Pumpkin Patch!

October was a little different for us this year.  With Russ's leg still a bit rough, we didn't get to do some of our favorite things as a family.  But, he and I talked about it, and we decided that I would still take Vivi to the pumpkin patch, even though he wasn't able to go.  So, we joined up with Aunt Kate and Noah, and off we went!  Home girl was pretty excited, let me tell you.  She is getting bigger, and is able to do many more things while we were there.  This year?  Ride-on-trikes.

 But, zooming around on a trike couldn't hold her attention for long when there was an entire pumpkin patch to explore, and we quickly moved on.

She and Noah scaled the giant haystack.

 She didn't need my help this year, which made me kind of sad.

She DID need my help to drive this bad boy, though (which was SUPER fun!)

 "CRAZY DRIVERS!!!"

We took the obligatory "cut out head"shot.  This year, she chose a flower.

 And was tall enough to fit her face in without being lifted up.  The times, they are a'changing.

She was also not afraid to go on the bounce pads by herself.

Though this did not stop her from conning both me...

...and Aunt Kate...

 ...into bouncing with her (this did not really take much conning, actually.  They are pretty fun, and I did not get to go on them last year).

And then we went on Vivi's first ever hayrack ride out into the fields to pick "the perfect pumpkin."  Or three.  Since we needed one for both parents, as well.

Not content to pick out three pumpkins on her own, she offered "sage advice" to Aunt Kate and Noah.

All in all, it was a pretty awesome day.  It was sad to go without Russ, but that just means Pumpkin Patch 2013 will be even more awesome.  And who knows what she'll have grown into by then.  Miss Thing is never boring.