Red Knight Goin' Down!

For the past couple of years, we've wanted to take the girls (and Nate) to the Renaissance Festival in Larkspur for the first time. Every year we intend to go but by the time we get around to it, the festival has ended. This year we made a point to make it happen, and it was well worth the wait! The girls had such a blast. 

Right upon entrance we were greeted with all things Renaissance. You really have to be a special person to dress up in renaissance fair for three months of the year and go to work. Not only do they look the part, they are in character for the entire day--for some of them it comes quite naturally! 

Elizabeth jousted on a dragon!

 We were a little confused when we started to come across pirates--not sure what is has to do with Renaissance...

 ...but we embraced it! 

Another first for our family: the girls and Nate got a chance to take an elephant ride! 

And then we went to watch the jousting tournament! It was quite the show of royalty and knighthood! 

 We ventured on to let the kids play some games. They had a giant area of trampolines and harnesses where the kids could fly! The girls were very excited to give it a try. I wasn't surprised when Abby started crying mid-air. I was proud of her for trying.

And of course Elizabeth LOVED it!

 Time for turkey legs and beer--wouldn't be the renaissance festival without it. 

Elizabeth was a champ! She dug right into her turkey leg. Abby enjoyed a pretzel with cheese and I had some loaded mashed potatoes and a beer! We had funnel cake for dessert! 

We let the girls pick a flowered crown on the way out. We were beat and ready to make the hike back to the car! 

But not before one more photo op! 

 We had so much fun and will be sure to make this an annual affair! 

The girls really enjoyed their ride on Davinci's helicopter!
Mom was not feeling very well afterwards.