(Photo Favorite: Main Street, USA)

The above photo, taken in 2009, is one of my all-time favorites. It's nowhere near perfect and certainly lacks a professional quality, but for me, it's about the feeling that this photo evokes. This is the Fantasyland Woodwind Society, and on this particular morning in the Magic Kingdom they were serenading guests with their saxophones on Main Street, USA. Notice the placement of Mickey Mouse on the back of their overalls - to me it says that you can never be too old to experience the magic. These guys certainly seemed to enjoy entertaining us!

Do you have a favorite photo, old or new? I'd love to see some vintage Disney photos. Send them on!

Happy Memories!

(Photo Op: Muppet-Vision 3-D)

Welcome to Muppet Vision 3-D! Those being my favorite words spoken by Kermit during one of my all-time favorite shows in Walt Disney World. But this isn't about the inside of Muppet-Vision 3-D, it's about the outside. The fountain in front of the beloved show building is a spectacle to behold. Fozzie is filming a scene for the attraction, and Miss Piggy is at the center of it all, naturally. Dressed as Miss Liberty, Her Royal Pigness shoots water out of her crown and spins around, just to be sure that everyone watching gets a good view. Our favorite weirdo Gonzo directs from the left, while Animal causes trouble down below.

Every time I visit the fountain, I could swear that it has moved farther left than the last time I saw it. I am likely losing my mind, but does anyone else feel this way?

Grandma & Grandpa, May 2007

Like the Tree of Life, the Muppet Courtyard Fountain is another of those places where a yearly photo is an absolute must. It may not be a park icon like the aforementioned Tree, but for me it's a standout favorite. Who says what's on the outside doesn't count? While Muppet Vision 3-D is fabulous on the inside, the outside really is the perfect prelude of the fun that is to come.

It's time to play the music, it's time to light the lights...

Happy Muppet-ing!

(Remember the Magic)

I used to be a scrapbook fanatic. Eventually though, I got bored of putting them together, and I also ran out of room to keep the large books on my shelf. That's when I discovered Shutterfly, and the amazing photo books that they have to offer.

What I love about most about the photo books is the fact that it's a single, sturdy piece, unlike a scrapbook where one of the photos can come unglued at any moment, ruining an entire page. I have the freedom to place the pictures anywhere I want on the page, add backgrounds, borders, and even clipart. My favorite book so far is from our family trip to Orlando in 2010. It definitely wasn't an inexpensive book to make, but it was worth it. With an additional 81 pages (after the allotted 101-page base price), and the hard cover option, the book ended up costing $99.98. I definitely feel that I got my money's worth. The book stays on my coffee table so people look at it whenever they come over (I love to share my photos), and it's very high quality. Also, the hard covers have the option to add text on the spine, so the book can be placed on a shelf and be easily accessible.

Also pictured are two smaller books; both weekend trips. One is from Savannah, GA, the other from Washington, DC, which I actually got for free (Shutterfly sends great promo codes from time to time). I still have many books to make - most importantly a special one from our wedding. So if you're anything like me and want to preserve your special memories without the mess of a real scrapbook, give these a try! I really think you will love it. They also make great gifts!

Happy Reminiscing!