Wonderful Day at Warwick Castle

Today we drove two cars full down to Warwick Castle to let my parents experience our most favorite castle in England.

It seems like that after Easter everything wakes up in this country and all the attractions are finally open and loads of things going on. Last year when we brought my brother Casey and cousin Sawyer to Warwick it was really busy but today was crazy. Not crazy like loads of people (which there were) but loads of things going on and types of entertainment. We were greeted at the doors by this jester on stilts...Addison was a little freaked out but intrigued by the very, very tall man.

When we first got into the castle we did a little walk up into the towers and on the ramparts. This is a view down from the tallest tower at the drawbridge of the castle. They have a little thing go on when they call for the Master of the House to open the doors to let in all the dignitaries (the castle visitors). This is also the place where they royal long bow archer is showing off his skills.

Mom and Dad at the top of the tower.

Addison (carefully being held by mummy) is looking over the rail at the house and courtyard.

All of us together on the ramparts between the two big towers.

I love this view!!! One of my most favorite in England. The cute little houses, gardens, the river and tennis courts in the background. Looks like a post card!

Our family at the top of the second tower!

We had a packed lunch out on the hillside as we watched the trebuchet shoot off. We had a little friend stop by to check things out.

They had a really cool Birds of Prey show going on that mesmerized my dad and Kevin.

The kids and I found some swords to play with...someone needs to get Harry sorted on which end to hold. Addison fell in love with the princess tent!!!

We made our way into the Great Hall to check out all the armor and swords on display.

Princess (later Queen) Elizabeth I was there to greet her royal subjects and you had to address her properly in order to get your picture with her.

My mom got her picture with the current Queen Elizabeth II (not really, she's just a wax dummy....the queen that is, not my mom!)

The boys lined up with Henry VIII with all his wives behind him.

Addie and I got to do a little dress in period clothing for the Duchess of Warwick's party.

Each time we've been to Warwick the house's rooms have been moved around a bit and they have a little different twist on Miss Daisy's party night going on. This time they had live actors in the rooms to portray what it would have been like that day. This girl was sitting on the couch in one room and we totally thought she was a wax dummy like the rest until she lifted her head and said hello. She totally freaked me out!

Mom and Addie picked up a little card game.

Addison and I admire the Duchess Daisy as she gets ready for the big party. I guess in real life she was quite the promiscuous lady. A new room that they had for this season was actually a closed up canopy bed with all the curtains drawn and interesting enough noises coming from the bed that make my daughter ask "What are those sounds mommy?"

Outside there was an interesting fellow walking around carrying "rats" (stuffed animals) and Harrison got pretty curious, but didn't want to get too close.

We took Addison through the new Princess Tower which she liked quite a bit. They had a princess who got all the little girls excited about helping pick out a wedding outfit for the princess of the tower. Then she directed us upstairs for the little girls and boys to dress up as princesses or knights. Addison had a hay day with all the things they could put on. They took the kids' pictures and you could order it at the end, but the cash register broke down right as we were going to get Addie's picture so we had to leave with out it. At the very end the kids got to write down a wish that they had and wanted to share with the princess of the tower...Addison "wrote" down that she wished to be able to marry a handsome prince.

The kids got to meet the stars of the Jester show!

Taking a little time out next to the river.

Our last stop of the day was the Peacock Gardens where we saw almost 10 peacocks strutting around. It was a great day and we were glad we got to show mom and dad one of our favorite places during this trip. Wonder what adventures we will head on when they come back again...