The Mohnackys: Happiest Place on Earth

Mark's been travelling and gone quite a bit the past few months, overall, give or take, let's just say. . .FALL, and while mostly gone for work before you start feeling too sorry for him there was quite a few bachelor parties, weddings and general shenanigans to keep him upbeat. While Dubbie and I had been braving the wilds of Carlsbad alone, he came home one day and surprised us with Disneyland tickets for some good old fashioned family time. Mark and I are big Disneyland fans lucky enough to grow up within driving distance and having many, many wonderful memories there (FUN FACT: Did you know my Dad used to work at Disneyland in the summer as one of the Davy Crocket canoe guys? Oh, you didnt? That's probably because no one goes on those canoes. . .) We used to go to Disney during Christmas when we were dating and have been so many times in our life its pretty amazing we waited this long to take her. Since we live in the land of a thousand theme parks, it was inevitable she'd make it to them all pretty quickly (which she has). While she is too young to really remember any of it, that kind of turns out to be the beauty of the whole thing because:

1) We'll remember it, and it was awesome
2) She didn't have an agenda, everything we brought her too was amazing
3) She'll have a blast at her first time all over again some day

I am more than happy to report that she loved EVERYTHING including the rides, the crowds, music, people, characters.. . everything. There were no tears and only minutes of sleep (on the walk back to the hotel for a break). She was well acquainted with the characters beforehand from her Disney coloring books but it wasn't until we showed her Mickey's Christmas Carol weeks after this trip that she said 'Mickey is talking!' in total surprise. Oh sweet goose, if you only knew. . .

If you happen to be around the Goose anytime soon, I assure you she will tell you ALL about it.

First visit!

Minnie's House

Tea party + Minnie = mind blown

Still obsessed with elephants, flying or otherwise

We also got a reverse surprise visit from Nonna who popped up late on Day 2 just in time to walk the next generation down Main Street, see the Goose get her first ears, and join us on our second round of It's a Small World.