Perfect Fall Weekend Outing

On Saturday we headed out to the country to an apple orchard. We weren't really going to pick apples, but we knew they'd have a pumpkin patch, a hay ride, and other fun fall family activities. This is the first time we've done something like this with Little D. He was here last Fall (he came home in September), but it seemed like the whole month of October last year was rainy, cold, or he was sick. So...we kind of missed out...but NOT this year. We did it and boy was it fun!

First up...hay ride. Once Little D saw that tractor there was NO turning back.



Sitting on Appa's lap. "Let's get this rig moving, folks!"

Next to the beloved tractor (or "pop-pop" as Little D calls a tractor) after he dropped us off down in the orchards. (If anyone has seen the John Deere videos, you'll understand why D calls them "pop-pops." If not...I might just need to make a little contest out of it.)

But...before checking out any orchards or patches...we had to check out the long wooden choo-choo, which is part of the playground at this farm. Sweet.

Working his way from back to front of this choo-choo. All aboard!

Next up...goats. D was a little braver this time compared to his first goat encounter.

Getting a smooch from the goat. Eeeeek!

I think this goat was pretty, but he wasn't interested in being petted.

Then it was time to pet a miniature horse who was pulling a small carriage.

We decided not to send D for a ride on this guy...this time.

Then...time to say hi to a sweet, little calf.

Adorable.

Little D seemed nearly as thrilled by the cut-out animals.

Maybe because we actually let him TOUCH them.

Here he was feeding the pig some imaginary food.

" Hi, Omma. Come stand right here."

Little D loves to point to the spot right next to him (whether he is sitting or standing) and beckon you to put yourself in that spot...pronto!

Peek-A-Boo!

That's my cute little punkin'.

Finally time to check out the pumpkin patch.

You should have seen his face when he saw them ALL sitting out there.

He took off...running.

"Harumphhhh! This thing is heavy!"

He seriously tried to lift about 20 of them...the bigger the better.

He thought he was pretty funny.

Here he is laughing/singing to himself as he runs off to the next pumpkin.

Sizing up the BIG haystack (my photos don't do it justice...it was really tall).

"Appa, I want to go UP THERE."

" If the big boys can do it, so can I."

"Almost there..."

"Come on, Appa...give me a boost."

"Ta-dah!!! King of the hill!"

Staring down the corn maze.

I'm sorry...but Children of the Corn totally ruined cornfields for me.

They are kind of creepy anyway...but now...I don't even like going into a fun maze in the middle of the day. I did go in...but not very far.

That's right, D...make sure you remember which way you came from...so you don't get lost.

A goat coming back down from the roof. I missed him way up top.

Old tractor tire rim = artwork.

Tractor (named Oliver) waiting to take us back up to the top of the farm.

" Let's go, Dada...more pop-pops!"

The farmer in the Dell.

I asked him to take our family photo (see below). He obliged, but said he was much better at driving tractors than taking pictures. I wouldn't want it any other way, would you?

We enjoyed our first family trip to the Orchard.

What a perfect Fall weekend outing.

Looking forward to many more fun farm trips like this.

(And...I'd say the farmer takes a pretty decent photo too...no?!)