Trying out for the blogging team

Hello!
I've been saying for quite a while now that I wanted to blog again. Now that our big trip to Alaska is over, I was unsure what else I wanted to write about. But after becoming immersed in the world of Twitter, and reading other's blog posts, I decided that a blog didn't have to focus on my family. So I'm going to try going in an new direction, by making comments on things happening out in the big world while still being isolated on a small island that is only accessible by boat or plane.  I will admit, I might still mention my kiddos from time to time, because I am a stay at home mom. But I don't consider myself a "pixie-duster" who thinks Disney can do no wrong. I like to look at things with a clear eye, compliment when deserved, and suggest change when warranted. I want my kids to grow up knowing who Oswald, Rolly Crump, and the Sherman Brothers are.  In short, a place to write down my thoughts and see if others feel the same.
My current big project is our upcoming trip to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure! It has been quite an ordeal getting it all planned. Not only is it logistically difficult to get off of Kodiak, but this is the first time I've ever taken my kiddos to DLR (Disneyland Resort). I've managed to get a hotel right across the street from the entrance, and a 2 bedroom at that. This means at night the kids can crash in their own room while the hubby and I can stay up and chat if we want to. I have a feeling we're going to be as tired as the kids though! Our last time in DLR was in January 2006. We had only been married for 5 months, and were going from Miami FL to Australia for our delayed honeymoon. I had insisted to stay in LA for an extra day so we could spend a day at Disneyland before continuing on to New Zealand/Australia for 2 weeks.  I had a feeling it would be a long time before we were able to come back. We did everything I loved there: Ate at Blue Bayou, saw the Haunted Mansion, enjoyed Fantasmic with desserts on the balcony above Pirates of the Caribbean, and shared a kiss under Walt's apartment by the Fire Station.  Now it's 7 1/2 years later, and everything is completely different.

Dinner at Blue Bayou 1/06

We'll be going to DLR with our 5 year old twins, a boy and a girl. This won't be their first Disney Park experience, however. When we were stationed in Florida, we went to WDW all the time, but when the kids were born in 2007, we didn't get back to WDW until 2011.  We brought the kids, who had just turned 4.  Although it was fun, it was also exhausting. We used a stroller, and took lots of breaks to minimize any possible meltdowns- which worked great! We also stuck to the very easy rides. This time, there will be no strollers, a lot of walking, and hopefully some braver kids who can try out some of the more "intense" rides, like Matterhorn or Splash Mountain.  We shall see.  I'm very excited to see all the changes in DCA as well. Everything I've seen and heard about Cars Land makes me feel like a kid again! I'll be excited to share with everyone how it all comes out. For now, we continue to keep the Disney portion of the kids a surprise.  Hopefully I can hold out on keeping my lip zipped until we leave!
Tang'rciqamken camiku (Alutiiq for "See you Next Time")
Keri