At the Pumpkin Patch

Last week Daddy managed to sneak away from his office for a morning (he might not have classes everyday but he's still a very busy guy) to take us to pick out some pumpkins. We headed for scenic Half Moon Bay, to the same farm we visited last year -- and we had just as much fun!

First of all, we're grateful that Daddy has a flexible schedule. The farm wasn't too busy when we arrived on a Thursday morning, but it was really hopping when we left. We can only imagine how crazy it would be on a weekend. Honestly, we're glad we don't have to know.

Next, we had surprisingly good weather. It was chilly and foggy when we arrived, but by the time we left it was sunny and warm. It was a typical coastal California morning -- enough chill to warrant some hot chocolate while we were there, but enough sun to make everyone ditch their sweatshirts for the ride home.

What's left to say? We love pumpkins! And, um, goats.

Kathleen loved feeding the goats, but the goats really loved being fed!

Kathleen enjoyed feeding the goats. For some reason, though, the goats did not love Madeline. They let her pet them, which she liked, but they wouldn't eat out of her hand. And once snubbed by the goats, Madeline wasn't going to do them any favors (like trying to give them food.)

Instead, we perused the pumpkins.

Indy inspected the pumpkins up close...

while Madeline preferred more of an overview.

If they could've carted them, we'd probably have had all these pumpkins on our porch!

And then we took a ride on the train.

Look, a picture of Mama! (See, it happens every now and then.)

And on a rocking horse.

And posed for a photo. Or two.

Well, we tried, anyway. (We didn't even include the outtakes from when we tried to pose all three children on a rocking horse for a photo. I think the concept was maybe okay, but our execution stunk. At least I caught Indy when he fell off. No, really. There goes mother of the year. Again.)

And then -- once fortified by some cocoa and a cookie and some pumpkin pie -- we got down to the actual business of picking our pumpkins. And for that, we need a wheel barrow. Kathleen insisted she could push it herself, but Daddy helped. Just a little.

And then we picked out five pumpkins. Five. We couldn't stop ourselves. There are, after all, five of us. And then we loaded them all up to head home. But first we tried for yet another family photo.

Not quite...

One more try?

Still no.

Like I said, we tried. And really, I think the imperfect series of photos captures our circus more perfectly than any one photo could... So, no photo, but plenty of pumpkins. Not a bad day at the circus!