Outstanding October

I don't think I could have planned a better weekend to wrap up October.  Family, friends, football, leaves, costumes, bonfires, candy, gifts and amazing food.

The minute we arrived in Orleans, Grandma, as usual, put the big kiddos to work raking leaves.

By the looks on their faces I don't think they found this to be hard work.

Isaac and Jentry were both big helpers with Papa's chores.  They were gone for several hours and when they returned, they were covered from head to toe in hay.  Papa said there was nothing he could do, "This is simply the environment I have to work in."  I agree farming is messy, but did he have to let them roll around in it?  Geesh!

 

On Saturday evening, the kids put on their costumes and we headed to Stamford for the bonfire and costume contest. 

Jentry was more than excited to put on her Butterfly Princess dress.  I decided to surprise her with matching purple hair.  By the end of the night I think she was glad to have the hair out of her face.  Hopefully she learns to appreciate her natural, short hair just a little.

Because Isaac has been a Packers fan from the womb, he was thrilled to have his very own football jersey.  I think his dad may have been even more excited than Isaac.  It may be difficult to see, but he even had shoulder pads.  I think the boy might need to beef up a bit before he hits the field.

Anna was the most adorable cheerleader ever and Grandma even managed to dig up some old Orleans Oriole pom poms.  What a hoot! Go Pack Go!

Ready, set, CANDY!

When we arrived at the ball field in Stamford, they had two bonfires going and boy did the heat feel good.  It was rather chilly that night.  I think this mom was more worried about her kid staying warm than dressing warm enough herself.

The butterfly princess was mesmerized by the fire.

They lined up the kids for the costume contest and it was so fun to see all my old friends with their adorable spooks.  Jentry even won second place in her age group.  After they gave her some money and took her picture for the paper, I said, "Jentry you won!"  She replied, "I did?" 

On Sunday, my aunt Sonja and a five of my mother's friends hosted a bridal shower for me at my Aunt Sonja and Uncle Bob's beautiful new home on the lake.  We had a wonderful time and the food was amazing.  It was so fun to see everyone.

My aunt Sonja went out of her way to make my shower very special.  Maybe it is just me, however I think we definitely look like family. 

My mother, sister and soon to be mother-in-law where all able to attend the shower.  I felt very lucky to have so many friends and family take the time to come help me celebrate. 

October has always been one of my favorite months.  It is such a fun time of year for many reasons. 

1.  I love the colors of fall

2.  My one and only was born on October 6th

3.  Harvest and all its blessings

4.  Football is going strong

5.  Carmel apples

6.  Pumpkin carving

7.  Halloween and the excitement it brings to the kids in town

8.  My grandpa and grandma Bose were married on October 28th and I could not think of a better way to celebrate their anniversary than having my very own bridal shower.

Here's to an outstanding October and may November be just as wonderful!

The Bachelorette

I celebrated the last days of my bachelorette lifestyle this weekend in Lincoln with wonderful friends and family.  This really seems quite silly to me because, I haven't felt like a bachelorette in years.  Well, approximately fives years to be exact because of the whole being a mother and all.

The weekend began with an adventure on the back roads of central Nebraska.  I dropped Jentry off with her dad in Heartwell and thought I would live a little on the wild side.  I risked it on some uncharted territory north to the interstate.  After listening to my phone give me some wild directions, a few winding dirt roads, and a brief stop on the side of the road to... actually I will spare you the details.... I eventually ended up at the Gibbon interchange of I80.  Whew!  It was exhilarating to feel reckless and free for a while, however it sure felt good to get back to some familiar sights. 

When I arrived in Lincoln, I met Nathan's mother and she took me out to a wonderful dinner at Shogun.  We had a great time eating sushi and drinking wine.  Saturday morning, I met up with two of my besties for brunch and did a little shopping.  For lunch I met my mom and sister and we did a little more shopping.  So far, this weekend was everything a girl could ask for in life.

Saturday afternoon, my sister, mother, bridesmaids and soon to be mother-in-law hosted a fabulous bridal shower.  It was so fun to see all my Lincoln friends and I was blessed with very generous gifts. 

After the shower, we all moved to The Green Gateau for outstanding cuisine and girl talk.  After many laughs, reminiscing and some roasting at my expense, we walked around the block to The Alley for a night cap.  There was a very fun band playing called Red Delicious.  It has been a while, but I have to admit that it felt good to dance the night away. 

It was the perfect weekend and I so enjoyed the time with everyone, however I was very happy to be able to come home to my fiance and baby girl.  A very small part of me was sad to think that the "single" portion of my life was over, however I am very thankful to have my daughter and soon to be husband in my life.  The bachelorette days were great days, but I would much rather share my days with those that I love. 

Doin' Things

We have been doing all kinds of things this past week.

Like....

Making Aunt Jemima, hat, creations out of blankets.  Jentry insisted on wearing her hat to the park, while pushing her "baby and kid" in the doll stroller.

Trying not to "step in the chocolate" on our evening walk.

