Quick Check-in, again!

Well, we've finally made it home from our travels for a few days. We are home so that Shaun can work four nights and on Friday morning we'll be off to Iowa for a Nehring family reunion. Shaun and Rylan have never been to Iowa to hang with family, so it will be a fun trip! Shaun will leave with my dad on Monday morning and I'm headed to see Elizabeth and crew for a few days with Rylan. We're hoping we can somehow see Stacey and her kiddos while I'm around that area. That's what's to come; what's behind would take too much time to type out! I'll just leave a few pics for now with the goal of getting vacation pics uploaded this week!

I had a great time at my work conference in Denver. I learned a ton about being a success with students and about my teaching friends. We ate dinner at Cheesecake Factory for my birthday. It was delicious and my boss paid! I had the coolest birthday this year-7/8/09-and Carmen said I should take a pic of myself at 10:11! So my buddies helped me out-I'm using Missy's phone to show the time while saying good night to Shaun on mine.


My friend Jody is awesome and got tickets for 10 of us to see a Rockies vs. Braves game! It was lots of fun and the Rockies pulled out a win.


The weekend I got home, Rylan and I tried to be as lazy as possible. In fact, when I went into WalMart after church that Sunday she was so tuckered out that she slept through the entire store!


This is a taste of our work in the library (I'll post more pics when it is all decorated and gorgeous)! I think I'm trying to pull staples from the pillar here. The red, white and blue are all covered (what is shown times 4 walls and 3 other pillars-I was so tired of painting!) and we have started to rearrange furniture. I couldn't have tackled this HUGE project without lots of help and planning from Shaun. My friend Jody, Echo, Paul and Mom and our Pastor's wife and daughter also helped during the week. On the third night-very late-Tucker and another little mouse also helped finish it up! I am grateful to all of them!!


That week Rylan also had her first little haircut. Her bangs were in her eyes all of the time and Mom kept threatening to do a little trim work for me. We avoided that by letting Ry get a cut while I was getting my hair done.


We enjoyed having Shaun around the last two weeks and he took some great pictures of our shining star. I don't know how he does it-but just you wait and see how awesome he did! Yesterday was our 6th Anniversary! Can you believe it? We can't. On our drive to Nashville to catch our plane Saturday, Paige had a CD mix that included "Wonderful Tonight"-which Shaun sang to me at our reception-and "Your Song"-which played while I walked down the aisle to Shaun! I felt all melancholy listening to them. He was and continues to be my "true companion" (the song we danced to) and the love of my life. How blessed I am to call him my life partner. Thank you God for truly giving me my dream man! And now that I fixed all of my errors from earlier I think I will go enjoy one of my favorites of summer-a nap!

4th of July Weekend

Well, luckily for you I am in the middle of a thousand things and have no real time to blab but I do want to keep up on my pics. Shaun would tell me I'm wasting time even now and we can't have that! I just got home from seeing My Sister's Keeper with, of course, my sisters. Good show, but not as good as the book. Tomorrow I leave for a work conference in Denver. We have fun things to do at night but I'm not looking forward to being away. Shaun is working his crazy 14-hour days, so Rylan gets to spend the week with her Mema and Papa! When I come home on Friday I might head to NE with mom and Rylan to see Carm and Scott. Next week, my cousin Chloe is coming to baby-sit so Shaun and I can meet a crew of teaching friends at school to paint the library. Friday we are having a HS reunion picnic. Saturday morning we leave for Hills Alive! Woohoo! We will leave from Rapid on Monday morning to hit the road to Denver and catch a plane to TN for the week and visit family and friends. So, no more lazy days for us and maybe no time to blog!

We did have a relaxing weekend, watching the parade, going to Ella's 2nd birthday party and watching fireworks. Rylan wasn't very thrilled that we woke her up to go watch them and she only stayed up for about half of the show. Poor baby. Anyway, off to pack some more. Hope your 4th was super!

Hanging out in Echo and Paul's newly redone backyard. It's awesome!



Ry can be found standing on anything these days!


I was trying to get a nice pic with her Mema but Ry refused to look at the camera.



Papa was playing drums and Rylan thought that was awesome. Echo is giving lessons out of her home now. We might have to sign Rylan up!



Playing with the ball the Roeslers gave Ella for her birthday


Rylan's daddy loves to taker her pic and then make it look fancy on the computer!



Doing what she loves-making music! She is truly a girl after our hearts and we love her to pieces!

Pea Pie

Since I dedicated my last post to my trip to Seattle, it is time to have a post about our Pea Pie! I've been thinking lately about the things we call Rylan and wondering which will stick and if there are any we need to quit calling her. Like "Baby Girl." I'm pretty sure we will quit using it once she has a new cousin in November and she's not the baby anymore. But what if she ends up being called "Baby" like the girl in Dirty Dancing? That would not be good. We've also been known to throw out "Ry Baby," "Pea Pie," Ry Pie" and just plain ol' "Ry." I think I've only been pondering it because I've heard other people using them to address her. What if we're setting her up for future embarrassment? Just something that's been on my mind lately.

