There is nothing more magical then HOLIDAYS time at DISNEYLAND. We have made a family tradition of visiting Disneyland every year during CHRISTMAS. My sisters & I bring our families together and celebrate at the Resort. We can't wait to see how they have decorated the place, the new things they've added. There are always some favorites that stay the same, like how the Haunted Mansion becomes Haunted Mansion Holiday with Jack Skellington. But they also change things up a bit, like how Sleeping Beauty's Castle is decorated. And the best part is the Believe in Holiday Magic Fireworks Show that ends with an emotional rendition of the song of White Christmas and "Snow" Falling all down Main Street.
They really have so much to offer this time of year that it's hard to do and see it all in one day. There is also plenty of festive things going on over at CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE, not to be missed. You should set aside a few hours, or another day (if possible) to see that. If you plan on attending Disneyland over this Holiday Season, here are some highlights that you won't want to miss:
IT'S A SMALL WORLD HOLIDAY
A CHRISTMAS FANTASY PARADE
SANTA'S REINDEER ROUND-UP
THE GRAND CALIFORNIAN, A DISNEY RESORT
You can see the Resort, transformed into the Winter Wonderland now until January 2nd, 2011. I'm sure we'll be there again once more before it's over, I'm addicted.... See you at the Park!
We'll be sure to add these festive photos of our family memories to the new campaign of LET THE MEMORIES BEGIN Have you added yours yet?
Wishing you and your family Peace, Joy &
Disney Holiday Magic that lasts the entire year!
(*I was not paid or compensated for this post. I was given tickets to the park to experience the Holiday Magic. This post represents my own views. Ho Ho Ho!)
The Disney Holiday Blogger tour recently rolled into LA, and you know I was super excited to see this year's Holiday Gift Ideas from Disney. From DVDs to Video Games, they've even got a whole bunch of fun stuff to do with your family online.
I'm sure you are wondering how I made these awesome videos below, I shot them with my new FLIP HD VIDEO CAMERA which I absolutely LOVE! (I edited them in iMovie on my Mac.) If you don't have one of your own yet, I suggest you go out and get one. Along with my DSLR, this video camera goes everywhere with me. And it's so small, like my iPhone, I keep it in my back pocket. As a blogger, it is so helpful to make great HD quality videos about the events or products I am learning about. Vlogging is the wave of the future & with the MinoHD I am right there. But even more importantly, as a parent a video camera might be even more valuable than a camera. Still shots are good, don't get me wrong, but when you hear your babies voice on film, or see their personality on the screen, it's really amazing. (*Thanks Cisco for providing me with my Flip. You have made my Christmas complete.)
HappyHo-Ho-Holidays!!!!!
The season of giving is here, but don't fear Disney is here to help make this season bright!
This year's Holiday lineup has so many things for all of the people on your list!
(why yes, that is a toy story napkin under my champagne glass, thanks for asking - ha!)
One of the most anticipated games of this year: EPIC MICKEY (and one that is on my husband & my list.) Disney's Epic Mickey is an action-adventure game for the Wii, "that sends Mickey Mouse on an epic journey of creativity and discovery. As Mickey, the player is propelled into Wasteland, an alternative world made up of Disney's forgotten creative efforts, and is given the power to wield paint and paint thinner to dynamically change the world while determining Mickey's path to become an epic hero."
But let's not forget some of the other "most wanted" Video Games, there are plenty... Disney Interactive has so many new things to share this year. I know I was excited to learn about all of the newest released games, for all different ages and interests, from teens to tots. Future Pop Stars to Cars fans... They got you covered Parents!
TANGLED, It's all about the hair!
DISNEY CHANNEL: ALL STAR PARTY
CARS: MATER'S TALL TALES
SING IT: Party Hits with some of todays hottest songs sung, by the artists & your kids!
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care... Filled with Disney Home Movies:
The toys are back in town, TOY STORY 3
A tale as old as time, BEAUTY and the BEAST
The Search for SANTA PAWS
FANTASIA and FANTASIA 2000
Disney's A CHRISTMAS CAROL
THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE
Make any night a family movie night with these classic Disney movies! I know most of these are on my daughter's Christmas List this year! (and mine too) And the star of the night, actually wasn't Santa Claus, it was this little guy. We actually got to meet (& take a photo with) one of the SANTA PAWS puppies! It was SOOOO Cute! I wanted to take him home in my gift bag!
