This is the story behind the perfect pumpkin patch photo of three cousins. Pictures like everything else in parenting hardly ever simply happen.
On the other hand, like everything else in parenting, getting there is more than half the fun.
On Friday evening, the Earl and Countess rang to let us know they along with LadyL the first and LordW would be journeying to the Duchy, and before they could tell me the details of their plan, we had decided that LadyLL and I should join them on an excursion to the pumpkin patch.
Earlier than usual for a Saturday morning, we spooned down breakfast and departed for what is rumored to be the premier pumpkin patch in North Georgia, Burt's Farm. I had heard stories of traffic backed up for miles and frustrated parents turning around and heading back the hour and a half to Atlanta to purchase pumpkins from local corner vendors. Horrors! But that was not to be the case for us in our first venture to Sacred Pumpkin Land.
After a complicated rendezvous including removing LL's super duper securely attached race car seat from our car and my brother expertly attaching it to their giant home on wheels, we were off to Amicalola Falls to Burt's. It felt like fall with a high temperature of 50* and drizzle. But as we traveled, much to LL's delight on turning and twisting roads, the rain let up. When we arrived, the sun was shining on the pumpkin parking lot, the land yacht was parallel parked in three moves, and we joined hundreds of families among the pumpkins.
I was surprised to learn that one does not venture into the actual pumpkin patch to select the pumpkin. Actually, Burt's Farm is a wide open area with the pumpkins already harvested and grouped more or less by size and separated by varieties.
In addition to the expected giant orange pumpkins...
Notice this one was $100- ummm... step away from the pumpkin, babygirl!
Is it big or little? That's right! Biiig!
there were blue moons, 
creamy whites,
little sweets,
(and look at the big line for the hay ride!
we decided it was too cold and wet for such silliness)
and dozens of smaller squash that parade as miniature pumpkins
LL thinks W is funny and likes that he comes when she calls him ;)
...plus giant boxes of various gourds.
Here are the cool apple gourds. Their surfaces have the same coloration as watermelon. LL was intrigued and probably thinking it was indeed the most glorious pile of watermelons she has ever seen.
It apparently is a requirement that all families with children under age ten travel to the mountains to select a pumpkin. And though the mommies and children seem to have fun, many dads spend at least some of the time standing there looking like this next photo. Perhaps a big screen TV and some leather recliners would lead to bigger sales numbers since mommies and children could shop and collect pumpkins and squash for hours if dads were being entertained.
After the struggles to try to get the perfect photo of your children with the pumpkins....
Please stay still...
Smile, don't laugh kids!
The pumpkins are loaded into wheelbarrows, and more fun ensues.
"I pull it!" LL declared.
a little excercise swinging on the wheelbarrow...
"Free toddler with purchase of pumpkin."
Buyer beware ;)
meeting other little kids wondering through the big pumpkins...
As I continued to survey the crowd, several families seemed deserving of awards for their
accomplishment of completing the journey in style.
Best Hat
Best Use of Stroller
Best Tiny Baby Costume
There were two couples each with a baby this small there together.
They got lots of attention.
It was time to hug pumpkins bye-bye...
and head for home watching tv. She was pretty surprised and tickled to see a tv in the big land yacht!
It was a fun day indeed!
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