Raspberry pickers

You want two able and {sometimes} helpful raspberry pickers? They did great. Didn't have to show them twice how to get the red stuff off the vine. Once I told them they could eat the berry instead of put it in my basket, I was left a solo picker. The were not allowed to pick them out of my basket (cause they tried...it was easier...already there for the eating), but as long as they picked it, they could eat it.
The forecast called for rain. Brenden doesn't have rain boots (we're almost into winter anyway...his boots can pull double duty).

We drove about 25 minutes South to the local Orchard.

They had a nice view.

Found our next picnic spot.

(Lately, when we go to the grocery store, or anywhere for that matter, I can get these guys to hold each others' hands without any complaining, convincing, or bribing. And they hold on tight to each other so I don't worry about kids running into oncoming cars. Nice to give Brenden the chance to take care of his sissy rather than hog that role all to myself).

Look at the form. A natural.

Buddy getting the visual before trying it out.

For all you novice pickers, here's Kyleigh's 3 easy steps:
Step 1: pick the berry
Step 2: slip berry onto tiny finger

Step 3: get berry all over your face and some into your mouth

Repeat steps 1-3

Brenden got more of it into his mouth and less on his face than his counterpart.

Don't skip this step! It takes concentration to do it right.

I forgot to count how many rows of raspberry bushes they had. The rows made their way up the hill quite a bit.

Why would Brenden halt the raspberry picking fest? A train. He heard the whistle and you could just barely see it passing through the trees in the distance. The picture doesn't show it, but trust me, this little boy knows his locomotives.

Again, don't skimp this part!

She's a regular now.

Meanwhile, he was still trying to search for the last traces of the train. Don't bother him until the last car has departed.

Ok, it's gone. Back to berries. Which one to choose???

The rows of berries went up a few rows. I can't remember what was growing beyond that.

The lady in red kept coming over and dumping her basket that she picked into my basket. She knew I was not getting very many by being a solo picker. She and her husband are frequent visitors to this orchard.

Brenden tried to roll down the grassy hill again. He still didn't get low enough for a good roll...

 ...so he got up and ran down.

 And then circled the john deere a few times on our way to the main building to pay for our picked goods.

 Nice afternoon at the Orchard.