I could have titled this post 'The Screamer' as Rylan does a lot of that lately. She screams when she's happy and when she's mad at someone or thing. I think she's going to be a bit like me in that she gets really frustrated when she doesn't get something the way she wants. She used to jabber to herself about things not going right, but now she is starting to let me know when she's ticked. The other day she was trying to climb up her high chair and the lid wasn't attached so down on her bum she went! She screamed at it, then proceeded to walk over to me at the sink jabbering the whole time about it. Pretty funny.

Her jabbering lately has been out of control! Some of it you can understand, but most just sounds like jibberish. There are several things she says, though, that we do understand. She uses "no" to answer everything, even if she really does want what you have. We know that "Dad" is for her daddy and "Dada" means Papa Wilson (she calls it as we approach their house now, "Dada, dada, dada" even though often he's at work when we are there)! "Mom" is for her mommy and "Mama" is for Mema Wilson. She calls cousin Aiden "Day" but hasn't tried Ella. Maybe that's because the two of them hardly ever get along. Last week they were squabbling about something and Rylan started screaming. Aiden was blocking my view of them, so I calmed Rylan down and we went about our business. When Echo came she found a nice bite mark on Rylan's hand. That's what all the noise was about. Oops! She still says "What's that?" and "Who's that" though not as often as she used to. Her newest phrase is "some more," which she said to everything the other day. It got really old by bedtime! Let's see....oh, she calls Tucker "Tuhtuh" and once in a while she will call her daddy "Shaun." I swear I didn't teach her that one, but I encourage her to do it when she starts because I think it's funny! Shaun and Tucker swear that the other night as they were sitting at the table conversing Rylan said "I love you." She hasn't said it again, however, and I wasn't there to hear it, so I'm not sure it's true. She was eating a hamburger bun at the time and she ADORES them; maybe she was declaring her love!

Shaun took Rylan to her 15-month check-up while I was in Seattle. The little stinker is not quite 22 pounds, putting her at the 30th percentile. I can't remember her height but she was at the 70th percentile. The doc wants us to focus on more dairy products and making sure she gets a daily vitamin dose. Other than that, everything looks good. I hear that Ry got scolded by Dr. Ammari for jabbering on and on and not letting the doc talk to Shaun. When Ammari asked Rylan to wait she obeyed, so Shaun got to hear how she's not dumb and we need to make her mind!

Ahhh, making her mind. Some days she makes me want to pull my hair out. We tell people that she's very busy but someone close to us described it a little better: she's high-maintenance. The girl wants you to know that she is available to play and wants your full attention. She is pretty strong-willed about most things. This week, though, she has done a great job at picking up her toys and not throwing a fit when asked to do something. Echo gave us a Dr. Dobson DVD on discipline that we started watching. I have memories of my mom listening to him while doing dishes when we were little. I think we turned out okay, so I'm going to listen to what the man has to say! She is still ever the entertainer and loves to be out and about with other people. Getting to greet people in stores is still one of her favorite things to do and she continues to woo all she meets.

We are trying to fill our days with lots of fun activities and I am loving my time at home with Ry Baby. The next couple weeks will be very busy so the ones at home have been a nice treat. Rylan gets to spend most of next week at her Mema and Papa's house. I leave for a work conference in Denver on Tuesday morning and Shaun is on days starting Wednesday. We decided that instead of Shaun taking Rylan to my mom at 5 a.m. and picking her up at 8 p.m., it would just be easier for Shaun to stop and say hi to her when he is done working and leave her there for the night. I'm sure she'll have fun being spoiled full-time. And now, since Shaun and I are going to a late movie tonight, I'm headed up to join Rylan for an afternoon nap. I love summer. Hope yours is going well, too!

Rylan adores blueberries-but she's not great at processing them!


Aiden about to splash in our kiddie pool


Rylan kickin' it in the pool-she would have stayed out all afternoon if I had let her!


Shaun cleaning his garage-we got a lot of cleaning projects done last week. Woohoo!


We took Rylan to play at the City Park on a beautiful Sunday afternoon last week


"I'm going up these steps and you can't stop me!"


Playing peek-a-boo with Daddy


Hanging out with her cheesy Mommy


Eating a cupcake from the odd neighbors. They know when we have a baby-sitter or other company and that we spend a lot of time with Tucker. It's weird to hear about what you're doing from someone you don't talk to often--but the cupcakes were tasty (and we're not sick so they weren't poisoned)!


Rylan loves the song "The Right Stuff" by New Kids on the Block. She didn't do as much "oh-ohing" as she normally does in this clip-maybe she knew I was recording!

