annual StoneyRidge trip.

A few weeks ago we made the drive back up to Bellingham (well, technically Everson) for our annual trip to StoneyRidge Farm.  Yes, we realize there are many other wonderful pumpkin patches closer to our house but there is just something about Stoneyridge that brings back wonderful memories.  This was our 5th or 6th year in a row going and it never gets old.  We always meet up the same friends, walk around the farm in the same order, eat the same food and take pretty much the same pictures.  It's tradition.  And I LOVE it!

The morning we left it was dumping rain at our place. Luckily driving an hour north provided plenty of sunshine the entire day!

 I got right to work taking pictures of every single second of the day.  Of course, the kids weren't as enthused.

 Best family shot we could get.

 Every year I see these cute families patiently standing in line to go and patiently stand in front of the sign and grin a big smile while posing next to the pumpkins.  And then there is my family.  This pretty much sums up every year. But again, why break tradition?

 Carter and the Glanzer girls loved feeding the goats.

 And Lucy adored the ducks.  This was the first time she let me put her down from my arms and didn't move for about 15 minutes.

 She wasn't as fond with the barrel of pumpkins.

 Then the food eating began.  We always grab a bag of fresh, warm apple cider donuts.

 Then it's off to the hot dog stand by the campfire.  The kids play on the playground, the parents chit chat and we finally head over to the apple pie store for a delicious piece of homemade apple pie.  My favorite part!

 There is a huge tractor that provides hay rides down to the pumpkin patch but we never like waiting in line and always walk down together.  Well, if you are Carter you run and drag your mom along down the path.

It was a gorgeous day!

 Carter and Ellie always love to play on the tractor together.

 And then we let them loose!  We ended up with 6 kids playing together when we got down to the pumpkins and this was the first year we could really just let them run around together and explore.  It was so fun to watch them chase each other, giggle and "pick" their perfect pumpkin.

 Carter, Leah and Ellie were the 3 musketeers!

 Finally it was off to the apple orchards for a little snack.  Lucy wouldn't let that apple go for about 30 minutes.

 We ventured back up to the farm, played a little longer and then said our goodbyes. It was the perfect day with some truly amazing friends.  Can't wait for next year!