Eight Years Ago

I AM MARY CONLEE WILSON AND I LIKE TO...


surround myself in hippos!


take my Daddy to the Father Daughter Ball


perform on stage


play dress up


help Mama Charlie in the kitchen


train Brody to do tricks


have tea parties


ride Splash Mountain at Disney World


ride Big Mable with Cole


cheer for the Tide


eat at Park Heights


help Bubbe with the flowers


get pedicures with Mommy


play the piano


dance

It was eight years ago. Mommy woke Daddy up and told him that her tummy was hurting, so it must be time to go to the hospital to get our sweet baby girl. I remember calling Bubbe and telling she and Pop to come on to Tupelo. "Can I go in to work a little while and then leave? You know we are so busy on Saturdays." I am not sure I can record my response, but needless to say...they left Birmingham immediately and drove to Tupelo. My sweet friend, Amy, was the lucky one who got that 5:30 a.m. phone call. She stayed with baby Cole--then, 22 months old, until my parents arrived. I remember having painful contractions, but I took a shower and fixed my hair and makeup--my idea. On the way to the hospital, the contractions were much worse...but we had to stop by the post office to mail some bills--Judd's idea. I thought I would knock out the nurse who told us she didn't know if I were actually in labor or not. Thankfully I was, and thankfully she was soon off duty. Auburn and Ole Miss were playing in Oxford that day. I remember this detail for two reasons. First, my doctor (Ronny Young) left the game when he found out I was in labor, but upon arriving to the parking lot...discovered that his car was blocked by other game- goers. He couldn't get back in the game and he couldn't leave Oxford. The other memorable event was Dr. Kellum and Judd being more interested in the game and yelling at the tv than they were in ME--the patient, HAVING the baby. However, all was forgotten as soon as we laid eyes our little bundle of pink. From that moment, she changed our world. She used to tell everyone she was named after her Daddy, Judd "Mary" Conlee Wilson. And she was rightfully named...looking so much like him. She has his outgoing personality, his love for the stage- both singing and acting, and his mannerisms--she is politically correct in every way. She won't choose sides and she loves everyone the same--just like her Daddy does. She has also been blessed with her mother's love for shopping, eating out, getting pedicures, and having tea with the girls. She is sensitive, thoughtful, and headstrong. Her big brother is her hero and she wants to do everything that he does...only better! Mary Conlee, what a blessing and joy you are to us. Happy 8th birthday to our little princess!


Looks (and acts) just like her daddy


Mary Conlee's birth announcement photo. Still wearing those bows!


This is one of my favorite pics of Mary Conlee and Cole because it is one of those rare times when he's loving on her!


This was the photo used in the Reed's ad for Father's Day


Playdate at Ballard Park with Causey


One of NUMEROUS Christmas card photo sessions with Mom


Those sucking fingers took a shape of their own. So did her teeth. Luckily she gave that up--at four years old!


Portrait time at Bubbe and Pop's


Biker chick with Uncle Kemp


The birthday girl at 3


The birthday girl at 8

We Call it "Halloween" at Our House

The schools may have started calling it their "Fall party," but we still call it Halloween around here. Halloween just happens to be Cole's favorite holiday. He has always loved the decorations, music, and candy that accompany this ghoulish event! Mary Conlee was born 2 days after Halloween, so as soon as Walmart begins putting up their Halloween candy, costumes, and decor at the end of August...it's signals the beginning of the Birthday Season at our house. November, December, January, and February are always packed full with holidays AND our birthdays.

With Halloween being on a Sunday this year, the city of Tupelo designated Saturday night for trick-or-treating. One day after school, the kids and I made some outrageous caramel apples. They were dipped in caramel, milk chocolate, and drizzled with white chocolate and every topping imaginable. We even had Dad helping us in the kitchen. I look forward to that again next year!

On Wednesday night, our church had its Fall Carnival--The Great Tomb Raid. All of the carnival booths tied in to stories from the Bible. The kids enjoyed dressing up and playing games! Dad enjoyed raiding the candy!





On Thursday, MC's class had their Fall Party. The kids feasted on pizza, grapes, chips and dip, cupcakes, and wormy punch! That night, we carved pumpkins and toasted pumpkin seeds. I love this time of year!


Mom and MC having some fun!


MC and Katelyn enjoying the Fall Party

Friday night was the Fall Carnival at the Tupelo Country Club. Judd and I enjoyed our time with Boba Fett (Cole), while the little black kitty (Mary Conlee) was at Katelyn's slumber party. We had with the Warrens, who have affectionately named our kids "the boy and the girl." After dinner, we played the carnival games and went through the Haunted House. The scariest part of the haunted house was not being chased by a man carrying a chainsaw...it was Mrs. Mary Margaret and her high pitched screams!


Jack, Cole, "the boy," and Braxton have waited through dinner long enough. They took the parents by storm!


The hip bone's connected to the...ankle bone? Lucky for Cole...he got it right!


Having fun with Hayley and Anne Reece, but missing our little pumpkin, MC!

