Berry Pickin'

It was a beautiful day to go pick some berries at Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville. So that is precisely what we did. :) I've been wanting to go berry pickin' ever since we had Max. It's just such a wholesome, American family outing that we hope to make a tradition. No, more than just a tradition. A regular activity. We enjoyed it so much that we are already planning another berry pickin' (and, yes, you have to say "pickin" - no "g" sound allowed) adventure for a few weeks from now. Today we chose to pick boysenberries.

Max was a sampler for us and quite approved of our selections.
I cannot stress what an amazingly gorgeous day it was. The sun beat down on the shining berries. The earth was brown and crumbly beneath our feet. It seriously doesn't get any closer to nature than this. In the fields. Pickin' your own fruit that you'll take home and eat. It was all very "down on the farm... er... ranch". Whatever, it was bliss!
Max was a little apprehensive about touching the actual plants, but didn't mind being our taste tester one bit!

He got very messy and I think I managed to ruin two shirts by holding him. I don't care. It was worth it.
Our loot! Look at those gorgeous, glimmering berries!
And the happiest of baby boys enjoying some fun on the ranch (darn, I really wish it were Gizdich Farm - fun on the farm has a much better ring to it).
The older he gets the more his curious eyes shine as they take in the world. They are the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen.
We had so much fun as a family on the ranch today. The fun continues with our boysenberry pie that was made tonight. And it will continue to be continued tomorrow with some boysenberry jam. There's talk of possibly venturing back to good ol' Gizdich tomorrow even for more berry pickin' goodness. We'll see... we just can't get enough!