Recently Ellen and I took a 1 week trip to Disney World for our first anniversary. First of all, let me say that being married one year has been wonderful, and I couldn't have even imagined how great it would be. I've gotten to get to know Ellen so well, and it makes me love her even more. For instance, I've begun to understand (emphasis on begun) how much she loves Disney. You think I'm kidding or speaking lightly. You couldn't be more wrong.
For the past several months we've been planning this trip. She made us a schedule of which parks we were going to on what days, we planned out exactly how much money we would spend, and we watched the Disney Planning DVD that they sent us at the very least 52 times. She asked me at least every day for over a month what I was most excited about concerning the trip, to which I always gave a different answer. She went back and forth between ecstatic glee over the thought of the trip and deep pessimism that the idea was just too good and something would happen to cancel the trip. Well, the trip wasn't cancelled, and she had equally as a good of a time as she expected. And that is saying something.
The trip really was incredible, and we just got to spend time together in a really fun environment. There were no pressures or work to be done and she'd done a great job of planning and yet we still had flexibility in our schedules. Here are some pictures of us in the parks and some of the crazy stuff we saw.
Magic Kingdom:
Why is Ellen smiling and pointing at this sign? Well, I have no idea why she's smiling (and neither will you after you hear the story), but here's why she's pointing. To make a long story short, it was at this very Disney attraction that when she was 7 years old she vomited from the very top of the Swiss Family Robinson tree house onto whatever and whomever happened to be below. That's why she's pointing, but that's not so much a memory at which I would smile. Chances are the guy pushing the stroller in the back of the picture is telling his baby, "14 years ago somebody threw up on me right over there..."
Ellen sporting some stylish 3-D shades at Mickey's Philharmagic. One of the nights we were there we saw this show with a bunch of young children who FLIPPED OUT at the 3-D. It was awesome. They were screaming and trying to grab the characters flying out at them. One little boy next to me shoved a girl out of the way when she tried to grab Tinkerbell, whom he had already apparently claimed.
Animal Kingdom:
We had just ridden Kali River Rapids and we got soaked. This ride lasts about 10 seconds and really isn't worth getting so wet. Mental note for next time.
They have a sweet safari at the Animal Kingdom. That's a giraffe about 20 feet from us.
This is actually a woman dressed as a tree. I kid you not. Try to find her face. I promise it's there.
One of my favorite rides at all of Disney - Exepedition: Everest.
On our anniversary night we ate at Jiko, the restaurant at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Epcot:
Inside this giant ball is the nerdiest ride of all time: Spaceship Earth. It takes you through the history of communication. I may be a nerd, but it rocks. And Judi Dench is the narrator.
Me in a Disney-created Italy.
Hollywood Studios:
This amazing mullet-like thing was in front of us in line for the 3-D Muppets show, and while the show was hilarious, I'm not sure if it was as funny as standing in line.
So that's our trip. We're ready to buy annual passes to Disneyland once we get to LA, but it won't replace Disneyworld. We're already planning to go back in about 60 years when we have the money.
Happy Anniversary Matt! You are the best husband in the world and I could not have asked for a better first year. 
