Vacation's over....

I think that was the busiest, most fun-filled 5 days EVER!!! Wednesday the girls and I baked all day, and I mean ALL DAY!!! Thursday we drove to my Dad's for the day, Friday we put lights on the house, Saturday we went to play music at Mom & Ron's, yesterday we finished decorating the house inside and out. My Mom came over yesterday, and we strung popcorn; I have never done this, and it was alot of fun watching the girls get so involved... and it does look so pretty on the tree. We also made hot-chocolate mix, Victoria helped, and she put some in a jar for her teacher, and I let her make a label with the instructions, and she taped it on, and tied ribbons around it. So that gave us the idea to make more for all the teachers. Then we had our hot-chocolate with whipped cream, in our snowmen mugs... the girls did the whole tree almost by themselves...it is so much fun having little helpers!! They also put the train together, and put my little mini-town in the center of the dining room table... and I can't believe I didn't get ONE picture of any of it!!!! I love the Christmas season, and I think my girls are gathering up some great traditions they can pass along as well. I hope so anyway...

Thanksgiving '09

My baby brother, Jody, isn't he adorable??

My Dad, middle brother, Jason & his wife Shelly, Brittany & Jody


My Dad & step-mom, Polly

Jason, big-brother, Matt, Me & Jody

Sofie & Matt's son, Nathan

PawPaw (89 yrs-old) & Kaylan, Jason's daughter

Jody & his gorgeous girlfriend, Brittany



Kaylan, V, and Matt's daughter, Ryleigh


We took a little road-trip yesterday, and went to my Dad's (Papaw's), for our Thanksgiving dinner... all of my brothers were there, with their families, and we played guitars, and sang, and just had a great time!!!! And ate, and ate, and ate...

Honor Roll & Perfect Attendance!!!

My Mom was able to get to the school this morning to see Sofie get her awards!!! I found out about them late last night, and couldn't get away from work this morning... so thank goodness for Mamu!!! She sent me these sweet pictures of my 4th-grader getting her awards!!! She is such a sweet Sofie Belle!!! I am in love!

Saturday Fun!

This Saturday was girl-day!!! First I polished Sofie's & Maddie's toes; I would've done Victoria's too, but she went to a rodeo with her dad... the picture is of Sofie's zebra toes, aren't they ADORABLE?!?! Gigee came to pick up Sofie and then Maddie, Susie & I headed to Ft. Worth to see the much anticipated New Moon movie!!! Maddie read all four books awhile ago, and kept telling me to read them, so I finally did, and I was almost as excited about seeing the movie as she was. I got all of our tickets on-line, so we didn't even have to wait in line when we got there; we saw the 2:00 movie, and it wasn't even crowded!! My friend Misty, and her two kids and a friend of her daughter's met us there, and I'm so mad I didn't get one picture of our trip; it's been SOOO long since we've done anything like that. We came home to home-made chicken enchiladas (Mark's specialty), then we went to see the Cody Robbin's Band, playing a benefit in Bowie. On Sunday, Mark made breakfast pies, then he did chicken wings for the game!!! Weekends just go by way too fast!!!

Honor Roll!!!

Victoria, my 2nd-grader, made the honor roll!!! We went to her school this morning to see her accept her award!!!

Last football game...

Bowie made it to one playoff game, and my friend Susie, went to the game & sent this picture to me!!! Maddie is sending me her love...how SWEEET!

I've injured myself...ON PURPOSE!!!

Okay y'all, you know I've been playing a guitar for a little while, but I've been playing bar chords... which is alot easier than the regular way to play... so after Thursday's competition, I decided I wanted to learn to play like everyone else. So Saturday morning, I tuned my guitar to 4-40, instead of open-g, and my sweet, patient, loving, did I mention patient, husband started to teach me the basics. It was extremely frustrating at first, because you're trying to make your fingers, on your non-dominate hand, all move in completely diferent directions at the same time!!! But after about an hour, my fingers started cooperating, and I was getting it... I practiced off and on all weekend, and I have learned 8 chords already, and can make them sound pretty much how they are supposed to. My fingers have an very strange numb, tingly, painful feeling on all the tips, and they're swollen too. Mark says I'm learning very quickly, so I'm so excited... see, you can teach an old dog new tricks!!!

