Ruby's 6th Birthday "Party"

 This year we decided to keep the party simple and just have our best buds, Vivian and Bauer over for a fun evening.

 She opened her gifts and then we went to see Cars 2 and have dinner ar Sekisui.

 And then back home for gluten-free Rapunzel birthday cake and a game of Candy Land.

 The next morning we hit the pool. It was simple yet intimate and memorable. Sometimes those kind of parties are the best!!

A few noteworthy pics

 Here are some summer memories worth sharing but not worthy of their own post. Check out the bees behind them.

 We visited one of our fave Memphis stops with YaYa, the Children's Museum. Oooh Trippy, you so scary!!

 We've enjoyed taking trips to the nearby creek to hunt cool rocks and tadpoles. In fact yesterday we invested in a critter box for $5 from Wal-Mart so we can now bring our creek friends home for a couple of days and share them with our classmates. Today baby snales and minnows are visiting their classes!

 And when we were desperate for summer entertainment, they painted the rocks.

 The kids, Trip especially, are really into board games right now and one of our faves is Candy Land, Give Kids the World Village edition. The board is designed just like the Village so we can revisit our fun memories there!

Congrats Grad!

 And so we commence the blog catch-up game once again..... Here's Ruby graduating from Little Life Academy 4K at New Life Church in May 2011.

 We love and miss Ms. Alana and all our LLA friends!!

Give Kids the World Village

 The most unique part of our trip was getting to stay at Give Kids the World Village. It's a magical, special place for families all over the world that come to Orlando on grants from Make-a-Wish and numerous other organizations.

 During check-in they both quickly found fun things to do.

 This was our villa. We were in the new area that has a Bavarian flare. So cute!

 Characters came to GKTW in the mornings so we didn't have to fight the crowds as much in the parks.

 Pluto then and now.

 Goofy then and now.

 Trip signed his star that was put on the ceiling of the Star Tower at GKTW. Every Wish Child that has ever stayed there has a star on the ceiling.

 We tried to get back in time each night to make it to the Ice Cream Palace. Free all you can eat ice cream all day! That could get dangerous!

 Miss Mary is Mayor Clayton's wife and they are the mascots of GKTW.

 GKTW has a Christmas party each week complete with a visit from Santa, toys, and even snow!

 The Chipmunks!!

 And just to seal the deal on the magic of this place, a free carousel!

 A visit to Disney wouldn't be complete without meeting Mickey and Minnie.

 The kids enjoyed the Candyland themed playground right across the street from our villa. So cute! It was designed exactly like the board game with colored squares for the sidewalks. Precious!

 Trippy picked out a few souvenirs!

 And the coolest memory of GKTW was getting tucked in one night by Mayor Clayton himself! WE videoed this and it is soooo funny! They ATE that up!

Farewell Give Kids the World and Disney! You gave us a memory to last a lifetime! We hope to visit again someday!