Spring, Birthdays, and Braces

I am so thankful for spring.  I love the warmth and the sunshine, it makes me feel so happy. Kenedy and Blake are loving it too.  One of the first warm days Blake had his four wheeler out and Kenedy had her bike.  They both had a great time.

Over Spring break I got a new car, It's not new new but it's new to me and I could not be happier.  For those of you who don't know I have been wanting an SUV since the day we got rid of my Tahoe.  I could not have been happier when Ryan bought me my Ford Expedition.  Here is Blake showing it off:

Thanks to G-Mom, Ryan and I also got a night to ourselves over spring break.  We went to Dinner, and the boats in Shreveport, and spent the night.  This is all so rare I thought we should take a picture.  Of course the only way to do this was for one of us to hold the camera (apparently my camera has a timer but I did not know how to work it, oh well)

We ended spring break with a birthday party for Blake.  even though it was a whole week and a half  before he actually turned 4.  We had it at a place called Kids Station.  It is basically an indoor playground.  Lots of slides, climbing things, games etc.  Everyone had a fantastic time including the parents.  (Okay so the parents found this game called Deal or no Deal.  It worked like the game show where you pick a case only instead of the amount being in dollars it was for tickets.  I'm pretty sure we used more tokens than the kids did)

After Spring break it was back to reality.  School, gymnastics, Dance, T-ball (still working on getting pictures)  I spend all of practice cheering Blake on.  He will look at me and wait for me to yell GO BLAKE!  It's really quite hysterical.  The actual games start next week and I will be sure to have my camera ready. 

Other Hot news...Kenedy got her Braces!  She is so excited.  She has been stressing for a month over what color rubber bands to get.  I am not joking when I tell you that she put ALOT of thought into this very important decision.  Every night she would say I could get red and pink but that is too Valentine's.  Or I could get yellow and white (yellow is her favorite color) but that might make my teeth look like I did not brush them.  I can only imagine what she will be like planning her wedding if  rubber bands for your teeth are such a big deal.  Well the verdict is in and she went with (pink and green)

Great Spring Colors.  Now she has 7 weeks to decide what colors will be next!  She was such a trooper and has not been too sore.  Kenedy also had another big milestone, she got her own cell phone.  This is something Ryan and I have been discussing for the last few months and Kenedy has been asking for 3 years.  We decided that now was a good time.  With her doing so many activities especially gymnastics being in another town, and me having to have her one place and Blake in another (Ryan's in Track season and not available 2 nights a week)  This was just a good time to try it out.  She is so excited!

And last on this update My BABY turned 4 yesterday.  4 can you believe it?  It brings tears to my eyes.  In honor of his 4th birthday (it really was  not planned and just happened to fall on this day) I enrolled Blake at my school for next year.  He will be going to Pre-K.  I have 2 children in school.  That just sounds Crazy.  I mean I know I'm not old enough to have a 2 children in school and no children at home.  Where did the time go?  Sadly it seems to go faster and faster every year! On Blake's real birthday Blake got the soccer ball and net he wanted.  So I will end with some pictures of Kenedy and Blake playing together:

BUSY! BUSY! BUSY!

Well life in the Marion house just might have more going on now then during football season, if that's even possible. Let's see Kenedy's 2nd gymnastic's compition went better than the first.  She improved her bars, beam vault, and floor score by 1 to 2 points for each event.  She scored 11th on bars, 10th on beam and vault, and 5th on floor.  We are so proud of her.  I am an including a vidio of her floor routine, (Thanks Nikki for your instructions, your the best!,  She scored a 7.2.
Kenedy's Floor routine
You will have to click on this link and it will take you to youtube where I have the vidio downloaded. 

Next Blake went to a birthday party for a friend at school.  It was a Mario Party. Here Blake is pinning the mustache on Mario and then Making his own personal Pizza.

Kenedy had to deliver some Girl Scout cookies to G-Mom's Work so we made a quick 1 day trip to Killeen.  Blake liked playing This little Piggy with Baby Troy.

I cut Troy's head off in the first picture so I tried to stage the next picture and have Blake come back and play Piggy's again (knowing I wanted to put it on the blog)  Blake was already intersted in watching something else so as you can see Blake is not looking at Troy anymore but I got Troy's face.  So much for Spontanous photo's.

Kenedy and Jacob had a great time together as usually.  They are getting so big and grown-up. 

