Our October and some BIG News!

 October came so quickly and we also transitioned from summer to fall abruptly, so it goes in the Midwest. Although, as I type this we had a few days this week that felt like spring rather than fall but that is also to be expected where we live. I actually like the variety in weather most of the time. 

Let's talk all things October!!! First, we did what we always do before Halloween and we headed to a few pumpkin patches!

The first pumpkin patch we went with some friends. Monte and I both went down the slides with the kids. Monte hit a bump wrong going down and felt the pain of that for weeks to follow. It was a fast slide and not my favorite thing to do but we will do anything for our kids. 

We went to another pumpkin patch another weekend as just our little family. I think we picked the windiest day in October to go. We came home with more than just pumpkins and goodies (popcorn, slushes, and cotton candy) but also with a pile of dirt in each head of hair. 

                                                         

                                                         

One random night we got a phone call from our neighbors asking to bring us extra food. They ran out of room in their fridge/freezers so they brought us over all the excess. They recently retired and were hosting lots of family while they had their retirement party. And I am here to tell you, it was a true blessing and a real way to show community to our children as we were surprised with this gift. 

Also speaking of food, we made BLT one night for dinner and I forget how easy this is to make and I don't know why I don't have more often:

Note that this is on my homemade subway bread making this a bit more work but it was a few days after making so we were trying to use up the bread as quickly as possible. 

Riley stayed home from school one day and outside of resting a lot since he was under the weather, we also just enjoyed our bonus time with him. The boys made pretzels:

                                                         

                                                         

They also worked on their yoga:

And we got some fresh air outside together:

Our fields were harvested next to us. Which is always a moment for pause and reflection as we approach another changing of seasons:

I have worked really hard at learning to make frittata and it truly is an art:

It has also become one of my favorite meals. Along with having Riley home one day this month we also had Payton home one day (a totally different day than Riley). She woke up with an eye almost swollen shut so we gave her a day to rest and heal that eye. But... we definitely enjoyed our time with her as well:

The kids working on coloring pumpkins, part of Jayden's preschool I had planned that day.

We also made banana bread:

And snuggled on the couch for some tv:

With everyone in school most of the time, Jayden and I love to get out! We met up with some friends this month and played at the local children's museum:

We also spoiled the family and picked up donuts. Something I slightly regretted later as the next week arrived with Halloween and I was reminded of the sugar overdose that brings all on its own. 

Grandma and Grandpa came down for the weekend and we enjoyed them as well as multiple birthday parties and trick or treating/Halloween events. Here we took the kids to decorate pumpkins at our local YMCA:

Way back in May (I think) the kids made special plates at the local library and they FINALLY arrived! We had been waiting so long for these special plates! Despite the long delay, the kids would love to make them again if its offered:

For fire prevention week, we took the kids to our local fireman open house they host yearly. It is fantastic. The kids can tour firetrucks, a meal is provided, and lots of activities are around for the kids. They also do a firetruck parade complete with all the fire trucks, ambulance, and middle school band playing. The kids even got some candy at the parade, a total treat.

                                                Jayden worked really hard on a new puzzle:

He also spends lots of time in the kitchen with me:

Here he is making chocolate chip cookies for an after school snack for everyone. He also just loves a good picture:

                                                             And Riley got a new haircut:

We still try to get out into nature as often as possible, this month was just more challenging for a variety of reasons. Exploring though is really our thing:

We carved our pumpkins for Halloween in between all the fun life stuff we had gong on:

And then Halloween arrived! We have several activities and the kids wear a variety of costumes in a short period of time. Here was have darth vader, princess leia, and luke skywalker for our town's trunk or treat:

Then, we broke all the rules and allowed ice cream for dinner:

                                 For Halloween trick or treating, Jayden was Jake the pirate:

Payton wanted some makeup too for her witch costume:

Riley stuck it out with his darth vader costume, except for the nursing home trick or treating where he switched it up to a fireman. 

                                              

And one of the last pictures I had on my phone for the month:

How lucky am I? All 3 kids coming running towards me. They wanted to have me play a game with them and were super excited about it. In the brief second I saw them running at me and took this photo I was so full of gratitude. I have so much good in my life. It's full and busy and all the emotions but it is so beautiful and rich and satisfying for me. 

And that wraps up our month! Except for one tiny little announcement we are ready to make!

