Today Dele and I took the kids down to the Stillaguamish River to hang out and play. We found the most perfect place. We had to cross the river a little, but we ended up on a bank in the middle with a pool of water just about 2 feet deep for the kids to swim and splash around in! They could swim, splash, collect tadpoles or baby fish (not sure which) and crawdads! How fun! :) Derek and I went to the other side of the bank and skipped rocks and had rock throwing contests. Basically, we were the only ones there and it was terrific! The kids can't wait to go back. I think we'll be going again Wednesday... something to look forward too!

Gosh... so many things have happened...

I cannot believe it's been over a month since I have last written something here or left pictures memories to go back and see. I need to improve in this area, as I so enjoy going back and looking at pictures of things we've done. Even if this whole blog ends up being only for me, I love it still the same. Hopefully others are enjoying the pics of the family and all that we're up to!

Let's start with the very beginning... we did indeed move! We moved into the very best house on the block! We're living with Jeff & Carter and there is still enough room for the big kids to have their own rooms! This is our new house!

Dele arrived a few days after we moved in and he loves it just as much as we all did! The house is still not as I'd like it, but I try to remind myself that settling in takes time! The best thing about it is that the kids are constantly outside playing! We live on a coul-de-sac and there are tons of neighborhood kids. They are always running around, riding their bikes and playing on the play set in the backyard!

There's even a basketball hoop out front that Dele and Derek play on quite frequently! Derek really wants to make the team this year, so Dele's trying to prepare him! Here's a few pics of them playing ball... they (especially Derek) don't like it when I'm taking pictures of them... they say it's distracting! Whatever!

The kids seem to be adjusting to being in Arlington all right! Ayodele was placed in a "Continuous Progress" class with a teacher that my dad hired when he was a Principal in Arlington so many years ago. It's a great program and it means Dele will be in the same class next year with the same kids and same expectations. He's made some great friends already and loves his class. They did a really cool Solar System program at the end of the year! Dele did a great job and even learned most of the songs! Dele's peeking behind the boy in front with the red/white striped shirt... :)

Sade actually loves her school. The first time since Elementary School!!! She's going to try out for the Volleyball team, maybe Cross Country and the Jazz Choir next year! She's going to be very busy, I just know it! The choir did a concert the last week of school and it was fun for me to be back in Arlington at a school concert! The Jazz was great! (Sade's in the 4th row, 2nd person from the right)

Oh... forgot to mention my birthday! Probably the best one in years!!! Not only were we in a beautiful home with my husband and kids, but my mom, Dick and my grandma surprised me by being here after work! They made me a wonderful steak dinner and bought my favorite Chocolate Mousse Royale Birthday Cake from Baskin & Robbins! Yummy!!! Dele even cut me some beautiful roses from out garden!!! (They're a little wilted because I forgot to take a picture on my birthday! Oops!)

I finished my long-term sub job in Marysville teaching Music on the 16th of June and Derek's last day was the same day! I'm so thankful I had a job while I did, but hope and pray that something good comes up for next year! Since I was already out of school, Dele and I helped with Ayodele's Field Day which was the 17th... his last day of school. We all walked up to the school and helped for a while, then got to spend the rest of the time with Ayodele so he and Kayode could play games! What fun we had!

Derek's ready to go to Arlington. He's been going to weight lifting twice a week for football all ready! Wednesday he got his Driver's Permit, so watch out world... Derek's driving! I took him out yesterday and had to dig my nails out of the side of the car... today was MUCH BETTER!!! I even let him drive me to Haggen to get a treat! :)

The last thing and then we'll be all caught up for now... today Dele woke up and took us all Strawberry picking! Too much fun! The kids ate more than they picked, but we did get almost 10 pounds of berries! Yummy! Of course, they're almost all gone all ready! I guess we'll just have to go again! :) We're counting the days until we can go blueberry picking... that's our favorite!!!

Summer's here and the kids are loving it in Arlington!!! What more could we ask? Until the next time...

We Are Moving!!!!

WE ARE MOVING!!!!!

Finally!

About 2 weeks ago we found "The perfect house!!!"

Called the owner, went and looked at fore said "Perfect House."

Fell in love with house!

Called Dele and told him we had the perfect house!

Filled out all required paperwork and waited...

and waited...

Got the phone call that we got the house!

YEAH!! YEAH!! YEAH!!

Called Dele to tell him we got the perfect house!

Dele ready to leave Las Vegas!!!

Dele can't leave Las Vegas because car carrier not available.

Waiting!

Owner wants to meet Dele before he gives us keys!

Still waiting...

Dele gets carrier, loads truck, loads car onto carrier...

Car too big for carrier!

UGH!!!

Owner wondering when we're moving!

Still fixing things in the house!

Dele finds auto transport for car...

Waiting...

Owner decides to have us sign lease without Dele for now.

Jeff picks up lease and returns signed lease next day!

Auto transport falls through...

Dele still in Vegas!

UGH!!!

Waiting!

Jeff & I go to the perfect house today to get keys and do walk through!

Still waiting for Dele!

Moving Jeff's stuff today!

Hoping Dele will be here soon!

Missing Dele very much!!!

The good in all of this... "It's the PERFECT HOUSE!!!"

Lots of space and lots of bedrooms!

Oh, did I say lots of space?

(Will post pictures soon!)

Kitten update...