Seattle!!

Well, I tried my darndest to get this blog done while I was actually in Seattle. A.G. and I spent a long evening at a coffeeshop Wednesday night but all I got done was pictures before we decided we needed to leave. So I will try to finally finish it up!

I flew in late Monday night and we spent some time chatting it up. The next day A.G. had to work. I knew he was going to leave at 7:00, so I made sure that I was at least up and downstairs to see him off at 6:45. He came down to let Beaux, his dog, out and showed me that the clock actually said 5:45. I assumed my Blackberry would change timezones like my old phone did, but no so. Darn it. Anyway, I ended up traveling with him on the bus since I was already awake and moving. He dropped me off at Online Coffee Company and I spent a good hour or two reading a book. At home my time to read is split between Ry and whatever other projects I most likely have going on. I lost track of time not having other things to distract me!

I made my way down to Pike's Place Market a little before 10. It was fairly quiet when I arrived and it was nice to have a chance to browse without tripping over a million people.



Sometime in the late morning I looked at my phone to discover that it was very quickly losing power. I called Shaun and he gave me some advice on putting it to sleep but I couldn't figure that out. At the same time A.G. was texting me and asking if I wanted to bring lunch up the hill to his office. I quickly called him and got some brief directions. In the end, though, we concluded that it would depend on what bus I was on and that I should just ask the driver where to go. So I grabbed some Piroshkies and got on a bus and asked the driver for help-and he didn't know what I should do! I tried turning on my phone to call, but A.G. didn't answer. I tried my best to recall what he had said and got off on a road he'd mentioned. So, after walking a block and then asking a guy for directions, it was just one more block away! I felt pretty excited about being able to find my way and not get lost. I hung out with A.G. in the afternoon in his office and then we went and had some Molly Moon ice cream. It was fabulous!







After ice cream we headed out an a foot journey to find some Mack and Jack, a beer Shaun adores and we can't find in WY. I promised him I would have one for him. Here, A.G. is "pouring one out for his homies."


That evening, A.G. had a client in his downtown office. I hung out a bookstore during that time and then his girlfriend Rebecca picked us up to go to dinner. A.G. has always been like an older brother in my world (we are ten years apart and he and my dad are thirteen years apart) and his girlfriend is my age. That is a little weird to think through, but it all makes sense when you see them. The two of them are pretty funny together. They goof off a lot and most of the time act like teenagers. It's great to see him so in love. Anyway, we went over to Alki Beach to eat at a Mexican place called Cactus. We stopped on the way there to get some snapshots of the city. On our way back we stopped at the beach to put our feet in the water per Carmen's request. It was a great evening!













On Wednesday I got to sleep in for real! It was after 9:30 (home time) when I started getting ready for the day. I can't remember the last time that happened. A.G. didn't have to work except to see a client in his downtown office. We thought we'd have time for breakfast but ended up only having time for a coffee and pastry on the go. As long as I have a coffee, I'm a happy girl! I did some souvenir shopping while he was occupied and took some time to take some photos since I had my real camera along for the day. Once he was done we went to the top of a parking garage to take some photos, then traveled to the top of another huge building that has an observation deck. I think we might have been on the 73rd floor or something crazy like that.

A church from the bus stop we were at on Tuesday


The church(towards the left) from the tall building


My feet-by Wednesday I had a nice sized blister on the ball of my left foot that was killing me!


A sign outside a flower shop-words to live by!


The Space Needle is between the buildings-this pic is from the parking garage.


A cool building from the parking garage-one of A.G.'s friends got married on the level near the pyramid.


The cool building again


View of Space Needle and other buildings from high above!


The road going over the water leads to home (I-90)!!


Cool little place we ate lunch at-but they were out of cheeseballs :(


Cool Uncle--and dog--Beaux goes everywhere with A.G. He is an awesome city dog. Climbs up high and walks along things, potties in well hidden places and is great at hanging out wherever A.G. ends up!


My fav Brazilian drink


Beaux didn't want any lovin'


After our late lunch we made our way back to his place, then set out on a trek to find some cupcakes at Trophy Cupcakes and do some blogging at a coffeeshop. On the way back to his place again we stopped for some salmon that A.G. grilled up along with asparagus and bread. It was delicious! I think we had 6 cupcakes that we (A.G., Rebecca, their roommate Megan and another friend) all sampled. I think my favorite was the good ol' chocolate vanilla. We need one of those places in Gillette. Of course, I wouldn't get to watch my girlish figure very well that way since I would add that to my stop after coffee.

On Thursday A.G. took my suitcase to work with him so I could go do some last-minute shopping. Then, after a quick lunch with him, I had to catch the bus to the airport. I don't know how I ended up cutting it so close, but my plane boarded at 2:30 and I got to the gate at 2:40. Thankfully the first officer was also running late so I had some time. The flight home went very quick. I was grateful that Shaun was picking me up in Billings so I could see him and Ry as soon as I got off the plane. He pointed me out to her when I was coming down the escalator and she called, "Mom!" and came running to meet me. That about made me bawl. I missed them both a lot!!

