Eleven

 

 This young lady turned eleven the other day.

ELEVEN.

And, although the thought of middle school in the Fall makes me want to throw up a bit,

she is magnificent, ready for the challenge.

She is and absolute gem. 

We couldn't have asked for a more awesome first child.

Happy Birthday, Rylee!

June 27, 2001 - Enter Rylee

First moments

When people find out that Rylee was born three and a half weeks early, I tell them that she was prayed out.

Four Hunt brothers were married in the summer of 2000 while the youngest brother, Aaron, was on his mission. Two of the new sisters-in-law had met Aaron before he left, yet, 2 of us had not. The summer of 2001 Aaron was coming home and there was a family reunion planned for the 4th of July weekend. Rylee wasn't due until July 21st and unless she was going to come before the 4th, we weren't going to make it.

It was 2:30 the morning of the 27th when I woke up to something unusual. A contraction. I tried to go back to sleep, but continued having more contractions. At 6, we decided to start walking around the block. At 7am, we decided to go the hospital. The contractions were still coming, not too painful, but I had no idea what to expect. At the hospital, the nurse checked me and I was barely a one. She left us with "well, maybe we'll see you later on today. . ." and we were on our way.

Dang it.

It wasn't long before we got home that a lot of the pain went into my back. OUCH. Ryan drew me a hot bath, but I couldn't find any relief. My parents came over to see me crying on the couch in pain. Ryan and my dad gave me a blessing. Around 3pm we headed over to my parents house. While, again, crying on their couch, my sweet sister-in-law Mindy rubbed my feet.

The pain was awful. Mindy encouraged us to go back to the hospital. This time at the hospital, I couldn't even get out of the car. I was wheeled in bawling.

At 4pm, I was dilated to a 4, and happy to meet and anesthesiologist. Wow. In just moments I couldn't feel a thing! Not knowing how long things would take, my mom and Mindy were going to bring Ryan some food and grab our camera. (Who forgets their camera?)

Thankfully, things went well and after only 20 minutes of pushing (not too shabby for my first and not being able to feel a thing), at 7:47pm, Miss Rylee made her appearance.

I remember watching her coming out and thinking " holy cow, she's looks big." Then to hear she was a whopping 5lb 12oz. When they passed her to me all wrapped up, she was just a tiny peanut with an adorable pink bow. She was beautiful. I was a mom! We were parents. She had such a dainty, pretty little face and her tongue was too cute as she constantly stuck it out. She was so alert and her eyes full of wonder. It was a while before she fell asleep again.

We had no clue that things would have progressed that quickly. My mom came about 10 minutes after Rylee was born with our camera. I heard her knock on the door and asked if she wanted to meet her. A great surprise to my mom.

The Hunts are faith-filled people and we flew to Denver when Rylee was just 5 days old! (Note: if this had not been my first baby when I had no clue what I was doing, I'm not sure we would have done that!). It was a great reunion and so fun having ALL the Hunts together.

Ryan walking off the plane with Rylee
to meet her adoring grandparents and aunts and uncles

Rylee was such an easy baby and is still pretty easy going. She's as beautiful as ever and I often tell people that there is no way we could have 6 kids without her! She is a tremendous help.

October 2010

Happy 10th Birthday, Rylee.

We sure love you.

American Girl

This was a big day for Rylee.

She saved her own money for almost an entire year
so she could get her very own American Girl doll!
Rylee had done her research online and finally decided to get a look-alike doll.

Rylee, Kaycee and Gma with newly purchased, Ryan.
(We have several pictures to document this trip, however,
this is the only one I've gotten to work. )

Way to go, Rylee!

New Styles

I cut Rylee some bangs this morning. Doesn't she look grown up? sniff sniff
I got my hair cut on Saturday. It's more of an A-line although I've been straightening it until I buy a round brush.

Note to self: don't post a picture next to Rylee - she's gorgeous.

Swim Team 2010

We had so much fun this summer doing swim team. Kaycee, Clay and Rylee did so well, it was really impressive to watch and see their improvements week by week. They practiced hard every morning, Monday thru Friday and made their team proud at every meet five Saturdays. Although the season ended officially with their last meet on July 10, our kids had the opportunity to participate in Prelims. (That was complete insanity. A huge meet of 7 teams from 7:30am -4:30pm, 13 races total for our kids. Ryan wasn't able to be there, but thank goodness Gma and Gpa took the Olivia and Lucy - I'm not sure how they would have survived outside all day in 90+ degree weather. I'm surprised I made it through the day.) The kids swam their hearts out and cut time off most of their races. It was really neat. Only the top 16 swimmers in each event qualify for the Championships which was the following Saturday. (Some events had more than 120 kids racing). Surprisingly, Kaycee's little (25 meter freestyle) relay team qualified as the alternate for Championships. Ryan took her this past Saturday morning to Championships, but unfortunately all the other teams showed up so she didn't get a chance to swim. But, it was a great season and we look forward to doing it again next year.