We are adding one more the crew and we are so, so excited. I am still in shock as this wasn't necessarily our plan but it is God's plan and we are leaning into it. 

"A grand adventure is about to begin."

                                                        -Winnie the Pooh

And we even know the gender:

Yes, a baby girl. 2 boys and 2 girls in a span of almost 10 years. We feel truly blessed beyond measure and are so excited to add another chapter into our book. Baby girl, we can't wait for Spring 2023!!!

September Recap

 September came and went. As I type this our weather has cooled down and it's a rainy, gloomy day. I made fresh subway loaf bread for our family for dinner tonight. We will have soup and sandwiches and feast together. It feels like fall. Officially fall. And I feel truly and deeply blessed. Tonight will be simple, just as I need it to be. Sometimes we all need that. 

September went by quickly, as most months do now. Here's a recap. 

When the weather was nice and we were still getting outside almost daily:

Monte made us this gigantic outdoor table and we have loved it so much this first month. 

We got out for some archery practice and a long walk!

I had a friend who celebrated her 40th and I took her a quick little gift, complete with one of my first sunflowers to bloom at my own house:

When we returned, Jayden insisted we put together some sunflowers just for us:

Each September this is and annual festival in the town our small school is in. Parents of the school bring food for a bake sale. So we made puppy chow:

I'm also really into making frittata these days:

So yummy! September also marks apple and pear harvest time. My mother-in-law came to help with that and we got so much done. 

The kids even got a ride on the tractor:

Our pears from one pear tree

                                                            Our apples from 2 apple trees

Grandma helping us process apples.

One weekend this month, I loaded up the boys and went back to my hometown. My grandfather passed away last year and my grandmother also went to the nursing home last year. The house is officially sold but I went back and got to say one final goodbye to the home and all the memories I cherish. So many moments from my childhood that shaped a piece of who I am. 

We also got out and explored the area with my mother:

Grandma also came to our area for a work training and we got the privelage of meeting up for a swim and dinner out:

                                                 

Back at home, we have enjoyed our chickens and letting them free range when we are around to keep an eye out for predators (mostly neighbors dogs):

Jayden begs for the bounce house any chance he gets:

The kids had school picture day:

Jayden wanted his picture taken as well. He's getting so tall:

While the kids are at school we try to bake at least once a week. Here we are making cookies together:

These cookies were a total hit as we were running close to pick up time (seems to be my style any more) and I made much bigger, less rounded balls of dough. The kids insisted grandma was hiding back at the house making these cookies since they were more her style (and definitely her recipe). 

We also work on preschool and here Jayden enjoyed making a shark after reading the book shark and fang:

                                                         

And, of course, we are out and about playing as much as possible together.

                                                         

                                          Here Jayden is getting some fun time in at the park.

Piano lessons are back in full swing and Payton is fully enjoying them:

After school the boys have enjoyed playing football together. 

We attended a family fun event our community hosted and we got to try kayaks for the first time. Payton was so brave and went on her own and loved it for the most part! Riley rode with me and warmed up to it a little and Jayden rode with Dad and loved his time. We were so thankful for this community day event in our small little town:

This same event also offered firepits to make hotdogs and s'mores and bounce in bounce houses along with lots of outdoor games. It was so fun and of course we did not pass up food...

                                                 

                                                         

The kids had one day off from school, our bonus days as we lovingly call them. It was a Friday and we cleaned house and then went to the coffee shop before stopping at the park to play. The perfect day to us:

The last week of the month was spirit week and the kids love to dress up for these days!

Dress like one of your favorite adults day! Both kids were staff at school. Payton was her teacher and Riley was the PE teacher.

Dress like your favorite movie character day. Payton was Hermione Granger from Harry Potter (a friend from school was Harry) and her Minnie Mouse was Bellatrix Lestrange. She earned a coupon pass for good behavior to take a stuffed animal on that day to school. Riley was Darth Vader and enjoyed have the costume (and mask) on at school!

We missed getting a picture of pajama day. Their dad took them to school that day and somehow we just all overlooked getting a picture, but they did participate! One of the easiest days for us to do.

And, finally, we made it to spirit day and FRIDAY! We were all glad it was the end of the week and ready for the weekend:

We rounded out the tail end of the month with Payton getting a haircut. She went super short and I am still adjusting but she has been begging for a short haircut for a long time. So far it is working better for her to maintain and care for it:

                                                          

I hope your September went well, too! On to October we go!