October Recap

October really marks the beginning of fall for us and my husband and I love this season. Cooler weather, football, soup weather, and hot coffee all rank as some of our favs. The weather is still nice enough this month that we can still be outside, most of the time anyways. 

Another busy month for us full of life and full of grace. We spent some of our PE time outside with the homeschool kids:

We also went on a homeschool field trip to see the vet. It was a fantastic time, broken into 4 sessions and really let us know all about the work of this career:

This semester we are also at the clinic 2x a week as we have one child doing allergy shots. This is how we spend that hour of combined time, doing school:

One of the times, Payton had school off so she stayed home with all the kids. So it was just a clinic day for Jayden and me. 

For art, we worked on clay model projects one day. These are all of their (and my) creations. Such a talented group:

We also took a class on leaves! The boys loved and Avery enjoyed for the 30 minutes of class she sat through. 

Riley's PE class got to try rock climbing and Riley was thrilled for another try at this wall. He made it to the top 3 times on different routes and got to try 5 times total. 

A random picture I found that Avery took while watching her sister play volleyball:

We made a trip to the children's museum (one of our favorite places) and Avery found this art spot and is now obsessed. 

Speaking of art, these are the projects the boys completed this month. Marker creations and oil paintings:

We had a night where the kids just wanted dinner and a movie. We sometimes oblige, especially on a Friday night with no plans. It can make the most entertaining evening and best way to relax after a busy week. 

We had a weekend where my husband was gone (thus why I went right for the dinner and a movie night above) so we also snuck out to the park to play and try out the new skate park with our scooters:

Avery and I picked our last zinnias of the season. This was my first year growing and I am forever a fan now!

We also harvested the last of our garden. Butternut squash for the win! Riley did most of the gardening this year and he did some amazing work:

Monte and I snuck out one evening after putting half the kids to bed (and the other half to watch the house) and played some music bingo! It was fun to get out for a bit!

Lots of football watching! Avery was here for it!

Riley at one of his games:

We also watched Payton perform in marching band one day this month. It was a parade of marching bands and they ranked (and sounded) superior!

After Payton was done competing, we went right over to a pumpkin patch. We had a great time playing here for the afternoon and grabbing pumpkins before returning home. 

On a random afternoon, Jayden asked to wash my vehicle with Avery. I agreed. I came out to find that Avery was doing most of the washing while Jayden ran the hose. They were content with the arrangement but I wonder how long it took before Jayden decided he didn't really want to wash the vehicle but manage the scene!

Payton went to a middle school Halloween dance. She had a total blast, probably the best time I have ever seen her have out and about with her grade. I chaperoned and enjoyed watching all the kids have a good time. 

A random selfie my teenager took:

Pumpkins we harvested. Riley grew these and we didn't get many but quite the variety. That was so fun to see and I let Riley then decorate a centerpiece on the table with:

A random picture my teenager took of Avery in the vehicle. Another day, another kid to shuttle:

We decorated pumpkins at our local ymca. Riley had so much fun, more particularly, in making himself a mummy. 

Quiz bowl started and the team took 2nd at their first event. Was so neat to see and hoping for a good season for them!

The kids worked on a puzzle together:

Halloween festivities! We went to several events so the kids changed their costumes some each time. Avery was a butterfly, Ana, Elsa, or little Red Riding Hood depending on what she wanted at that moment. 

For the church's trunk or treat:

For the nursing homes trick or treating:

Halloween night:

We carved pumpkins!

We had a preschool Halloween party. I used to do these yearly when my kids were little and am tempted to search when I am done writing to see the ones I did in the past. We would decorate pumpkins and/or play some themed games. This year we opted for pin the baby spider on the web, ghost bowling, and fun treats to eat. Payton had a blast with her friends! The boys had fun, too! Avery settled on being Elsa at the last minute:

For Halloween we made ghost hot dogs!

Avery got a spider ring from one of the nursing homes and it was the highlight of all of her Halloween!

Happy Halloween from our Spooky family! We hope you enjoyed this month as much as we have!

SePtEmBeR 2026

 I am so behind as I type this post so I will mostly supply pictures as I can only assume most of the month has escaped me. It is currently 11/1 as I type this post. September seems FOREVER ago. Our life is so busy and so full. It is incredibly hard for me to remember each day now and it all just blurs together. In any case, let's get to it.

We went to the city for my cousin's wedding. And this is one of the few pictures I took. We went to play at the children's museum for a bit. We also wen to to the mall shopping where the kids fell in love with the Barnes and Noble store.

I put flower decals in Avery's room and it was the highlight of my month. I love the pop of color and ended up doing all over her room.

Pictures of Avery as I continue to soak up her 3 year old self. Such a fun season of life:

Walks with my girl:

That little pony tail.

This little staying so entertained while we get dentist appointments done:

She insisted on a picture with daddy's tools:

Her own selfie:

Also a sweet picture Avery took of her feet:

Reading books with a puppy painted face:

My mom came to visit and we had the greatest time. Payton is basically taller than both of us so we got a picture to document just that. Avery also wanted included:

Riley made me a wonderful ant cake and decorated it himself. His skills just keep increasing all the time in the kitchen:

I got some muffins made and to the freezer. At the time of writing, they are all gone but I appreciated having them on busy school mornings. 

A coffee shop date during a random homeschool day. There isn't anything better.

A collection of some of your garden veggies. I love a good harvest:

Payton has had several times of playing pep band. Middle school does indeed keep us all busy chasing after her.

A football picture at sunset. Not the best lighting but I still love it. Riley loved his first year of tackle football:

Payton and Avery went shopping:

We got family pictures done in a sunflower field. A dream come true for me. These are pictures from my phone but the photographer got us some real keepers:

Jayden and Riley both played football. Here is a picture of Jayden playing:

We hosted one of Payton's friends for her birthday and it was as fantastic as she is.

Our gifts we made using the 3d printer. A little hippo and hippo earring set. She loves this animal:

Payton made a 3d printed item for her room:

Our homeschool group met with law enforcement for a fun-filled tour:

The kids also made cupcakes together:

Riley harvested his popcorn corn. This is about all we got but it was fantastic popcorn:

A captured, sweet photo of our homeschool day. We do lots of school work at the table and Avery joins us each and every time. We keep her entertained with toys and play-doh and all the things we can think of.

We went to the museum's fall festival and spent the afternoon. Again, just a few pics for evidence. The kids made corn stalk dolls and played in the corn. 

The boys started homeschool PE. This is Riley's second year and Jayden's first. Both are enjoying!

One night it was rainy and icky out. Payton was out walking and heard a noise. We found a kitty outside and loved it so much for the few hours we had it. It belonged to our neighbor's but for a split second we thought we had a new kitty. Payton and Riley got really attached quickly. 

Some love with my baby. My teenager took this: 

Jayden made an early Halloween snack treat board:

We had one afternoon free and we all cuddled together and watched a movie. It was a real treat, especially for this tired mama of 4 chasing kids 24/7. I cuddled them and soaked up the whole time with them.

We ended the month with the kids making me a birthday cake. Apparently, I needed a car for the cake, probably because we spend so much time in the vehicle. Or they think it's my favorite place to be. 

The cake was delicious but these faces are my whole world. I am so thankful for them and the time God has gifted me with them.