Eight Is Not Enough

Happy Birthday Mel!

2009-01-05T09:04:00.000-08:00

Today is my sweet friends birthday! Happy Birthday Mel! I miss you and love you!

Ayanna and Darian Turn 9!

2009-01-04T14:16:00.000-08:00

We asked the twins what they wanted to do for their birthday, they said we want to spend the night at grandmas house and go to Rainforest Cafe for dinner.... So that's what they did.....We had a great time at dinner... then they got to go spend some birhtday cash..... What a fun night we all had!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEONARD!

2008-12-26T08:45:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Today is Leonard's birthday! I love you hunni!

2008-12-25T20:34:00.000-08:00

This is a Riley tradition and we added a new name its Pete.

For those that are unfamiluar his breed is Greatdane... Kidding he is a Greyhound we adopted him just after Thanksgiving.
Christmas for us has been white for us and full of love.

2008-12-20T21:05:00.000-08:00

We are just enjoying ourselves as a family.

Its been snowing for a while off and on. Pete has even been in the snow... he dont like it.

Julia and Grandma had a girls day out that took them to Nutcracker. Sorry would've had more pictures but camera was left behind.

2008-11-27T09:47:00.000-08:00

I got a couple new accessories to taking pictures. Here area couple of my hunni.
I even did a couple of my second oldest daughter who dropped in for a visit.

2008-11-23T09:18:00.000-08:00

Well football is over as well as cheer. Darians team may not have won their play off game but the girls did well at cheer championships. "We have spirit yes we do we have spirit how about you"

Yes they had a lot of fun learning new cheers and a little dance too.

Part of cheer is stunts. Ayanna got to be a flier, she has the E and Kendra is a side base on the S.

In all this learning of stunts, dance, and cheers there are also formations.

Just a couple more then I am done.
First you win spirit....

Then you win the all-around dance

I'm so proud of my girls Mom the coach and Kendra who made Varsity for next year and Ayanna the Flier

Danskin 2008

2008-08-18T11:12:00.003-07:00

Read about it on my journey!

http://juliaonajourney.blogspot.com/

Ocean Shores!!!!!

2008-08-12T22:03:00.000-07:00

We finally got away on a family vacation! We went with my parents down to Ocean Shores... we had four days of just family and fun!!

The North Jetty is really cool... the girls hadfun playing in the water, while the boys climbed the rocks.... Ayanna bought a mini kite... she was having a hard time getting it in the air... but once it took off it was flying high!!

Bumper car and Fast tracks.... it was fun watching the kids on the bumper cars but it was even funnier watching my husband and my dad competing for top spot on the track.... while Leonard has a serious look of determination on his face, my dad was perma grin from ear to ear! Not sure who won, but it was them having a great time that mattered!

Had to have some education on our trip...... We took the kids to the interprative center... it was all about wildlife, the ocean animals, historical information in Grays Habor.... it was alot of fun and very interesting....

I was sad to come home, but glad to be sleeping on my own bed... It has been hard after having four days off to get back into the groove of everyday life!!

FYI: AS OF TODAY I HAVE 5 DAYS LEFT UNTIL MY TRIATHLON!!!!!!

2008-08-06T21:26:00.000-07:00

Well to start off this last weekend we had a lil family get together with food and lots of visiting. While My oldest daughter was running late we had some pictures taken by a friend of us. I think (know) this is the first time that all three girls have come together with Grandmother. Exciting let me tell you. Yes there was food.

The boys love thier nieces and had a great time playing with them.

2008-08-05T21:18:00.000-07:00

I dont wanna say I have a couple of monkey's or billy goats but they do like to climb. So here are a couple pics from a day out and about.

Fun in the Sun

2008-07-21T19:29:00.000-07:00

We took the kids down to the new "water" park in Kent....they have fun getting wet. we ran into some friends while we were there so if was fun to be able to hang out and enjoy a nice sunny day.

Wow what a week...

