Salem Winter Carnival

Every year Salem, VA hosts a winter carnival for 3 days at the Salem Civic Center (so it's inside). We had never been, but it seemed like a good indoor activity to do. I had read online that the rides were best served for 2-7 year olds, so we asked Blythe's friend Ashley to come along so they could ride the rides together.

On the way, we made a stop at Burger King. From what I know, it's really the only fast food restaurant in about a 35 mile radius with a really good play gym. The kids loved it! Daddy even brought Ethan up in it and he loved crawling around. The girls probably would have stayed there all day, but we enticed them to leave with the promise of being able to ride rides! It really was cute the way it was all set up. There were probably about 15 rides total and some games, food, etc. The girls really had a blast. Ethan tried the merry-go-round, riding a horse, while Daddy held him on. You could tell he didn't really like it though. Funny how kids can be so different about those things. The first time Blythe rode one was about Ethan's age and she cried when it stopped because she loved it so much. Ethan doesn't even like going on a swing. Even from a young age, Blythe loved going higher and faster. The higher and faster you pushed her, the more her face would light up. Ethan, on the other hand, gives an instant look of terror as soon as you barely move the swing.

Anyway, here are some pics and video clips from the festivities. I love how Ashley always has the biggest smile on her face. So cute!

On the jet ski ride:

Video clip:

Mommy rode one ride with the girls:

Here they are on the train. They really liked this one.

And a video clip:

And Ethan on the merry-go-round. It hasn't started yet, so he doesn't know what to expect.

And lastly, Braden found a woman there wearing the "ugly Christmas sweater" he bought for a party last year (or maybe the year before) at Goody's. Christmas is just a short 11 months away!