Lots to Do in October...

We haven't even had Halloween yet and have so many things that we've done in October!  We've enjoyed playing outside, but the weather here is quickly getting colder.  Nick started building a shed for all of our "toys" right next to the garage.  We have been to the orchard and to Missouri.  Nick's mom came to visit a couple weeks ago.  Gracie has gone on two field trips at school; one to McFarland Park in Ames and the other to the Fire Station in Slater.  She is still doing dance and tumbling and we'll try to get her into basketball when that starts.  However, she asked if she could do cheerleading again instead.  Not sure if that's available right now.  Gracie brought one of her friends to an ISU volleyball game a couple weeks ago.  Next week they each have their Halloween parties at school and they both can't wait!  They also go to the orchard with their classes next week.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate with them.  It's supposed to be pretty cold here for the next few days...even a little snow in the forecast.  Gracie and Owen are excited for snow, but I'm not.
 
 Riding the 4-wheeler just before sunset
 
 Gracie on the little one, following Nick
 
We were so lucky to get such a nice day when we went to the orchard.  However, this was the first time we have ever gone on a weekend and it was packed!  The kids had a blast and we spent well over 2 1/2 hours there before going home to work on stuff outside.  They got to do the big slide, corn pool, hayride, corn maze, pick out caramel apples and fudge, play on tractors, and many other things.  Some of the stuff we hadn't done before because it's not all open during the weekdays, so it was good to do everything.
 Just chillin' outside the orchard
 
 Getting ready to enter the corn maze
 
 Owen was trying to hide and sneak up on me...but I got him first!
 
 Gracie in the pumpkin patch
 
 Not sure if this horse is big enough for all three!
 
 Swimming in the corn pool
 
 At the entrance to the orchard
 
 
This past weekend we made a short trip to the Ozarks and got to see my family.  It wasn't as warm as it has been in the past, but we got a nice day on Saturday and were able to take the boat out and go to lunch on the lake.  Ben took us for a ride on his new boat and the kids loved being able to go really fast on it.  We had dinner at my parents' with Annie, Chad, and my cousin, Ben on Saturday night.  We also got to visit Annie and Chad's for a little while before we had to leave.  It was a great weekend!
 

 Boating in Missouri!
 
 Gracie hanging out down below
 
 Grandpa Tom and Owen driving the boat
 
Gracie and Owen crashed after a long, fun day!
 
Nick has had his first meeting for high school wrestling and that will start in November.  We will also start with winter sports for ISU in November.  Here we go....our busy season is about to begin!  The first quarter of school has come and gone.  Gracie and Owen have both started asking about Santa already.  It's amazing how quickly time flies by.  Before we know it, we'll be at Christmas!  I have started my next class for grad school, and it's not nearly as time consuming as some of my other classes have been, so I'm pretty happy about that.  I hope this continues through December. 
 
I think that's about all for now.  We have another home ISU football game on Saturday and then the following weekend, we might make a trip to see the DuRochers in SE Iowa.  The week after that is conferences at school!  It doesn't seem possible!
 


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