I thought it was kinda funny that Jacob is pointing his nerf gun at the camera while Kenedy is throwing the peace sign. 

This past weekend Kenedy had her first Dance compition.  She performed her Jazz Solo.  In Dance everyone recieves a trophy based on thier score so Kenedy got top first.  Dance is new to me and I'm not sure of the order of awards but it must have been good because she also recieved 5th place in her 7-8year old age division. 

Here is Kenedy in the dressing room.

I have also included a vidio of her Solo performance.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPRe9gStVH8 (click on this link to view Dance Solo)

For those family members who have been asking me to give you the dates of her next performances here they are.

Gymnastics: in Allan March 27th,

Mesquite April 10th and if she makes it to state that meet will be May 1st in Garland

Dance: In Tyler April 17th

and Ft Worth April 24th

Yes that's right folks 4 weekends in a row starting on April 10th. 

Blake starts T-ball practice on Monday.  His team is the Pirates and he is super excited about that. As soon as we get a t-ball schedule I will share it with you. 

 If I'm sane at the end of this school year,  we will be on a long break.  Until Aug.  Kenedy will be Sad but I will be resting! 

I promise I will take Plenty of Pictures of upcomming events and post them.  Oh and one more piece of exciting news.  Kenedy has been begging to go away to camp.  She wanted it to be a gymnastics one but  one of the one's that is recommend has WAY to many girls at it for me to feel comfortable leaving her.  (maybe in a few years)  The next one you did not stay the night at so Kenedy was not intersted.  Well we have settled on a Girlscout camp.  She will get to swim, horseback ride, hayride, ride horses, go to a petting zoo, crafts, etc.  But most importantly to her she will get to stay for 5 nights and 6 days.  I tried to get her to got to a shorter one (like 3days) but she informed me that she wanted to be away for longer than that.  I'm a nervous wreck and she is PUMPED!  She has been telling everyone about it.  The only comfort I have is that I have talked her my friend Kristi into letting her daughter Alli go too.  (technically Kenedy's 3rd cousin, but that sounds like we are from hickville).  Alli is just a year older than Kenedy and they have always been close even though we live 5 hours from each other.  I'm sure they will have a blast.  (while I sit at home and cry!)  Good thing I'll have Blake with me to make me laugh.  Speaking of Let me end with a comment from Blake the comedian:  While sitting at luch today, Kenedy was telling us all she had learned about Texas: the state flower, tree, seal, etc  Well Blake pipes in "I dont know what ya'll are talking about but it's sure boring!"

Gymnastics, Skating, and SNOW

Well Kenedy's first meet went well.  She looked adorable of course and she got a real eye opener to some tough competion but she had a GREAT time and is excited about her next one (Feb 20th)  This shot is on of her on beam.  I failed to charge the video camera and so we only had enough battery to record her floor routine, which was too long to upload onto blogspot.  I will have to get the help of my friend Nikki to find out how she utubes her video's on (Nikki feel free to e-mail me those directions :)

Last weekend we went back to Dallas for Avery's 4th Birthday party.  It was at the skating rink and the kids had fun.  They had this awesome contraption to help you learn how to skate (see pics below of Blake using it)  It sure made the day easy since Blake could get around super fast and there was no falling.  Kenedy also figured out how to skate on her own and she is super proud of herself!

We do not know the man beside Blake he just happened to be in my picture:)

   

Lynsey Kristi and I decided we could not let the kids have all the fun so we put on skates and joined them (plus Ryan bet me that I did not know how to skate anymore, so I had a point to prove, He lost)

We unexpectedly got 6 inches of snow on Friday and Ryan and the kids had a great time playing in it (I happily volunteered to take the pictures since I dont like the cold.)

Kenedy and Blak

My snow Angels

They worked hard and did a great job. 

After the snow man building of course there had to be a snowball fight!

And then Ryan brought our the boogy board from the beach and pulled the kids on it like a sled.  They loved it!  Here is Rye and Blake

And Finally we finished the week off with Kenedy going to a Birthday party. She is getting so big!  This weekend she will go to her 2nd meet and I will do better with the video camera so you can see her in action.  Also Blake signed up for t-ball this week we will soon be able to post pictures and video of him as well.

One last thing (ignore the dates on my pictures, my camera battery died and when I replaced the batteries I did not fix the date.  I will make sure I take care of this technical difficulty prior to the next post.

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)