Texas Renaissance Festival 2015

We spent the last two weekends camping at the Texas Renaissance Festival.  This our fourth year to go, and we really look forward to it every year. 

 

Here's us the past two years (2012 was our first year and I didn't get any pictures of us, during our 2013 trip I was about 14 weeks pregnant with Matilda, and last year Matilda was about 6 months old):

 

This year, we decided to camp both nights of the weekend to avoid the Saturday traffic.  This was a good idea in theory, but we made the mistake of setting up our campsite in the regular campground (instead of the family side) the first night.  We haven't had trouble the previous years, but this time it was too noisy.  We ended up moving our tents in the middle of the night.  Good thing Jason has gotten so efficient setting up camp!

 

Saturday was pretty rainy, but we were excited to go into the festival nevertheless.  I was especially excited because I got a new outfit this year.  :)  

 

We didn't do too much.  Just walked around a bit and tried to stay dry.  Even though the weather wasn't great, I think it was my favorite day of the festival because almost everyone there was in costumes. 

Also, people loved seeing Matilda dressed up each day of the festival.  They also got a hoot out of the hiking backpack.  It seemed like most people hadn't seen a carrier like that before, which was kind of surprising to us.  We thought it was so much more convenient than a stroller or wagon.

We had German food for lunch (Matilda loved the corn on the cob) and then we headed back to the campground for Matilda's nap.  Matilda didn't make it all the way and fell asleep in the carrier.

 

Jason's brothers met us for a couple of hours after Matilda's nap, but we called it a night pretty early.  We got some sweet potato tots for Matilda to snack on before heading back to the campsite. 

 

The weather was beautiful the next day.  We spent most of our time in the back part of the festival.  First we got some pizza in enjoyed it in the chapel.  Matilda got to play with another little girl for awhile, so she was happy.

Then we headed to watch the elephant and camel rides.

 

And finally we made our way through the Magic Garden.  After the garden, I enjoyed an apple dumpling.  It was delicious.

After that, we headed home.  We got out of there mid-afternoonish and the festival was already packed.

The next weekend was a bit chillier at night, but the days were beautiful.  This time we were smarter and set up camp in the family section.  Jason was pretty upset both weekends because the Masquerade Ball (which was built smack dab in the middle of the family section) played pretty loud music.  I could block it out, but he had issues sleeping through it.

Jason got in a good run Saturday morning, and Matilda and I enjoyed the beautiful sunrise.

After Matilda's first nap, we walked around a bit at the front of the festival, then met Jason's mom, grandma, and uncle who all came in town for the festival.

 

We got some candied almonds while we waited for them, then we all ate Chinese food for lunch.  We only got in a couple of hours before we needed to head back to the campsite for a late nap.  We were hoping Matilda would just crash out in the carrier, but the festival was too crowded and she was too distracted by family for that.

 

Nonna, KayKay, and Boomer stopped by the campsite on their way out to say goodbye.

 

 

Our final day of the festival was short, but nice as well.  I was surprised to find out that my aunt and cousin were at the festival that day, so we watched a jousting show with them and went to see the horses.

 

After that, we met some of our other friends and their two kids for Greek food before heading home.  

 

Overall it was a wonderful two weekends.  Good camping, a great variety of food, top-notch people watching, and some fun time spent with friends and family.  Can you see why we look forward to it every year?