Magic Kingdom

On our second day of Disney we spent the entire day at Magic Kingdom.  Since we stayed at a Disney resort we were able to take advantage of the early Magic hours and made it there before the gates opened.  While waiting to get in they put on an opening show.  I see why they call it Magic Kingdom because everything is just so Magical.  When we entered and headed towards the castle Ava's face was all aglow.  Our plan was to go straight to Fantasy land and do as much as we could.  We pretty much had done our must do list by 9 am.  Ava's favorites were the Tea cups and "Its a Small World".  She also really liked the new Pooh's Playful spot and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride.  It was nice because there were activities for the kids to do while waiting in line.  I was sad however to find out that Toontown is closed until 2012.  There were many activities that I had planed to take Ava to.  They are closed to add a Beauty and the Beast attraction and Little Mermaid attraction.  I can't wait to go back to see those.

 Ava loved taking the controls to make Dumbo fly!

 Amazed by "It's A Small World"

Playing in Pooh land

 WEEEEEE!  Spin Faster Momma!!!

Next we headed to Tomorrow land where we met Buzz Light Year and rode his Space Ranger Spin.  We also rode the people mover and ate lunch.  Ava was getting tired so we started to make our way to the entrance but not before grabbing some ice cream and watching the "Move it Shake it" parade.  I still have that song in my head!

Meeting Snow White was one of the highlights for Ava

We headed back to the room for a nap and then returned to Magic Kingdom for the night.  We took a train ride around to see a glimpse of the entire park and then found a spot to watch the Spectromagic with all of the Character floats lit up for a magical parade.  After the Parade we moved closer to the Castle where we watched an amazing fireworks display.  It was neat to see the castle lit up and change colors.  They also showed pictures of visitors from the day.  Of course I looked for ours but did not see it.

 Taking another spin on the Tea Cups!

Keeping her new Snow White doll safe in her stroller.

Afterwards we walked around to plan what we were going to do the next day and headed back for some rest.  Day two was a great day!!!

Sleeping beauty taking a nap after a long day.

Disney Day 1

This year for Ava's Birthday instead of throwing a party to Celebrate turning 3, we decided to Celebrate at Disney World.  Since we live so close and she is at the age where she would really enjoy it we made the plans and headed down for the week.

On our first day we checked into the Animal Kingdom Lodge and spent the day at Animal Kingdom.  There was a whole zoo right outside our window.  It was so nice waking up and watching the animals as they grazed the fields.

Animal Kingdom was amazing.  It was our first time at Animal Kingdom so we all got to experience it together.  We saw the Lion King show and the Nemo show as well as checked out all of the animals.  Ava also got to meet Mickey Mouse and Mini.

 Mini and Mickey 

 The Tree of Life was amazing to see.

 Ava's first ride.  She loved it.  We are the 4th group back.

 This ride looked fun but too big for Ava

Ava wasn't too sure about the Lion King!

Ava didn't get a nap that day so by 5:00 when we were heading to dinner she fell asleep and slept in my lap the entire dinner.  We had a great first Day at Disney!!!

The Best Valentines Day!

I have to say this past Valentines Day ranks up there with one of the best!  Out of the 10 years of our marriage this is the 3rd Valentines Day where he made it home just in time to Celebrate.  In 2002 he got home from Korea Valentines Day and surprised me with flowers (I thought he was coming home the next day), which was the best surprise ever.  In 2003 he got home a week before Valentines Day from his first deployment in Iraq.  This year he was gone 3 weeks of training with no communication with us.  I have to say it was pretty hard to not be able to at least talk to him.  He finished his training the day before Valentines day.  Having him home was the best gift.  We spent the day together enjoying a quite lunch while Ava was at school.  Mark spoiled me by cooking dinner that night and treated Ava and I to jewelry.  I thought it was so sweet how he got Ava and I both a bracelet.  It is so great to have him home!!!!

Erin and Claire's visit continued

I AM 3!!!!!

Well almost.
Here are some of the photo's captured on Erin's camera from their visit last week.  

Erin wasn't sure wheather to pack up to go home with Claire being sick or stick it out here.  Luckily they decided to stay because the next day she was running around and playing.  By them staying we were able to do the "I'm 3" photo shoot we had planned.  Here we are making tu tu's and shirts for the photo's.

Erin used a headband and cut strips of tool in light and hot pink to make the tu tu's

I used my embroidery machine to make the girls shirts.  I also sell these for my business "Ava Tate Creations".

The finished product

After I night preparing for the photo shoot this is what my kitchen counter looked like the rest of the week.  Lots of cold and flu meds.  I ended up with a sinus infection too but we survived.

Erin was able to capture some really fun moments with the girls.  It's amazing how many great pictures she got in such a short amount of time.  You can see some of her other work at shutterglowphoto.com

So sassy!

Friends

 There is nothing better than a visit from friends!  Last week the hubby was gone for work so my friend Erin came down with her daughter Claire for a visit.  Our first full day together we spent the day shopping for some fun things to make for the girls for their photo shoot.  Erin has a photography business so she brought her stuff to do an "Im turning 3" photo shoot for the girls.  Ava turns 3 in March and Claire turns 3 in May.  I made them each an applique shirt with the number 3 on it while Erin made them tu tu's.  They were just too cute for words.  As soon as Erin gets me the photo's I will share but for now here are a few snapshots of their visit here.  I would have gotten more but as they were here Claire got sick and went to the ER for the flu and I was under the weather with a sinus infection.  Things got a little crazy after that but we did manage to have fun despite the illnesses.

Dancing around in their matching dresses we bought them. 

 Poor Claire wasn't feeling well.

 Ava modeling the tutu Erin made and the shirt I made for their photo shoot

 The girls had fun using Erin as their jungle gym!

 Friends!!!