Our October

I have two real loves in my life (and no I am not talking about Douglas or Theodore). I am talking about the month of October and traditions. The two things in this world that really have my heart. October has the best everything-leaves, skies, temps, scents, food, clothes, and the best traditions. There is just something about a tradition. Something being deemed important or fun or sweet enough to do again and again. Really, looking forward to October has become a bit of a tradition for our family; our October is always so full of the best of everything.

We kicked October off with a big Jansen party celebrating Sam and Sue's 60th wedding anniversary. 60 years of wedded bliss. Sam and Sue are my favorite couple. Their marriage is a testament to what it looks like to love selflessly, and the legacy of their selfless love can be seen in the way Doug and his siblings love each other and their families. When people ask me "what Jansen I belong to" I feel awfully blessed to call myself Sam and Sue's. Their celebration was a full day of family and fun. Last year we saw lots of the Jansens due to all of the family weddings; I think we all admitted that we had missed each other this year. I will have to check with Aunt Cheryl...but maybe a fall family party should become an every year tradition.

No October would be complete without a trip to the Pumpkin Patch. My husband might roll his eyes at that sentence, but he also knows that I am a pumpkin-picking purest. My pumpkin must come off the vine! It doesn't always work to go together, but this year Nana got treated to having all of the grandkids together for the day. The little four are so cute together, and the big five are more fun with every passing year. I am glad that they get to share this tradition!

Some how "run a half marathon" snuck its way onto my fall tradition list. I ran my 4th fall half at Purdue this past month. It was a total success (even though I missed my PR by 30 seconds...darn you uphill miles 6 through 9). Four of us ran the half and four ran the 5k...but all of us ran in our best Illini Orange. The race was fun and all, but what I was really looking forward to and enjoyed was spending time away with some of our best friends. We joked that maybe we should plan a getaway sometime that doesn't involve blistered toes and sore muscles.

As always, shout out to Douglas for being the best cheerleader and Saturday morning Dad-on-duty so that I can get those long runs in. 

Carving pumpkins is probably one of my longest held traditions. I remember carving pumpkins and lining them up on the porch rail of my house in Hidalgo. Doug and I have carved pumpkins since college. And now we have carving pumpkins with four kids down pat. Emery went scary face completely on her own. Auggie (who still refuses to put his hand in his pumpkin) designed a Minecraft face that he was very proud of. Bennett and Douglas were team side smile, and Theo wanted me to carve him a kitty. Every year gets easier and more fun. I hope our kids will always want to take part in this October tradition.  

Speaking of pumpkin...I know the cutest one. 

Next year we will have to pass the Made With Love by Grandma Pumpkins to Kate and Harper; the tradition can continue. 

Out of the whole month (and really whole year), Halloween has to be one of our favorite traditions. I love that our kids know exactly what we will be doing and that they still want to dress up as a family. This years theme was "Alexa...Play Our Family Favorites". We are a music family. From our eclectic road-trip playlists to kitchen dance parties after supper, our house is often filled with songs across many genres and decades. 

Emery is actually the one that came up with this year's theme. She wanted to be her favorite Christian artist, Lauren Daigle. Fun fact: I tagged Lauren Daigle in this picture on Instagram and Lauren shared it!! 

Auggie knew exactly who he wanted to be. The King of Rock'n'Roll...Mr. Elvis Presley! Auggie knows all the words to all the songs. Now to just work on the lip curl and dance moves. 

We are big Brooks and Dunn people and after Halloween have also decided we are big mustache and belt buckle people! Doug and Bennett had fun being this famous country duo.

Queen is a long time favorite of mine. Who knew I could look so much like Freddie Mercury? (If only I could sing like him.)

And then there is Eminem; an ode to high school Doug. When asked who he was, Theo would state that he was the "Real Slim Shady". Younger homeowners figured him out quickly, but I imagine that most just thought "that poor little boy doesn't have a costume...."

We really had the best Halloween this year. 

Throwing this one in here just for another October fun fact. Douglas asked me out in the month of October 19 years ago. Maybe that is why love the month so much. 

And the last but certainly not least tradition in October is celebrating our (not so) little boys.

Theodore turned 4 on the 23rd and Bennett turned 7 on the 26th. I always feel a little bad because their birthday season is so busy, but they would be the first to say busy with all fun things. 

They each got to take treats to school, pick their favorite places for supper (Wendy's for Theo and Golden Corral for B), and be loved on by friends and family over the last two weeks of the month. 

We finally officially celebrated them with a few hours of jumping at the new trampoline park in town. It was a hit! Bennett was so sweaty which is a sign of a good time, and Theodore cuddled up with me on the couch and fell asleep way before bedtime-another sign of a good time. We all love you boys so much, but I don't think I am letting you get another year older.

October-you did it again. 

You and all of these people and traditions and memories have my heart.