Meet Squeaky! He is adorable! He loves to play with my hair & settle down right up next to it on my shoulder. He and Spike chase each other all evening long... they're just funny to watch! He has the most beautiful turquoise blue eyes. At this time, Squeaky is still looking for a new home!

This is Spike! He, too,
is quite rambunctious! He has beautiful blue eyes! He loves to play with Squeaky and cuddle up with you when he's tired! Spike and Squishy are going to go home together!

This is Squishy. She was named Squishy because when she was born, her faced looked like it was squished in and her nose was flat, not pointy like the other kitties. It was how we told the white kittens apart. Now, she's become the most beautiful kitten of all... she looks just like her mommy, Mayleen did when we got her! Squishy loves her mommy, but because we're not sure if she uses the litter consistently, we had to find her a new home! Squishy loves to sleep with the kids, so she will be greatly missed!

Minnie... the kitty we planned on keeping all along!
Is going to a new home. She's going to live with an old High School friend of mine! :) She doesn't use the litter box, and with us going to a new home, we can't afford to take her with us... so... my wonderful friend is willing to train her and take her! How lucky she is to have a wonderful new family!

Midnight and MJ are the lucky ones who get to stay with us and their mommy! (As long as daddy agrees to keeping 2 kittens!) Both kittens are fluffy balls and fun! They love to chase each other up and down the stairs and then they'll cuddle up to each other when they're done! They are so cute! I just hope we don't have too much cat hair all over the house since they're so fluffy!

We love our kitties and hope their new families love them just as much!!!

Sade's first Track Meet!

Around the corner she sneaks into 1st...
What great form...

All the way to the finish line!!!!!

Sade had her first track meet last week in Lake Stevens. I wasn't planning on going, but then at last minute decided I'd go watch her run. Unfortunately I only got to see her run the 200m dash, but lucky for me, I got to see her win 1st place in her heat! Sade ran the 100m and the 110m hurdles before I even got to the meet. She was 7th in the 100m and 4th in the hurdles. Way to go, SADE!!!

My Grandma's 80th Birthday!

Happy Birthday, to you!

Happy Birthday, to you!

Happy Birthday, dear Grandma!

Happy Birthday to you!!!!On April 26th my Grandma turned 80. My mom came up from Oregon to throw her a wonderful Birthday party with her 3 children, 4 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren & even her 2 great-great grandchildren! The party was at Forest Park in Everett and it was a beautiful day!!! We had pizza and cake and lots of fun watching the great grandchildren all play together! (another reason it's great to be back in WA)
WE LOVE OUR GREAT GRANDMA!!!!!

Kayode's trip to the Science Center

After taking Sade to the airport for her trip to FL, Kayode and I went to the Seattle Science Center with our membership that Grandma had bought us for Easter. He loved being the only child there as we could go wherever he wanted to go and stay as long as he wanted to stay. We spend most of our time in the bug house and touching the underwater animals. At the last minute he decided that we should go see the Under the Sea 3D movie. It was really good & he got his own little kids snack pack with popcorn, pop & a candy. He was in heaven! Just outside of the movie is a music display... he loved the huge guitar!!


On our way out, Kayode discovered the space shuttle and dinosaurs... he loved both! Maybe we have an aspiring astronaut or paleontologist.


I always feel so lucky when I can spend time with just one of the kids and help them feel special!

Sade's Trip to Florida

Monday morning after Easter Sade was lucky enough to get to pack up and head for Florida with her Papa & Grandma Annie. So, bright and early, Kayode & I got up to take her to the airport. Kayode informed me that morning that it was still night-time because the sun wasn't up yet and that he should still be in bed... too cute!Sade has never been away from home more than a day or two with friends, so it was really hard for me to let her go! No tears, but boy was I in for some testosterone at home being the only female!

She called at least once or twice each day, had a terrific time visiting Mickey & his friends at DisneyWorld, Epcot & Disney's Hollywood Studios. The best day for me, though... was when she came home! :)

Snowmobiling at Snoqualmie Pass

Saturday we were lucky enough to be invited for a day in the snow by my cousin Holly and her husband, Jeff. They picked us up early Saturday morning and drove us up to the mountains. They had snacks in the car for everyone and were more prepared than one could ever hope for!

Once we got up to the snowmobiling spot, Holly started getting out all sorts of gloves, hats, pants, and boots of all sizes for us previous sun-dwelling city folk! Jeff had Derek help him unload the snowmobiles and I helped get the boys into some mock boots (plastic bags taped to their shoes). ~ Great idea, but didn't last long with my boys... perhaps multiple bags and completely taped up would have worked...

After both of the snowmobiles were unpacked and started up and we were all dressed warmly, Jeff took Derek and I on a close to 2 hour snowmobile ride up the mountain! We rode all the way to the top and looked down on I-90! It was beautiful! What a view! Even after a tree "jumped" out and attacked us, I still got back on and continued on our way to the top! Jeff had Derek and I drive down some insanely steep hills! WOW!!! Who would have thought!

While we were cruising up the mountain, Holly stayed back with Dele and Kayode and kept them entertained sledding, building snowmen & snow forts and eating the snacks she brought with us. They had so much fun!!!

Holly and Jeff took Dele and Kayode on a short ride up the mountain and Jeff even let Dele drive the snowmobile for a while! Kayode said the best part was going fast! :)

After their short ride, we loaded everything back up, got into the cars and headed for home. They even took us to McDonald's on the way home for an early dinner. What great cousins we have!!!

Thank you Jeff & Holly!!! You guys are AWESOME!!!!!