Annual Pumpkin Patch Trip

Today is the day for our annual pumpkin patch trip over to Speer, IL to Tanner's Orchard. It is a great place to visit if you like the drive. To me it is worth the drive and then some, I love fall. We first visited the petting zoo that they have. Griffin didn't know what to think of the goats and llamas. He looked at them strangely the whole time we were around them, he just couldn't figure out what they were. Gavin warmed up to them after a bit and even fed them a couple of pieces of what looks and smells like dog food that you have to pay a quarter for. Next we explored the play area. Gavin was thrilled to get on the tractor and even more thrilled with the bulldozer. Griffin followed behind slowly just taking it all in. Every year I get a picture by this apple thing that says how tall you are that way you can tell how much they grow from year to year. Griffin got to join in this year because last year he wasn't born yet. The hay maze was popular because the kids like to jump on top of the hay bails rather than find their way out of the maze.

Tanner's has several big things crafted out of wood. Griffin's favorite was the train. He was conductor and loved to spend the wheel around. It was the perfect height for him; he could see out but he also got to steer the wheel. They also have this huge slide area. Gavin went down the biggest slide all by himself this year. Daddy did too and skinned up his back.

After a long while of playing, we went to eat and see all of the pumpkins. Before we left for our trip this morning, Kerry told Gavin that we were going to get the "Great Pumpkin" and Gavin said, "but I can't pick it up!" Kerry of course told him he would. So when we saw these huge pumpkins we had to tell him that they were the "Great Pumpkin". We didn't buy one but Gavin and Griffin both played for a long while on them. Gavin was just in aw that he could actually sit on one.

After a quick bite, it is off into the barn where they sell all of the canned goods, baked goods, apples, cider, toys, books, and the best part all the amazing crafts. There is so much to choose from and I have to stop myself many of times. It is overwhelming but each year the stuff gets better and better. Every year I like to get a family picture because this is one of my most favorite places to go. Kerry doesn't care to take it but he gets forced to. Here is this years: (notice Kerry not smiling-He really does love us).

After buying my two most favorite things, mums and pumpkins, we took at quick picture of all kids that went with us.

Chloe is the baby, Reece is holding Griffin, and Gavin. We all had a great time and the kids really did enjoy themselves. Griffin was so tired that he feel asleep within 2 minutes of being put in his car seat. (By the way-Gavin did so well with potty training today-we had to stop twice in order for him to go the bathroom and he went twice while we were there-no accidents today!)