Princess at the Masquerade Ball

A look back...

2005


2006


2007


2008


2009


One of Mary Conlee's favorite events EVER is the Father Daughter Ball. When we drive by the Furniture Market #5 building on Coley Road, she points it out and says, "There's the Father Daughter Ball." She's right...it is there--once a year! Horse and carriage rides, pictures, dancing, walking on the cat walk, eating fancy food, and getting autographs have always been fun for Mary Conlee. But having her Daddy all to herself is definitely the best part of the evening!

This was Judd's fifth time to escort his little "belle of the ball." I have determined that he loves going just as much as she does. This was also Mary Conlee's first year to wear a ball gown rather than a church dress. It was special for her to wear the tiara that I brought back to her from the Tower of London. In keeping with this year's Masqerade Ball theme, MC came home with Mardi Gras masks and beads and even a fuzzy teddy bear! Last year, she danced so much she broke her add-a-pearl necklace. Cole and I found all the pieces long after the ball was over. I'm pleased to report that everything was in tact when her Daddy brought her home at the stroke of 9:00 p.m.! Thanks, Judd, for all the pictures and videos, as well as texts you sent to make me feel a part of the ball, too!


Mary Conlee and Daddy

 
Our little princess

 
On the way to the Ball

 
First stop...horse and carriage ride!

 
Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother

 
MC loves M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

 
Brushing up with Barbie!

 
Both Belles of the Ball!

 
Mmm...party mints

 
Dancing with my Prince Charming

 
So tired in the car

 
What a perfect ending to the night...wearing the Father Daughter Ball t-shirt to bed!


Strutting her stuff!


Hoedown Throwdown


A little bit more!

Summer Time!

Basically right after the last school bell rang and backpacks were stored away for summer, we headed to the lake for the Memorial Day weekend. The weather was nice, but the water was not! Still, we had to do our inaugural swim of 2009! We enjoyed time with Bubbe and Pop that weekend.

 
Enjoying the COLD water

 
MC preferred showing off her swimsuit to swimming

On Memorial Day, the kids and I left Tupelo with baggage in tow. I was leaving for my 12-day trip to Europe the following day and the kids were staying in Birmingham with Bubbe and Pop for a few days. They took turns going to work with Bubbe and loved getting to help her take care of her patients. Pop took each one to Wal Mart and let Cole go with him to the dentist. While in Birmingham, Mary Conlee lost a tooth and was thrilled that the Tooth Fairy came all the way from Mushroom, Alabama. Judd drove over on Thursday and took them to Pensacola for the long weekend. They enjoyed the beach and playtime with their cousins. Mary Conlee lost another tooth the first night in Pensacola. That time, the Tooth Fairy came from Mushroom, Florida. MC is convinced that the Tooth Fairy goes from mushroom to mushroom delivering money and retrieving teeth. I'm glad the Tooth Fairy didn't take a vacation while Mom was in Europe!


Hmmm...this is what the Tooth Fairy's handwriting looked like when I was little


Mary Conlee's letter to the Tooth Fairy


Should we compare handwriting from one night to the next? Let's not!

On Sunday, Mama Charlie followed Judd and the kids back to Tupelo. She took them to and from VBS each day. She had homecooked meals for them each night and even put away food in the freezer for us. Thanks, Mama Charlie! The kids loved their time with her. She went back to Pensacola midweek and left them in good hands with their Daddy. So for two days and nights, they "batched" it all alone! Judd tells me there were a few tears and meltdowns along the way, but for the most part, they did well. There is no way I could have gone on my trip nor enjoyed being away without my awesome family! On Thursday night, Cole tested for his green belt and passed. What a relief!

 
Mr. McMichael presenting Cole with his newest belt

 
Cole and Woody- Tae kwon do warriors!

On Saturday, Judd and the kids met Crab and me at the Birmingham airport. I don't think I could have waited the 2 1/2 hour drive to Tupelo to see them! We talked and caught up on the way home. It was good to be back at home. MC's smile looked like such a big girl and Cole appeared to have grown a foot. I am not leaving them for that long ever again. They made me promise and I was glad to accept. At least not until the next international trip...

 
My sweet babies at the airport

On Sunday night, I enjoyed hearing the kids sing their VBS songs. Their favorite part of the week was singing with Mr. Doug!

 
Cole enjoyed Mr. Doug's dance moves!

 
MC sings her heart out!

 
The Calvary VBS singers

We are in the swing of things at the lake now. The sun is hot and the water is perfect. We have enjoyed riding Big Mable, the kneeboard, and the kids have attempted to learn how to ski. Of course, swimming is always our absolute favorite thing to do! We look forward to a summer full of fun!

 
Lovin' the lake

 
Ready...get set...

 
...jump!

 
Coming up for air

 
Our Captain

 
Hold on!!


Jumping off!


A wild ride