Kicking It, Maryland Style

With a good night's rest under our belt, we woke up Sunday morning with a full schedule of Maryland fun. The morning was absolutely perfect, "cowboy" blue skies with no clouds, and the slightest breeze to make it as comfortable as it could have been.

Uncle Peeb's (Michael), Kristen, Robyn, Jaxson, and I all headed north to check out Butler's Orchard. On the plan ride, I read an article about some of the country's greatest pumpkin patches, and one just happened to be in Germantown, MD - a mere 20 minute drive from where we were.

This was not only Jaxson's first experience in a true pumpkin patch, but it was also Robyn's and mine. We have all been to the local pumpkin markets on road sides and farmer markets, but this was a true working farm with a Pumpkin Festival and working farmer's market on the property.

The setting was perfect for some priceless photographs. The leaves have just begun changing colors, and the colors of fall were all around us. Countless pumpkins of all sizes were scattered across acres of farmland. With wheelbarrow in hand, we set of to find the perfect pumpkin for Jaxson's first pumpkin adventure. Charlie Brown would have been jealous that Jaxson found the Great Pumpkin in the Great Pumpkin Patch. Eat your heart out Charlie.

The night before, while at dinner we decided to do what fellow Maryland'ers would do, and we ordered some crab to enjoy while we watched our beloved Cowboys play. Kristen's younger brother, Ronnie, was kind enough to pick up some genuine Maryland state crabs on his way to join us for the game. This was my first experience at attacking some grabs with wooden hammers and melted butter, and I have to say, for all the work and the mess that they make - it is worth the effort. Some steamed crab with "Old Bay" spice, washed down with some cold brewski's is not a bad way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Jaxson still isn't old enough to enjoy shellfish, so the boy had to stick with his Mac 'n Cheese.

The rest of the afternoon consisted of a whole lot of couch laying, football watching, and just simple family time.