If what you want is ideas of things to do with your kids while they are out on Winter Break, Disney has that too! DISNEY FAMILY.COM and DISNEY FAMILY FUN.COM have all of the craft ideas. Learn how to make christmas ornaments, winter wreaths, homemade holiday gifts & wrapping paper. And for you Disney Lovers find out how to make a Woody Stocking, Mickey Mouse snowmen cards, or Ariel Starfish Santas. (just look at some of the cute things waiting to be made by your little ones this Christmas Vacation.)
They also have a whole lot of Prep & Landing crafts and recipes. The fun loving elves are BACK to help Santa with Christmas. You can catch Wayne and Lanny on TV Friday, December 24th 8/7c on ABC. We'll be watching! (post coming soon)
A very special Thank You goes out to Dana & Kirsten who worked very hard to bring us mom bloggers an amazing event, that was so fun & festive! Happy Holidays to you both, hope to see you soon!
(*Disclaimer - I was not paid or compensated for this post. The views expressed are my very own.*)
I took this photo of my friend's dog. His name is WALTER.
Every time he arrives at the vet's office, they give him a cookie. So that's exactly what he was doing here, politely waiting for the lady at the front desk to give him a treat. What a smart boy!
This week's challenge at I HEART FACES is Pet Faces.
Remember when I said I was doing Big Thangs this December? Well one of those things is taking a Big Picture Scrap Booking Class. It's called Picture The Holidays and it is taught by my sister Tracey Clark. For those of you who don't know what that is, or aren't participating... She sends an email with a photo, a title, and a prompt every day for the entire month of December. Then you take a photo that expresses to you the meaning. Or as she much more eloquently puts it, "Picture the Holidays is a photo centric daily guide to creatively and mindfully celebrating the season."
Precious Time
(December 1: Holding Onto Gratitude)
I am grateful for time. Time in this wonderful world to spend with my family. Time to figure out my path, find my way. Time to learn that I Am Enough. Time to fulfill my dreams. Time to get it right.
I have committed to 2 new projects on the web this month.
One with my photos, Picture The Holidays by Tracey Clark. (more about that later)
One with my words, Reverb10.
A little ambitious for the month with the biggest holiday of the year. Yes I agree, but when opportunities present (pun intended) themselves, especially ones that inspire creativity, we should atleast try.
Wish me luck and here we go!
Here's the info about #REVERB10 directly from the website:
"Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead. With Reverb 10, we'll do both. This December we invite you to share your story and join us in reflection. Get the prompt, then Create a response to the prompt. In a post on your blog, through a tweet, with photography, or however else you desire."
2010: LOSS
The bad loss: Before you feel too bad for me, I didn't lose a loved one. Not a parent, child, sibling, or close friend. But what I lost this year was still very meaningful to myself and my family. And quite frankly it still hurt a bunch. It was our very first home, that my husband and I purchased a few years ago. It was a nice, new beautiful 3 bedroom condo. We moved into it right before I had my daughter, it's the only place that she has ever known. Well, the economy really hit us hard, like so many Americans the past few years. My husband hasn't had a job in 2 years, and my income decreased as well. And so our property was foreclosed on in March. I haven't written about it, because I'm still pretty upset about the whole thing. Upset, embarrassed, ashamed even. It's a difficult situation that so many people that I've talked to are facing. I know that when one door closes, another one opens... But I had a very hard time watching that door of our lovely condo close.
The good loss: (because losing isn't always a negative) I started on Weight Watchers on my birthday this year (in April) and I have since lost 30 pounds. It's been such a positive experience. The number one reason I wanted to lose weight was for my daughter. (I know we are supposed to do things for ourselves, but I say whatever the reason, so be it.) I was tired of not being in photos with her, because I didn't like the way I looked. Well now, I'm in a lot more photos and I will be for the rest of her life!
2011: GAIN
I would like for 2011 for myself, and my husband To GAIN financial stability. I'd like for us to gain our hope back, as it seems we have misplaced it being in this temporary setback for a lot longer then we had expected. I know they say that happiness is a state of mind, but it's hard to smile when you are drowning in bills.
*Side Note: I told my husband what today's prompt was, and asked him what One Word he'd use to describe 2010, and he said "SUCK" I thought it was kind of funny. Sad, but funny. Well atleast it made me laugh.
