Happy New Year!

During our holiday visit to Florida, we surprised the girls with a trip to the Magic Kingdom, where we rung in the New Year.  The park was packed, but we had a wonderful time despite the crowds and a brief mid-day rain shower.  We saw a show featuring Mickey & friends and the princesses, rode our favorite rides, had some one on one time with Mickey himself, and watched the castle light up and the Electrical Parade before crashing at our hotel.  

(Yes, I ordered us all matching t-shirts.  They were part of how we revealed our surprise the night before, and we looked awesome!)

As we walked into the park, Sara could just say, "Wow..." and the entire day seemed to echo that sentiment.  When it was all said and done, Sara said she couldn't pick the best part because it was all so great.  The magic really is contagious.

Emma loved all the rides, and cried at the end of every single one because she didn't want them to end.  She also enjoyed waiving to all of the characters in the parade.  After being scared of Santa, I wasn't sure how she'd react to Mickey, but she was so happy to see him and was quick to offer up a high-five.     

 We took a selfie while waiting in line for "Small World" ... always worth the wait!  During the ride, Emma loved looking at all the colorful characters, and Sara wanted to know which country they were all from.

 Our planning was a little on the last-minute side by Disney standards, but it worked well for us to get up early, drive to Orlando, and spend the day and night there.  It was a whirlwind to be sure, but a special and very memorable one.  Sara is already planning our next trip.

When we got back to the hotel, we ordered some food, watched the festivities in NYC, and reminisced about our great day.  Someone wondered how far we had walked, and we were all surprised when Steve's phone confirmed that it had been 9.1 miles ... and Sara walked all of it!    

Tired girls after a very exciting day ... Emma got a second wind, but Sara passed out after about two bites of pizza, and didn't stir as we all celebrated the new year around her!

Hope yours was a magical one, too.  Happy New Year!