Fall Fun

We visited our first pumpkin patch as a family last weekend. This was actually only the second time Jason and I have been to a pumpkin patch/corn maze so we were pretty excited, too. Being from Florida where fall usually made up of about 36 non-consecutive hours, there isn't much hoopla and ruckus raised over this season. It's a pity, too, because it's a great segue from summer to winter. (It's almost like someone planned it that way. Crazy.) All the mums, bails of straw and friendly scarecrows everywhere you turn in Tennessee really get you in the mood for the holidays and I, for one, love it.

It was a pretty day for pumpkin picking. The air -- in the form of a stiff breeze, at times -- was a little chilly but 3 out of 4 Oberhauses had a good time. As you can tell from the look on her face below, Brynna would have traded the whole event in a heartbeat in exchange for a soft blanket and her warm bed.

Brynna snuggled with Daddy for warmth most of the day.

Cranky babies aside, the folks at The Fruit and Berry Patch in Halls did a great job of making it a special day. The trip was organized and spearheaded by one of the moms in my MOMS Club, otherwise I would not have know about this wonderful little place.

While we waited in their quaint little store for the others in our group to arrive, we nibbled on a fresh fried apple pie pocket. It was warm, cinnamon heaven wrapped in a soft crust. What a delight!

Brynna and Daddy at the small pumpkin patch by the store

Then they loaded us onto a trailer pulled by a big John Deere tractor. Together, we traversed peach patches, rows of muscadine grape vines, and a strawberry field until we arrived at the pumpkin patch. The pumpkin stems were pre-cut so their was no tug of war between the little ones and their trophy squashes.

Brogan's friend helped him select just the right pumpkin

The happy pumpkin picker

Each child picked a pumpkin then ambled over to the sheep and goat pen where they were able to treat the perpetually hungry critters to handfuls of dried corn kernels. The kids had a blast.

Yummy!

Back on the trailer, they hauled us to a small corn maze (the perfect size for small children) and told us how to find our way back to the store.

Fearlessly navigating his first corn maze

Back at home base, I happily paid less than $10 (with a credit card, even) for the entire family to visit the pumpkin patch. That includes the pie, a coloring book and bottle of fresh apple cider for Brogan. Now that was a good deal. And there's not much you can say that about these days.

Thank you to the owners and staff at the farm for helping us make such warm memories on a cool fall day. Rest assured, your pumpkins seem quite content at their new home.