This past weekend, we set out for our first family trip as a crew of 4. Where to? Jellystone!
The Gates camped there last year and had so much fun. So this year Becky facilitated the booking and got multiple families to come along. The setup was fantastic. We had 5 cabins in a cul de sac each fully equipped with general household needs. This was clutch for me and Stephen since we've not been camping since the kids were born and our supplies are limited in that area. Also, camping with a 6mo old? No thanks. Glamping is much preferred!
I had packed everything ahead of time waiting for Stephen to get back from his conference in Dallas. I was a bit worried everything wouldn't fit, but the tetris king himself packed the pilot to the brim and we were off! The kids did great in the car - Carson slept while Miles was ecstatic to get to play on my phone (don't worry, I locked the screen so all he could watch was Mickey videos). Once we got there, Becky grabbed Miles and took him over to the playground while Stephen and I got the cabin ready.
Each family had a quick dinner and got the kiddos to sleep so us adults could commence in some nighttime shenanigans. It was freezing, but Stephen, the hero of the hour, thought to bring his propane heater. That saved the evening - seriously!
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| Ha! Natalie the babushka |
The next day, we packed in as much as possible. One day at this park is just not enough so when we go back, we've all agreed we need at least one more day.
First up - a magic pumpkin hay ride. Miles didn't really understand what we were doing, but he was obsessed with the "TRA TORRR". He couldn't get enough!
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| Erin playing simon says with the kids while we wait. Look at Charlie in the background - she's totally following along. So cute! |
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| All the kiddos waiting for the ride |
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| Charlie isn't looking but Lizzie is just elated to be on this hay ride |
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| Do you see that Barney Fife?! |
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| The whole crew + half of Becky lol |
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| Planting his magic seed |
The rest of the day, we stuck mostly with the Devlins since we've got the youngest kiddos. Swings, playgrounds, bugs, naps, mimosas, football and fun. Can't get much better than that.
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| Look at those besties - two peas in a pod |
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| Bug show! |
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| omg hilarious - Miles is like "OOOO SPI-R" and Lizzie is like HELL NO |
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| l.o.v.e |
One of the highlights was definitely the jumpy pillow. Miles was a little too small to go on by himself so I GENEROUSLY agreed to go with him....... okay, maybe I wanted on that pillow just as much as he did. ha!
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| Look at that air! Damn good form Becky! |
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| Probably one of my favorite photos from the weekend |
Everyone reconvened back at the cabins for dinner. While the adults were getting things ready, all the kids were enjoying the "loop". Did I mention the setup for the cabins was perfect? Because it was awesome. We were in a part of the park that didn't get a lot of traffic and the street made a perfect loop around our cabinets and the RV sites adjacent. So the kids were scooting around and around and around.
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| I didn't get a photo with Miles and the girls but him on his bike and the girls on their scooters, they were in heaven |
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| The boy's handywork |
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| The girls entertaining Carson while we cooked |
Jellystone goes all out for Halloween. A lot of people decked out their campsites with lights and decorations so we were all excited to get dressed up - kids AND adults! The funniest of everyone? Trevor for the win! Finley wanted Beth to be a witch with her and Brooklynn was sad no one was going to be a unicorn with her. So, she asked her dad ever so sweetly to dress like a unicorn. He happily obliged, and lucky for us, Beth was in charge of his costume. Hilarious!
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| Now that's pure joy right there! |
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| Lia is dying... haha |
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| The Short Fam: Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and Carson as the Super Mushroom! |
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| The Gates: Zookeepers with their animals - Bunny, Flamingo and Panda |
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| All the kids + floating Carson thanks to Stephen hiding in the back |
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We even got a group shot with everyone (basically) looking at the camera - WIN. From left to right:
The Langs: Dragon, Llama and Tiger
The Gates
The Shorts
Beth, Trevor, Brooklyn & Finley: Two witches and Two unicorns
The Devlins: Beauty and the Beast - Mike as Lumiere, Natalie as the feather duster and the Girls as Belle (before and after the kidnapping) |
It's time! Treat or treating, let's go! It just took Miles a couple stops to realize if he walks up to people and says "Tweet!", they give him candy. After that, he was off.
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| Meanwhile, Carson is passed out in the stroller |
The kids crashed that night they were so tired. And us adults? Tired as well but rallied because the burn bad had lifted. Nothing like a little campfire tv to end the evening.
The next morning, we got everything packed up and ready to go. But before leaving, we had to go back and see how our magic pumpkin seeds sprouted!
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| Morning snuggles |
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| We went to go see where Miles planted his seed and unfortunately, his pumpkin didn't "sprout". Really what happened is the Jellystone staff failed to set everything up the night before. They were throwing pumpkins every which way that morning and splashing glitter everywhere... all while the kids watched. So much for magic. So, Miles got his pumpkin special from Boo Boo the Bear! He cried at the sight of him. lol! |
It was an awesome time and we're pumped to go back next year. Perfect first family trip :)
