OVERDUE UPDATE!

An update to our blog page is long overdue.  It seems that I have had a hard time shaking the holiday's off.  I have not been motivated to due anything, But I'm ready to force myself to get back into action.  Lets see, what has been going on...

Well we had our Bulldog State Celebration and here is our family picture with both state trophies!

Unfortunately this is the only picture I have taken in a couple of weeks (so unlike me).  I promise I will be back to my old self in no time, and the weekly updates with pictures will be back on track! 

What else has been happening well Ryan's Parents came and Ryan and his dad found the sewer line and began laying pipe for the bathroom being built in our bedroom (Thnaks Papa)!  Ryan has been steadly working everyday on the bathroom and it is coming along.  I had know Idea that so much went into putting pipes in and getting water to a new spot.  (I still dont know because I have helped none, but Ryan has worked very hard and I'm VERY appreciative!)  So far all pipes are in and we now have a shower.  I'll take pictures when it is completed. 

Blake LOVES, LOVES, LOVES the Wii.  He know things about it that Ryan and I dont know how to do.  His new favorite game is the Madden football game.  I dont even know how to make the guys throw the ball and Blake can score touch downs and tackel the other team. 

Kenedy has her first gymnastics meet this weekend Jan 30th in Dallas.  She is very excited, Dont worry I will take plenty of pictures and will even try to video some of it and post it on here.  Kenedy's other big news is that she will be getting braces on her top teeth.  She is THRILLED and even asked if they could do it that day.  She was disappointed to find out she had to wait a few weeks.  We will do braces on four of her top teeth for a year and then a full set of braces on top and bottom when she is around 11. 

I hope everyone is doing great and I promise I am back to weekly updates!

Christmas Break

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!  This has been a very busy 2 weeks for the Marion's.  The day before we got out of school Aunt Re came for a visit.  Unfortunately the 2 and 1/2 hour trip from the airport turned into 5 hours due to a wreck on the highway :(  she made it safe and sound.  The kids loved having her all to themselves and of course they get to do what ever they want.  Here they are cooking with Re.

I am aware that everyone's eyes are closed but it's the only one I got.  Maybe it's what made the food taste so good. 

Then of course the Bulldogs took on the Graham Steers for the State Championship and WON!  Congrats to Ryan and All the Bulldog coaches and players for their hard work.  BACK TO BACK STATE CHAMPS!

The next day we celebrated Kendy's 8th birthday at the Waterpark with her friends and cousins.

water park party day

after that we traveled around the state to celebrate Christmas with Family First we went to Killeen to be with my family, then home so the kids could wake up Christmas Morning at our house and then we went to Ryan's parents and spent some time there for Christmas.  (My parents are 4 hours away going towards central Texas, back 4 hours to east Tx where we live and the 5 hours to west Texas to be with Ryan's Parents)  Whew thats alot of driving.  At one point we were so tired we let Chewy drive (Blake's Dog)

kidding but thought the picture was cute.

Kenedy, Blake, Jacob and baby Troy with Santa at my moms

Santa brought Kenedy a set of Gymnastics bars for Christmas she loves them and has been practicing every day (the days we have been home anyway)

Santa brought Blake a 4 wheeler.  Lord help me when he really is driving.  He is fearless. 

At MiMi and Papa's they had all 9 of their grandkids together WOW!  I think Christmas is the only time we are all together at one time.  I wish we lived closer so we could see each other more.  The kids had such a great time together!

They are lined up oldest to youngest with the exception of Morgan holding baby Tag.  The newest edition to the Underwood family.  Lets see that puts Rance with 2 children, Ryan and I with 2 children and Mitzi and Robert with 5 children.  Whew thats a lot of grandkids in one house.  Luckily Papa built a play room for them all set up with a Wii and everything. 

Since Tag is the newest edition to the family I felt he needed his own debut picture.

Oh my goodness he is so CUTE!

Well the break has been wonderful and I'm not sure that I'm ready to go back to crazy schedules of Work, gymnastics, Dance, School, and t-ball but since Monday is just around the corner I guess I better get ready! I hope that everyones 2010 is filled with as many blessings as 2009 brought my family and I.  I love each of you and look forward to keeping you posted on the Marion's Family in 2010!

 One last picture before I go.

