The Pumpkin Patch Birthday Trip

Our trip to the pumpkin patch was great! The weather was a perfect, breezy 78 degrees, the sun was shining, and the crowds were nonexistent. We got there around 2pm,, about an hour before the elementary schools let out, and we had the place almost to ourselves. I'm so glad we got there then, because by the time we left it was packed and the lines were long. The only complaint I have is that Spencer (who otherwise was an angel) was in one of her "I'm NEVER going to look at the camera and smile" moods. I took about 200 pictures, most of which are of the side of Spencer's face, or her back, as she'd whip right around as soon as she saw me with the camera. But if that's all I have to complain about, then I know I;m a very lucky mommy.

The outside of the Berry Farm. This is where we get all of our pumpkins, seasonal fruits,
and our Christmas tree.

There were so many pumpkins to choose from, I had a very difficult time making my decisions. I know I'd have bought many more if I could have carried them. As it was, I thought my arms were going to fall off hauling my two large pumpkins to the hay ride wagon, up to the weighing station and then to the car. I guess that's probably a good thing though, I don't really need, or can afford, twenty pumpkins, haha!

This was just a small portion of one field that they have. Unfortunately, I'm an anthropomorpher, and I kept imagining them all saying "Pick me, Pick me!"

It really was a gorgeous day. I think God was smiling on my 28th birthday :)

On the hay ride to pick out our pumpkins. Spence LOVED it! For the rest of the day, every time we'd see one passing us, she'd yell "Truckter!" and begin running towards it.

One of the rare pictures I got of her actually looking at me. I was bummed that it turned out kinda blurry, but oh well. The hay ride was super bumpy, and it was hard to keep my camera steady and focused, even in AI Servo.

Of course Spencer went right to the biggest pumpkin she saw! She spoke to it, gave it a hug, and then had me do the same. I would've taken it with us, but it was ridiculously heavy, and I just couldn't carry it. Luckily, Spence didn't seem to mind too much.

Another "Pangkin" friend she made along the way.

On our way back from the patch and she's still refusing to look at me. But she's still so darn cute.

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The bunnies were a big hit with Spencer, those and the chickens were her favorites. I couldn't get any pictures with the chickens, as I was trying to keep her from getting her hands pecked. She'd run towards them, they'd run away, and she would yell "No, No, No Chickie!" The bunnies were a different story though, they really seemed to like Spencer- running up to her and staying there while they let her pet them.

There was a toddler area for the kids and they had this barrel/wagon/train ride. That's Spencer in the red barrel car. She had so much fun on this and since it wasn't crowded, the man driving the tractor, which was pulling all the cars, took them around for almost 10 minutes!

She took her driving very seriously- this was the only time she ever looked over at us! The rest of the time she was intently steering the wheel. At first I was a little nervous that she was going to be upset out there all by herself, but I was SO wrong. I think the only reason she didn't get really upset when the ride ended was because she was about to fall asleep.

And fall asleep she did! About 2 minutes into our drive home she just passed out.

I am so thankful that everything worked out as well as it did. I was a little nervous since more than a few of our outing type adventure trips often end with both of us in tears. Somehow everything just came together in the best possible way and I couldn't have asked for a better 28th birthday. This was the second year that we went to the pumpkin patch on my birthday, and I think we'll be doing it for (hopefully) many years to come!