2008-06-22T19:51:00.000-07:00

First things first I have such an awesome wife and family, I have no idea what I did to have God bless me in such a beautiful way. Monday no big deal not much really happened out of norm. Tuesday. Well started off fine went thru my routine got downtown to my union hall to get (attempt) work. Slow morning, my inside voice said go home at about 6:20 and my stubborn voice said hang out till 7 or so see if anything comes up. Ha nothing came up so at 715ish I decide time to go. Key words in last 2 sentences are stubborn and I. I get to my car reach to unlock and see glass. . . Hmmm I'm looking at my window, so I bend over and look at other side and

SHATTERED. As my heart sinks I realize that my AMP energy drink is gone. I look for my GPS----- still there,ok. Wait what about my power pack Oh still there too. Hmmm...Someone stole my Bible now I'm offended I would have given one if just asked, I've had that for 15+ years and it was a gift that had my notes and sentiment.

I call police, file a report. I have to wait couple hours till office open to call insurance and make sure that contents of car and window are covered. Answer is NO. Somewhere in transferring vehicles for coverage it was missed and not caught till something goes wrong.So Now I have to find out how much its gonna cost to replace that. ($240) If your curious
But wait theres more I have had to replace my med kit twice now this makes three. I so do not like having to replace my meds and supplies. I got one more thing I had a green back pack made for camera gear....... Yes that too is gone. Yes it was full of all my gear and lenses. Value of these things are .... alot more than we have.

Due to things scheduled and plans already made, a way was made to replace camera and 2 lenses. Love Julia so much she gave me the go ahead to purchase and I get them on wenesday.

A day out with kids and wife we had a good day and Julia got more sun than she thought. She has a little extra color now.

They couldn't decide if they were cold or it was the wind.

Nice day for a walk.

Oh one more things. Kids got to see someone catch a shark too.

LOVE,CHAOS AND DINNER!!

2008-05-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

If you have not been to Teatro Zinzanni I would highly recommend it! The only thing I can say bad about it is that it ended. They serve a 5 course dinner and the show is amazing.

Me, Melissa, Renee, Julie and Karen

Sean, Mike, Leonard, Chip and Rich

The Group

Melissa and I

Leonard and I. What a beautiful night in Seattle!

Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T21:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day! Today, I will say this is one of the most memorable days in my life... I walk/ran my first 5K in Kirkland!

Emily, You are the ultimate rock star......13.1 miles in 2 hours 46 min.... I love you and and so glad I could share in this with you! I wanna grow up to be just like you!!!!

Emily and I post race!!

Raise the Hope team!!!! My inspirational Divas..... Thank you for your support... I could not do this without you!

Thank you, Mom and Dad for always supporting me! to my kids for being the best(and loudest) cheering section! And a huge thank you to my husband who could not be in the picture(he was taking pictures of my team coming in to the finish line) but was in my heart the whole race! I love you!

My Journey

2008-01-29T09:19:00.001-08:00

I have started another blog...... This one is on my journey to good health and fitness! I will be posting stuff about my journey only! You can link to this by clicking on the link below or on the right hand side of this blog on Julia's Journey!

http://juliaonajourney.blogspot.com/

2008-01-23T09:18:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to post a picture of my BEAUTIFUL wife. I Hope you enjoy a little less than I do. Lovin my wife bye.

Are you ready for some Football!!!

2007-10-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

So its been about a month since We have posted anything new.... We have been so busy with football and cheer that we have not had much time for anything else lately..

Here are a few pictures of Darian in action! He's number "68"....

He is having a great time.....He loves to knock em down!

Ayanna is cheering for Darian's team and she absolutely loves it.. I will post pictures of her soon!

Kendra Turns 12!!!!

2007-09-07T23:16:00.000-07:00

Today is Kendra's 12th birthday! Oh my gosh I can believe how quickly time flies.... Kendra has been such a blessing in our lives.....I have thoroughly enjoyed watching her grow these last twelve years! To be on the "mother" end of excitement, disappointment, let down and joy has been a emotional roller coaster..... but so far I have enjoyed the ride! I love you baby..... I can wait to see whats in store for the next 12 years So the start of the party! Friends from every milestone in her life came to celebrate..... The introductions started.... "Hi I'm so & so and I have know Kendra for this long" It was quite interesting to hear the different ways the girls have all meet. So after introductions we started with Dinner! A Taco bar with Strawberry slushies.....

