Knights Training Camp-Tate's 5th Birthday Party

Preparations for this party Started a week earlier and a miracle happened with the creation of Tates Dragon. It was definitely a team effort

Big Boys Birthday Cake

 

Welcome to Sir Tate's Knights Training Camp. We began the party by coloring a cardboard castle aka Sir Tate's Castle. Once all the boys arrived we began our Knights training Camp by giving them all a knights tunic and a wooden sword (John had whipped up the night before) and let them practice their sword fighting skills on some punching balls that we'd strung across the room.

it got a lil dangerous and at the end Tanner got a blow to the head... from Sir Tate himself... oops.

Before moving onto our next lessons we made shields which they pry should've had before the sword fighting.

Then we had a marshmallow fight which was supposed to be with some catapults we made, but they quickly broke and we found the arm was mightier than the stick.

Next we moved out to the barn for our final challenge, the Joust. The boys found it difficult to hold the jousting stick and the stick horse as they galloped towards the targeted Iron Man cutout that hung from a rope. 

As we finished we heard a fiery breathing dragon up in the loft and so we headed up there to defeat him. We found he was filled with sugary treats and that dragon skin is tough.

We had a great time at the party and we were so thankful to everyone who came and participated in Tate's birthday fun day.

 Sir Tate and his loyal sidekicks.

Magic Kingdom part 2

 

 This was Tate's favorite part of the Magic Kingdom. He Loved seeing Woody.

Lots of Signatures to be had!

Grandpa & Grandma treated everyone to Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Ears. Wish I had a picture of all the ice cream faces.

 

 Wish I had a set of these at home-gives Time out new meaning! 

Now that I see these apparently there's always been time out in the world for bad behavior. :)

Cooper wasn't too sure of Arial

 The evening was spent on rides, eating dinner (not the highlight of the day) and then watching the light parade. John, The boy and I made a break to do Pirates of the Carribean while the girls stayed and watched an amazing firework show at Cinderella's castle. It was an amazing day with our long lost and beloved family at a truly Magical Kingdom.

Definitely a Dream come true!

DW Florida 2013-Mon day2

We thought this day would never come, well John and I didn't. The kids didn't know until only a few long days before we left, and let me tell you it was a hard secret to keep. Thursday night we told them we were leaving on vacation Saturday morning, we just didn't tell them where we were going. It wasn't until we got to the airport they found out we were headed to Florida. There were so many surprises we thought it would be fun to stagger them out.

I was really nervous about the plane ride, here are a few pictures to show how it went.

yeah for the sleeping!

 Juice and Animals, great way to pass the time.

 

We landed in Florida, the rainbow at the end of our plane ride, Grandpa Payne came in to help with the troops. The kids were so excited to see him and more so to find out Grandma Payne and Aunt Ashley weren't too far away.

So really I'm not sure who was more excited for Disneyworld, me or well everyone else. I was just giddy about the whole experience. I mean what's not to love, Disney, family, fun....

We've finally arrived! 

I couldn't get enough of the picture taking, proof that we were really there but had to stop long enough to ride It's a Small World and have a mini family reunion with our Long Lost City Cousins from Pennsylvania. We hadn't seen them in way too many years but you'd never know from watching the kids. They took to each other like pb and jam.

There's a few new attractions at DW one being Belle's house. While you wait in line we got to see the inside of her house. It was pretty neat.

Apparently McKenna is the same size as Belle at her age.

Tyler and Gigi

They do a small play that involves the group and John was chosen to be a knight, Tate as the Beast and Gigi and Madeline as sparkling silverware. Tate Surprised us all with his great roaring.

Tate kept trying to sit down with everyone else but this lil beast finally decided to give Belle her dance and hug first.

Sir John Wesley

Tate got a kiss from Belle after he played the Beast in a lil play at one of the new attractions.

We love the fastpass that got us in to see one of our Favorite Princesses.

Snow White's not too shabby!

Not sure what he's doing but these two became pretty good friends. This was in the Lobby of Belle's Castle/Cafe

The Payne's At the Beasts Castle for Lunch

Then off for our 2nd round of Princesses:

Cinderella & Aurora

Prince Charming's Carousel Ride

 

Cooper still loves his Grandma

Apparently none of us are King Arthur, we couldn't get Excalibur out

Even the Babies got to ride Dumbo