Learning about Fire Safety with a trip to the fire station during preschool.  Jentry got her very own PINK fire helmet and wore it to bed that night.  OK, so not really, but I'm sure she would have if I had let her.  She did, however, wear it to the volleyball game that night.  It was Pink-Out Night for breast cancer awareness, so she fit right in with the crowd.

Cheering on the Fillies with Jentry's friends Isabella and Avery.  Take note of the Isabella and Jentry's shirt ties in the back.  Jentry asked me to tie her shirt with a hair tie before we left to the game.  Apparently, this is a new fad that this old mom knows nothing about, because Isabella had the same thing!  Jentry has also been wearing her pants rolled up above the knee. I had no idea the fashion trends would start at such a young age.

Carving pumpkins!  Jentry chose this lovely minx.  She gutted the pumpkin herself and carved it with just a little help from her mother.

Nathan, of course, chose this very tuff and scary, crossbones skull.

And loads of adorable laundry!



Combine Ride

Because Papa was much too efficient this harvest, Jentry had to find a fill-in Papa to take her for a combine ride.  Nathan actually came up with the idea and coordinated a ride for Jentry and me yesterday afternoon.  He asked one of his long time customers and family friend, Neal Carpenter, if he would be so kind to give Jentry a combine ride.  Being a grandpa of many, he immediately said, "Absolutely!"  We met up with Nathan, he took us out to the field and we climbed up into the cab.

It was a gorgeous, fall day.  I might have been just as excited as Jentry about the ride, because Papa's combine fills up quickly with his three grandchildren and I hardly ever get to go along anymore.  A few weeks ago, Jentry wrote a letter to my nephew, Isaac, and said that she was hoping to come ride with him in Papa's combine.  My sister said he that when she read him the letter he started crying.  I was thinking it was so sweet that he loved his cousin so much, however this was not at all why he was crying.  Apparently, he did not want to have to share the combine with Jentry.  "There is not room for both of us and I am NOT standing!"  What a stink!  Luckily, it was just Jentry and me on this special ride and she still wants to sit on mom's lap.

Jentry was a bit shy at first, but she quickly warmed up to Neal.  He gave her the job of pushing the yellow button to start the flow of corn into the grain wagon, which Jentry thought was way cool and she didn't even spill any on the ground.

In the field we saw a deer, a rabbit and a very plump raccoon.  Jentry thought this was all very interesting and even claims that the deer had a black tail!  When Nathan came back to pick us up, Jentry had to tell him all about our ride.  He wasn't sure what to believe..."A black, deer tail, really?"

I think Neal was happy to have someone to talk to for a change.  With all of the technology and auto-steer equipment, I think farmers are getting a bit bored.  I am not sure if my dad would admit to this or not, however he does often call me just to chat, while driving the combine.  I don't think this is just a coincidence.

Thank you Nathan and Neal for a very special afternoon in Corn Country!

Women and Children Only

The guys all headed east to Lincoln on Friday.  Nathan had an entire weekend of events planned to celebrate his last days of bachelorhood, and all the women and children were left in Orleans.  Most would find this somewhat unfair, however we had a wonderful time. 

First on the agenda...eat out! Friday evening, my mother, sister and her two chillins met Jentry and me at the Gourmet Grill in Holdrege for supper.  Surprisingly, the kiddos really like Chinese and I got my fix for a while. 

Anna loves to play with iPhones, so of course we had to have a brief photo shoot.  She is talking so much more than the last time I saw her.  Love, love little Anna Jean!

Saturday morning, we were up early to get ready for the Pork Days Parade in Stamford.  The kids collected entirely too much candy and we ate lunch on bustling, main street.  Well, it seemed bustling compared to the typical population of 183 people.  The parade lasted about an hour, which I thought was really impressive for such a small community.

Go Big Red!

Geesh people...can't you see that we need sunglasses.

Anna licking her lips after some amazing kettle corn!

After lunch, we headed home for naps and got to spend some time visiting with my Aunt Sonja and Uncle Bob.  We drove back to Stamford for supper, which was pork sandwiches....obviously for Pork Days.  The theme this year was "Remember When", so we also got to enjoy a very neat style show that featured four generations of wedding dresses from my family.

Saturday night, Nebraska played Wisconsin and during halftime of the game, we decided it best to give the little ones a good scubbin'. 

Isaac: "Anna it's my turn.  You need to get out now."

Two very silly fish.

Sunday afternoon, we went to the pumpkin patch for pumpkins, a hay rack ride and carmel corn. 

Isaac choose a lovely, medium size, orange pumpkin.

Anna choose two, small, wonderful, white pumpkins.

Jentry choose one large orange pumpkin, a medium orange pumpkin and one small white pumpkin.  The girl likes variety, or maybe she just is indecisive and wants it all. 

Last Sunday afternoon, Jentry and I headed back east and met Papa in Minden for an ice cream treat.  The drive was beautiful with all of the fall leaves.  We played "I spy" combines and counted seven all together.  

The ladies had a fantastic weekend without the men but are very much looking forward to a women only weekend very soon.