SINGER/SONGWRITER COMPETITION

Okay, must explain... the first song called, My Guitar, is MY ORIGINAL!!! And we were the FIRST singers of the night,I was so nervous, I could NOT get my voice out... it was stuck in my throat...we sound so much better in our music room, but oh well, it is here for everyone to see!!! So, there ya go, take it or leave it... it was our very first time to perform it in front of ANYONE!!! Then, the next two songs are Barnie's originals, and they are SOOOO GOOD!!! He likes my song, thinks it's awesome, and Mark & I love Barnie's songs... it's such way too much fun! I'm proud of us for getting up there in front of about 100 people and trying to make everyone smile...that's really what it's all about, right?

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Four of a Kind...

Our singing group, Barnie, Susie, & The Rigsby's, last night in Cresson, Tx at The Ranch's singer/songwriter competition...we ROCKED!!!

HAPPY 234th BIRTHDAY!!

I would just like to say happy birthday to all of my fellow Marines. To the ones I have served with, thanks for teaching me so much and putting up with me for so long. The Marine Corps is just like a family...a very big family. Once you're in, you're in for life. For 234 years, the Marine Corps has been winning battles and making Marines. It is the biggest tradition that I know of. From Lt. Presley Obannon and his hard chargers fighting pirates in Tripoli to the Leathernecks of today fighting terrorists around the globe. The Marines who fight the "war" on drugs and even the Marines who stand out in the cold and rain to collect toys during the annual Toys For Tots' toy drive for underprivileged kiddoes, the Marines have always carried themselves with pride and dignity and want nothing more than to do their job well. I miss it almost everyday. The camaraderie, the harsh times, the lonely times, the feeling that somehow you're making a difference and the satisfaction in knowing that you are part of the world's most elite fighting force. Let's all pray for our Marines(and other service members) who can't be home to celebrate with us today. Let's pray for their safety, morale and a speedy return home. No matter where Marines are stationed or fighting around the world, on November 10th, Marines ALWAYS find a way to celebrate their birthday. It could be a few jarheads sharing some candy out of a MRE while sitting at an observation post just waiting for a chance to see the enemy or it could be a grand ball in our nation's capital. They/we love our heritage and never forget the men and women who have gone before us. We cannot forget their sacrifices nor their efforts to keep our reputation just as shiny as the Eagle, Globe and Anchor. Happy birthday, Marines and Semper Fi!!!!!!!

Fair Winds and Following Seas,
Mark

Mad's Cheer competition!!!

So we went to the Dallas Convention Center for our very first competition cheer - it was C-R-A-Z-Y!!!! Just exactly like what you see in the movies!!! Girls everywhere, practicing their stunts, putting on make-up, curling their hair. You get there early in the morning, and wait, and wait, and wait, for your 2 minute preformance. It's about the cost of going to a football game; tickets to park, tickets to get in, concession stand food (EXPENSIVE), I told Maddie, I want her to be happy, and if she enjoys this, then I'm behind her 100%, but that we may not be able to make all of the cometitions to watch; I would be more than willing to let her ride with someone!!! Anyway, her team got 3rd place, they were all dissapointed and the ride home was mellow...
On the lighter side; Paige & Maddie have been re-connecting, Maddie colored Paige's hair, and they've been playing music, and painting nails, and polishing toenails; lots of laughter in the house (LOVE THAT), and the little girls are thrilled to death to have Paige back- she is such a big help in the mornings; they love for her to do their hair, and pack their lunches, and SO DO I!!! She's also been cooking dinner & keeping the house picked up & the dogs all fed! I could get used to this!!!

Trick or Treat!!!

We had a blast last night; my friend, Susie & her boyfriend, Steve, and their kids, came over & we all loaded up in the back of Steve's truck. Mamu came too!!! Mark sat up front with Steve to keep him company. He drove us through town, and the kids ran from house to house. After they filled up their goody-bags, we all went out to eat at Armadillo Grill. Now the girls are getting ready for church, and I'm wondering how I'm going to get all of the black make-up off of their eyes without getting soap in them!!!