First Annual Pumpkin Patch and Picnic

Ever since Justin and I got married, we've tried to be creative and discover new traditions for our own family to do.

Since Annaliese's birthday occurs in October and her first birthday party is a pumpkin theme, we decided that it would be a great time to go to the pumpkin patch and have a picnic too!  So every year we are going to have Annaliese (and future children) pick a pumpkin and head to the park for a family picnic.  This year we wanted to provide all of the kids attending the party to paint pumpkins for fun, so off to the pumpkin patch we went!

Last Friday Justin had off work.  It was a beautiful fall day, about 65 degrees, so sunny and a slight breeze.  It was the perfect day to go pumpkin picking and to have a little outdoor picnic.

We headed to a local produce store called Benders Potato and Produce Barn.  Annaliese was tired, so we picked our pumpkins and hurried through the small petting zoo they had....and of course tried to snap some pictures.  No smiles here, but I do believe she still had fun with the animals.

"I want this one, daddy!"

On a mission

Checking out the bunnies

Walking with daddy

"Look over there, mommy"

Ouch my teeth hurt.

 They had some really creative ways to display their hay bales.

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Me and my little pumpkin

Then we headed to a local park for a picnic.  Annaliese fell asleep in the car...and didn't budge as we carried her to the picnic site.

Asleep on daddy

As we walked a little way from the parking lot, you couldn't help but notice all of the beautiful fall foliage.

We set up our picnic and laid Annaliese down for a nap.  Mommy and Daddy got to have some quiet time and adult conversation while still in the presence of our sleeping daughter and the gorgeous fall scenery.  It truly was the perfect day.

Sleeping Beauty

Daddy, setting up lunch

The awesome picnic basket we received from Ashley and Jenn as a wedding gift

Ready to eat!

Cheers!

 Then after eating our lunch, little miss sleepy woke up and joined us for lunch.  Smiling away now :)

Good Morning! :)

Mommy and Annaliese having some water

Having some ham and cheese

We had such a good time on our pumpkin patch and picnic day that we are turning it into an annual tradition, even when we have a new little one to take with us :)

Now we're left with a whole lot of pumpkins for the birthday girl's Pumpkin Birthday Party this weekend!  Post (of course) will come later!

Family from New Jersey will be in later today and the party will be tomorrow!  I'm so excited to see all of our friends and family in one place and celebrating something so joyous as our pretty girl's first birthday!  Oh...cake and toys too!  ;)

Happy Friday!