Pumpkin Patch 2010

Today was a beautiful fall day. Fall sun and temperatures in the morning and the graying sky this afternoon. Our Monday playgroup ventured out for our annual pumpkin patch trip. With Ainsley and Andrew ready to find the great or perfect pumpkin in a 60 acre patch!

We had a great tour of the farm and learned about pumpkins. Of course there was a hayride, the picking, the playing, and pumpkin donuts! The kids were thrilled and had a blast. Here are a few of our favorite pictures from our outing.

From Rankin Family

Ainsley found her perfect pumpkin. She let me know it had a good stem, was very round, and just the right size. She even managed to carefully carry it all the way to the wagon for the trip back.

From Rankin Family

Look mom, I'm so strong! Andrew found his pumpkin, and then another, and then another, and then another. Is it a pumpkin or a ball. Better yet, it's both to him. Thankfully the pumpkins weren't damaged and we came home with a round and unscarred pumpkin for the little man.

From Rankin Family

Family picture time! It never seems to be easy these day to capture both children looking at the camera and smiling. This was my best shot. Ainsley seems to be striking a pose all the time.

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Andrew loving the pumpkins!

Challenger 3985 Steam Train

Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 was designed by Union Pacific and built in 1943 by the American Locomotive Company. It is one of 105 Challengers built for Union Pacific between 1936 and 1943 and is the only operating engine of its class in the world today – the largest and most powerful operating steam locomotive.

From Rankin Family

We were able to visit this train at Union Station. We took the trip down on Sunday afternoon because we had been studying steam power earlier in the week. Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel was the story of the week. I had no idea how big the train would be. It was pretty neat to compare the train wheels to Ainsley. We also met a boiler inspector and watched as they cleaned some of the train parts.

From Rankin Family

Ainsley also had the opportunity to meet the trains conductor. He told us all about his journey from Cheyenne, Wyoming with the train. He punched an old-fashioned ticket for Ainsley and showed her his pocket watch. He came from a family of conductors (dad, and grandfather) and his pocket watch was still running from 1906.

From Rankin Family

After waiting an hour, we finally got to go up and see the inside of the engine car. We saw the whistle pull, the bell wheel, the gauges, the speedometer, and got a quick lesson in watching out the train window. It was probably a once in a lifetime experience to see the train this up close and working.

From Rankin Family