Octobetter/Octobummer

I got this question a lot this month "So, has October been any better?"

Depending on the day, I'd tell you yeah, definitely, it's Octobetter. And then there were a few that made me think it was Octobummer. This entire year has been a rollercoaster ride of high highs and low lows, and month ten was no different.

But let's just focus on the good, shall we?

Visit from Dad and Anne with a Fall Drive:

Phantogram/Future Islands:

Disneyland and an entire weekend of California sunshine with Lisa:

Halloween 2013:

So those are the wins. The rest can just suck it.

A Tradition of Happiness

If there is one thing us Knochs are known for, it's our dedication to annual traditions. At my grandparents house, we weren't allowed to touch the presents until after dinner (they called it tradition, the cousins and I called it torture). Every Thanksgiving at Pep's, the turkey I made in second grade is propped in the middle of the table. And every year for the past 21 years, between Halloween and Christmas, we go to Disneyland. 

So that's what we did this past Friday. I know what you're thinking, 'September 28 is not between Halloween and Christmas, Kate. Don't try to pull a fast one on us!' but what I mean is Disneyland's Halloween and Christmas season, which begins on September 19 and runs all the way through New Years.

This year was extra special though and not just because our annual tradition finally turned old enough to drink but because my Aunt Karen was kind enough to share her Disney Travel perks with us by gifting us some nights at the Grand Californian. Now being from Vegas, I've seen my fair share of the insides of hotels but let me tell you - this place fell in the top three. The architecture was absolutely stunning. Apparently I'm a big fan of the 'Craftsman' era - and thanks to the company of Pep, an avid HGTV watcher and Lisa, an interior design student, I had lots of detail pointed out that I would have never noticed. I felt like a queen (or in this case, a Disney princess).

Another perk of staying 'on property'? Early access to the park. That's right folks, by 8 a.m. we were in and on our way to Cars Land (the newest addition to California Adventure) and by noon, had knocked out more than half our rides for the day. Sadly, Indian Jones was closed but Cars' Radiator Springs Racer, Soarin' over California, Pirates and Space Mountain made up for it.

We packed the day full, making sure to keep the traditions alive within the tradition with a beer at lunch, an ice cream cone in the afternoon and of course, a reading from Esmerelda (post to come). We always wrap with a wine-filled dinner at Naples on the patio and topped the the evening of with a viewing of 'The World of Color' where I rediscovered my top three Disney movies (Little Mermaid, Lion King and Beauty and the Beast).

I realize that when I get older, the experience will become less for me and more for my own kids but in the meantime, it's all for us and I couldn't ask for a better tradition. Ears and all.

Shots of Cheese : Thirteen : Ears

Guess where I'm headed....

Tomorrow at this time, I'll be at the Happiest Place on Earth.

And I couldn't be more excited.

Ears
Taken at home
Captured on November 9, 2011

A Day Filled With Magic

I quit my job and went to Disneyland.

More info on the former coming soon but let's get to the happy/latter now - should we?

Lisa, Sam, Pep and myself arrived to the Disneyland gates around 9:30 this past Friday morning. I'd been counting down to this trip since July so my happiness was just bursting at the seams. As Pep pointed out, there was a new Disneyland Director in town and it happened to be yours truly.


I made the executive decision to start by getting Fast Passes at Indiana Jones and then hitting up Peter Pan's Flight before Fantasyland got too busy. I hadn't been on that ride in years as I could actually feel myself aging by just looking at the corkscrew line in years past. As "I'm flying!" played over the speakers, I felt a little like Tinkerbell and knew that the rest of the day would bring just as much joy.



We did a Park Hopper Pass so we spent the day between Disneyland and California Adventure and it went something like this...

Peter Pan's Flight. Matterhorn. Indiana Jones. Pirates of the Caribbean. Big Thunder Mountain. Break for beers at Downtown Disney. Soarin' Over California. Tower of Terror. California Screamin'. Ice Cream. Esmeralda's Prophesies. Wrapped with Captain EO. Really wrapped with vino.

There were a couple of favorites missing from that list (i.e. Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion) but that was due to the INSANE AMOUNT OF CROWDS that came around 6 p.m.

You know what made up for missing some of that action though? Watching a boy propose to his girl at the Happiest Place on Earth.

As we were walking out of Pirates, we passed the caricature area and I noticed that the artist was drawing the couple and out of the boy's mouth on the illustration were the words, "Will you marry me?" with the girl's speech bubble left blank. OMG OMG I turn to Lisa - this boy is about to propose! The artist has up a sign that reads "Shhhhh....please don't spoil the surprise!" So we stand watching, trying to contain our smiles. The father of the groom is there to videotape the entire process. As the artist finishes the photo - she turns it around to show the couple and the boy gets down on one knee. I DIE. The girl dies. Hands over the mouth, tears steaming down the face (all of ours) as she says yes.

So, so magical. Even though I do not know them, I was so happy to be a part of their engagement as the crowd started clapping and father of the groom was there to capture all of us celebrating the moment with them. As we walked passed, I wished them congratulations although I wanted to say more. I wanted to say that they reminded of how blissful true love can be and that I can't wait to be there, basking in its glory, like they were that day - and forever more.

In the meantime, I'll take a day at Disneyland.

The Happiest Place on Earth

On the 5th day of December, 2008, my family made our annual trip to Disneyland. This has been a family tradition with my mom and I since I was 7. You see Pep never got to visit Disneyland until she was 40 so we've been making up for lost time ever since. My darling Lisa G. accompanied us this year as she had in many years past.

I'm not sure if you've ever made it to Disneyland during the holiday season but it truly is even more magical than usual. The Haunted Mansion is transformed into the Nightmare Before Christmas and it even snows on Main Street during the final fireworks show of the evening.

I admit it, my eyes water when they send that single shooting star over Sleeping Beauty's castle...just like in all the movies when I was little.

There is something about Disneyland that makes you believe that it really is the Happiest Place on Earth. Photo coverage below.