Next was presents and cake! Then the real excitement starts..... Kendra received a High School Musical Cd.... We had 9 screaming, dancing, and laughing girls going crazy..........
As I watched these girls dance and sing with tunes from a silly movie... I prayed that Kendra with be this free when she is praising God..... She is a faithful and mighty servant.... If only we could all be this free!

I love you Kendra Jenee!!

Gone Fishin'

2007-09-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

We went to a birthday party this weekend. There was swimming and games and FISHING!!! Here is Kendra trying her hand at it! This is the first time our kids have ever fished.

She caught one but it was little so she sent it back into the water.

On the other hand Ayanna took to fishing like a fish does to water! She caught her first one and she was hooked! She caught 5 fish within a half hour! Her expression each time was like it was the first time she caught one!

We could barley get her off the dock when it was time to leave! She caught about 7 fish in all.... One was thrown back and the other one got away!

So labor day we had my parents over for barbecued trout dinner! Ayanna like to catch em better than she liked eating them! But I think she has a new passion! She already asking to go out on a boat with her Grandpa Keith! ( I don't think Momma is ready for that yet!)

The Seattle Seahawks

2007-08-14T07:57:00.000-07:00

On August 4, 2007 we took the kids to the Seahawk scrimmage at Seattle Memorial Stadium.

Ayanna had a great time meeting the Seagals and getting signatures..

They even got to try on uniforms! They had so much fun making "mean" faces.. they had to growl will doing this!

These guys and gals really got the crowd moving with alot of fun drummin! The four with the symbolls were a crack up! They really got into it!

The scrimmage was fun.... it was some nice family time! Even though Kendra was not with us!

At the end of the scrimmage the players hung around to sign autographs.... Leonard, Ayanna and Darian were the last ones allowed on the field! It was so great to see Ayanna very excited about getting her hat signed.... Darian's hat was to dark but he had autograph paper.... Daddy liked it because they got Lofa Tatupu's #51 autograph!

We also took the kids to the Seattle Center to play in the fountain for a little bit.
I love this picture of Ayanna!

she is so little compared to that thing!

The fountain is incedible- especially when you have the Space Needle in the background!

The kids had a great time! God provided the most beautiful day for our adventure!

2007-08-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

Not feeling well at all but willing to put a happy face on for dad what a girl.

2007-08-13T12:58:00.000-07:00

Darian holdin his neice Kiley when she was just 6 weeks old.

2006-12-24T13:26:00.000-08:00

We are such busy people that we haven't done this in a while. Daughter number 1(Jeneta) is due any day and will be having a girl (Kiley Lynne Renee'). No most of you haven't met, her sorry She live in Texas. Daughter number 3 (Brianna) she will also be having a girl (Kimari Elizabeth) due in may. There is so much more that we could share that I don't even know where to start. So I will stop here.

And Baby Makes Three!

2006-09-28T18:13:00.000-07:00

Well Leonard and I are about to become Grandparents AGAIN! Bri and her new hubby Ryan are 8 weeks pregnant with their first. We are very excited for them and can't wait to meet this awesome gift from God.

Again you say! Well yes we had out first one about 4 years ago. Leonard's oldest daughter Jeneta has our grandson Tremaine.. They live in Texas... We are still trying to talk her into moving here!

Just short and sweet! Will update more soon.. I know I'm slackin'

2006-09-02T13:52:00.000-07:00

Who is this and what battle is he about to fight? What army and shouldn't we all endevor to be in it? Ask your elementary sunday school child who this is and let them tell you a story.

Thanks John

2006-08-29T20:04:00.000-07:00

Most of you that we are a blended house hold. Here are a couple of pictures of the 19 year old who got married on Saturday the 26th.
Brianna G.

We are happy for them and are wishing them the best.

What a shot of unity battling the wind they light the flame.

