Boy, do I feel sheepish.

It's been a while. Too long, in fact. So long that in the time since I last posted on this here blog, I up and started a new one. Why? Well, David and I are a team . . . but it was super tricky for me to write in a space for both of us. So we talked about it, and we agreed that I should go back to writing all by my onesies. Lame? Yeah. But them's the breaks.

I'm posting ridiculous things over at this new little place now. You can join me if you like.

In Other News

• While we were off stuffing our faces with Mickey ice cream bars, Timothy and Rebecca had a baby. Beautiful baby Lydia will forever be connected with the Haunted Mansion for me, since we were in line for said ride when Kari called to tell us the story. Having an unexpected home delivery is slightly more terrifying than hitchhiking ghosts, I grant you.

• Kaile received her endowment in the DC temple, accompanied by her parents, all of her siblings, and one pesky sister-in-law. The weekend was tremendous. I felt a little guilty that I got to listen to all that sparkling Knell conversation whilst the other in laws lovingly held down their own forts at home. The good news is that I'm working on a teleportation device that makes it possible for family to be together all the time no matter how far away they live. The bad news is that my work consists entirely of showing David episodes of Doctor Who. But I shall soldier on.

•  Nelson and Lauren welcomed lovely baby Emily to the world, thereby doubling the amount of my nieces born in 2012 that I won't be able to hold as newborns. So . . . my little brother is now a father. I'm grateful that Lauren is around, otherwise Emily would be nourished solely with mac and cheese, with maybe a roll or two thrown in for good measure. 

• Nearly a year into this whole marriage thing, I have discovered David's idea of heaven: 

High fructose corn syrup + artificial fruit flavoring = David's bliss

That is all.

After All

Every 5 to 8 years or so, I am hit with an insatiable desire to make a pilgrimage to a Disney theme park. Though I am heartless in many respects, I do have a weak chink in my armor through which Disney love streams and streams all the live long day. Why? Brainwashing, probably. I was raised during the resurgent golden era of Disney animation: I flopped about in pools with diving rings around my ankles dreaming I was Ariel, I devoured books and salivated over Belle's library, and I rehearsed ballet in the kitchen with my Mom to the Aladdin soundtrack. My family's favorite home video moment from our childhood comes from our very first Disney World trip, wherein Preston was attacked by the jumping water fountains at Epcot. (He deserved it.)

The love is in my blood.

David had been to Disney World once as a kid, but he was a little too cool for school to really appreciate the experience. The insatiable desire for a Disney journey converged with my need to convert David to the ways of Disney. And so, a grizzled old archivist with obsidian for a heart decided to re-introduce her soulful, dreaming husband to the dreamer's ultimate paradise.

Waiting to enter the Magic Kingdom

We drove from Maryland to Florida on a clear, cold Saturday. From college towns to orange groves, we hopped about Florida for a day or two visiting David's friends and mission president. Finally, we rolled into the Disney compound and checked in to the Pop Century resort. The pictures online made the joint look a little crass and overblown. But then I got to descend from our room to the gratis Disney transportation through a giant Rubik's cube, and my obsidian heart was softened.

Pac man also races around the railings in pursuit of those yellow dots.

Through the mind boggling generosity of David's cousin Cassie and her family, as well as some unused tickets from David's parents, we were able to explore all four parks for free. PLUS, they scored us huge discounts on hotels and food. Cassie and her two adorable girls would join us for a few hours at the parks every morning after dropping off Cassie's husband at work. They even let us crash at their house for a few days after our hotel stay concluded. Saintly people, I tell you.

Florida gave us perfect weather, low crowds, amazing food, and a complete escape from our real lives. It was absolutely delightful. Photographic proof:

While discussing our trip with David's parents after we returned, David exclaimed: "I am a total convert. We are a Disney family!"

Mission: accomplished. Thank you to Florida, Walt, and tons of generous people for making it happen.

See you again in 5-8 years, Disney.

