An October Surprise

This year Sam and I thought it would be fun to take the girls into the mountains to get a pumpkin. We told them that we were going to the pumpkin patch but we didn't tell them how we were going to get there. The girls were surprised to see that we were going to the pumpkin patch via the Pumpkin Liner. We had so much fun riding the old rickety train through the mountains. The gentle sway of the train felt like being rocked to sleep in an old comfy rocking chair. The train tracks go right along the Payette River which winds through the mountains, north of Boise. I kept imagining that I was on the Hogwarts Express. Sam and I kept doing our best (or worst) British accents, saying "Harreee Potta" over and over again.

When Sam asked Elise where she thought we were going Elise said "The PUMPKIN FACTORY!" The girls each got to pick out their own pumpkin. They also got to go in this cute little house where the two people who worked on the train also sold ice cream and other treats. We each had a delicious huckleberry ice cream cone. Then we loaded up our pumpkins and headed back down the mountain. The weather was so beautiful. We had a wonderful fall adventure on a perfect October day.

Hannah led the way as she, Sam, and Elise searched out the perfect pumpkins.
Hannah was much more interested in her ice cream cone then in posing for a picture. Elise was a little concerned about how heavy her pumpkin was.
This was the cute little house where the girls got there icecream. Hooray for huckleberry ice cream!
Hannah and Elise were a little worried that they might drop this heavy pumpkin so they were holding on tight. Ava was just gazing at all of the beautiful scenery.
Ava the pumpkin rider...she lasted for a full 8 seconds!
Ava and mama cuddling together.

A very proud owner of her very own pumpkin!
Daddy and Elise taking in the sights.
Hannah giving her pumpkin a little love!
Life can't possibly get any better than this!