Pumpkin Patch 2.0

After a successful first pumpkin patch trip this year, my second trip was equally as fun. This time, we headed north to Stocker Farms - our go-to pumpkin patch. After scouting out the right pumpkin for our doorsteps, we headed to Erin's place for some good grub and vino. We stayed until our eyes couldn't stay open, which I think is a sign of a good night :) Once again, thanks for hosting, Erin!

Autumn holding a pumpkin.

 Also striking a pose with an orangie.

What can I say? It's what we do best.

 I'd be lying if I didn't admit this guy was heavy.

Lesson learned: buns make you taller!

The thing I love about ghords the most: they are seasonal through Thanksgiving!

Pump, pump, PUMPKIN patch

 

Ahh, the pumpkin patch. An annual tradition that started back in 2009. Not surprisingly, I went to two pumpkin patches this year. Since Steph couldn't make it the pumpkin patch outing hosted by Erin, she wanted to get her fix in sooner. So Merith and I graciously offered to join her. (Twist our arms, right?) We ventured out to the middle of nowhere in Carnation on a cloudy Saturday morning to pose with pumpkins, pick out our favorites for our doorsteps, take the mandatory jumping photos, have a bite to eat and ask strangers to put their kitten on a pumpkin for a mini-photo shoot... 

Oh wait, does that last one need some explanation? Well, the short of it is: someone spotted a kitten in a man's shirt pocket. A gravitational force pulled me toward the kitten and I asked him if I could pet her. (We learned his daughter named her Sprinkles!) Then Merith brought it to the next level and asked if we could put the kitten on a pumpkin to take photos of it. Bold, Merith, bold. But he and his wife kindly obliged! That's when I captured the moneymaker above. I'm thinking it's a prize winner, don't ya think?! If there are any kitty calendar creators out there, I take offers...

All in all, a fabulous fall outing. Pumpkin Patch 2.0 to come soon!

P.S. Pumpkin patchin' from the past.

 

 

Pumpkin Patchin'

Even if our pumpkin patch adventure was a little chillier than years past, it still hit the spot. I mean, seriously, can it get much better than searching for the ugliest pumpkin for Matt, sloshing through the muddy fields, drinking apple cider and group photo opps? Actually it did get better - we went to Erin's house for warm tomato bisque, grilled cheese and salad, jalepeno popper dip and homemade caramel apples. This tradition just keeps getting better and better.

I know, we're mature; we found a pumpkin with a butt crack.

Because what's a pumpkin patch outing without a jumping shot?

My caramel apple looks like a 4-year-old did it. Mad skillz.

Smashing Pumpkins

Erin says "pose" and this is what happened. Not sure why I thought a leg grab was the best option. But it only gets better from here...

This is the "ok, ladies, how should we really pose?" pose.

The "smashing (confused?) pumpkins" pose.

The "pumpkins make me laugh sooo much and me-want-to crush-pumpkin" pose.

The "I wanna jump with my pumpkin, but my feet are stuck in cement" pose.

The "final attempt at jumping before we ask ourselves, why are we jumping with pumpkins?" pose.

Note: There were no pumpkins harmed in this photo shoot. Just a group of twenty-somethings trying to figure out how best to pose for the camera in a pumpkin patch, and for the most part, failing miserably (or succeeding - beauty is in the eye of the beholder, yeah?). Very reminiscent of last year. We'll grow up eventually, I promise.

A Sacred Tradition

The pumpkin patch is a sacred tradition. One that I hope lasts for years to come. First, we adventure to Stocker Farms in Snohomish to find the perfect pumpkin (or gourds!) and then head to Erin's home for some homemade treats - this year was potato leek soup and pumpkin cheesecake cupcakes! Fall at its best, I tell you.

(The butt crack pumpkin! As Maddie said, yes, we sometimes act like 12 year-old boys.)

(And sometimes we act like 5 year-old girls? My 5 year-old self really wants this playhouse.)

Why did the vampire go to the orthodontist?

To improve his bite! [insert wailing laughter here]

In honor of my dear friend, Erin, I'm going to share a few Halloween jokes to get you into the ghoulish season. Erin is a BIG fan of (corny) seasonal or holiday jokes since she works with little ones. I have many memories of her sharing Halloween, Christmas or Valentine's jokes and then quickly snickering after delivery. It makes me smile. Straubs, feel free to use these for your classroom!

Why do mummies have trouble keeping friends?
They're so wrapped up in themselves!

How do witches keep their hair in place while flying?
With scare spray!

What type of dog do vampire's like the best?
Bloodhounds!

Why didn't the skeleton go to prom?
Because he had no body to go with!

What's a vampire's favorite fast food?
A guy with very high blood pressure!

Why did the Vampire subscribe to the Wall Street Journal?
He heard it had great circulation!

What is a vampire's favorite holiday?
Fangsgiving!

Sidenote: There are a lot of vampire jokes out there. Twilight really has done a number on our thinking these days.

Double sidenote: Do you know what you're going to be for Halloween? Here and here are still some of my fave.

Finally, pumpkin patch

I feel like the bunny on Alice in Wonderland because I'm in a hurry, but here goes. I have been promising you all some pumpkin patch pictures like last year. Most of these are Maddie's pictures because hers are like a bajillion times better than mine.

A few things I would like to point out:

• Hunter boots are awesome.
• Kimber is still the epitome of Fall.
• No pumpkins were harmed during the pumpkin patch extravaganza.
• I was forced into that box by Maddie. FORCED, I tell ya.
• Fall rocks.
• And so do girls who like taking rad fall photos of pumpkin patches. Like 108 on Maddie's camera. Excessive? Never!

Fifth time's a charm?

I don't know about you, but my friends and I really like photo opps. One of the "poses" we seem to try often, maybe due to the challenge, is a jumping photo.

It's a science. You all have to jump at the exact same time (which means you have to determine if you jump on "3" or right after), the person taking the picture has to figure out what kind of delay they are working with on the camera because none of us can really jump high (especially when wearing boots), and you have to resist from falling over in laughter.

In the end, you get a lot of great photos. I hope you enjoy them (at the expense of us looking ridiculous)!

We still didn't get a high jump, but it works :)

(P.S. I promise more pumpkin patch photos soon!)