I’ve had these photos ready to blog since the week we got back from this trip, way back in September. But the blog was acting kooky and I was way behind on posting sessions and things are in general just crazy this time of year so I didn’t get around to it. I’m still behind on posting sessions, but I’m going to go ahead and blog this trip because I’m in need of a vacation, and while I can’t take one in real life, I can do it on the blog. So here goes. Our great big family Disney trip, the week of Labor Day 2015. Just to give you a little background info, my mom decided before Mak was even born that when each of her grandchildren turned five she and dad would take them to Disney World for their birthday. BEST birthday tradition EVER!!! Y’all, this is the LAST of the birthday Disney trips. So SO sad. Somebody best be getting busy and providing another little cousin SOON {ahem, Andrew and Erin}. Tate just turned five in August and Lilah Drew won’t be five until next summer, but we decided to go ahead and do their trips together in September. This way Tallon and Clara Beth were still considered children in Disney’s eyes {which added up to major $$$ savings}, and Lilah Drew acts like a sixteen year old anyway so doing her five year trip at age four wasn’t really that big of a deal. So now that you have the background, here’s what we did. This year for the second time we rented a house outside of Disney. We were once those people who always stayed on Disney property, but I definitely think that renting a house is the way to go when traveling with a large group. This house was incredible!!! Princess castle bunks, Cinderella carriage bed, Buzz Lightyear spaceship bunks…seriously, it was a kid’s dream. Let me know if you’d like a link to the house and I’ll send it.
Also, this post is going to be obnoxiously LONG because I’m only doing one post. I usually split it up into three or four, but I just didn’t take enough pictures for that this time. So, I know, this one is completely overloaded. But my memories must be recorded somewhere, so here goes. =)
First off, Chef Mickey’s bright and EARLY on our first official day. We were there for a 7:00 reservation. I’m still in awe that we all made it there that early. And Goodness Gracious, those are some cute, GROWN looking children!
This sweet girl could NOT stop laughing at the way Pluto signed his signature. She thought it was the funniest thing ever that he put the book on top of his nose, and I thought it was the funniest thing ever that she laughed like that each time he did it.
My dad was asleep 3 seconds before I took this one.
Test Track with the big cousins. We did a lot of big cousin/little cousin splitting up this trip. They all definitely had very different interests this time.
Club Cool!
I love these three and their relationship SO MUCH!!! And I love CB’s Florida hair. I would consider moving to get these curls every day.
This was the first time we did the Frozen sing a long and it was so cute! The girls {and Tate, too!} loved it!
I. LOVE. HER. How is she nine?
And these photos of him?! That’s the smile that we rarely get in photos but the one that melts my heart into a puddle every single time. I could kiss his face off. But if I did that smile would immediately vanish. 😉
Holding hands with my best girl. =)
We were all excited about the Jedi training thing. Just knew that Tate especially would love it. Ha. HAHAHAHA.
She was HOT. Seriously, Disney, I get the theming, but long sleeved robes in blazing hot Florida?
The way that kid is looking at her?! I can’t stop laughing!
And Oh My Goodness, the sweetness of Tate trying to make her feel better! Melt!
These two girls had no clue what was going on. I loved watching their faces.
Tate’s starting to lose it because Lilah Drew decided that this whole thing was a bunch of junk and she trotted off to her momma’s arms.
See?
He regained control…
Caroline!!! Ha! She’s like “What the heck are you even doing?!?”
CB’s turn for confusion…
And here’s where it all came unraveled. Satan came out to fight the children.
Tate’s reaction was exactly the way I felt when I saw that guy. No Way.
Game Over for Tate.
This was awesome! One of those street performers was heckling Tallon about his Gamecock shirt and trying to give him a kiss!
Everest! Somehow Reeves and Rebecca got Tess on this?! She wasn’t a fan. And this ride used to be Clara Beth’s favorite but for some reason this time she was terrified and cried through her one and only ride. This is the same girl who rode it five times back to back last trip.
Tate was sad because he thought his parents were going to die on the roller coaster. Bless him.
Park Fare photos with the prettiest princesses and the funniest photo bombers.
We love this princess meal! The characters are hilarious and I love how they tease the boys.
Y’all see that, right? My babies whispering secrets? Love.
She kissed him on the cheek and left a big lip print when he was three. He was scared she was going to do it again.
And finally, playing in the pool at the house on the last night. These are actually my favorite photos from the trip. *Sappy Momma Moment Alert* I am SO incredibly thankful for these cousins and their relationships. They are so tight and we are so blessed that they get to grow up together!
And that’s it! Thank you, Thank you, LiLi and Boom Boom for the house and even more than that, the tradition!!! We love y’all! Also, I’m thinking a Disney cruise when each grandchild turns thirteen might be fun? 😉 Love y’all!
I agree with the cruise idea. Let’s try to convince Boom Boom. But since its 15 months (seriously?) until Mak turns 13 I think we need another park trip before that. I was laughing out loud at the Star Wars Pictures. I thought that was SUCH a good idea. But the birthday kids sure didn’t think so. I loved how Tate was trying to comfort Lilah Drew. Then he needed a little comforting when that ugly red man came out.