Disney ... where MAGIC lives.

As much as I love the holidays, I get a bit stressed with how fast they approach us and then get saddened by how quickly they leave. It just seems like we get so excited for the holiday fun, it gets here, and then it's gone in the blink of an eye.

That is exactly how the whole month of November has felt. Although I guess what they say is true ... "time flies when you're having fun." And the Johnson Family has had tons of fun this past month and makes me super excited about the fun in store for December.

This past week we met Jim's brother, his wife, and their two girls in Orlando for a little Disney action before Thanksgiving. Since it was Abby's first time at Disney World, we were a little skeptic about how she would react, whether or not she would be overwhelmed, and just how much of the whole magical experience she would take in.

We had three days of fun, which I think was just enough for our little girl. Downtown Disney the first day, Magic Kingdom the second, and on the last day we visited several countries at Epcot. My favorite by far was the Magic Kingdom ... a special place that seemed to bring the curiosity out of Abby. She looked at everything around her, went on her first rides, and met the one and only Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Skeptic at first, but by the end she was giving Minnie high fives and pounding it with Mickey.

I love how Disney makes everyone a kid again. It's true ... the magic of the place just gives you that feeling. And maybe it's different seeing it through the eyes of your children ... those smiles and wide eyes make the no nap days that come with meltdowns totally worth it. Afterall, what's better than rides, dinner with Disney characters, and getting hugs from princesses?!?

By the end of the last day, the kids were tired out .... the adults were tired .... and everyone agreed our stay lasted just long enough. Abby had such a fun time with her cousins and it was so special that they got to share Disney together and make these memories for years to come.