It doesn’t feel like fall without a visit to the pumpkin patch! We went to Pumpkin Village at Leesburg Animal Park for the first time this year, as it’s not too far of a drive from our new neighborhood. Turns out it was the perfect manageable size for us, as it had a lot of the rides and attractions that larger, more popular pumpkin patches like Cox Farms has, except everything was in closer proximity and there were less lines. There was also the playground and animal exhibits that are already there year-round at the Leesburg Animal Park, which added to the fun. The girls had such a great time!
Yesterday, we took Mio to Cox Farms in Centreville for their annual month-long Fall Festival, which is the largest and most popular fall festival in the DC area. We took Mio to Moore’s Pumpkin Patch last year in California, but she was so young that she didn’t really get to appreciate it as much then. Now that she’s walking, talking, and more perceptive, we knew that she’d be able to appreciate this celebration of autumn a lot more this year! It was a beautiful day, so there were thousands of other families there! It took a while to get through the line to enter the farm, but it was well worth it!
A cow greeting us as we waited in line at Cox Farms. Mio mooed back at him.
Finally entering the festival!
Taking a picture together by the pumpkins.
Piglet Mio with Daddy.
Mio was SO excited to see the pigs. She kept making oinking noises at them… lol.
Bonding with the pig.
Equally excited to see the goats.
Here is Mio by the goat pen, trying to feed them a corn husk she found on the ground…
Dan really wanted some kettle corn, so we bought a bag. Mio couldn’t wait to get her hands on some.
“Dadoo, please!”
Trying kettle corn for the first time.
There were lots of rides and activities for kids at the festival, but one of the main attractions was the hayride! We wanted to make sure we had time to go on it, so we got in line to ride it first.
Munching away while waiting for the hayride.
Finally boarding the hayride!
Here we go! Mio’s first hayride ever.
Mio and Daddy on the hayride.
Mio and I taking a ride through the corn fields.
The hayride was very eventful, with lots of little props and characters along the side of the road to surprise and entertain passengers during the ride.
This alien came up behind Dan and gave him bunny ears while he was busy snapping photos on his phone. There was everything from aliens (with a spaceship)…
to creatures from “Where the Wild Things Are”…
dancing cowgirls…
…and tentacles rising out of the water!
…there was even a scrawny Superman that came to “rescue” us when we our hayride got “stuck” in the ditch! 😛
There was even horses that came up next to the hayride!
Mio mooed at the horse. The horse looked confused.
“Get ready for the tunnel, Mio!”
Mio was in awe during the entire hayride.
After getting off of the hayride. That was a lot of fun!
Mio on the tractor.
“Whee!” Mio coming down the giant Castle Slide with Daddy.
Mio-rella in the pumpkin carriage with Mama.
By a vintage wagon.
They were giving away free apples and apple cider. The apple cider was SO good! Best we’ve ever had!
These apples were so sweet and delicious!
Mio drumming on the pots. (She’s had plenty of practice with the pots in the kitchen back home!)
Smiling out of the window of the train car.
Happy times.
Getting into the front of the train. Choo choo!
“All aboard!”
Cutie making her way out of the tunnel.
Those pumpkins and gourds were the same size as her (or larger)!
Of course, we had to stop by the pumpkin patch before we left. Mio had a great time wading through the sea of pumpkins…
Of course, she picks out the most ginormous one. I think she based her decision on which pumpkin was the most fun for climbing.
Silly girl trying to lift up the pumpkin…
A video of Mio at the pumpkin patch:
Passed out in the car ride home after a fun day at the Fall Festival!
The Fall Festival at Cox Farms was definitely the most impressive one I’ve ever been to! It’s not only a lot of fun for kids, but enjoyable for grownups, too. We definitely want to go back in the future — maybe we’ll make it an annual family tradition! 😀
Last Sunday, we took Mio to Moore’s Pumpkin Patch in Castro Valley — it was of course Mio’s first time at a pumpkin patch, and the grandparents (Dan’s parents) came along for the occasion. (This was the primary reason I had dressed Mio up as a pumpkin — so she could match the pumpkins there!) Mio was a bit cranky because she’d just awoken from a nap and was already tired from being out since early that day, but we got some cute pictures out of it!
Pooh Mio and Piglet Mama... Mio was not too happy about this.
Mio and Daddy with the pumpkins.
The pumpkin was bigger than Mio!
Family picture!
Our little family's first time at a pumpkin patch! ♥
Hugs for the Mio... she looks indifferent.
Mio grabbing Grandma's nose!
Mio with her loving grandparents!
Three generations of Allens.
Mio as Minnie Mouse.
The grandparents bought Mio mini pumpkins!
Mio and I went on a train ride together, and she seemed to have enjoyed it!
Leaning out of the train...
"What? Over already?"
Farm animals! It amused me that they were all thrown together in the same pen. Chickens, pig, rabbits, ducks, geese...
At the end of it all, Mio was tired and ready to go home!
The pumpkin patch was more fun that I’d expected, and I’m looking forward to going back in future years. Maybe Mio will be able to go on more rides next year! 🙂 Excited about all the memories we’ll make together in the years to come… ♥