All Caps

Well, reader, I find myself approaching the blog in a somewhat subdued--and downright mournful--frame of mind. You see, David and I just returned from a blissful vacation to Disney World. We are currently plunged in the mania of trying to get caught up with our responsibilities, and fulfilling responsibilities just isn't as enjoyable as riding Space Mountain several times in one day. (Yes, I will gush about the trip later. Yes, we are spoiled. And yes, my malaise is definitely a first world problem. But . . . come on! DISNEY WORLD.)

However, I do wish to mention two rays of sunshine:

Ray the First
This week was the 200th anniversary of Charles Dickens' birth. Rejoice, therefore! I most certainly rejoiced when I read this NYTMag article on--wait for it--DICKENS WORLD. A theme park dedicated entirely to Charles Dickens. How did I a.) not know of this before and b.) not do everything in my power to visit during my former wanderings through the United Kingdom? For shame, Wendy. For shame. I deserve a spell in the Marshalsea for my ignorance.*

The actual writing desk of C. Dickens. I managed to pay a visit to the Dickens Museum on my last adventure in London, but now I mourn for what could have been.

Ray the Second
As part of my job, I'm regularly required to teach. This is not my favorite part of my job. But guess what? A participant gave me this ringing endorsement: "I didn’t nod off ONCE." I'm thinking I should put this review at the top of my professional resume. Or make it my personal motto.

Wendy: she probably won't put you to sleep.**

*If you were wondering whether marriage has eliminated my literary nerdlinger tendencies, then rest assured--I've still got it goin' on. 
**I should probably not include this statement on my resume, as it is most certainly a lie. See: above.

Carry on.





p.s. DISNEY WORLD.

Like sands through the hourglass.

Leaving the blog alone for a month was a very, very bad idea. You see, November and December were big months. Big months that I did not document with a camera, nor with the blog, nor with much of anything. Failure.

First, Thanksgiving happened. This crew--featuring special guests P, N, L, & ?--partied, and we partied hard.

Apologies to Brooke for stealing photos. It will . . . probably happen again.

How hard? Well, we obliterated a bunch of eight-year-old in some intense rounds of laser tag. That's how hard. We managed to throw together a truly scrumptious Thanksgiving feast; P-dids even got to decimate an incredibly large turkey leg, which was indeed memorable to behold. Other activities included way too many board games, consuming copious amounts of food, adventures in DC, and lots of talking about our feelings. (That part is my favorite.)

 Then, Papa Bear came for a visit. And the peasants rejoiced!

Kool and the Gang

Papanwa treated us to a feast at Bilbo Baggins, which is a delicious haven we discovered many moons ago. We also got to see the crazy fantastic National Botanic Gardens holiday exhibit. The exhibit was great, but Ben's wild enthusiasm for said exhibit was far greater.

Liam's enthusiasm was less than wild--he was a bit under the weather.

And then, we celebrated David's birthday! We enjoyed a delicious sushi lunch and a movie with David's parents to celebrate, followed by our ward Christmas party. My birthday gift to David was not making the entire ward sing the birthday song to him. Touching, right? Here is the picture I didn't take of the illustrious birthday celebrations:

 David's even cuter in person. 

And how awesome are Scott and Kari? Beyond awesome.

The Christmas season then ramped up to full swing. We opted to stay in MD for a quiet, peaceful holiday season. And boy, what a splendid season it was. We had lots of awesome playtime with David's parents and his two visiting siblings, C and K. We also reunited with local and far away friends. We were well and truly spoiled, and I am still recovering from the amazing food we ate. We saw lots of great movies, played games, and talked about our feelings. (Again! YES!) And of course, a major highlight: a mass video chat with Elder Little Baby Jordan.

Huzzah for LBJ!

2011 was an incredible year, and I am thankful that we got to fill it to the brim with so much family time.

Here's to a wonderful 2012.

Take that, fake Mayan prophecies.