Some Family Fun

Today we took the time for a much needed family day. With Evan back in school, busy with deadlines at work, and church campouts (do 12 year olds really need to go on a campout every month?), I'm logging some serious hours by myself at night with my 9x13 pan of brownies and remote control. It's gotten to the point where I feel like I need to introduce myself to the hubby when he walks in the door on Friday night (I know for a fact that I have a lot of friends out there who can relate). So Evan and I had what I like to call a little "discussion" where, let's be honest, some tears were shed (mine, not Evan's) which resulted in us scheduling some family fun. Ignoring the lawn that needed to be mowed and Evan's huge pile of homework, we headed out to the farmlands of Illinois and seriously the cutest pumpkin patch you've ever seen. Better yet I remembered to charge the camera and bring it.

We started out with the wagon ride, conquered a straw maze, and headed to the petting zoo. At this point I was so in love with the farm country and cute animals, I was completely convinced that I was meant to be a farmer. Well, maybe not a farmer, but definitely a farmer's wife. That is until I actually smelled the petting zoo and determined that life in surburbia isn't so bad. Colt was noticeably nervous with the animals. He proceeded to tell us that he just loves animals as long as they aren't bigger than him. Hmmm...that narrowed it down a bit seeing as how every animal except the bunny was bigger than him. After some serious coaxing (and Evan forcibly holding his hand), here's Colt feeding the sheep. That's as close as we could get him to the poor animal and I'm pretty sure the sheep's neck will never be the same.

Cade was bound and determined to feed this goat who wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. Wouldn't even give him the simple courtesy of eye contact.

Ahh much better. The sheep will help you out Cade.
Oh my gosh, I could not get enough of these baby cows! They are seriously the cutest things! I'm pretty sure I took more pictures of them than my own kids. And I'm having some serious guilt over how much I like beef. I don't think I'll ever be the same.
Cade could not get enough of this bunny whom he aptly named "Superbunny." I mean look at that thing - he's huge! Cade looks like he's terrorizing the bunny as opposed to petting him. Poor Superbunny.
Next it was onto the pony rides. We were told that Cade's pony was named Commanche but if you asked Cade, his name was "Pretty Pony." Doesn't quite pack the same masculine punch, does it?
Colt may have been scared of the sheep but he was a natural on the pony. We might have a cowboy in training on our hands.
Picking out our pumpkins.
Such a well spent few hours of our Saturday and I'm currently campaigning to make this a yearly tradition.