fleur de lis

it's not everyday one gets invited to a ball. we're talking a real-life ball. long gown, white gloves, the whole nine yards. the fleur de lis is just that. (it's funny how squeezing your 4 week post-baby body into a ball gown doesn't exactly make you feel like cinderella! however, i sucked it up for my sister-in-law! )

the fleur de lis. for those not familiair this is a catholic st.louis tradition some 50+ years in the making. it's a night where young girls get dressed in white ball gowns (aka wedding dresses) and are presented, by their fathers, to the arch bishop. i can't really say that i understand the whole thing...but it sure is fun to be apart of! i'll shut up and just let the pictures do the talking...

the girls got to come down to see and get pictures with their aunt of honor!

a good luck toast to mary

her dress was amazing and totally mary! she looked stunning...

had to get a pic of the back details. loved those buttons

special cookies for mary

someone ate the "r" and they became may's. too bad she doesn't have any teeth yet..

baby girl got to spend the entire night at the hotel. a big thank you to her auntie ali for hanging out with her!

dottie and her newest granddaughter!

dan looking super excited to be in his penquin suit all evening!

joe modeling his french braid and his "dottie's" undershirt. way to represent joe!

the ryan sisters (minus elaine)

there we go!

so apparently there was a big disclaimer about "no cameras allowed" during the presentation of the girls before we sat down. i, obviously did not get the memo and whipped out my big ass camera as soon as they called out mary's name. i am such a rebel. i mean really, i am not sure how much my father-in-law paid for all of us to attend but i'm pretty sure it was enough to allow me to snap a few pictures.

presenting mary christina! wish i had a pic of her curtsey...she nailed it!

 after all the 41 (yes 41) girls were called they took a spin on the dancefloor with their dads

then their "escorts" literally came running in and cut in for a dance.

scottie (my brother-in-law) was mary's escort

that hair. i think he's trying to challenge ryan. bring it scott...we dare you!

one last dance with mary's 2nd escort or "stag" as they called it aka her cousin joe.

then finally we were able to get up and mingle before having dinner. did i mention dinner was served at 10:30pm?? made the fact that i was nursing and had to sneak up and feed may half way through the presentation all that much better since dan & i were able to grab a little snack.

it was such a fabulous night...but nothing compared to taking off my 3 inch heels and snuggling up with this little one at the end of the night.

(man, those shoes should be a blog post all in themselves they are that fabulous...if you know me, you understand my love for shoes)

congrat mary! so glad we could be apart of such a big night for you!!

we love you