Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday we went to the pumpkin patch with Mark, Steph and Nora. It was SO much fun. We were hoping to get a bigger group of family in attendance, but it was so hard to coordinate a good day for everyone to go. We really wanted to go on a weekday this year, to avoid the crowds, and I'll tell you what-- that's the BEST time to go! We had the whole place to ourselves, it was incredible! NO lines, no crowds.. and there's so much to do there. We took a ride through the cornstalks and saw over 50 scarecrow scenes designed by local boy and girl scouts (we were to vote for our favorite-- they must be getting some kind of recognition if they win); we went on a real train ride around the perimeter of the farm; went in a petting zoo; Steph and I rode a zip line (new this year! And neither of us had ever done it!); the kids played on a play ground, and jumped in 2 bounce houses; Elijah and Mark jumped on a big "pillow" full of air; and there was so much we didn't have time (or money) to do. Many things are free, and many things are reasonably priced, but it all adds up quickly! They have a HUGE corn maze also, but we never go through that- it is almost $10 a person. They also have "pumpkin blasters," which shoot pumpkins out of this gun-type thing, which Kevin enjoyed last year, but didn't do this year. Anyway, it was fun for all, and we even got a pumpkin to carve later this month!

Elijah, Kevin, Tyler, Nora and Mark on top of a huge pyramid of big tires

Elijah riding a John Deere bike on a paved "race track" (FREE!)
Elijah and Nora petting the goats (who were quite persistent for the bag of food we had for them)

Kevin and Tyler checking out the ducks (Tyler's favorite)

Tyler peaking in to get a closer look

Elijah petting a chicken that was resting on top of a lamb
Tyler and I feeding some goats

Me and the boys

A baby donkey (not in the petting area)

Kevin, Mark and the kids (Tyler's a sheep, Elijah's a cow, and Nora's a pig)

Tyler and I on the train

Steph and I on the zip line- she's on the left, and I'm on the right. The platform was 3 freight containers high, and the zip line lasted about 300 ft. It was SO hard to jump off at that height, but once I did it was a fun ride! :)