Kaycee
Her Stats:
(longest to shortest time over the season)

25 Freestyle: 1:03:38 - 38:19
25 Freestyle Relay: 3:13:32 - 2:55:29 - These girls broke a Blue Fin Team record!
25 Backstroke - she didn't actually compete in this event until prelims. Boy was I shocked that she would do so well! Technique and straight as an arrow: 39:53 - 49th out of 91 kids.
Aren't those improvements impressive? She came home with the trophy of "Most Improved Swimmer" (for 6 & under girls) last night at the banquet. Way to go, Miss Kaycee!

Clay
His Stats:

25 Freestyle: 41:9 - 34:33
25 Breaststroke (his favorite stroke): 44:55 - 36:25
25 Backstroke: 44:48 - 26:96
100 Medley Relay (different strokes per kid per 25 meters): depending on how picky the turn/stroke judges were, kids were disqualified if their technique wasn't right or they did the wrong stroke. Clay did this relay at 2 meets and at prelims, but they were DQ'd every time so we didn't get a time.
100 Freestyle Relay: 2:55:41 - 1:56:18
100IM: at the last swim meet, Clay told the coaches that he wanted to try a 100 Meter Individual Medley. We were surprised. He did great, swam his heart out. Unfortunately we don't have a time as he was DQ'd (I think it was his butterfly - not his favorite.)
He did awesome! He has many ribbons (for the top 6 at each meet for each event) scattered in his room.

Rylee
Her Stats:

25 Freestyle: 30:90 - 22:21 - she has the most amazing technique, so smooth! I wish I could swim like that.
50 Freestyle: (she hated me for having her do 50 meters, especially when she didn't want to finish it at the first meet - but she improved A LOT.) 1:43:09 - 1:03:68
25 Breaststroke: 44:55 - 36:25
25 Backstroke: 38:85 - 24:97
100 Medley Relay: 2:06:44 (her only time - competed at prelims)
100 Freestyle: 1:52:62 - 1:32:15
Rylee did incredibly well and I could watch her swim all day. She also has a plethora of ribbons.

A great season for the Blue Fins. We won 2 of the 5 meets and came close in the others.
Not too shabby for not having won any in the past 3 years!
Boo-yah!

She's 9!

Miss Rylee is 9!
Can you believe it? She knew exactly what she wanted to do, too.

Grab a friend and head to the salon.
The nail salon for her first manicure!

Getting Started

I didn't want to seem like the strange lady taking pictures at the nail salon (it was pretty full), so I didn't take any pictures of her getting her nails done, but here she is drying them.

Isn't she cute?

All polished up with Lucy.
The nail guy even did fun little fireworks on her thumbs.
Very cool.

Happy Birthday Rylee!

On the Wall

Here is Miss Rylee and her artwork that was featured at the Curtis Art Museum. She was one of two from her grade to represent her school. What an artist!

Inspired by my SIL's Christmas card, here is my wreath. It's on the wall inside while it patiently waits for the 'new' door. A cream (and not so big) H will grace it then.

Oh the simple joys of decorating - I love it.

Baptism Day

Here is our beautiful Miss Rylee on her special day. It was wonderful! She planned her own program and we were grateful to everyone that attended.

I still can't believe we have an 8 year old!

I asked my mom to make her dress -isn't she beautiful?! I love it! It resembles her blessing dress and the sash, and around the neck and sleeves is the same fabric from my wedding dress that my mom hung on to! So cute!

Rylee and my wonderful parents.
Somehow we missed getting a picture of Rylee with Gma and Gpa H. . .

It was such a special day! Congratulations, Rylee!

Rylee's Special Day

We'd love to see you!

We have an 8 year old!

Happy Birthday to the best, most beautiful, most kind and considerate, brightest, most helpful, and responsible,

8 year old we know!

Happy Birthday, Rylee!

Fun Run 2009

Better let than never, here are pictures from this year's Fun Run:

Clay right after running his 1/4 mile.

He ran so hard, he really wanted a medal not just a "lousy ribbon. EVERYONE gets a ribbon." There was a moment of learning that day. Although he did the best he could, he didn't get a medal and it was a little tough for him to swallow.

Miss Rylee (in the blue) running her 1/2 mile

And, right after she finished.

I found out when I picked Clay up at noon, that I should have stayed for the award's ceremony. Because Rylee came home with this:

Rylee with her bronze medal.
(The top 3 boys and top 3 girls of each grade received medals and somehow I didn't get that Rylee was in the top 3. Nice one, Mom!)

Luckily, I had all afternoon to lift Clay's spirits and help him be happy for his sister. He did a great job - they both did.

A Smile Changed

Miss Rylee is growing up.
From this:

Just days later to this:

Although this isn't the first tooth she's lost, it makes me a little sad to see her adorable smile change. Not that she's not a cutie pie still (she'll ALWAYS be beautiful), it's just a step that makes my heart hurt a little.

I'm such a baby.
And, I'm okay with that.