Blake got a much needed hair cut.  Isnt he the cutest!

Long busy week!

This week has been very busy yet I do not have a lot of pictures to show for it.  Monday Blake and Kenedy both decorated their own Christmas tree in their rooms.  We went to the store and they picked out the tree they wanted.  Kenedy chose a green one with no lights.  ( I tried to convince her to get a pre-lit but she had it in her mind what her tree would look like and it did not include lights)  Who am I to disagree, after all it is her tree.  She also chose all her own ornaments and put them on herself with no help. 

Blake on the other hand wanted a blue tree with lights.  He also wanted cars ornaments.  Well those suckers are $5 an ornament.  I tried to convince him that we could just buy the Hot Wheel size cars and tie some string around them and hang them on the tree but it was not even willing to consider it.  (take note that both of my children are strong willed and know exactly what they want.  Wonder where they get that from hmmmm)  So anyway I took him to the fabric department and showed him some Cars material.  I told him we could cut out each car and make an ornament.  He was sold!  So I cut out each one along with a backing, Sewed the sides together (if you know me you know that this means I hot glued the sides because I cant sew) and then Blake stuffed them full of batting and we attached a hook, and TA DAA  Blakes Tree:

Other exciting news in the Marion household is BULLDOGS WIN AGAIN!  We are headed to the State Championship Saterday!  WOW!  I'm so excited and ready for Rye and his team to win back to back State Champs, but I'm also ready to have him home again.  I'ts getting a little tiring with my school work, the kids activities, and just life in general.  We miss him and cant wait to have that Winning coach home again.

 Blake even though he is 3, is amazing interested in football.  He asks Ryan who we are playing each week and what Jersey we will be wearing.  (He does not like to hear that we are wearing the white one, he preferes the red), then he will spend the rest of the week saying bulldogs are going to beat the ___ fill in the blank with the other teams mascot.  He is obsessed with what the football players wear and how they do things.  He wants to be just like them.  I am always amazed at how he pays such close attention to details I would have never noticed!

The kids are fired up for Thursday.  Aunt Re comes and they cant wait.  Both of them ask me everyday how much longer.  Unfortunatly for Aunt Re they have a list of all the things they want to do with her. Including making gingerbread houses.  I hope she comes with lots of energy:)

We will be having Kenedy's 8th Birthday party on Sunday at the indoor waterpark in Tyler.  She wants a luau. sounds easy enough except try finding luau stuff in December.  I'm sure it will turn out fine but I'm a little stressed at the moment. 

Kenedy's First Gymnastics compitition is January 30th in Dallas.  She is getting excited and has been working hard.  I cant wait to post those pictures. 

Week-end of Friends

This weekend both Kenedy and Blake spent time with friends.  I'm a little sad that they are both old enough to really enjoy being with friends but glad that they have good ones.  This is Blake and his Friend Charlie.  I took them to nearby city (Gary) to the festival of lights.  It was FREEZING so we did not stay long but they had a good time on the bounce house slide.

This one is of Blake coming down a little too fast.  noone was hurt in the collision!

Kenedy Spent Saterday night with her friend Constance.  They were both invited to a Christmas party on Sunday where instead of exchanging gifts they were going to exchange cookies and cookie recipes.  Kathryn (Constance's mom) so graciouly offered to have Kenedy over to spend the night and do the baking with the girls I came over and took a few pictures.  (always thinking of blog opportunities :))

While this looks like it is going well I was told by Kathryn that the first few batches did not turn out like they were supposed to and she was not feeling so merry about the party after baking 8 dozen cookies.  I offered to return the favor next time.  Here is Kenedy at the party.

We also dog sat this weekend.  When our friends came to pick up their dog they brought Kenedy a pink boa and Blake a real alligator head.  Blake was a little afraid of it at first but he quickly got over that and began to chase Kenedy around with the alligator growling at her.  I'm pretty sure alligators dont growl but Blake did not care that was the noise he chose to make.

OTHER FAMILY NEWS:

Ryan's Team Wins again!  28/21  It was a nail biter but we pulled it off.  One more Win and we are back at the State Championships!  WOW!

and on a little less exciting note (for Ryan not me)  I got a new dining room table YEA!  I have been wanting one for years and Ryan kept asking me why when we had a table to eat on.  (all but 3 chairs were broken the forth chair was fixed just enough to hold Blake's weight, and the table was in sad shape but we could technically still eat on it) Here is my Christmas present!

