Ren Fest 09!

So, we go the Renaissance Festival every year. This is Ella's 3rd time and Chris and I have been a ton of times. We even went together once before we were dating so that goes back over 10 years. We don't dress up, we don't eat Turkey legs, or carry the swords but we do love the spectacle of it all. For me, being in the lush wooded area surrounded by games and food and shows all means "it's fall" to me. I Love it! I'm also a huge fan of the Johnny Fox sword swallowing show. It's the exact same show every single year, pretty much word for word and it's still hilarious and amazing. Totally recommend it. Ok, now for some pics. This year we went with our friends E and A and their adorable kids :-)

Thanks to E and A's suggestion we told Ella she could wear a princess dress which she loved!

Ella actually went to the Ren Fest earlier this season with Chris' mom and the cousins so she had specific requests to go on the pony ride again.

Even though she's running away in this shot, this is evidence that Ella went up and hugged these mimes. This. Is. Unheard of!!!! She would never have gone up to, let alone touched, a stranger about a month ago. I was shocked. She really is coming out of this "cling to mommy, scared of unfamiliar places and people" stage. It did last about 6 months though!

Sharing some PB&J with Hanna and Halle (who apparently never eat PB&J...ahhh the allure of other people's food!)

Apparently something off to the right was much more exciting that the camera for the girls (I don't blame them, it was probably an elephant or a fire eater or a woman with a ton of cleavage spilling out of her medieval corset).

Chris tried his hand at ax-throwing :-)

My favorite silly people

Chris carried both girls on the LONG walk to the car and they giggled hysterically at his antics the whole way. I love my husband.

Meanwhile, Halle did this :-)
Good day.