Today we took a family trip out to Butler Orchard.  We went to a Fall Festival.  Actually, we drove up to the festival, waited in line and I decided we should just get pumpkins–skip the festival.  So we got up to the lady taking money and I said we changed our minds.  As I was making a U-turn (and Strider was trying to hide his embarrassment I saw a petting zoo.  So, after making the U-turn I made another one and we actually went.  It was wonderful.  Strider is a fabulous dad and a really patient husband.  Luckily there was a different woman taking money when we got up to the front again so it was slightly less embarrassing for the hub.

Moxie sat on a tractor with flames on the side.  I actually accidentally rushed another woman and her daughter off when I gasped because I thought the little girl was falling off.  I didn’t mean to but I totally became “that lady” for a minute.  Also: the picture above with their heads in the pumpkin and ghost is one of 50 that I took and the ONLY one with both Mox and Strider looking through at the same time.

Turns out Moxie is afraid of chickens.  I mean, we can’t blame her, chickens are weird.  They move differently than other animals and they really look different.  She wasn’t willing to get very close and leaned into us when we were near them.  Note to future house guests: don’t dress or move like a chicken.

The pigs were a different story.  Well, at least the fence surrounding the pigs.  Moxie really liked the fence.

Goats and sheep were a much better time.  She was slow to warm up but actually fed them grass and food pellets.  Note: Strider is a super dad.  He came to this partay with quarters.  We got to buy all the goat treats we wanted.  Moxie shared her bounty with other kids who’s dads suck.

Moxie is a tall baby.  Not a two year old.  Just a tall baby.  Also: this photo was taken seconds before she got rushed by a gang of older boys.  She did pretty well.

We visited the chickens a second time.  Still freaked but willing to get a little closer.

Oh yeah!  Moxie got her first pony ride.  Boots who, just like her handler, totally ignored Moxie.  Moxie REALLY didn’t want to touch the horn of the saddle so she road Lazy Boy style.  I had to keep my hand on her back the whole time or she would have flipped backwards.  Already a stunt rider.

One of the best parts of the day was running with sticks.  This girl has a thing for sticks and leaves.  

After lunch of “open pit bbq” (blah) Moxie had a riot of a time running downhill with dad.  She thought she was big doins.

Replace all the sand in your sandbox with corn.  That is the most brilliant move a person can make.  Moxie thought it was absolutely fabulous.  She even tried (multiple times) to eat it.  After a diaper change with corn removal she still managed to smuggle a bunch home.  We plan on mailing it back.

Yep.  She keeps her finger up her nose for safe keeping.

Here’s Moxie once we got home.  Oh yeah!  And we got a couple pumpkins!!

well! We finally have some pictures to share! It was a great party. Lots of people (particularly the grandparents, the aunt, and the cousin were mega helpful) made this party happen. We think everyone had a good time…

Of course! The tucker birthday songs!

Moxie and Rita

She made out like a bandit!

Photo op with her buds

Three generations of robot

Grown ups chatted too

Who does she look like?

Vincent, Rita, and Mox

Betsy and Faye

Catching up with friends

Planning an escape

Cheese balling

Awkward blinking

Cold chillin’

White shirting

Kid catching

Fashionable arrival

Sister bots

Ollie’s crew

Robot making

Bibi and Babu

Ahhh

Taking out the trash

Enough said. 

For a week each summer Moxie’s daycare provider takes a much needed vacation.  This year Moxie’s Grandparents were kind enough to drive out from Wichita and take care of her while we went to work.  It was so helpful for us to not have to take off work AND it was really fun for Mox to chill with the GPs.  They took walks, played with bubbles, chased the dogs, and went to the mall.  They took Moxie to her first indoor playground.  As Moxie becomes more mobile these activites are more fun.  Moxie is a very outgoing young lady.  She chatted up the other parents and made friends with the kids.  She also wrestled a lady bug.