4e was and has been my only D&D experience. I have been with the same group for roughly four years and can say I have enjoyed every bit of it. As for not trying out 5e yet, we haven't had a reason to depart from 4e. We have finished one campaign to level 30 and have started anew. I have myself...
I don't even trust gnome PC's...I think you were in the right as DM. I would rather plan things out myself, but it seems that you played the situation correctly.