his first time (at the happiest place on earth)

We've been talking about the day we get to bring our kids to Disneyland since we knew we were pregnant. Finally after 22 months of waiting it was finally time. Our pace was different than we typically prefer but let me tell you toddlers at Disneyland sure can be...difficult (especially our particular boy). Needless to say the magic of that place infinitely made up for the moments of "why did we think this would be a good idea?" Hearing him squeal when he saw the dogs on Pirates, or singing "la la la la la la, la la la la la" on the Haunted Mansion.

The HIGHlights

Trail of hidden mickeys| Free checked bags | A's second time on a plane | Making a pit stop for our niece on the shuttle ride to the hotel | Grocery shopping with sisters and parents at 11pm | Katrina forgoing the 10 cents per bag | Pirates closing down at the very beginning forcing A's first ride to be Haunted Mansion | "I wanna run" | Treaties!| Matterhorn macaroons, pumpkin spiced churro, Thai coconut curry, lemon rose cake, dreamsicle beignets, flourless chocolate cake, poutine, and Wetzels Pretzels | Matterhorn twice at night | Atti eating a glowstick | Parents dressing up | Merlin on Dumbo | Experiencing Guardians for the first time | Atti being scared by Sabor | Naps in the stroller | Hug from Snow White | Trick or treating in September | Naps for all at the aiport | $13 in quarters 

Running around with my boys Merlin and Wart while being dressed as Mad Madame Mim. The best moment was when we were by King Arthur's Carousel when we heard someone yell at Atticus running to the sword, "Look it's Wart! That's his carousel!"  The Halloween party is SO. MUCH. FUN. I mean who wouldn't love endless candy stops, Disney costumes, minimal crowds, the headless horseman, Cadaver Dans, and amazing fireworks. Until next time...

Silhouettes and Beignets

Sometimes you just need a vacation. So we took one.

DIS-NEY-LAND!

Are you even surprised? Really though, it had been far too long since we had visited so off to California we flew (thank you free flight credit).

Right after we took pictures in the tea cup, a little family had me take pictures of them. Out of nowhere Alice popped in the picture too. We were so close!

Many people seem to prefer the Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion... in my opinion you can't go wrong with the classic.

So sad to not visit my "home" location at the Hungry Bear. I crave the green tomato sandwich almost daily.

Taking a break to cool off and eat lunch in The Golden Horseshoe is always nice. 

Just not the same without Billy Hill and the Hillbillies.

Hungry Bear...why are you closed?

Man the traffic in SoCal is bad...

This trip I made reservations at the Blue Bayou. Tanner had been hearing me talk about the gumbo for years, it was fine time he tried it himself. And of course we shared the monte cristo.

One of the hidden treasures of Disneyland, is the Silhouette Studio. A cast member, Bonnie, has been cutting silhouettes for over 30 years. She is good, probably did the both of us in under a minute.

So what do you think?

Oh hey there Captain...

My intention was to get a picture of the actual Dole Whip...clearly I wasn't fast enough.

My mom & dad's first date was to see Lady and the Tramp...34 years ago.

Let me fill you in on the next two pictures. Last visit, we both played the horse race on the pier. On my first try, I won the Bullseye. Well Tanner took a turn thinking he should be able to win on his first try as well. No luck. 

So he tried again. 

And again. 

And again. 

He was (a little) grumpy the rest of our trip.

This time around he was more motivated then ever. Below my friends he did it, on his first try.

This is what victory looks like.

Thunder Mountain...the wildest ride in the wilderness!

We ate our weight in beignets (or as my Dad likes to call them, bennies)!

Any Dland fans out there? What is this next picture of?

Your trip isn't complete until you enjoy some ice cream from Gibson Girl while listening to either the Dapper Dans or the parade.

It's a Disney miracle. The castle was closed (all covered up and such) until our last day. Hooray!

All in all, a pretty fantastic vacation.

I'm already counting down the days till we can come back.

p.s. Thanks for letting us share this trip with you Mom & Dad!

living the disney dream

Disneyland will always have a special place in my heart.

2 years old and I had my first visit to this magical place.

From that point on, you could say I was addicted.

Not only have I been able to visit here often, but I was able to LIVE at Disneyland! 

(okay so maybe I didn't actually live there but some days it sure felt like it)

For almost half a year I lived, breathed, ate, and dreamed Disneyland.

  The 2011 group of Disney College Program interns. Can you find me?

 Lived with 4 awesome girls! We took advantage of our passes daily.

In that short span of my internship, 34 of my family members were able to visit me. Okay so most of them probably weren't there just because of me but lets be honest I'd visit whoever if they worked at Disneyland.

Riding Indiana Jones with my 70 year old grandparents will be a memory I can never forget.

Since working there I have been able to visit many more times including a day of our honeymoon.

I love that place.

 Enjoy.

Oh HB, what good memories I have there. Even with my pioneer-esque culottes and apron.

 Who wouldn't want to eat at Carnation Cafe with this guy?

People often ask if the magic ever left because of working there.

My answer to them...

Absolutely not! If anything it has only increased the magic for me.

Happy 59 years to this place 

full of magic, dreams, and happiness.

Disneyland isn't just a vacation anymore. It's home.

p.s. watch this amazing video...do it. now.

Disneyland Tilt Shift Video