Our favorite pumpkin patch is up in Northern Virginia. We have gone almost every year since I was a teenager and most years we can get a big group of family together to go. With Mom and Glenn moved, Amy working, Laura busy with a newborn and Stephen working in the school system, this year's trip turned into a private affair. I was sad we didn't get to spend the time with cousins, but I'll admit it was nice to relax and just enjoy the day together on our own schedule.
First stop: pig races!
This farm has a great petting zoo area with lots of different animals on display. Lexi thought these pigs were pretty neat.
They have several different birds, including this cool peacock. The girls really liked him.
Baby goat!
Next was the giant pumpkin bounce! Cole spotted a playground with a wooden train and made a beeline for it with George while I kept the girls and Jude at the bounce. Lily LOVED it!
While Lily was jumping and Cole was playing on the playground, Jude ran off and found a group of friends to play with. This kid makes friends wherever he goes.
Do the dab!
Lexi didn't want to be on top of the bounce, but rather had a fun time playing in the sand around it.
Geese!
Next was the cow train ride! We had to wait for about 20 minutes for it to run, so Lexi hung out in the cow of her choice while the other kids found fun things to do nearby.
They had a shed with three or four old tractors.
The kids had fun pretending to drive them.
Cole was even visited by this friendly chicken who seemed to think the tractor belonged to it.
Waiting...
It's time!
A tractor pulled us all over the farm and zoo area. It lasted a good 5-10 minutes--not too bad for 2 dollars!
Our last stop before grabbing our pumpkins was the big slides! We LOVE these!
Finally, it was time to pick our pumpkins! We came pretty late in the season, so I wasn't sure we'd find anything great.
Lily taking a rest on the ride over:
"It's too big!" Lexi had missed her nap, can you tell? She was sad she couldn't pick this pumpkin up.
Jude found a caterpillar.
Cole was very particular when it came to picking. This kid was out there frantically searching for the perfect pumpkin until the last minute. I was worried he wouldn't find anything before the wagon came back to get us.
I have no idea what these tall things were. I'm sure they are a type of squash, but I don't know what you'd do with them. Eat them?
Still looking...
They also had these cool pumpkins that looked kinda like a brain. They had growths all over the outside that made them bumpy and strange.
Lily found hers!
Still looking...
Jude found a great one, too!
Cole managed to find one just in the nick of time! The kids also picked out a pumpkin for Lance who was with his dad this day.
And of course our attempt at a family picture. The farm was closing and we weren't able to nab someone, so George caught these pictures of me and the kiddos.
It had been a perfect day! The only thing that could have made it better was if Lance was there with us!