With Trick or Treating occuring a day BEFORE Halloween, it seemed strange to be dressed up. However, we made our yearly trek to see one of our favorite Tupelo residents, Mrs. Vadine McRee. We started carrying the kids to see her each Halloween, beginning when Cole was 10 months old! It became a tradition to visit she and the Marks, who lived across the street from Mrs. Vadine. I treasure the pictures we have made with them each year. Sadly, Mrs. Vadine is no longer living at home, but is now a resident at Cedar's after a mild stroke. She looks great and is doing well, despite being in her mid 90's! Another bittersweet moment is the absence of Mr. Jess. He was always the trick and Mrs. Jo was the treat. We love our special friendship that has carried us through many years, plays at TCT, and Alabama games together. We made one last stop to see Mr. Walt and Mrs. Betty Gayle, who had caramel corn and popcorn hands for the kids. After all that visiting, we headed back to our neighborhood for some old fashioned trick or treating. So many of the neighbors rode around in their golf carts. Judd said our kids were going the traditional way...on foot! We hurried to each house so we could come back and enjoy some of Judd's Halloween chili and some scary movies. Not bad for the day before Halloween!


Boba Fett from Star Wars and a black cat from the street!


Surprising Mrs. Vadine at Cedar's


One of our special Halloween treats...time with Mrs. Vadine!


Our visits with Mrs. Jo are always so much fun!


We had a good time with Mr. Walt and Mrs. Betty Gayle (Mama Dunn and Ladybug, too!)

My Town, My World

The 2nd graders at Parkway have been busy learning about their community and how it fits into the great big world. They had a lot of fun learning about being Agents of Change, being responsible, and sharing their love throughout the world!



"My Town, My World" by Parkway 2nd graders


Mrs. Matthews' class--AC's (Agents of Change)


"And share it with friends all over the world!"


Mrs. Hawkins is the best music teacher!

You Want Fries With That?

Several weeks ago, we went to the VIP Grand Opening of the new McDonald's in Tupelo. My babies have grown up on burgers, chicken nuggets, and french fries. My friend, Tracy Hudson (and Rob), are owners of multiple Mickey D's franchises, so we went to support them. The kids loved taking the behind-the-scenes- tour of McDonald's. MC is looking forward to a future in the drive thru window. With multiple lanes, how in the world do they know which order is mine? The camera snaps a photo while you are placing your order. So, you have to look your best--even in the fast food line!


Learning the secret of those fabulous fries!


Operations management at its best


A little chilly back in the cooler!


Mae Mae was ready to fill orders at the drive thru register. "This is fun, Momma!"

This Is How We Roll!

As a little girl, I remember going to the Alabama games with my Daddy. First at Legion Field, and then in Tuscaloosa. I remember watching everything on and off the field...except the game. Big Al, the cheerleaders, the fans, and especially the man in the houndstooth hat. Bear Bryant was larger than life to me as he still is to all fans who bleed crimson and white. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to grow up loving and learning about the game from the best. Even though Bama has not always come out on top, my family has pulled for the boys and we know about the tradition of excellence. Lucky for Cole and Mary Conlee, they have also had the privilege of going to games with their dad. With only two season tickets, we juggle going with each child, sometimes all four of us going together. And when the games are "not to be missed," the kids stay behind with Bubbe and Pop while Judd and I head to T Town for the action. One special moment for us was when we took Bubbe and Pop with us to the game over Labor Day weekend. Judd and Cole gladly relinquished their tickets so Bubbe and Pop could go. MC and I sat in our regular seats while they sat in the ones given to us by sweet Jo Mark. I loved walking in the quad with my parents. My mom hasn't been to a game in Tuscaloosa in over 20 years, maybe longer. Daddy kept going strong to each game until his ankles wouldn't let him climb to the upper deck. There is nothing like the roar of the crowd as the team, led by Nick Saban, charge the field. The Jumbotron echos the big booming voice of Coach Bryant as the sound of the elephant trumpets the stadium...THIS is Alabama Football. So for the first time ages, my parents and I were in Bryant-Denny stadium together...cheering on the Tide. I hope my children will pass down this love and allegiance to the Tide to their kids one day. However, Cole says he caught a disease from his cousin, Charlie Pierce, and they passed it on to cousin Mac. This disease is rightfully named because the boys all say they cheer for Auburn. Cole says "War Eagle" with a gleam in his eye, knowing how upset this makes his parents. But we all know it's an act because he proudly wears his Bama garb around town. As best said by the Bear, "I ain't never been nothing but a winner." ROLL TIDE!




Enjoying pre-game at the Quad with Pop


MC waving to Big Al


Everybody supports the Tide


Cousin Chelsea's last year as a Crimsonette


The legacy began long before Bubbe and Pop. Granny and Granddaddy Mac were students at UA when the Bear was a student


MC and I were in the upper deck and Bubbe and Pop were near the field on the opposite side of the stadium. Talk about a good zoom! Loving the big shades, Bubbe!


One of MC's favorite game events is the spell outs done by the Million Dollar Band


Training them early


Cole enjoyed being at the Bama/Penn State game. ESPN Game Day made it much more exciting!


Still bragging about being National Champs!


Daddy and MC celebrating after the Florida victory!