Pumpkin Patch!

  There is nothing quite like the midwest fall cider mills, pumpkin patches, and apple picking, but we were able to find a cute alternative today. It was a farm up in Hollister, about 50 minutes away from Monterey, right next to a small local airport and in the middle of a really large corn field. Grace is a plane girl, so seeing gliders and planes throughout the day was just as fun as the pumpkin patch itself! 

  The farm was called Swank Farms and you could tell they had been doing this for a while because it had so much to do we could have spent hours there. 

  First up was the goat track, which consisted of a huge goat pen with about 15 adult goats hanging out on different ramps, barrels, and bridges. The game was to get some food, pile it into a cup on a pulley system, and then ship it over to the spot where the goats were hanging. Grace was a bit skittish around the goats... too many mouths in her face but Daddy was able to feed some of them with her. 

  Next was the Kiddie Corral and more goats, a corn husking sand box, some bouncing horses, tractors, and a baby goat roaming around... which Grace thought was a cat!

 Millions of corn kernels in a box!!

 And millions more being made by two very enthusiastic boys grinding ears of corn!

 Not so enthusiastic about the bouncing horse area, on to the next thing!

TRACTOR!! We spent a good ten minutes on this... Her Great Uncle Don would be proud!

 And back to the corn box

 "MOM WE GOT FREE PUMPKINS!!"

  After the Kiddie Corral we took a break and ate lunch, then headed into the pumpkin patch to pick out our own pumpkins. First we started with a mini person maze. Daddy let Grace try to find her own way at first, but then had to join her because she started trying to climb over the bales to get out. My smart little girl!

 "Maybe this way?"

 "UUUMM, oh no."

 "Where do we go now?"

 "Yea! We made it out!"

And then came the pumpkin picking! Have to get a wheel barrel first (you'll know why in a couple pictures). 

 "Watch out Mommy!"

 "Woa, that was fast."

 Lets go get some pumpkins!

 Grace picked out her pumpkin first, and found one for Mommy too. 

 My favorite moment of the day

 A close second... this ended up being 64 lbs!!!

 Our picks

 Daddy and Grace bringing our pumpkins to be weighed and bought. Such a good helper she is! 

 Cheese!

 Last stop was the huge bouncing pillow. Not sure how they did it, but it was a massive yellow and orange trampoline that Daddy and Grace had too much fun on :).

 SO HIGH!!

 Notice the small print... :)

One more stop at the "race track." Grace was laughing the whole time, however there was a close call or two as Daniel came whipping around the corner a couple times!

 Here we go!

 "No Daddy, that's fast enough!!"

lol!! I almost pee'd my pants when I looked at this picture up close. Best picture of the day, by far!

  Overall, a day and we loved having family time and enjoying the silliness that is Grace. Still kind of missed the hot apple cider and donuts, but the tri tip sandwich was a good alternative! 

Ciao Tutti!