🎃 This Is Halloween

The day before our plans to go to the pumpkin farm, it was 75° and sunny out. 😎😎

We played baseball at a friends’ birthday party. (Mom sit this one out)

Dads were sweating hard, but the kids were barely bothered, hustling their little hearts out. 😰

Later we had some friends over for our oldest son’s amazing magic show and make your own pizza night.

The kids definitely raided the cookie and brownie platter, averaging about 5 desserts each, much to the chagrin of us parents.  🤷🏻‍♂️

Whaddya gonna do.  Kids will be kids. (and the brownies were Nonnie’s specialty)

As mentioned earlier, the weather was oddly beautiful for a mid-October day in Wisconsin and didn’t drop much at all that evening, setting the stage for an epic patio hangout. 🌃

So, we may have spent a little too much time out back with wine and pumpkin ales deep into the night.

Wonderful conversations and laughs just may have kept the neighbors up late. 🤫

Turn the page and the next day looked dreadful for outdoor activities.

Temps in the mid 40’s, cloudy, rainy with wind gusts up to 40mph 🌬️

Nevertheless, we had plenty of gear for this type of day.

Boots, hats, gloves, jackets and long underwear 🩲

Even packed some extra socks in case those little feets get soaked in puddles that were guaranteed to be splashed.

We were ready for a muddy, memory-making mission. 💩

👑 The Pumpkin King

Similar to Jack Skellington’s opening arrival on screen, our initial expectation of the weather was not what it seemed.

The rain had dissipated, the wind was fairly calm and eventually, the sun surprisingly came out to play. 🌞

Our plans were coming to light, literally.

Pumpkin paradise, restored. 🏝️

After all the fun and games, we voyaged the tractor ride to descend upon the pumpkin field which was spry of big and healthy squash.

Some were begging for an outburst reaction: “Oh My Gourd!” 🍆

Each little tyke navigated the soaked soil for their favorite looking product to transform into a harrowing Jack-o-lantern.

And then it hit me. 🌅

Our kids are sprouted in the family pumpkin patch, nurtured by our conditions and grown together.

With siblings and family by their side to lean on for support and development. 🪴

All while teaching them dirt don’t hurt.

We then carve whatever silly face we want into them (Ed Gein jokes aside), giving them an unprecedented personality, only possible by their surrounding loved ones. 🤪

These kids are literally the fruits of our labor (Fact check: Pumpkins are fruits!)

Pretty cool to think about if you ask me.

If carving feels like too much of a mess, painting is a great alternative.

Downside: you’ll miss out on those delicious roasted seeds that burn your tongue in the best way possible. 🧂

🍏 Apple Bottom Treats

Fall flavors took center stage this weekend:

☕ Apple cider lattes in collectible mugs
🍩 Apple cider donuts
🥤 Apple cider shake
🍎 Caramel apples

Honorable mentions:  BBQ pork pineapple slaw sandwich and BBQ brisket cheesy mac

We’re not huge fans of pumpkin pie requiring major effort, but if it’s laying around on the table, we’ll definitely indulge. 🤙🏻

Wanna know where we went for all these delicacies??

Just keep reading, reading, reading 🐠

👺 Costume Coordination

For years, we’ve made Halloween a full-family production:

🎬 Wizard of Oz: Adam as Tin Man, Becka was the delightful Dorothy, “A” as Scarecrow, and our beloved Snoop Dog as the Cowardly Lion.

🪐 Guardians of the Galaxy: Adam as Star-Lord, Becka was the glamorous Gamora, “A” (7yo) was Rocket, and “B” (2yo) was Baby Groot.

☄️Star Wars: Adam as a jedi, Becka was the astonishing Ahsoka Tano, “A” as Boba Fett, “B” was Mandalorian, and “C” was Baby Yoda aka Grogu

👨🏻‍🚀 When “A” was 2yo we bought the cutest little Buzz Lightyear costume, that all our boys have been fortunate enough to wear throughout the years. Next up!

🤠 Toy Story: Adam was Woody, Becka was the beautiful Bo Peep, “A” (9yo) was Rex the dinosaur, “B” (5yo) as Sporky and finally was “C” Buzz Lightyear. (a generational classic).

🐢 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Adam was Michaelangelo (his childhood favorite), Becka was the amazing April O’Neil, “A” was Raphael, “B” was Donatello and “C” was Leonardo.  Talk about heroes in a half shell.  Turtle Power! Cowabunga dude 🤘🏻

Last year we broke the mold a tad, (shoutout to a recent episode) because Mr. Sweet Face, “C”, wanted to be Sonic the Hedgehog.  What baby boy wants, baby boy gets!  (most of the time)

To comply, Becka decided to support him in a duo by wearing Tails attire.

🏠 Home Alone: Adam took the beatings as Marv and the other half of the Wet Bandits was “A”, plucking his best effort as Harry.  Don’t forget about “B” imitating the mischievous Kevin (the attitude was no act 🤭). 

A hesitant as I am to say it again, this year we split up for costumes. 

Some of the ideas on the docks for full family group costumes was: Beetlejuice, Addam’s Family, Mario Bros, but life had other plans.

Still, the fun’s in the making, not the matching. 😉

🎸 Wayne’s World: Shaved down to a baby face to replicate Garth and “A” took the lead as Wayne.

Not me promising to commit earlier to costumes EVERY SINGLE YEAR…

👨🏻‍🌾 Something That’s B.A.

Basse's Farms

Pick strawberries in the summer, then apples at the start of fall and finish off at the pumpkin patch. Within the confines of this beautiful and well-organized property are 65+ attractions!!

Animals galore, lumberjack competitions, John Deere slides, zip lines, corn mazes, fun houses, train rides, rat races, oh my…. the list goes on!

With plenty of delicious food truck options for lunch and a full tap beer bar(n) this place ate and left no crumbs. No Cap.

Book your tickets in advance for great discounts!

We make this trip every year and will for eternity.

Inspirational Quote:

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." - John Wooden