October - one of our favorite months!

We love fall. Covid or no covid -- you weren't stopping us from going to the farm for harvest. School's in full swing, sports are in full swing....but come hell or high water, we are spending every free minute in Wolcott. It is the time of year all five of us enjoy together. How blessed we are that Grandpa & Uncle Trent let us come around and help out on the farm. 

Football and Farming -- does it get any more Fall than that? 

 We had a great fall with our sports kids too. Colton completed his second year of middle school football and had a great year! They didn't miss any games due to Covid - which was a total feat!! Grandpa's are holding down Fall harvest business, but Grandma's are always such great supporters! 

The last game of the season was up at West Central and it was a spectacular sunset night -- and a win to end the season! 

Emmalyn played her first season of volleyball and man was it fun. I actually offered to help Jen Newcom coach just to make sure they got to play a season and I really enjoyed it. Emmalyn has been to camps, and played for fun in the past, but she started to really get the game this year. Not only that, girl, you came out of the woodwork with your serving. All that power from dragging steers around the lot came out on the court and you were fun to watch! One game in particular, you served your team to a WIN, and it was all caught on camera. So fun, Dad and I were so proud of you and your growth! 

Every year, 10 days into October we take a day out to celebrate the special guy in our lives. This year though, EXTRA special. Jason turned the big 4-0 this year, and while he begged me not to throw him a party, I SORT of listened. Friday night we were at the farm, and I made plans for his family and mine, plus our closest friends, to join us at Mom & Dad's when they came in out of the field for lasagna supper - his favorite. To throw the day off, we decorated the semi he drove all day, and I made him a killer shirt that he tried to sneak out of the house without putting on. "Um, if you're not going to let me throw you a party, the least you can do is wear the damn shirt"....so he did. I swear I had a picture of the shirt, but apparently its been deleted. The front said "This guys 40" with thumbs and the back said "if you can read this, I'll take a Busch Latte" -- he was a good sport all day! And, he was surprised when he came in for dinner and the fam was all there. We ate, visited around a bonfire and enjoyed a nice evening. And, surprisingly (not), he was gifted a few cases of Busch Latte! HA

The Sunday after Jason's birthday the kids and I made our way to Pammy's where all Pammy's kids -- past to present gathered to take a photo to surprise her in her retirement. We may be a year or two removed from being in Pam's care, but I know we will always live in her heart -- and her in ours. She holds such a special place in so many hearts. It was fun to see everyone -- even Pammy's grown kiddos!

After pictures, we head back out to the farm where Colton worked his first field all by himself in the 4wheel drive! A big step for him, but he did well. 

During Fall Break we snuck away for some fun and took Grandma Mandy with us. We headed south to Dull's tree farm -- it was the perfect day. Great weather, cold apple cider slushies and apple cider donuts! The kids loved the giant slides, the air powered canons, and all the games there were to play! We even happened to run into Pam, Heather, Betsy and the kids! 

We finished the day taking dinner to the farmers! It was a great day! 

Guilt can kill you - and while we LOVED Dull's, we hated not having Dad with us and not supporting Kent's Cucurbits! I quickly regretted that guilt, because we spent just as much or more money on a 30 minute trip to the farm west of town, as we did to the farm where we spent 4+ hours 45 minutes away. But, we love supporting local, so I suppose it was all worth it! Plus, Uncle Jacob took us for a loop on the Pumpkin Vine Express. He was a great driver! HA

Fall + Sunsets + Cattle Crusing in the pasture -- pretty great evening! 

Halloween came around and much to our surprise, Grandma Jacki's neighborhood was planning to trick or treat! We love this tradition of cruising the neighborhood -- and you know all hells broke loose in a year when Jason agrees to go full costume with the family! Perhaps it was our love for Yellowstone this year that made him go all out. Either way -- Rip Wheeler was the HIT of the night. Even though I though Wrigs in her outfit was pretty darn cute! 

Rip picked up a chic from the 80's! 

Someone felt WAY cool, when a lady in the neighborhood drove by, rolled down her window and said "Hey, RIP!!"....then stopped her car and asked for a picture to show her husband! HAHA

Colton wound up running around with his friends for the evening -- he had a mask but was too cool to dress up. 

So, for Halloween 2020 we had scary mask, Jeff Demerly, Pioneer Seeds, a couple of 80's chicks and Rip Wheeler from Yellowstone. I'm still giggling at that mustache. 

Right before Halloween we got an awful phone call from Grandpa Brad that John Gretencord had passed away. John was Aunt Jessica's first husband and the girls dad. He was such a gentle soul and a wonderful dad. While he and Jessica may not have worked out, we always held a special place in our hearts for John. It made Halloween a bit bitter sweet, knowing what a tender place Meredith and Madi were in, but it was also good for their souls to do something normal -- so that we did.