Turkey and the President

We celebrated Thanksgiving at Parkway today. Mary Conlee and all the Kindergarten classes had one huge traditional Thanksgiving feast. They all were dressed as Pilgrims and Indians. Cole's class, on the other hand, celebrated in 21st century-style by eating cupcakes and making a turkey craft! Earlier in the week, I helped out in MC's class as they painted Indian symbols on their vests. Each child chose their own Indian name. MC was Flower Princess- very fitting! They were the cutest little Indians at the feast. Cole said they were "past all that Pilgrim and Indian dress up stuff in 2nd grade." Get with the program, Mom! Either way you celebrate it, it's still Thanksgiving to me.

We followed the Thanksgiving festivities by another Panda Pride celebration. This time, it was Cole's turn to receive the award. Sometimes my "cool" 2nd grader thinks his sister is so "uncool." It was very heartwarming to see him wave to her from the stage without a nudge from Mom or Dad to do it!

One cute thing happened today. Judd came to school to see how the parties were going. He came dressed in his work attire...that means complete with a bow tie, of course! He was also wearing a heavy coat. He must have looked rather official! Upon seeing Judd, Jaquavious, a little boy in Mary Conlee's room asked, "Is that man the president?" MC's teacher, Judd, and I all laughed. No, but he could be...only until January, though! It was just a cute moment that absolutely made Judd "C." Wilson a very proud man!

Princess Flower


Mmm- sweet pototo pie!


Indian Princesses


Panda Pride award

Tournament Time

This past weekend was ALL about the boys. They left early Friday afternoon for a trip to Orange Beach for a Tae kwon do tournament. This was actually Cole's idea. We are very excited about his interest in martial arts, but the idea of going "on the road" for it was definitely not our plan. As soon as Cole learned of the upcoming tournament, he talked about it everyday. Judd planned a boys' getaway weekend for them that included a night in Orange Beach, a day at the tournament, and a visit to see the family in Pensacola. Mary Conlee and I had our own getaway weekend- in Tupelo!

They arrived Friday night and Judd said that Cole wanted to go to the beach first thing. He loves the sand and water and really thought he might swim, but the weather proved WAY too cold for that. He loved being out there in the moonlight, something he has never done before. He was looking for shells with his flashlight, but ran into a different surprise- being chased by a ghost crab! That night while the boys were in bed, Cole said he missed the girls a little but that he was glad it was the boys' trip!

Considering that this was his very first (but definitlely not his last) tournament, he did pretty well. He received a silver medal and and bronze medal in his two events. Not sure if that's the technical name for them, but it will have to do! He received silver for his three 1-steps and a bronze for the 21 moves that are required for all yellow belts to perform. I was so excited that he had a fun and positive experience. He told Judd he was a little nervous, but a good kind of nervous!

Since Orange Beach is less than an hour to Pensacola, Judd and Cole headed to the Wilsons' house Saturday afternoon. Cole loved playing with his cousins, Catie and Mac, and seeing Bob Bob and Mama Charlie. When they got home Sunday night, Cole was so excited to show me his medals. And guess what? The bronze was his favorite- it looked the prettiest! Cole is already trying to convince his dad to take him to the national tournament in Orlando sometime early next year. Of course, that's way too far from home and we are not ready for competing nationwide. Besides, we don't have family that close to Orlando. UNLESS...we can stay with our extended family (Mickey and Minnie) at Disney World. Stay tuned!

Orange Beach


Mentally preparing for the tournament


Practicing with Chase


In action


1-steps


Silver medal time


21 moves


Medal ceremony


Kinetic Kick boys


The Boys

Pumpin' Up the Party!

Whew- we survived yet another birthday party! Every year, I keep saying it is the last one we're having, but I always seem to change my mind as the next birthday rolls around. Skate Zone was a fun place for Mary Conlee's Hannah Montana pop star birthday party. We skated (even her parents), rode scooters and bikes, jumped in the moon bounce, played video games, and did the limbo. Mommy and Daddy did not attempt to do that! MC enjoyed having her school mates, church buddies, soccer stars, and former preschool pals with her during her celebration of turning 6! What a great time we all had. Lucky for Cole, he had some fellow "big kids" there with him- he proclaimed the party as too girlish. This was definitely her last birthday party...until next year!

Yummy cake!


Ally Grace and Mary Conlee- roller derby queens!