Since I took the camera I don't have any new pics loaded of our star, but hopefully this week we will get some! Aiden and Ella are coming to play with us tomorrow so that should give me motivation. Happy Father's Day, Shaun. Thanks for letting me take a trip away and being an amazing father! And thanks for being an awesome tour guide and showing me a good time, A.G.!

Ahhh....Stress is lifted

Well, summer is officially here in the Dudley household. Shaun says that I am almost back to normal! It was a difficult end to the school year. I was pretty stressed about getting out of my classroom by the last day of school. I had to spend a few late nights at school just to get it all done. My last day was especially hard-knowing I won't have my "own" students next year is weird and sad. This year's bunch, though, cried with me and went out the door only after giving me a ton of hugs. It will be fun to work with them again next year, in the Library and at Mallo Camp in September.

Before the last week of school came we had our weekend apart. Shaun is now certified to scuba dive. He had a pretty good time and is really looking forward to going on our cruise now. Mom and I had an excellent time in Scottsbluff with Scott and Carm. On Saturday Carmen took us to one of her fav new places called Paradise. It is the oddest combo of businesses. There is a carwash, dogwash, tanning beds, a sign business, and then the cafe! I loved it-the environment, my yummy baked potato salad and my tasty frozen mocha! We went to a show at the college that night. Rylan did really well considering it was her bedtime. I think the music helped-she loves it. The next day after church Rylan had her first ice cream cone. Sadly, those are the only pics I got of the trip. Not any of Ry wondering through the Nikont's awesome yard, or my mom and aunt making me pee my pants laughing while we attempted to play bocci or my pouty face when they taught us to play the card game Push. I'm thinking about giving up all card games. They make me really angry.

Rylan and her first ice cream cone-the best way for mommy to get a taste and share some calories!


I taught her how to dip her fries in the ice cream-which is what we do with Frostys from Wendy's. Yum!


The last week of school wasn't all stress-we had our teacher performance at the Annual Talent Show. I didn't want to do it this year-we were just lip synching-but it ended up being a lot of fun. The students LOVE it when we are up there making fools of ourselves. This year we did "Move Along" by The All-American Rejects. I borrowed one of Tucker's bandanas, and my glasses and headset from other teachers. I think I looked pretty awesome as I played the keyboards. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I spent some time giving autographs to my students at the conclusion. Too fun.


The Sunday after school got out Shaun and I had planned to go to the cabin for a few days. Sadly, though, we had been getting non-stop rain so we had to cancel those plans. We waited until Monday and spent the day and night hanging out in Rapid City. We had a great time shopping, eating and seeing a movie. Oh, and the previous Friday we got to join some of my co-workers at a going away party for our Librarian. We have really appreciated getting some time to reconnect. Thanks, Kaeleigh and Mom!

Shaun at a coffee shop downtown. I like getting ideas for the library and the coffee was great!


The night we returned was my last Esther Bible Study. I have grown so much through this Beth Moore Study. It saw me through some pretty heavy transitions. I haven't been able to but the book away yet. I am still opening it and pondering the things I've learned. For our last night a couple of the girls made us crowns. They are a great bunch and we enjoyed ourselves so much that we are going to do LPM's Summer Siesta study. All thanks to you mentioning her blog, Kristen. Thanks! I'm really excited about still getting to meet with these incredible women. And I love that three of them are my grandma, mom and sister. It's so awesome to have family in town to share with!


The past week I got to spend time with Elizabeth and her brood. We got a few evenings to ourselves to watch movies, eat ice cream and of course chat it up. I really wish we lived closer to each other. I miss her! Rylan was a bit overwhelmed when we first got together with the kiddos. But it didn't take long before they were all interacting and having a good time. Both days we were together Rylan had already eaten lunch but she was a mooch when other food came out! After looking at all the times I have mentioned eating in this blog it's not hard to see why! We are looking forward to their trip back for our HS reunion in July and then our trip to see them in August.

The boys checking out Rylan-there may have been some encouragement from the moms for Rylan to give David a smooch but I will deny it if asked. Only Elizabeth might have evidence on her camera.


Ry and Aria chatting it up. I think this is a pic of things to come. I pray it is, at least!


The boys were going crazy that their cousins were in the other room and Ry wanted to know what all the noise was about!


It has been a good first week of summer. I am starting to get really excited about my trip to Seattle. I leave on Monday!! A.G. has mentioned a few things we get to do and it's going to be fun. I'm thankful that Shaun is supportive enough to be staying home with Rylan! Pray that all goes well for him. Hope your summer is off to a great start!