Friday, October 23, 2009

Lombardi Ranch

Yesterday the kids were out of school a little early so we decided to head to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins.
And to make it feel like it really is fall!
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All of the "Pumpkin Patches" around our house are basically parking lots with some hay thrown on the ground and bales stacked here and there with pumpkins on the hay. They throw a fence around it, a tent on top and then put a few bounce houses inside to lure the children.
They can hear the children in the cars as they pass, "CAN WE GO IN THAT JUMPY?"
No, no, no.... the place is inauthentic. It is not a real pumpkin patch.

Not like Lombardi Ranch, which is family owned and perhaps not the best pumpkin patch ever, but pretty great as it compares to the parking hay patches.

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I was particularly impressed by the stems or tops of their pumpkins.
You can never underestimate the value of a good pumpkin stem.

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One year, I put my carefully picked pumpkins in the back of my suburban and when I got home I discovered to my dismay that they had rolled around all the way home and their tops had broken off.
I was devastated.

Lombardi Ranch also has great varieties of squash.
I really like squash for some reason.
Not the sport.
No, I do not play squash on the weekends.
I do like to bake them though.
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Aren't they all cool and funky looking.
They look a the pumpkins and think..
yah... everyone may want you...
but we are unique and colorful and there are rows and rows of you all over the place in
parking hay patches!

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I was quite partial to this particular pumpkin.
Couldn't you just eat him up?

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I tried, but Hottie Husband snapped a picture of me so I had to stop.

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The kids loved exploring the hay pyramids

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Jackie Boy enjoyed the jowels of a giant Jack O Lantern

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then Toots escaped from jail and decided to do a little jig...

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His escape vehicle was this cool old fire truck.
They risked life and limb and let Little Bear drive.

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Then I tried to look all dreamy to HH by hanging from said fire truck in my cool new aviator sunglasses. Shouldn't there be some music playing?
If I knew how to Photoshop that German arm, believe me it would be done.
HH loves my for those arms though. They help him move large pieces of furniture, wood, etc. I am a hearty wife!
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I had to put this one in because Mister Luke is actually looking at the camera and smiling.
This is after years of photography therapy for both of us.
A momentous occasion.
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Mom look, he's wearing my Halloween costume.
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Then we visited the animals and I became fascinated by this ostrich.
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She looks a little irritated with me.


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Yes, most assuredly irritated.
I am now glad she is behind the fence.
I have a history with bad bird behavior. A flock of geese once attacked me.. in Hawaii... and I have never been the same.
HH has his own issues with birds disliking him. He used to have a pet parrot named Petey who would attack his head whenever it was let out of the cage.

We left before she could rip through the fence and eat us both.

Then we saw these pigs loving up on each other.
Again, some music is in order.
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We finally picked out our pumpkins and headed to the exit.

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The boys begged for corn. Yes, begged!!
It was a really hard decision considering it is a vegetable and my children were begging for it and it was only 70 cents per ear.

They shucked it
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and ate it raw and then asked why I normally cook it.

I don't know. Maybe you can get some type of disease if you eat it raw. We'll soon find out.

Happy Fall Mamasistas
and thanks for enduring the massive amount of pictures I just posted.


16 comments:

Liz said...

The pictures in combination with your narrative is what makes your post so very exciting and enthralling (sp?)! It is like we can really glimpse into what you are thinking...and it makes me realize I am boring! JJ.

Keep them comin!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Love the pics! Neither my husband, nor I, grew up going to pumpkin patches, so I've been going back and forth with whether or not I'll take my little one... but these inspire me! I might just go ahead with it :)

Also, I just randomly decided to look through some of your blogs from March and April of this year (I was looking for a story on how you met your newest babe) and I just wanted to tell you that one story had me laughing so hard and another had me in tears. You really have a great gift to reach and relate to people. I'm glad you enjoy sharing your life on here!

Katrina said...

You're hilarious. This post totally made my night! All of the pictures are gorgeous!!

Farmgirl Paints said...

I love reading your writing. You put me in some kind of happy strance. Strange but true. Great pics of your wonderful pumpkin patch.

mindyluwho said...

I love going to the pumpkin patch! It's the official start of the holiday season for us. The one we use to go to closed down though and we haven't found another one we like yet. There is a huge one in this area that everyone goes to, but it is too commercialized for me.

You have some fabulous photos here! I especially love the ones of Toots dancing a jig!

Kasey said...

I grew up in Santa Clarita and went every year to Lombardi ranch!
great photo's girl.
xo

Brigetta's Mom said...

What a hoot. LOL.You made me laugh to tears!
I love all the pictures and your story telling of the days events captures my heart.
I remmber going last year with you and your sister and we couldn't get to the car before the kids were eating the corn right off the cob (uncooked).
We don't cook the stawberries before we eat them and they dont have a coat on to protect them...so why not eat the corn that way too!!!! Love ya, Mom

Brian the old man said...

What a wonderful photo essay. The first photo of the huge pumpkin is incredible. It sounds like you all had a great time. We have a true pumpking patch near our home and I love taking the kids there each year to explore. Thanks for sharing this Fantabulous post. Have a nice weekend.

A New England Girl said...

Aw, I LOVE these photos... what a fun pumpkin patch!! I'm glad you posted these; with all of the rain we've had, I haven't gotten out to my favorite patch this year and I don't think I will before it is too cold and they shut down all of their productions to get ready for Christmas... sigh... so sad! But, I did love these and it looks like you guys had a blast! :)

Angie said...

I love your pumpkin patch pictures...looks like you guys had a ball.

Cool ostrich pics and I love the piggy kisses...

Fun post :))

Fliterary said...

Love the post and the photos. Your family is precious! Thank you for sharing the joy.

a new beginning said...

okay, you are hysterical. so many laughs with this post. the german arm (if you think yours is big then see mine...or can i make excuses for a german thigh?...the ostrich pics...it's crazy eyes...um...that you don't play squash...that was a good one. you are one funny girl and you make the internet oh so much fun...and deep...and interesting...and colorful. You are such a gift to us all my friend. thanks for being you! and btw will you even be home when i call?! :)

Foursons said...

I love all the pictures! I can't pick one that is my favorite- they are all so good. Keep 'em coming girl, keep 'em coming.

*Elle said...

Fabulous Photos!!! Love your post.

Leslee said...

Yeah! for all your pics!!! Loved 'spending the day' with you and your family at the pumpkin patch... You made me feel I was right there...

Happy fall to YOU!!!