Rolling with a change of plans - Pumpkin Patch 2014

Every year since we moved to Washington we have visited a pumpkin patch, every year but one we chose the one at Bi-Zi Farms.  We have loved all the activities, the hayride to the fields of pumpkins, the live music and free hot chocolate, and the fun of running into so many of our friends and neighbors there.  

Here's a visual recap of the last 8 years of Washington pumpkin patches.

2006

2007

 2008

 2009

 2010

 2011

2012

 2013

So, that brings us to this year. When we looked at our October calendar we realized that there was only ONE day when all the kids would be available for our annual pumpkin patch foray, and that would not be until the end of October, when the kids had a day off of school. Every Saturday since September has been monopolized by soccer and football games and Aubrey's all-day theater practice.

So, we planned to attend on our one free day with the Kartchner family.

However, when we arrived the pumpkin patch at 10 a.m. we found it was only open "by appointment" for preschool groups until 3 p.m. And the weatherman had accurately predicted that by 2 p.m. it would be POURING rain, and the kids had lessons planned for later that day anyway.

So, we first felt sad and disappointed that our pumpkin patch trip could not happen. (All except for Alex, who couldn't figure out how to look disappointed).

Since I had my camera all ready for pumpkin patch pictures, first we snapped a few photos.

And then we decided to make the most of it and head to Starbucks to treat ourselves to some hot chocolate/pumpkin creamers and cake bites.

Then on the way home my kids and I decided to stop at the Felida Red Barn, a local store based in an old farmhouse. While they didn't have all the bells and whistles of the big pumpkin patch, they did have a lot of pumpkins for purchase spread out across their property and a small corn maze.

It wasn't what we are used to, but it was nice in its own way. And we got our pumpkins and got home before the deluge hit our area.

Joseph hated touching the wet and slippery pumpkins, so pointing worked too. 

And one last picture . . . as we drove away from the farmhouse I saw this sign which is just so Pacific Northwest. Around these parts even our firewood needs to be organic!