Crazy Technology

Ry looking thoroughly ashamed at her actions

It has been a while I know. I have been very upset with our computer. We have a virus. It is one of those really annoying ones that make pop-ups every couple of seconds and searches for random things. I have been avoiding this computer like the plague! John is pretty nerdy so he has been trying to fix it, but he doesn't have a lot of free time.

1) Ry showing her dominance 2) Ry and Cy playing 3) Ry taking Avery for a walk around the house

The volleyball season for the Thatcher Women's league starts next week. I am seriously excited! Still, I have been getting a headache thinking about it. We could pay the fees ourselves, but most teams have a sponsor. It is only like $80 to have a team, plus matching shirts, but we haven't' been able to find one yet. It seems like everyone already has the sponsor that we have connections with. I am getting frustrated.

Cy learning to walk

Gaspar and Sunny are expecting again. They just found out yesterday that it is going to be a baby girl! I have been teaching myself to knit, and I will be trying my hand at making a blanket for my new niece. (if she has blue eyes too i might just have a heart attack!!!)

1) Noah being adorable 2) Ry and Conner 3) Noah fell over

Belated Birthday Bash

As you know John recently turned 24. We had a small dinner for him here at the house, and his mother made a lovely dinner for him as well. Unfortunately the Other Nunleys (ron, brigette, and the kiddos) were unable to make it due to a prior engagement. They made it up to him by planning their own celebration.

We left Ry in the care of Grandma Lisa and went to The Apache Gold Casino. (which also marked the very first occasion that we have left ryenn for a full night) I was a bit skeptical about renting a room at the casino's hotel, but it had wonderfully decorated and comfortable accommodations. We arrived around 8:00pm and ate dinner. There was a delicious all you can eat seafood buffet. (which included crab legs...yum)

After eating, Ron and John made their way to the Blackjack table. They played for about three hours. At one point John was up $90, but he didn't back out and only ended up losing a few dollars. (silly man) Brigette and I wandered around playing different penny machines. We have both sworn never to play Wheel of Fortune again!! The next morning John got some redemption as he sat back down at the Blackjack table. He won about $35. It was an entertaining experience to say the least. I think we have even been talked into going back next month for my birthday.

Funny Story

This is going to be a very short blog, but it is a very cute, funny story. Ryenn started off as a baby that hated shoes. She would kick, scream, and cause any sort of mischief to keep shoes off of her feet. I could put shoes on her and she would curl up her body so that we couldn't put her down to try them out. She was a year old before she would even allow us to put them on for even a few minutes.

So, it is quite the turn for her to be a little Jimmy Choo. She loves shoes. One lovely morning Ry decided that she wanted to wear a pair of shoes. Unfortunately she didn't have socks on. I told her to get some socks. (at the time i was sorting laundry) She found a pair of mine in a pile, and brought them to me. I explained that those were mommy's socks, and she would need to go to her room and get a pair of hers. She sorta looked at me spun in a little circle, and ran to her room. In just a few seconds she returned with socks. They were two different socks, but it was cute nonetheless.

One Crazy Wednesday

I know that you are excited to hear about AI Night. So, here is how my Wednesday went:


I received a call asking if I could watch Cyrus (one of my beautiful nephews). I said that I would, and he arrived at 10:00 am. If you can imagine a person can't get much done while watching a 17 month old and a soon to be 10 month old. Especially if one of them is Ryenn. She didn't want Cyrus playing with particular toys. It was really funny to see what she deemed him unworthy to play with. If he happened to get a hold of one of her precious toys she would try to get it back. He would retaliate by biting her hand. (she cried a little, but it didn't stop her from continuing her quest to get her toy) After a while she was just putting her hand in his mouth. I thought it was a strange thing to do....as would most people I am sure...but that did not deter her much. After a time I was able to get them both to sleep, but it didn't last long. Grandma Lisa was nice enough to spend a few hours with us to help me keep my sanity. Cyrus was on his way home by 6:00.

I finished preparing the food. (which was absolutely delicious) My tiny front room was filled with five couples and a mother and daughter. The younger children, my rugrat included, were running back and forth through Ry's room, the living room, kitchen, and hallway to our bedroom. They were "watching" at movie but in reality they were being as loud and messy as they could be. Kale brought huge R/C Trucks for his boys to play with. It wasn't long before the kids had them rolling from the top of the couch to the floor. I am pretty sure that they didn't make it home unscathed. At one point the kids had Ry's little plastic tricycle on the couch and were continually falling off of it on to the floor. (which was the reason they keep getting hurt) Children are a serious example of Mob mentality. I am glad that it isn't my turn to host for at least another 6 weeks!

