The Pumpkin Patch 2016

We went to the Pumpkin Patch last Saturday.  It is our 7th year in a row to enjoy Papa's Pumpkin Patch just north of Newton, Kansas.  There is no admission fee, and only minimal fees to take part in some activities throughout the Patch and charges for a pumpkin if you pick one.  They have many varieties of pumpkins to choose from... some are already picked and brought up out of the Patch, but the majority are left out in the Patch so that families and children can experience walking out into the Patch together and really picking their own pumpkin.  Wagons and cutting tools are provided.

A free activity that our children ALWAYS love is the giant white slide.  While we were there last weekend they were finishing up adding in a second big white slide close to the farm playground.

On our way to the Patch this year, one of our tires sprang a big leak.  Enough of a leak that Eric and I did not feel comfortable with both of us staying at the Patch and letting it keep going down... So, Eric dropped us off and headed back to town to get it fixed.  Three hours and one new tire later we met him back at home.  We were especially thankful that Popee and Nanee had decided to go to the Patch with us this year!  We were able to have fun with them there and then get a ride with them back to our house while Daddy was taking care of the tire issues.

It is no secret that Fall is my favorite season, so I always make my kids pose for some Fall pictures while we're at the Patch.

Hendrickson kids at the Patch ~ 2016

We took a hay rack ride all over the Patch before walking around and picking out our pumpkins.

There were several large fields filled with orange, green, white, grey, striped, and bumpy pumpkins of all sizes.

The kids picked to try out the Straw Scramble this year.  They were given three minutes to dig around in the straw for candy and coins.  They each found some candy and coins.  Sarah had the most coins and Phoebe found the most candy.

They liked using the corn grinder to clean the corn off the ears of field corn.

There is a new farm animal petting barn and outdoor area this year.

Our kids liked seeing and petting goats, calves, bunnies, pigs, a cat, chickens, and turkeys.

Headed out to the Patch.....

Sarah found a giant tall pumpkin first that she wanted.  She had to have help to carry it to our wagon.  It weighed over 30 pounds!  Phoebe found a shorter round pumpkin with a giant stem for herself.

And, I encouraged Silas to pick this nice smaller orange and green pumpkin.  He thought it was cute and was excited to pick it and to hold it.

Our last activity that each of our kids tried with Popee's help was the Potato Gun type shooters.  They each got two shots for a dollar.

It was a beautiful Fall day.  We missed having Eric with us, but had a lot of fun and picked some great pumpkins.

To find out more about Papa's Pumpkin Patch click this link - papaspumpkinpatchks.com

or find them on facebook - PAPA'S PUMPKIN PATCH - Newton, Kansas

A Weekend In Manhattan

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

Stacee and I typically go to one Kansas State Wildcat football game a year.  This year, we thought it would be a great idea to have our entire family and our good friends join us.

On Friday, 9/23, we left Wichita on our journey to Wamego to stay the weekend with our great friends, the Adams Family.  We arrived around dusk.  Rex started a fire in his fire pit and we had roasted marshmallows.

For lunch on Saturday we went to a restaurant in downtown Manhattan that the construction company Rex works for just completed.  While at the restaurant, the storms blew in.

Silas had his first encounter with Chess as he challenged Rex to a game.  Silas did a great job of asking questions and engaging Rex in conversation.  I was surprised he did not lose interest after a few minutes.

All the kiddos are dressed in their purple for the game.

It poured rain from Wamego to Manhattan and I figured there would be a weather delay.  We were prepared for rainy weather though.  Stacee packed a poncho for each one of us.

We teased Sarah about wearing a witch costume instead of a black poncho.

Our family parked at a friend's house close to the football stadium and walked to the game from there.  Thanks Nathan.

The game start time was delayed from 6pm to 7pm so we hung out in Bramlage Coliseum and waited.  Here we are playing bubble gum, bubble gum while we waited.

We left Bramlage about 30 minutes before game time to walk into Bill Snyder Family Stadium.  It had stopped raining.

The Adams Family was already in their seats ready for some Wildcat action.  We had 10 seats, 5 in one row and 5 right in front of that row.  The kids went back and forth from row to row seating next to each other.

Nice picture of the two youngest friends.

The kids seemed to have a good time and were good fans.  They caught on and participated in the cheers, songs, and excitement of being at a KSU football game.

The rain and storms pushed in again at halftime and delayed the game.  The Hendrickson's hung out in Bramlage again for about 30 minutes and decided it was best to just leave.  On our way walk back to the car, in pouring rain and lightening, we caught word that the game had been called.  Wildcats won 35-0.  Thanks to the Adams family for a fun weekend.