Pumpkin Patch 2013

No fall season is complete without a visit to the local pumpkin patch, and this year was the best one ever!  On Friday morning we drove to the Owens Big Orange Pumpkin Patch, and the boys couldn't wait to see the pumpkins.  They didn't even know about all of the other fun stuff they were about to do!  There were already several school buses of field trip kids there, but we beat most of the crowd by going early.  First stop was to pose in the pumpkins, of course!  The climbed over and around them to find just the right spot for a picture.  Happy boys, for sure!

A sweet scarecrow was too cute not to check out, and we managed not to knock her over.  That was a miracle!! 

We fed the goats, looked at the pigs and rabbits and horses, sang "Nah Nah Nah Boo Boo" to the turkeys, and clucked at the chickens for a while.  Lincoln remembered that they had been to this place for a birthday party in the spring (minus the pumpkins), so he quickly took charge and led the way!  Next up was the hay ride, and we waited with our group full of excitement.  The man leading our ride told us to look for ponies, ducks and geese along the ride.  He also told the kids to look for clues to help find Farmer Terry.  My guys really listed and discussed the instructions.  When I asked if they were ready to find all of the things, they both gave me a thumbs up!

We had a quick picture before the hay ride began - thanks to my cuties!  They acted like they've been going on hay rides for life and weren't scared or anything.  I just watched them take it all in.  They really did shout out each time they saw one of the animals or clues.  At the end, they spied Farmer Terry (the back of a mannequin in overalls) with his head stuffed in a bale of hay!  They couldn't believe he would do that and squealed about it for so long! 

As we walked back over to the pumpkins, the boys spotted two kids from our hay ride group sitting on a little John Deere tractor.  Lincoln and Beau waited until they got off and hopped on for a turn.  Beau scared us all to death when he hit the horn, and Lincoln shifted the gear to reverse and beeps rang out!  A worker came running to turn it off, and we figured out that this wasn't one of the attractions to play on!  Whoops! 

The boys couldn't wait to run through the maze at lightning speed . . . over and over!!  Lincoln was super fast, and Beau kept up so well.  They did it so many times, and I was tired just watching them! 

After the maze, Lincoln climbed up on the hay and announced he was king!  Ok . . . .  

Another fun obstacle to climb on - this place is too fun! 

We made one more stop at the posing place and got a typical brother picture.  Lincoln with a sweet smile but not looking at the camera, and Beau with a crazy scream smile.   

Our last activity was to pick a pumpkin to take home.  I swear they looked at every single pumpkin there!  It was a difficult decision, but Beau was first to make his selection.   

Lincoln picked the biggest one he could carry!  He regretted that when he had to carry it to the car (because Mommy was carrying hers and Beau's)!   

The view of the pumpkin patch was beautiful, and we had cool fall weather on this Friday morning.   

This pumpkin patch visit is not likely to be forgotten!  There were so many fun things to do and see, and the boys were so good about staying together and having fun!  They are super proud of their pumpkins and have instructed me that we are not carving them but painting them instead!  A few fun notes:  (1) As we threw the grain to the goats, one of them sneezed!  The boys thought that was hilarious!!  (2) A football was in the water trough in the pig sty, and they just couldn't figure that one out.  It really created a lot of discussion. (3) All moms at a pumpkin patch wear skinny jeans tucked into boots - seriously!  Including me!  (4) The ice cream sandwich cooler was empty, and that was the most shocking part of the trip!  How could they have an ice cream sandwich cooler if you couldn't buy an ice cream sandwich???? 

It was such a fun morning, and I'm so glad we went.  The boys have looked through the pictures a million times already and discussed every one in great detail.  I think $18 for 3 pumpkins and numerous pictures and memories is a real bargain!