disabled Marine Vietnam veteran, happened upon CCL one day. A spacious blueprint and two bed room suites on the first level, could accommodate Luna’s motorized wheelchair. A unique 2nd floor layout with four bedrooms, and an expansive back yard appealed to everyone. “You can imagine how many vehicles we have! Fortunately, we had plenty of room to expand our drive way twice to make sure all the vehicles could fit behind the gate.” grins Tina.
“Today, our home is much quieter than it was 10 years ago. We have three children still living at home, but in just a few short years, our youngest will graduate and move on to college.” Maw Maw, as the kids call grandmother Anita, is retired, and spoils her grandchildren, cooking for them every day. David’s mother enjoys family visits in Cypress. “The family is so blessed to be able to share these years with their grandparents,” confides Tina. Come springtime, when the weather is right, chances are, someone will be sitting on the driveway on Carson Field Lane, waving at the passersby.
CAPTIONS
It’s a Family Affair on Carson Field Lane.
Tina and David Tallant
Jake, Julianne, and Jason, the last of the Tallant kids living at home.
Enjoying a few days of well-deserved R&R. (gazebo)
Holidays with Justin, wife Nicole, and daughter, Rowan. (Christmas Tree)
Proud Parents Tina and David with HPD Officers Justin and Jonathan Tallant.
The Tallant Kids:
Jonathan David – 24 Cypress Ranch H.S., first graduating class of 2011. Attended Sam Houston State University. Currently a Patrol Officer with the Houston Police Department, North Side Patrol. Engaged to Laurin Hoffpauir, teacher at Fiest Elementary.
Justin Daniel – 24 Cy Ranch H.S., first graduating class of 2011. Attended Sam Houston State University. Currently a Patrol Officer with Houston Police Department, West Side Patrol. Married
Nicole Kinsey, Cy Ranch 2011 graduate. Daughter Rowan Savanah – 2 years old.
Jeremy Dylan – 22 Cy Ranch graduate, 2013. Attending college at Alamo College in San Antonio and full time Pharmacy Technician for HEB.
Joshua Drake – 21 Cy Ranch graduate, 2014. Attending College at UTSA in San Antonio and part time Bookkeeper for HEB.
Julianne Denise – 18 Cy Ranch graduate, 2017. Attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC last fall. Currently attending Lone Star College, evaluating universities for fall, 2018.
Jake Dean – 17 Cy Ranch senior. Works part time for Kroger Click List in Fairfield. Cross Country runner.
Jason Dakota – 15 Cy Ranch sophomore. Loves music, computer games.
