September recap

 October is here and I'm still trying to catch my breathe as I recall September. What a busy month. Child raising has actually been the busiest season of life. I can't believe how true it is that time just speeds up with age. 

But, September recap, let's do this:

Harvesting continues! We picked apples! We have had lots of applesauce since.

Then we snuck away one weekend to see my husband's parents. While there we went to parks, the splash pad, and relaxed at their house:

Back at home we got so much more outside time in, as always:

                                                      Kites! A fun garage sale find this year!

                                                                         So much love.

                                                                        Basketball time.

Dinners outside served any chance we can:

No dinner is complete without a little play time as well:

With school back in full swing in came requests for food. Taking food for the annual bake sale:

The bake sale is part of the town's annual weekend celebration. This year, Payton and Riley marched in the parade for the first time! They had so much fun:

                  We also participated in our small town's kids challenges. Riley won a basketball!

Football season also started and the kids love to help in the kitchen making football food for the occasion. Yes, we make an occasion out of it!

We serve others any chance we can. We've had lots of opportunities lately to bless others. I happened to take this quick picture of Payton as she surprise delivered food and flowers to our friends doorsteps:

Monte surprised us with breakfast at the park one morning. Something our family loves to do and we do it so rarely it definitely feels like the best time everwhen we go:

The kids were convinced it has been 2 years since the last time they had McDonald's. I don't know if that's quite right but it had been a long time!

The big kids started flag football and cheerleading. Luckily on the same night, same time, and same location. A total win in our books:

Back at home, we continue with Jayden's school, harvesting and gathering, and enjoying down time. Jayden sometimes gets so tired (and I do, too) with all the go, go, go when the big kids are home. We need down time in our daily schedule:

                                                         

                                   We are still working so much preschool fun in though!

                 I love a good picture of colorful eggs collected, just after they have been washed:

Jayden and I get plenty of outside time together and many adventures 1 on 1 now:

And let's not forget, tea parties together!

We also took an overnight trip together for one of Jayden's appointments. He had a scope done and it looked great! We also got to play at a park and spend the night away together for extra time together. I sure love all the time I get with him, even when the journey feels a bit heavier:

We came home and resumed chores and life as usual:

But, big, BIG news. Monte and I snuck away for a date. The first one in years! We even hired a sitter. And, we went to a brand spanking new restaurant the night it opened. So unlike us. Sometimes a person needs that though:

Of course we had to document it. And we hope to go again before another two years time. We'll see!

Grandma came to visit us and we were so glad to see her. The last few times she has visited we all split up, one kid to one adult and do our own date nights. The kids love this and request it!

                                       

My date this time was with Riley bug. We had Chinese food and the best conversation. I am so thankful for this guy and would totally keep him little if I could control that.

School pictures are back and I can't believe I have two kids in school now. They are so sweet and kind and bring so much into my life:

Monte took us for a special treat (ice cream) one night and felt the need to dress up extra festive:

The story behind this picture is that he spent part of the afternoon before this saying he did not like attention on him. Then he proceeds to wear a Hawaiian shirt to snack time. I guess we can all continue this debate on whether he likes attention or not?!?!

As September winds down, I brought out the Halloween decor and the kids decorated. I love watching them do their own thing, their way:

                                                            Riley also snuck in a chicken:

And then, as harvesting continued, we decided it was time to really look at the pumpkin vines. Most of them were surprises (we get at least a few each year and love the surprise) but this year topped any year of the past. So many gourds! So many. I would personally guess 300-400 gourds! It was a lot. So, we picked them. And biked with them and pulled them on the tractor and also just carried them:

                            And decided it was time to host a free will donation gourd stand:

I don't know how to even describe to you the time we had. This was the best time EVER. We saw so many people. Friends we hadn't seen in so long (thank you pandemic and just general busyness of everyone's lives). We had good conversations. We met new people. It was just an overall good time for our household.

And we got to try our hand in our own ways of decorating:

A cute basket Payton put together at the request of a friend:

I am truly hoping gourd sales are in our future again! It was so fun and nice to see so many from the community. Our kids felt so blessed and supported. 

At another opportunity to serve someone, we also ran into one of Payton's friends. Have I said yet that I love small communities and what they represent?!?! As luck would have it, she came to play at the park with us for a bit. It was so nice to watch these 2 together:

And then the end of the month brought school spirit week. Maybe this is also a small town thing but this is the chance for kids to dress up and have some fun with life! And dress up our house did, Jayden even participated as he saw fit:

                 Inside jobs versus outside jobs day. Riley is his principal and Payton a construction worker.

        Twin versus opposite day. The kids chose to be twins and Jayden wanted to be as well.

                           Athlete versus mathlete day. Both kids showed up as athletes!

Past versus present day. Both went with past. Pioneer girl (Laura Ingalls Wilder) and river boy(Huck Finn). Both loved this day!

And the last day was spirit day!

We just had such a good month. It went as fast as they all do. I'm writing this several days into October and already can tell this month will be no different. 

Hope you had a good September as well! Happy October!