The Pumpkin Patch 2012: The Picture in My Head vs. Reality

One Sunday in October, we decided to take a family trip to the pumpkin patch, conveniently located just 3 miles from our house. I took the "good" camera, envisioning some great shots of the kids and their pumpkins, and maybe even a few family shots, as we frolicked in the idyllic pastures (dirt area loaded with pumpkins), leisurely selected pumpkins and some cool gourds, and enjoyed the gorgeous fall temperatures. We even took our wagon, and I hoped that a hay ride might be an option.

The Reality:
The weather had fluctuated all afternoon between completely blue sky and 20-minute sky blackening thunderstorms. When we left home, it was gorgeous. Any guesses where this story is going?

During our 3-mile drive, the horizon got darker. And darker. By the time we got out of the truck, the wind was gusting. The pumpkin patch (home of Gene the Pumpkin Man!) had wagons, so we left ours in the truck. Thomas only wanted to pull the wagon, not ride in it, and Josiah either wanted to stand in the wagon or not be in it. We let the boys wander amongst the pumpkins, and I shot photo after photo like some crazy paparazzi mom. Thomas picked out pumpkins that he liked for him and for Jojo. Then it started to drizzle. We thought we'd wait it out in the gourd shed. Then it started to pour, but since it was windy, the rain was falling sideways. Ed took Jojo and made a run for the truck. Thomas and I went to pay for the pumpkins, and then I picked him around the waist and took off running, pulling the wagon with our two pumpkins behind me. By the time we ran the 50 yards to the truck, Thomas and I were both soaked. No gourds, no family pictures, definitely no hay ride. But I did get some pretty cute pics of the boys, and we got our pumpkins! We'll try again next year...