Pizza time for Isabella, MC, and Morrison


Blowing out the candles


Sara Frances and Meri Alan


Taylor and Cole


Tatianna, Tanner, and Dalton


Katelyn


The boys- Vic, James Wesley, and Ben


Doin' the limbo




How low can ya go?


Ally Grace and Caroline


Hannah Grace and Henry


Katelyn, Cella, and Kate


Macie


Anna Mae, Gabrielle, and Johnson


Ava and Emma


Brody making himself at home in the Barbie dollhouse


Sending birthday balloons to heaven for Granny

Our Birthday Girl

Your birth announcement picture


Cole loves his baby sister


What a head full of hair at 3 months!


One of my favorites- tiptoeing in the flowers at Bubbe and Pop's house


Happy 3rd birthday!


Our princess


Dear Mary Conlee,

Happy Birthday to our little princess! It's hard to believe that you are six years old today. We have loved and prayed for you, even before God gave you to us. Daddy and I were so happy when we found out that Cole was going to have a baby sister. We had a little difficult time naming you because Daddy and I had our own ideas for your name. I'm so very grateful that for once, I listened to him and named you Mary Conlee, after your Daddy. You look so much like your Dad, eventhough you think you look like me because of your long hair. You do share my determination and strong will!

Ever since we brought our little pink bundle of joy home, our lives have never been the same. Cole was 22 months old when you were born, so he has no memory of life without you. That is the way it should be! Because he couldn't pronouce your name, we started calling you Mae Mae (after Granny) and that's the name you are called most often. Through all the hugs and pushes you both give each other, I am so thankful that you will always be there to take care of one another.

I remember when we weaned you from the bottle. At 12 months of age, you already knew how to be a rebel! You refused to drink anything for 6 days, so we had to pump you full of applesauce and anything else we could find with fluids. Lucky for us, we didn't give in...and you finally drank out of a juice box, as if you had been doing it all your life. You gave us plenty to worry about when you decided it was much more fun to be carried than to walk for yourself. After 2 rounds of specialists determined that you would walk when you were ready...you did just that (at 17 months old!) And the sucking of the fingers, well that was indeed the hardest battle to overcome! A finger guard and many tears later, you were cured of your habit that began in utero! I remember when you began wearing glasses before you turned 2. That was the saddest day of my life at the time. But you were so happy to wear them and they became a part of your personality. Now, I can't imagine your sweet face without them!

For every worry and tear we've had over you, you have given us ten more in which to be happy and blessed. Your love of animals is so sweet. You wake up and go to sleep with Brody on your mind. Your gentle ways are a reminder of how we should treat other people. Your loving spirit and bubbly personality are definitely contagious. I hope you will always keep your philosophy of "dancing through life" with you everywhere you go. We pray that you will fulfill the life God has planned for you. Mary Conlee, what a wonderful gift we received on November 2, 2002. You are our beloved, our angel, our little girl... and we thank God everyday for His wonderful gift.

Love always,
Mommy and Daddy

Halloweens Past

I started digging up old Halloween pictures and thought it was sweet to see my babies and how they've grown up so much! Only a mother could appreciate this :-)

Follow the yellow brick road!


Peter Pan and Tinkerbell


50's girl and a pirate



Pink poodle and Jack Sparrow


Japanese girl, a ninja, and Brody, the Halloweiner!

Spooktacular Day

Party time


I love the witches brew!


Splish splash, I was takin' a bath!


What a whirlwind of a day! As if two school Halloween parties and a Panda Pride celebration weren't enough excitement, we had to throw a night of tricks or treats into the mix. At school, the kids enjoyed munching on pizza and cupcakes and getting way too many treats! Judd and I enjoyed watching Cole and the "Parkway Pizzazz, Too" perform at Panda Pride.

For Cole's first Halloween seven years ago, we started a fun tradition of visiting some special friends. We continue to do this each year. It wouldn't feel like Halloween if we didn't. After a few home visits, we went to the Tupelo Country Club for their Halloween festivities- dinner, games and a haunted house. Cole and Mary Conlee loved eating "witches hair, Frankenstein's toes, and zombie fingers." Cole made his first (and let's hope it's not his last) visit through a haunted house. Mary Conlee stayed as far away as she could, just like her Daddy!

We love to visit Mrs. Vadine


Mrs. Jo always prepares us a special treat


Mr. Michael and Mrs. Missy are the best!


Cozying up with Mr. Walt and Mrs. Betty Gayle