Family is a wonderful thing. If anyone needs a cake I'll let you know where to go. Thank you you did a beautiful job, as allways.

Here is my new son. You will all have an opportunity to meet him in due time. Any comic book enthusiests out there amoung you? Ryan G.

2006-08-22T22:04:00.000-07:00

Interesting few days,weeks,months,whatever. We have some pictures stories and such but so many. How about a picture post.

Any given sunday we have a great group of worshipers its all about praise but we have fun too.

Even our chidrens ministry praises god and lifts him up.

We have one of the best group of teens sold out for christ. Over 80 went to youth camp this year and came home fired up and are still runing the race.

Lastly 4 this moment only
When the Chief talks we all listen for words of wisdom.

Lavender Festival

2006-07-17T18:02:00.000-07:00

Well I got back from Kids Camp on Wednesday... OH MY GOSH that was so much fun... I think everyone should go to kids camp at least once... (yes even the adults) Well Saturday Morning my mom and I headed over to the Peninsula for our annual Lavender Festival trip. This is the second year I have gone and I really enjoy getting to spend some mother daughter time with my mom.. We went with my Aunt and cousin and a group on my cousins friends... Linda,Kim,Me,Colleen,Sharon,Pam,Carolyn,Patty,Ann

Last year when I went all I took was pictures of the Lavender.. This year I took pictures of things in the lavender...
bike covered in lavender plants +
a chair in a field of lavender

We had alot of fun eating White Chocolate and Mint Lavender ice cream.. drinking lavender lemonade and tasting honey infused with lavender.... I think the best part is spending the day with my Mom, Aunt Sharon, and Cousin Kim.
My Mom and I

What a great way to end my vacation!!

Slackin'

2006-06-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

Wow I really have been slackin on my bloggin lately.... I'm really suprised I haven't been called out! Well our life has been sooo crazy busy lately. I did realize adding 2 more kids into the mix would change our life so drastically... Wow was I wrong. The kids moving in has had it ups and down but I give God all the glory for getting us through this season in our lives. Keny and TJ are starting to get involved with church and youth group. They will be going to camp this year so we are really exited about that.

Well my baby(well she's 10) gets to go to Disneyland this next week. Leonards sister is taking her with them on their family vacation. She has no clue that she is going. Leonard thought it would be fun to wait until we drop her off to tell her that she is going. This will be the first time she will be out of state with someone other that me or my parents? So pray for me for this time!

Well I'm just writing a little blog this time. I have lots of new pictures and stuff that I will get up here soon.

Please pray for my very good friend Derrick and Emily..... Go to their blog!

Copy and paste or click on their name is my links
http://www.hoboyoung.blogspot.com//

CrAzY hAiR dAy!!!

2006-05-11T08:50:00.000-07:00

The kids are having Spirit week at school and it has been full of early morning searches for "What am I going to wear" so this morning was easy... Today is crazy hat or hair day.... So we got up and started getting ready to go and Ayanna said she just wanted to leave her hair down with a hat I said "OK" and Kendra was going to wear a Seahawks Hat... While in the van I turn around and this is what I see....

Well I was laughing so hard I almost wet my pants! My darling little girl has soooo much personality... After I regained control of my laughter and the car... She like "what's so funny"..... I hope that everyone enjoys her hair as much as I did. (Ps... I NEVER let her wear her hair down unless its straightened)

Tomorrow is PJ day.... Hopefully it will be just as entertaining!

Deleted Blog/Starting over

2006-05-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

Ok So I found out I am not as computer Savoy as I thought I was... I was talking to my friend Jessica on Saturday and she says to me " I don't understand that whole new blog" (I was going to start a new one cuz the old one would not let me change anything without losing stuff) SOOO she says well why can't you just change the title and copy and paste the rest... Well I started to think about and decided I would try it. Well I succeeded...YEAH... Well as I went to SAVE all the changes... I DELETED EVERYTHING... all of my previous posts/pictures/everything... I had copied my friends links so I didn't lose that.... BUT months and months of posting are gone and so here I am starting over.

Stay tuned for some extensive posting....