Happy Hallowedding

 

Camping itself is always a fun adventure, but when we get to go camping _and_ share in the celebrations of our friends and family, it makes for the absolute BEST of all things.  We've been excited about RandShe's wedding since they announced their engagement over a year ago and being able to enjoy or new camper, over a holiday weekend, visiting family AND getting to go to their ceremony? I mentioned that was the best, right?

I took several days off work so we could go enjoy being up near DFW without feeling rushed.  We had booked four nights at The Vineyards Campground in Grand Prairie earlier in the spring (when we were thinking we'd have a camper and could go camp with Sis and TJ) but since we didn't use those nights, I moved them over to this weekend.  Unfortunately for me, I thought we had moved them for Thursday thru Monday, but I got a call Wednesday night asking when we were checking in? Well, I had my days off and wanted to make full use of them, so we ended up booking another single night at Lake Tawakoni State Park for Sunday night.

With the wedding Friday afternoon, we just puttered around the campground and had a lazy day of it.  I thought that the mis-hap with the booking dates was going to be the only bad luck of the weekend.

Well, I was wrong.

I swear, I was backing up and moving less than 1 MPH, but if you were wondering who wins when it's truck tailgate vs 5th wheel hitch?  Yeah, it's gonna be the hitch. Every. Time.  Grateful for a good insurance agent who helped me with what I needed to get a claim started quickly; bummed that I damaged our not-even-a-year-old truck.

Now, with _that_ out of the way, RDB and I got all dressed up and got in our slightly dented fancy truck and drove over for RandShe's shindig.  And, oh, ya'll, what a fun celebration it was!  The maid of honor and best man walked Kali and Ickis down the aisle (such good pupper doggos!) and RandShe wrote their own vows.... 

It's the first time I've ever seen the traditional unity candle ceremony changed out for making a unifying PB&J shandwich (RandShe's trying to get marital sponsorship from Jif and Smuckers, I'll let you know how that turns out!).  There were sweet words that left you misty-eyed and funny moments that had you crying with laughter.  It was the BEST to see these two dear friends commit their lives and love to each other.  May their biggest concern in life be the eternal debate between crunchy and creamy.  <3

RDB and I were making it a point to get lots of candid photos through the evening - our wedding gift to RandShe was going to be a few photos printed and framed to be given to them at the "After Party" for out of towners the next day along with a USB drive with all the photos and videos we took at the wedding and reception (It was a _huge_ hit, BTW, if you're looking for a unique gift for the couple who has everything.)

MR and MRS RandShe!

Saturday afternoon we were over at RandShe's house for the afterparty - it was great to get to have a bit of time with the newlyweds and the family and friends in from out of state.  Saturday evening Dad and Bunny came up to the campsite with fried chicken for a dinner al fresco.

The campground we were at was our first time staying at an RV Resort with planned activities.  they gave us a folder full of information and a calendar of events the night we checked it.  Holiday themed movies, a costume contest, and trick-or-treating were all on the list.  We enjoyed decorating our camper - along with several others - and going for a spook-tacular walk in the evening after my parents left.

Think they shop at the same store? Ha!

Sunday morning we packed up and made our way over to our next site in East Texas. I was grateful that the damage done to the truck was only superficial - it would have been a much different situation had I messed it up in a way that we wouldn't be able to hook up the camper and pull it to our next destination.  RDB reminded me, and really the whole weekend reinforced this: material things like the accident with the truck really aren't important - as long as the people you love are happy and healthy, you have all the good things you need in life and life will be just fine.

We were in Site #6 at The Vineyards Campground and Cabins in Grapevine.  Our first time in a RV Resort - it was expensive in comparison to our state park stays ($56/night for our site vs ~$22 for a state park full hook-ups) but for the convenience of the location, the clean and very level site, and the fun activities (and lots of amenities, though we didn't take advantage of them), some may find that extra price worth it.  It was neat to be right on the marina and close to everything you could possibly need in the north-western side of DFW.  Very close to the Gaylord and Great Wolf Lodge, and Bass Pro Shops, too. 

For more camping photos, go here.

And for a TON more of RandShe wedding photos go here.  (It was honestly hard to pick which ones to include, so here's just a few more....)