Kate's 5th Birthday Party!

Yesterday we celebrated Kate's 5th birthday at Happy Trails Ranch!  Over the past year or so Kate has really taken an interest in horses and has been asking to have "horse birthday".  I tried for a week to get in touch with Happy Trails since I had heard great things about their birthday parties.  After playing phone tag with the owner and changing my original party date plans (which meant daddy cancelled a fishing trip), we settled on September 13th!  Whew! Kate helped me pick out the decorations, invitation and decided on her guest list.  Thankfully we had a great turnout for her party! I love being able to go somewhere, have the party, and go home.  

The invitation:

Friday night, Mason was invited to spend the night at Gigi and Granddaddy's with Camden while Kate and I were busy getting ready for her party. After a trip to Target, we went by Royal Nail Spa where Kate had her first mani & pedi!

 Pink and purple nails!

Saturday morning we were up early and arrived at Happy Trails around 9:30 to set up before her party.

 A few shots of our little cowgirl:

Before the party guests arrived, one of the horses popped his head out to say hi. 

 Once all the party guests arrived, we went into the barn to feed the horses.  The ladies gave each kid a "hay bouquet" and told them to go up to a horse that had its head stuck out of the stall and let them eat the top of the hay.  It was so much fun watching the kids get braver and braver with each bouquet that was eaten.

 Audrey

 Izzy

 Uncle Jordan and Camden

 Quinn

 Sterling

 Maddox

 Kate and Kaylin

 After the horses were full, the kids went outside to watch "Hank the Tank", a poodle, do a couple tricks.  All the kids sat in the tractor trailer while they watched the show (very smart idea).

Loving the tractor seat.

 Hank and Ms. Nikki (the owner of Happy Trails Ranch)

 After the show, it was time for the hayride around the property.  This worked out great because it gave me time to put the snacks out and enjoy chatting with the other parents for a few minutes.  Daddy, Uncle Jordan and Mr. Wilson (Sterling's dad) all volunteered to go with the kids on the hayride.

 Off they go!

When the hayride was over, the part that Kate had been waiting for had finally arrived - riding the horses!  She has really taken an interest in horses lately and loves to ride one any chance she gets (which isn't often).

 The birthday girl got the first ride.  

There were two horses and each child got a total of two rides, one on each horse. I tried my best to snap a picture of each kid riding.  

 Izzy

 Audrey

 Quinn

  Kaylin

 Peyton

 Noelle

 Crew

 Sterling

 Nolan

 Maddox

Kate

 The cookie cake (yummy)!

 Before everyone left, Kate opened her presents.  Thank you Mrs. Tracy for snapping these!

I took a picture of some of the birthday cards her friends made her - I love homemade cards!

 From Quinn

 From Audrey

 From Izzy

 From Maddox

Presents from her sweet friends.  Kate is one lucky girl!

Before the party was over, I attempted a group shot. 

I'm so glad I did because I wouldn't have captured this funny moment: 

 Every time I see this it makes me laugh. Izzy and Crew had intentionally made themselves shorter by leaning up against the barn - fearing that would happen to them. Poor Peyton!

We are so grateful to each one of Kate's friends that came and celebrated with us!  It was a hot day but we still had a lot of fun!

 

Happy 5th Birthday Kate!  We love you so much!

The celebration continues on Wednesday...