Avila Valley Barn

Two weeks ago we made our yearly fall trip

to the adorable

Avila Valley Barn!

Every year my mom, sister,

the kids and I load up the car,

and head to Avila for the day.

Lexie wasn't quite sure what to do with

all of the pumpkins at first.

She definitely wasn't in the mood

for sitting on a hay bale for a picture.

But what she was in the mood for was...

anything to do with the animals!

If you have never been, or don't know,

the Avila Valley Barn has farm animals that

you can feed.

Lexie LOVES it!

Here is a link to a video of her 

and the goats.

For some reason I couldn't

post the video here.

Annoyed. ;)

Lexie loves goats!

I wish I could get the shot of her face 

in this picture...because it was pure joy!

Landry decided he needed a snack to. :)

After the goats, we made our way to the sheep...

and then the cow.

Come here Mr. Cow!

Once again...no fear...

she loved the cow!

She has just as much love

for the cow as she does the goats.

Watch it here...

Lexie feeding the cow!

Every other time she fed him,

she squealed with delight after.

The minute she saw me filming her,

she's cool as a cucumber.

You can't go to the barn

without getting some yummy roasted corn!

It is easy to see that these two

are pretty crazy about each other. :)

We took some fun pictures

while waiting for the hay ride.

Landry loves this tractor!

This year Lexie wanted to get 

in on the action.

Of course she had a snack with her!

Next up...hay ride!

Each year the hay ride has been a bit different.

The two years they would drop you off and you 

could pick a pumpkin off the vine,

last year they didn't drop you off,

and this year,

they dropped you off in an area 

where the pumpkins were already set-up. 

Lexie wasn't sure what do with

all of the pumpkins.

Landry quickly found the perfect one.

After the hay ride we chose our

pumpkins from the wide variety

that they always have.

Here are our picks!

11 pumpkins for $40...

pretty good deal if you ask me. :)

Avila Valley Barn Pumpkin Fun!

On Saturday we made our annual trip to the

Avila Valley Barn for some pumpkin fun!

My mom, sister, and I started this yearly

trip when Landry was about 18 months old.

You might remember that he was NOT

a fan of pumpkins...or any part of it, really.

Over the years it has grown on him

and now he looks forward to our fall tradition.

We were all so excited to see Lexie's reaction

to everything...and she did not disappoint!

Have I mentioned that she is C-R-A-Z-Y?

We mad a quick stop in San Luis Obispo

for some Splash Cafe chowder...

and then headed to the farm.

First item of business...

feed the farm animals.

Can you see my little animal trying

to climb out of the wagon?

She was so excited to see all of the animals!

We made a quick detour for an obligatory

sibling pumpkin picture. :)

Then back to the animals...goats to be specific.

When Lexie spied them...

she could hardly contain herself!

She lunged forward, trying to get out of the wagon,

and as close to the goats as possible...

screaming the whole time.

Here is a quick video I got.

She wasn't AS excited about the chickens.

My little farm girl and me.

She might not look too thrilled now...

but she was once she spotted the cow!

She grabbed onto the fence so hard that

I could barely pry her fingers off.

I just knew that cow was going to come up 

and lick her whole face...

but she didn't...thankfully!

This video doesn't do justice to how excited she was.

If she could have figured out a way to get

on the cow...she would have.

I also love how you can see Landry in

the background at one part...

not wanting to get too close to the cow...

my sweet Mr. Cautious. :)

My attempt at getting a shot

of just Lexie with a pumpkin...

She was WAY too interested 

in the pumpkins to look at me. :)

My two cuties and me!

Love them so much!

Lexie having fun with

Nawnie while we wait to pay for our pumpkins.

After we loaded up our wagon...

it was time for a hay ride!

Lexie tried as hard as she could

to eat some hay while we waited.

But she couldn't quite get it

in her mouth. :)

Sibling shot take 1:

take 2...

take 3...

Yup...didn't happen. :(

I love the look on Landry's face, though.

It is like he is thinking,

"Will you PLEASE do something with her, Mom?"

On the hay ride...ready for some fun...

or in Lexie's case...round 2 at trying to eat hay!

She was getting a bit fussy and was happiest when

I sat her on the floor of the trailer...

which gave her lots of opportunities

to grab handfuls of hay...and try to shove

them in her mouth before I could get them.

After the hay ride Landry wanted to ride the ponies.

My little cowboy...boots and all. :)

By the end of the day...

Auntie K.K. was still smiles...

Lexie...not so much. :)

All in all, it was a fun day!

Lexie loved pretty much EVERYTHING,

Landry got to pick his own little pumpkin 

for his room, ride a pony, eat roasted corn,

and drink apple cider...what more could a kid ask for? :)

I am so bummed that I din't get a picture

with all of us together...

but, there is always next year! :)

And just for fun...here is a look back at our previous trips:

Avila Valley Barn 2014

Avila Valley Barn 2013

Avila Valley Barn 2012

Avila Barn 2011

Clovis Fest 2015

Yesterday morning we woke up bright and early...

well, actually dark and early...

the sun wasn't even up yet when we left the house...

and headed out to one of our favorite

yearly traditions...

Clovis Fest Hot Air Balloon Launch!

Early morning selfie

This little cutie was with us, too!

My sweet friend Kim got her those adorable booties. :)

The weather was pretty much perfect...

and there were a TON of people...

so we didn't get as close as normal...

but it is still so neat to watch them launch.

Nawnie and Landry

Auntie KK and Lexie

Up, up, and away!

My munchkins and me

I can't believe how big Lexie looks in this picture. :(

My kiddos are so lucky to have the best auntie!

Landry's favorite was the Fresno State

blimp/air balloon/flying thinga-ma-jig. :)

It was a great morning and I always

think of it as the kick-off event for fun family

holiday traditions.

Next up...

Avila Barn pumpkins,

pumpkin patch,

Big Fresno Fair,

Halloween,

Thanksgiving,

and then all that Christmas has to offer. :)