Family Vacation: Award Night

Just as we did in 2013, this year we capped off the theme nights with an Award night! Last year each person was assigned another family member to give an award. This year, we decided to give teams awards and had each of the family vote using the always fabulous Survey Monkey. The survey also captured feedback on this year's planning and ideas for next year (Pirates, Slumber Party, NASCAR, and Family Olympics for our awards).

Signs for the door reminding everyone who was on what team

The awards all lined up

Table set-up

Right before we announced the winners, each member of the family was introduced and walked the red carpet to show off their outfits. 

The tennis shoes really makes it

She claimed to be an aging, bitter movie star

What an entrance!

Top hat ftw

Fabulous!

The princess arrives

After the awards were all distributed, the victors sojourned to the porch before dinner for the family shots.

The stunning matriarch

God I love this crew

After a wonderful week it was nice to celebrate and get a little goofy. Ok, we spent the whole week being goofy, but still. Such a good week that it's August and I'm still writing about it. That or I need a life. Probably both. Until next time!

Don't forget to check out Luau night, Western night, Zombie night and Medieval Times!

xo
Alison

Family Vacations: Medieval Times

One day between theme nights, we decided that we wanted to get out for dinner. With a six year old, this often represents a challenge since six year olds don't love sitting at a restaurant chit chatting for hours (a hobby in our family). Solution? Medieval Times!

Kyle and I are huge nerds and we love cheesy dinner theater. Bad food, big productions, watered down mixed drinks. Sign. me. up. 

Most of the family had never been to Medieval Times before including Zoe. It was set, we loaded up the cars, and headed off to cheer for our actor er knight. For the most part everyone got pretty into it. I mean, how can you not? Our gallant knight even threw Zo-zo a flower. Side note: she tends to get pretty distracted while eating but she was so engaged and ate every bit on her plate. Who knew the trick to kids improved appetite was Medieval play fighting?

A fun little interlude to all the themes. There is a similar show that features pirates that we will likely visit next year, in full costume no less.

Up next, Hollywood/Award night!

Don't miss Luau night, Western night, Zombie night and Award Night.

xoxo

Alison

Family Vacation: Zombie Night!

Zombie night was, without a doubt, the most anticipated theme night of the week... for everyone except Zoe. She was a bit tentative about the whole idea.

She ended up getting pretty into it, but decided to pout instead of joining the family picture.

pout pout pout

It would be tough to say which team won for this night, the activity or the food team. Both were incredible! For the activities, we were each given a white t-shirt at the beginning of the week and supplies to 'Zombie-fy' the shirts. Supplies included red spray paint, 'zombie dirt', a lighter and anything else we could get our hands on. I think having a craft to prepare and being able to look forward to the night throughout the day made this theme so much fun. Everyone was able to take their own spin on zombie. Each shirt was different. 

Blue steel zombie?

My brother got a bit too lighter happy and ended up with just shreds of a shirt left. My mom had to win best outfit since she added a zombie hat and went so far as to run her shirt over with the car several times - dedication to the theme!

Rosie had purchased tons of make-up and we helped everyone apply. The effect was terrifying but soooo much fun. Did you know they make scar temporary tattoos? They're awesome.

In addition to the shirt decorating, the beach house was decked out for the theme. 

For activities we had a obstacle course and a Zombie crawl. 

Disney princess zombies are the best zombies

No man left behind

People got pretty into it... We even made a trip to the ice cream store in full costume! No one really knew what to think of us, but we were having a blast and didn't care.

What would you say if you saw these two walking down the street? 

For food, we had human remains. Ok, maybe we made it look like it with other food, but look how awesome it looks!

I mean, how cool! The base is spaghetti in a red sauce, sausages, ribs on top and spinach mixed in. The skull is an old Halloween decoration. Surprising thing? It was delicious! Seriously, awesome. I just love how it turned out.

This was such a fun night. One lesson for next year: have an activity or craft that people can work on during the day or leading up to the night. Everyone had so much fun with it.

Take me back!

Don't miss Luau night, Western night, Medieval Times and Award night.

xo
Alison