Our baby turned 16!!!

Our oldest baby turned 16 on Monday!

Truly an unbelievable milestone that I thought we'd never get to!

He was born on a Monday afternoon back in 1993.

The baby with no name yet because I couldn't decide...

All my family by my side and friends in tow

We headed to Bellingham to bring home a baby!

At 4:56 pm Derek Alexander was born

9 pounds 10 ounces and 22 inches long!

The most common comment upon his arrival was,

"He's going to be a linebacker!" Well... 16 years later, and here he is...

6 foot 4 inches tall and 160 pounds...

Not a linebacker, but a Wide Receiver and Safety!

Derek is number 88 in White.

On his 16th birthday, he had his very first JV Football game.

Dele, the kids and I all went to show our support.

He did a great job... he played Wide Receiver, Safety and ran the line at kick off.

He played quite a bit and almost had 2 interceptions!

Way to go!

The team beat Lynnwood 56-6!!! Go AHS!

But... most importantly...

Happy Birthday, Derek!

We all love you very, very much!

And we're very proud of you!

( Derek is the player in white on the far right - #88)

Fishing for Salmon on the Snohomish River

So my hubby had the brilliant idea to go Salmon fishing. He heard that the Salmon were jumping out of the nearby rivers. So we dug out our fishing poles, organized the tackle box, grabbed the chairs, shoved the cooler in the car, then loaded all of the kids plus Dele's friend Evan and off we went! We had to stop in Monroe to get a fishing license, so we grabbed some food for our always hungry children. Once we found a place to park and access the river, we unloaded everyone and everything and headed toward the fishing hole! We were a little surprised when we arrived and realized to get to the "good" fishing, we'd have to cross the raging river! Dele tested it out and took the cooler and poles over first. Then he came back and took Kayode, Derek and Sade.Then poor Dele came back and took Dele and Evan over... thank God Dele is strong, because Dele almost floated away a couple of times! Needless to say, I prayed a TON as my family crossed the raging river!At first, I refused to cross the incredibly scary river. I didn't want to get all wet... I was wearing jeans and my only pair of tennis shoes for heaven's sake! :) So I sat and watched for a while from a distance! Then, my daughter coerced me to cross so we could enjoy the afternoon as a family! When I got over, Derek and Dele were trying to get the poles ready for fishing!Dele helped Sade fish for a while... she stood in the river for quite a long time. Unfortunately, she didn't catch anything! We could see the fish jumping, but they never bit her line!

Kayode enjoyed the afternoon swimming in the river. Surprisingly it wasn't cold. He had a fun time!

Once Derek got the pole ready, he, too walked out into the river to fish...Nothing!

Ayodele had a lesson from daddy on how to cast a pole and reel it back in!

Did Ayodele catch a fish????

Nope!

But... we got to spend a beautiful sunny Sunday at the river as a family!

There's no better gift than time together.

First Days of School

Sade was the first to go to school in our house. Can you believe she started 8th grade in Arlington? So far she's liking school! She's got some good classes... even leadership! She's looking forward to trying out some sports this year! Voice lessons start next week, and who knows what else she'd like to try out this year.Ayodele was the second child in our house to go to school. He started 3rd grade! I can't get over it...just yesterday he was a baby...wasn't he? Daddy took the picture, but I guess he told him not to "smile fake" so this is what we got... a picture that looks like he's just "So excited to go to school!" :) He really does like his class and his teachers... they're the same as last year, which makes the transition into school a little easier!Derek started school the next day, but refused to let me take his picture because he has zero period weight lifting so he wasn't in his "First day of school" clothes...stinker! After school he has football and was all sweaty and stinky... so no picture! But... he started 10th grade at AHS! WOW! And... the best news is... he likes it! He likes his teachers and he loves football! He's made lots of new friends and is working hard! He hasn't even mentioned going back to MP again... thank goodness!

Kayode was the last one to start school! Kindergarten!!!! I simply cannot get over the fact that my baby started school! I would have loved to have seen him off to his first day of Kindergarten, but the tears would have been streaming down my face and I'm not sure he would have let me leave the classroom! Daddy took him and stayed with him awhile! When I got home from school the first night, I asked him how Kindergarten was (since he was crying the night before and didn't want to go) and he held his arms up and out and said with a smile... "AWESOME!!!!!" I'm so glad!

Another school year begins...can't wait to see what it brings!

Oh, How time flies...

I can't believe it's been almost two whole months since I've added anything to this site... I've been here and taken a few pictures, but haven't done anything with them. August went by so fast! My 20 year High School Reunion was the big highlight of the month. I can't believe it's been 20 years since I graduated from Arlington High School. I'm so glad to be back in Washington so Katie and I can see each other more often! It's so great to still be in touch with my "best friend." The reunion wouldn't have been any fun without her!Towards the end of vacation, we went down to Snohomish to pick some blueberries. The pickin' wasn't very good and the berries were small, but aren't these sunflowers beautiful?
My handsome little Kayode... so big, and ready for Kindergarten in September.

My boys...


My beautiful daughter picking blueberries.

The most exciting news of the month was the phone call I received offering me a long-term subbing position in Marysville. It's not a contract, but has the potential to become one in December or January. I'm teaching 1st grade to 20 adorable, fun-loving kids! I'm exhausted every evening, but am adjusting to early rising and early to bed!