Freddy Hill Farms

This morning one of our play groups planned a trip to Freddy Hill Farms for a fall outing. Ben was sick earlier this week and Nate has had bouts of extreme crankiness these past few days (another tooth, possibly?) so luckily they both seemed pleasant and well-rested enough this morning to go. What fun I had with my two guys and the other moms and kids!

Beautiful Freddy Hill Farms. Is this "so Pennsylvania" or what? It's funny that Ben knows the name of various farm accoutrements such as silos, corrals, combines, "Amish" - ha ha.

Our visit included various activities including a tractor ride, pick your own pumpkin (PYO in Pennsylvania lingo), a corn maze and a homemade ice cream. The tractor was our first activity and SUCH a hit. I think we have finally reached a point where Ben is overcoming his fear of rides. He cowered for a few minutes when it was time to board the tractor but as soon as he was on, he loved it! I have more photos of our return trip later on...

Here is Tember with Truly and Paisley. Also Beth with Kyle and Logan.

Andrew and Will enjoying the ride.

Our destination was a PYO pumpkin patch. The lady is showing the kids pumpkin seeds here and telling them how pumpkins grow. Note how Ben is front and center and so attentive. Hopefully this is a good sign for when he starts school in a few years!

And.....they're off! The kids were each allowed to pick one pumpkin but had fun running around searching for the ideal one. Ben was slow to warm up but once he did, he had a blast!

"That one, Mommy! " as he finds the "perfect" specimen.

"Or wait a minute....maybe this one is better."

Brothers Kyle and Logan with their pumpkins.

Will and Katie Stewart, our friends from colleges' kids. Can you tell they are related? :)

My attempt at a photo with the boys. As usual lately, Ben hates taking pictures and will go out of his way to not smile for the camera. And note my new shorter hairdo. I cut off 10 inches last weekend! Of course being outside on a farm after a tractor ride is not the best environment for the unveiling of my new 'do since it looks sort of windswept. But I do like it a lot and Nate can no longer chew on it!

Ok, take 1. Action! (as Ben tries to squirm away)

Cut! Take 2. Smile, Ben! (no luck).

Final cut. Mommy and Nate. Sorry, Ben, we'll catch you offguard later on!

Mindy with Andrew and Maddie.

Here comes our tractor to take us back to the farm.

And the ride back. The kids had so much fun enjoying the ride and especially, playing with the hay.

Ok, another attempt at a photo with the boys. Take 4! Look here, boys! (drat! no luck again...but Ben likes the hay.)

Final photo. Not too bad. At least Nate is looking right at the camera.

Brooke and Sarah with the kiddos. Brooke with Lincoln and Elliott and Sarah with Will and Katie.

Now this has to be the best picture I got all morning. Will and his little sis Katie showing their love for each other!


Mary with Ethan. What a little cutie he is!

After our tractor ride, we got to go through the corn maze. Ben really liked this too. I figured he would since he likes puzzles a lot. Of course he didn't truly understand what a maze was at first but once we hit a few dead-ends, I think he was starting to catch on.

At the end of the maze is a gigantic slide that you get to by climbing up a huge tractor. Ben loved this! Again, I thought he'd be timid but he climbed right up and went down without a second glance (and then asked to go on again at the bottom!).

Wheeeee! I even went down with Nate in my Baby Bjorn on my chest. Too bad I didn't get a photo of that!
Will and Kyle playing with the hay as the rest of the group went down the slide. After this we went and had lunch and ice cream. What a fun morning!