Snowy February

1) the front yard...from inside (i wasn't about to go outside) 2) the back yard

We awoke this morning to a wintry surprise. For the second time in just a few months our yard was covered in snow!! It actually stuck to the ground!! The snow didn't melt until around 10:00 am or so. Mount Graham looks great as well.

The view of Mt. Graham from my front window

(rya, nope....i bought them at wal-mart. the style is called "erika." i don't think they would be too hard to make though)

American Idol Night

I don't really watch much reality television. I would even go so far as to say that I really dislike it. The only show that I watch on a regular basis is Jon & Kate Plus Eight. I am really fascinated how they go about their lives with eight small children. All of the planning that goes into their daily living is amazing. I have to say that I am nowhere near as efficient a parent. Ryenn doesn't have planned nap times or bed times. I wish I had started that sort of thing at an early age. Oh, well enough on this tangent.

We have recently joined a group of friends that get together every week to watch American Idol. I have not previously been a fan of the show, and I still will admit to not enjoying it. Why do I do it you ask?? We take turns hosting the event, and of course the hostess/host provides dinner for the night. So far we have had a lot of fun eating, talking, and making jokes at the expense of all of the contestants. (even the ones that we like have not been spared)

Ry washing her hands in her play sink

This week is my turn to play AI Hostess. I have been very busy preparing Ryenn's room for the children that will arrive to play while the adults are glued to the t.v. Until recently it has been filled with boxes from our move. (yes we are slow at un-packing) So this is what Ry's room looks like now. I am so glad that she finally has a place to go and destroy rather than the rest of the house! I may not like AI, but at least it did help me to get off my lazy bum and clean her room.

Who Knew??

So, I have been awake since around 5:00 am. I really dislike nights like this. Ry has been a pretty cranky sleeper as of late. I can't decide if it is because she is getting a few more teeth, or if she is just a brat. She still prefers to sleep on my face. (which is less than preferable to me) I don't really understand how that can be comfortable.

I have been surfing the web, updating my Shelfari account, searching for new music on Napster. I would really just like to go back to bed. I don't know what could be worse than knowing that you will not have the energy to keep up with the little one. I guess I am just lucky that it is a weekend. (john can chase her around) I might also start to read the latest edition to my library "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" by Susanna Clarke. I hope that it will prove to be an interesting read. I haven't read a book that wasn't suggested to me by a friend in a long time. (i'll let you know what i decide)

Music is an awesome distraction. I have found that I really enjoy listening to Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and Beth Orton. They both have wonderful voices and lyrics.

Well enough rambling on my part. Good morning! (oh yeah...i supplied you with the grey's character quiz...mariah....don't hate me)

Ryenn

My very intelligent daughter has been learning a few new tricks. I thought that it was about time that I shared them with you.

SHE HAS LEARNED TO/SHE HAS BEGUN TO:

1: give a very evil stare. She narrows her eyes and glares. Her and Pancho have a glaring contest that is very adorable. (the picture is not a very good one, my camera wasn't fast enough to capture the moment)


2: bump fists. (you know like president obama and the first lady michelle) It is hilarious! (again she mostly does this with tio pancho)

3: place her arms across her chest in a display of impatience or anger.

4: wander about the house while brushing her teeth. (i am very guilty of teaching her this one) She periodically stops to spit....but doesn't really. She sorta makes a spitting noise then continues her grooming.

5: pretend to read a book. I read often, and if I am reading while she is awake, she will grab a book and read along side me.

6: attempt doing the splits. It never works and I am afraid that she will rip a pair of pants.


She is a charismatic little girl. I love her so much. I really can't believe how fast she is growing. I was looking through pictures of her that we have developed to place in frames on the walls...I totally realized that we don't have any recent ones. I was freaked out to see how different she looked from her baby days. Still, more ridiculous that that is how tiny she still is. She is the oldest of the most recent baby Nunleys, but she is not the largest. In fact, her cousin Noah (pictured below) is the youngest baby Nunley and he weighs more! She is 16 months while Mr. No is only 6 months! My comfort is that she is taller, and will hopefully continue to be a petite little girl for the rest of her life.

1) Ry and Mr. No 2) Ry and Kaylee at the park 3) Ry going down the slide