Last year we got invited to a HUGE group camping trip at the Chula Vista KOA for a Halloween event. It was probably my kids most favorite trip ever….but I’m noticing they say that about almost every trip. These kids just LOVE camping.
So we were very excited when we were invited back for the this year. The Chula Vista KOA puts on a GREAT fun filled weekend for the kids.
The campground put on a few events like tractor rides, pumpkin patch, tie-dying, bike decorating and parade, etc. And our group is huge and they put on a CornHole tournament. Its a BUSY camping trip but its so fun.
And when the kids get even KINDA bored they want to go jump on the pillows…
Well my big kids anyway…Maggie wouldn’t go near the sand…and only liked being on them when I was on there with her. ugh.
And camping is always the best time to do those painting crafts that we all hate to do at home because of the mess. haha We always bring the messy crafts camping.
Shes all about posing and asking for a pic…but when she wants to eat a cookie and I’m not ready she pouts. Oh I love this child. haha
This trip is one of those trips where you have to pack clothes for warm weather AND cold weather. We got a bit of it all this weekend. It was SUPER hot at times and then clouds moved in and it was super chilly!
It was always fun getting adult time too! Kan-Jam is my favorite game!
These little rascals are lucky kiddos…they are making memories and having such fun. I LOVE watching them together. Each year it gets cooler and cooler as they need us parents less and less.
Barrel rides (that we waited almost an HOUR to ride on!! WTF) and just cruising around the campground is fun! All the Halloween decorations and stuff is cooL!
We had camp fires every night too…and I think this is the ONLY fire picture I took…
The pumpkin patch is my favorite part of this trip. Well I love it because I HATE carving pumpkins and this helps us get it out of the way…off the “Halloween List”.
So we get to pick a pumpkin for each kid and then they have carving stations too. So BAM and BAM. Pumpkins CHECK! And I get to stand around, monitor children and take pictures while DADDY does all the fun stuff. heehee.
More hayrides…
After pumpkins was the CornHole tournament. Its crazy…they get partnered up, then play by heats and eliminations. I don’t participate in this because our kids are still too small and are too needy…and I don’t have grandparents to help. Maybe one of these years I’ll be able to do it too!
After cornhole we do the tie-dying…or should I say I do the tie-dying for the kids. They pretend to help but its my favorite part!! These shirts are so cute and become their “camping shirts” that they bring on every trip!
Yes there are only 2 and yes I know I have 3 children…but Ella’s shirt from last year fits Maggie so she gets the hand-me-down.
After shirts there was cookie decorating thanks to Gerke.
And then the HUGE potluck before trick-or-treating. Its massive. I’m not sure how many families were here but its a TON of yummy food. Kerri, the lady brave enough to organize all this chaos does a great job. She books everyone’s sites, we pay her…she creates the cornhole stuff AND organizes this potluck. She assigns dishes by family last name and without sites fee’s she adds a bit for utensils and stuff. Genius.
Then mad dash to get costumes and make-up ready! This year Ella was a dragon (she was obsessed with dragons because of the Shrek musical), Maggie was a unicorn and Owen was an Armed Ninja.
Souza’s and Gerke’s.
I said this last year…but seriously NEXT year I’m making me and Yosh dress up! I mentioned to Kerri we should do a family costume contest. haha She told me I was in charge of that since her plate was FULL. haha Oh and I also mentioned trying to somehow get a huge group picture next year. Maybe have a meeting time…between one of these events next year.
Souza’s Gerke’s and Manleys. The little crew within the big crew.
Almost the whole campground all decorate and give out candy. So my kids get to technically celebrate Halloween twice. Twice as much candy, double the fun wearing their costumes…I totally get why my children LOVE this trip so much!
Owen and Ella were so excited and not scared a bit. Maggie was in between. She didn’t want in the car pusher…but was scared as well to say Trick or Treat. So Owen and Ella ended up with mother people in our group a lot of the time while I was in the WAY back with Maggie. (Daddy’s stayed back and passed out candy at our trailer!)
Our lovely pumpkins.
Usually we are done trick-or-treating before the sun goes down…ANOTHER reason why I love it. So its dark and the kids are finished…get them out of costumes, showered and into jammies while we “inspect” their candy. Then they all are on a SUGAR HIGH and run like crazy for hours and hours (except Maggie…she was out and it was great!)
Catching Ella asleep like this made me laugh out loud…haha Darn she was tired after a busy day.
After a few days it was time to load up and head home. It was cool because while Daddy loaded up the trailer (after I cleaned the inside of course) I was able to bring the kids to the pillows to keep them occupied and they were happy!
Another great trip! Its our fav and its getting better every year. And YES my hot husband wears uggs with shorts camping. Don’t judge him! They keep him warm! haha. ((And he forgot his sandals so he had to make these work!))
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