Magic Kingdom

We only spent a day at the Magic Kingdom, but we made sure to hit all the highlights.  We got there early in the morning before there were any lines, so we managed to hit the Big Thunder Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Flying Carpets, the Track, Space Mountain, and the Toy Story ride before lunch!

And what a lunch it was.  Fantasyland has been revamped, so we got to eat at the brand new Belle's castle.  It was amazing.  Logan found a lion gargoyle.

And McKay found some armor.  The food was amazing, and was the same price as a hamburger.  The boys surprised me and both ordered ahi tuna.  Delicious.  And super cool.  We also tried the new Little Mermaid ride, but it was too princessy for the boys.  They liked the carousel, the Flying Dumbo, and Splash Mountain. 

I enjoyed Mickey's Philharmonic, the President's hall and the train because I got to sit down!  McKay took a little nap in the hall of president's, which was a good little break for him.  The kiddos loved getting snacks and watching all the characters walk by.  But not too closely.

We were so, so sad to leave Florida, but excited to go to Colorado for Loren's graduation.

Epcot Part 2

Julie loves Epcot, see how saucy she is? We did some girly stuff while the boys went on the fast spinny rides.  Then we joined up and went to Captain E.O. I know. Loren insisted.

McKay thought he would grab some shade with me in China.

The boys grabbed some soda from around the world and traveled in style.

In France I got to meet Belle, my favorite Princess.  We also managed to stop and eat some eclairs and pastry.  I love, love, love the meal plan.  

McKay had a very intense conversation with Belle, but is still unconvinced on the awesomeness of Princesses.

Then we ran to the Magic Kingdom for a little dinner.

And managed to run into this guy!  The boys warmed up to Mickey faster than Chip and Dale.  Good looking group!

Animal Kingdom

My Mom's favorite park is the Animal Kingdom.  It is the smallest park, but we still managed to find some fun.  We went to the Lion King show, which has amazing costumes and puppetry.

Logan loves lions and was excited to be chosen to go up and make music and parade around.  McKay was surprisingly too shy to go up with him.

We went on a safari and saw quite a few new animals. The boys were interested in the big cats.  The giraffes got really close to the jeep, you could have touched them if you wanted to.

We also went to DinoLand and played a few games.  The boys won a saber tooth tiger and a shark so they were happy.

This was technically in Epcot, but it goes with the animal theme.  The boys are not real sure about Chip and Dale.  They had a great time swapping pins from their lanyards, and Animal Kingdom was relaxed enough that they could leisurely pursue the pins and collect their favorites. 

Epcot Part 1

After a brief stop at the hotel to enjoy light sabers we headed to Epcot for dinner and fireworks.

The boys enjoyed proving their manliness in Japan.

While Loren and I enjoyed the romantic fountains in Italy.

And McKay enjoyed dancing in Africa...

... and discovering the multitude of baby bears in China.  We were pretty beat after waiting until 10 to see all the fireworks, but had plans to spend a whole day at Epcot later. 

Fighting Vader

I know I already posted videos of the boy's epic fight with Vader, but a few of these were just too cute not to post.  Like Logan looking so cute as a Padawan.

And ferocious as well.

McKay is ready to go!

After their epic battle (see video) they each got their graduation certificates.

They were so proud!

Hollywood Studios

We went on an amazing family vacation this year, and joined Julie in DisneyWorld!  We kept it from the kids for a long time, and then told them with a scavenger hunt.  They were excited just to get on the airplane, so their mind was blown.

We started out our adventure at Hollywood Studios.  It is not my favorite park, but it had the Star Wars area, so of course we had to go.  I posted videos of the Vader fighting earlier, but here are a few pictures from our visit.  First, we found a little racer.  Watch out, Logan is driving!

And what kind of visit would be complete without a trip to see Lightning McQueen? The boys were excited to see him real-sized, although he didn't talk.

McKay loved having Julie around because she was always willing to pick him up.  Mommy and Daddy were more likely to nudge the stroller.  Doesn't she look cute with her ears?

He weaseled his way into her arms again!  McKay is not real sure of how to salute, but still liked meeting an army man.

The boys each got to pick out one present from Julie and one from Mom and Dad.  Somehow they found the perfect thing.  They found a store at H.S. where you could make your own light saber!  And they glow up and make noise!  They are still thrilled with the light sabers, they are playing with them right now.  Logan and McKay got them out every night.

It really is the happiest place on Earth!

We were there on Mother's Day so I got a carnation from the workers and some cuddles from Loren.

Karate Master

McKay really wanted to start karate this year.  Because it was the cheapest activity we could find we readily agreed.  It has been hilarious watching him practice.  He loves to do a really loud "kkkkaaaaaiii!" They had a small summer class so he got moved to the green belt class with Logan so he thinks he is pretty hot stuff.  I will post pictures from their belt ceremony later, but here is a little video of his karate studliness.  He thinks he is a ninja. 

Graduation time!

How is it possible that we have a first grader?  Logan did great during his year at Ridgeline Academy.  He finished the kindergarten curriculum early in the year, and was put into his own reading group since he outpaced the rest of the class.  He finished the first grade math section by the end of the year, they were very kind in giving him individualized homework and groups.  He struggled a bit in that he had three different teachers, but loved his first and third teachers.  The mom of the little girl in this picture came up to tell me she knew all about Logan because apparently he was her daughter's boyfriend.  Logan had no idea what she was talking about.

Logan got a cute little medal for graduation. They had a cute little singing program, Logan is the one with the blue argyle shirt in the video below. It was actually a cute, but bittersweet graduation.  One of the little girl's fathers was a cop that was killed in the line of duty three days before graduation.  So three hundred officers showed up to support her.  It was so, so sad.  I cried when the little girl got the standing ovation. The press was out in force, so our family was on the front page of the Arizona Republic webpage for a week.

McKay's graduation was a little more simplistic.  They had a water party! He had a great time time at Anthem preschool, and loved his teacher Ms. Shelley.  We were thinking of holding McKay back because of his small size and late birthday, but they very strongly suggested we put him in because he was too smart to stay home! I'm sure I will cry when I drop him off in August.

Logan Graduated!

Please tell me the volume works!  It is the kids singing "First Grade" to "New York."