Our annual trip to the pumpkin patch has always been my most favorite tradition. From the time Craig and I were babies in high school, I’ve made him take me. And this year when we took Fern together it made me realize how cool it is to see your family change and grow each year.
Here we are pumpkin patching back when we were young and child-free…two years before we had Fern. I think back to that time in life and smile at just how much we’ve grown as husband and wife and how much we’ve grown just as people since then. It kind of blows my mind how much a few years can change you so much. Also, completely unrelated, but I’ve always love picking the wonkiest pumpkins.
This was Fern’s very first pumpkin patch experience at 9-months of age. Obviously she didn’t get to do a whole lot in the way of actually “picking” her pumpkin, but she had fun touching them and loved taking in all the sights and sounds around her. She was definitely the cutest pumpkin in the patch.
Here was our second pumpkin patch with Fern at 20-months of age and what a difference a year makes! She is a big fan of pumpkins thanks to a book she loves called “It’s Pumpkin Day Mouse!” so she started shouting “Punkin! Punkin!” from the back seat as soon as we pulled into the patch. Once we were there we asked her which pumpkin she wanted and after a short perusal, she very resolutely walked right up to the most perfectly Fern-sized pumpkin there was, and said “Have it!” and then proceeded to scoop it up and carry it around – only setting it down briefly because she didn’t like that it was making her hands dirty (“Daddy, wipe it!”). We tried to sell her on a bigger pumpkin, but she loved her little Fern-sized pumpkin. So, we got a bigger one to carve along with it.
Doing all of these traditions as a little family is so much fun, because these guys are kind of my favorite.
Have you gone to the pumpkin patch yet? Are you planning to go?
Love and pumpkins,
Lauren
We are taking my 7 month old next weekend. I think he’ll be a lot like Fern at 9 months and not really get anything about it, but I still can’t wait!
Ali – You’ll still have so much fun though! Enjoy and take LOTS of photos!
I LOVE it! Parker was only one month old last year, so we just had our first pumpkin patch experience over the weekend!
Ruthy – I love it! It’s so much fun doing new things with little ones. My favorite! I bet Parker loved it! PS that music video at your house was so great!
AWWWW I love that she chose one just for her! SO SWEET!
Oh my gosh, how CUTE is her pumpkin patch outfit this year!? I kind of want the whole thing in my size!
I’m from Michigan so we always went to the Cider Mill (it’s a midwest thing) vs. the Pumpkin Patch, but my husband grew up in Hillsboro and his family always makes a huge deal out of going to the pumpkin patch each year, and I’ve really gotten in to the tradition of going with them. We’ve gone to the Pumpkin Patch out on Sauvie’s Island before, and I think the other ones we’ve gone to have been closer to McMinnville because my brother-in-law and sister-in-law live out that way…we’re actually going to the Pumpkin Patch (not sure which one) with the whole fam this Saturday and I’m excited! (Also, any if you have any suggestions on which Pumpkin Patch you guys like, I’d love to hear!) xoxo
Jane – I just told Amber above my pumpkin patch recommendations. I’m not a big fan of Sauvie’s – so crowded and too much hype. We went to two this year Bauman Farms (awesome – especially for a little bit older kids) and Lee Farms.
That last picture!!!
Which pumpkin patch did you go to? There are so many around Portland! We usually go to Kruger’s on Sauvie Island, but I may want to try a couple this year!
Amber – We actually went to two. Fern and I went with my parents to Bauman Farms and it was so cool! So many fun things for kids to do, but definitely crowded, though if you go to Sauvie Island you’re used to crowded. I’ve been to Sauvie’s pumpkin patch a couple of times and I wasn’t a big fan. Kind of a lot of hype and way too crowded. We went to Lee Farms in these photos. It was fun. They have some animals and fun things to do, but it doesn’t get ridiculously crowded.
I’ve never been to a pumpkin patch. Maybe this is something I should ask my husband to do and maybe it can be the start of a new tradition for us.
I’m with Fern, I like little tiny pumpkin, so cute!
Leesh! Do it! Such a fun tradition :).
That looks like a fantastic days! I wish we had pumpkin patches where I am 🙁
You all are the cutest. We’ll be taking our son, Camden (almost 10 months), to his first pumpkin patch very soon. Can’t wait to document the experience – and then compare it to next year 🙂
Sooooo cute! We went to a “U-pick” apple orchard last weekend (which also had a pumpkin patch, so 2 birds/1 stone!). It was WAY too warm to have the cute puffy vest pics you guys got, but it was fun. Plus, our 15-month is showing us that he’s finally picking up words — yummy affles (apples). 😉