When we were driving to pick up the new table Blake asked where we were going, I said to pick up Mommy's new table, Blake said why we have a table, (just like his dad) 

Relaxing Week

Ryan's Team Wins AGAIN!  26 games in a row.  3 more wins and he will be wearing another state ring!  I am so proud of him. The kids love so much to be at the games.  Although Blake spends the entire game asking if it's time for him to go on the field and play football.  Both Kenedy and Blake really live for the end of the game, when they can hug Ryan and then run out on the field and do their own thing. Kenedy tumbles on the field and Blake runs with the football scores touchdowns and tackles anyone he can find.  Here is Blake enjoying Papa So glad Mimi and Papa were at the game!

                                                                        Great family photo!

Okay so other than Bulldog football we really have not done a whole lot this week.  I cooked Thanksgiving on Thursday, Friday night we were at a football game cheering on the dawgs, and then On Saterday our big excitment was that we had a racoon in our back yard.  I have never actually seen a racoon up close until now.  I never knew they were so big.  This one was apparently sick because he was not scared of us or the dogs.  (dont worry Re I kept the dogs in the house once I knew he was out there)  I took some pictures out the window of my dining room and wanted to share them with you

Ryan did manage to get him out of the back yard and no one was hurt (well maybe the raccoon!)

AN Early Thanksgiving

Thursday night Carthage had a community Pep Rally to cheer the bulldogs on.  This is Blake all fired up ready to take on the Mexia Bearcats!  Carthage did win Friday night 35 to 26.  It was our closest game of the season.  Mexia was awesome!  Ryan thinks I'm a dork because I always feel sad for the other team.  It's not that I want to loose BECAUSE I ALWAYS WANT US TO WIN.  It's just that when the other team is really good I feel bad that their hard work didnt pay off. I'm so proud for Ryan and all the other Bulldogs cant wait for another State Win!

After the game in Forney the Kids and I headed to Killeen for an Early Thanksgiving.  Tony, Deb, Leslie and Grandpa all have to work on Thanksgiving day (so sad for them)  So we decided to have Thanksgiving on Sunday.  Ryan missed out since he had to work this week (cant give those bulldogs any time off )  Here is Baby Troy at his 1st Thanksgiving!

You cant tell but he really did like the mashed potatoes and Sweet potatoes! 

Here is Jake and Kenedy being silly outside (Blake was running Fever due to double ear infections :((  )

Once Blake had some antibotics in his system and we got his fever under control we took our yearly trip to see Santa Clause and get a picture, The Santa People would not let me use my own camera even though I dropped a small fortune on their pictures so here are the kids without Santa.  Just close your eyes and

pretend he is there.

notice how no one will look at the camera but Kenedy!  The one with Santa actually turned out pretty cute though.

In the Car on the way home I took the kids pictures one last time ( I was safely stopped at a red light so dont

worry!)  I could not get Troy before the light turned green (safety first :))

I

Visit to Gmoms

Kenedy had her fall festival at school here are some action shots of her in 2 relay races.

Wow Baby look at that Hair

Well the Bulldogs won agian Friday 48 to zero, Playoffs start Friday Night. I am so excited and proud of Ryan. We have a good chance of going all the way to state! Sorry there are no pictures from Friday nights game but the kids and are went to visit GMOM and Papa. We had a great time.

Here's My Jake showing his thoughts on me taking his picture.!

Troy really likes to be outside. Here is is with Blake and Troy hanging out under the tree, and Kenedy loving on him. She was a great babysitter.

Kenedy was playing with Troy and she put the burp cloth on his head and then shouted look he looks like baby Jesus! I included a picture so you can see. Mom and I both thought it was funny but when Troy tried to take it off his head and his hands are up Kenedy said he looked like he was praising, I had to laugh. Tony and Deb I promise he was not being tortured he loved the game!

Of course I had to get one of all of them together:

Not the greastest picture but trying to take a picture with a 5 month old, a 3 year old who likes to be silly, and an 8 year old boy who I had to pay just to get him to sit on the couch with the others, was no easy task. Kenedy was the only one who loved every second of it!