Since Philadisney had just finished her report, I'm allowing myself to add one on to replace it, so I'm coming in on yours. Honestly, a person could spend hours and hours reading these, so I have to limit myself. I stay with a few longtime friends, then pick up chiming in on a new report or two, and I check in periodically on others without responding (like I've done with yours), and then when someone finishes theirs, I 'commit' to a new one. Did you get all that? Just my ramblings to explain that I have been checking in on your story periodically, but now I'm ready to add it to my regulars list.
I think you're up here north of Nashville, probably fairly close to us, from things I can remember reading.
I loved your gingerbread houses and especially appreciated the fast that you added a Hidden Mickey, because I absolutely would have done the same! Brooklynn was too small for the houses this year, but by next year, she should be able to do something that resembles a house. I debated about getting her one, but decided at age two, putting sprinkles on cookies and cakes was good enough for now. It would be fun to make the houses an annual tradition and take pictures of them, then look back in the years ahead at the progress she makes from year to year in her construction and artistic abilities.
You sure have lots of good Disney things for your kids - lots of trinkets and clothes and goodies! I hope this will be the trip of a lifetime for you - that it will be everything you want it to and more, and that you will come back ready to plan the next trip and the next one and the next one. I love taking my family there - whatever members can go on whichever trips, we always have fun. I love seeing them having fun, getting away from work and school and bills and stress and just having fun! If I had the money to do it, I'd fly everyone down for one weekend every month just for a little Disney R&R. I bet it would make the whole rest of the month better for everyone!
Anyway, enjoy the rest of this planning. The next few weeks will fly by, and you will be there, immersed in the magic - the sights, the sounds, the smells, that awesome feeling that words just don't do justice to! I'll look forward to seeing many pictures upon your return to enjoy and get me ready for my March trip.