It’s How We…Wednesday! Once a month, Erika and I host a link up where we talk about how we (fill in the blank). We’ll share and then we’re hoping you’ll link up and share too…because I LOVE learning new things from you ladies! So far this year, we’ve discussed…
JANUARY: Our New Year’s Resolutions.
FEBRUARY: How we take care of ourselves
MARCH: How we mom fail and live to talk about it
APRIL: How we spring clean/organize
MAY: How we transition our wardrobe
JUNE: How we plan our summer vacations
JULY: How we motivate our kids
AUGUST: How we pack lunches
And this month…HOW WE FALL!
Friends, you know how much we love to FALL around here.
It’s super ironic that we live in a place that only gets like a hot second of fall. Sigh.
Bahahahaha. I love you, Pinterest and all of your funny quotes.
So, here’s what we love to do in the fall and then please, tell me what we’re missing! I always love new traditions!!!!
#1: OKTOBERFEST
Oktoberfest is one of my favorite holidays. Wait? I don’t think it’s a real holiday, but in my heart it is! We always hit two Oktoberfests in town…first up, the one right on our historic downtown square at the end of every September and then…
…the first weekend in October, we hit the one in my parents’ town of Southlake. Everything about Oktoberfest makes me HAPPY! One of these days, I need to visit Germany for a real taste of Oktoberfest!!
#2: PUMPKIN PATCHES
Ahhhhhhh! The pumpkin patch! We’ve been taking our kiddos to local pumpkin patches since they were tiny. What’s better than picking out pumpkins in a big field? NOTHING!
Pumpkins just make me HAPPY!
#3: FOOTBALL GAMES
Fall and football just go hand in hand, right? Whether it’s watching it on TV (as we did all Saturday morning while it poured rain outside…otherwise known as the perfect day!) or see it in person (like here we are last year at a Kansas State game), we love football in the fall!
This year, we’re super excited about our new high school football stadium and plan on seeing lots of local games there too!
#4: OUR HARVEST PARTY
Our Sunday school class at church always has a huge Fall Harvest Party each October where the kids come in costume, the parents bring yummy potluck and we play outside in this big open pavilion. Hanging out with my friends while eating something cheesy watching my kids bounce in a bounce house? Sign. Me. Up!
#5: THE STATE FAIR OF TEXAS
I cannot remember a time in my life when I didn’t go to the annual State Fair of Texas. Listen, it’s like all we talk about around here every year when it hits town. The Fair is the leading story on the news each night, kiddos get a day off from school to visit (along with a free ticket) and everyone wants to know when you’re going. It’s epic. It’s one of those cool things that make Texas so Texas. We ALWAYS have the BEST time!!
#6: CARVING OUR JACK-O-LANTERNS
It wouldn’t be fall without carving our jack-o-lanterns! It also wouldn’t be fall without Halloween pajamas 🙂 .
#7: TRUNK OR TREAT
Every Fall our church hosts a Trunk or Treat out in the parking lot. Everyone decorates their trunks and kiddos can come trick or treat. There is music, candy, friends and tons of fun! Last year, it was super windy and in the low 40s, but we had the best time!!
#8: HAUNTED HOUSE VISIT
Last year, we started an annual tradition of taking the kiddos to a Haunted House with the Slaughter Family. So far, only the oldest four have gone (we’re waiting until the little four are a bit older), but oh my word! We had the BEST time!! Our kids cannot wait to go back this year!
#9: TRICK OR TREATING
And of course, we wrap up October with Halloween night! We always eat an early dinner and then trick or treat with family and friends. Everyone gets into the spirit of things and it’s such a neighborhood event. I just love, love, love Halloween night so much!
#10: THANKSGIVING
We do Thanksgiving a little different every single year. It always involves football, family and food though! Here we are last Thanksgiving. It’s the end of fall and the beginning of the most wonderful time of the year 😉 .
So, that’s how WE FALL!
How do you?! If I’ve missed some traditions, please comment and share!! We could always use more!!
Next time, it’s HOW WE…MEAL PLAN AND SHARE RECIPES!
Now, won’t that be fun?!
Happy Wednesday, friends! Don’t forget to link up if you blogged too! xo
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I can’t wait for all the fall festivities! From October on, it’ll just be celebration after celebration. Your post makes me so excited! 🙂
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Colleen says
Hey Shay! Every year my girlfriends and I go to a local winery in the fall. I live in Boston, so there are a few right outside the city. We wear our favorite fall outfits, bring a big blanket and snacks and we sit outside chatting all afternoon over our glasses of wine. It’s such a fun tradition!
Laura says
I always make myself a new fall bucket list and post it up somewhere! It’s usually on orange paper and I write out the fun fall things I want to do and the fall/pumpkin recipes I’ve been waiting all year to make. It gets me so excited!
Erika Slaughter says
This post has me all kinds of excited!!! Bring it, Fall! We’re resdy for ya!
Sarah Shaneyfelt says
I always love watching certain Halloween movies each fall like Hocus Pocus and Beetlejuice! And of course, I love the fall movies on the Hallmark Channel! This will be our last fall without a baby so I’m excited to begin new traditions next year!
MeetTheShaneyfelts
Jen says
Have you considered a trip to New England?? I live in CT and fall is in the air..I’m sure Vermont and NH feel even more so. Something about New England is totally fall!!
Sheaffer Sims says
BRING! ON! FALL! When we were walking the dogs last night, there was a tiny hint of a chill in the air It was glorious! Loved seeing all of these fall family pics and all of your fun activities from year’s past!
Elspeth Mizner says
What fun traditions! You gave me some ideas too! Love t! Happy fall!
Narci says
Yeah!!! I can’t wait for Fall! Bring it on!
Jessica C. says
It looks like your family has so much fun in the fall! Thanks for the list!
My family likes to go to our local corn maze every year. It’s always a different challenge! They also have apple cider slushes we must get for finishing. My kids like trick or treating in our local history museum. They have family activities in the decorated museum and the get to wear their costumes and get candy as they walk around. Fall is the time we go to the Renaissance Festival. We have been going with my sister’s family since my 15 year old neice was born.
Emily Winchester says
as a Red Sox fan I feel like you can totally include post season baseball in your Fall this year! Go Braves!?
Elaine says
Here our our family’s Fall/Halloween traditions!
https://houseofhargrove.com/fall-family-traditions/
Emily says
Does your area have a local apple orchard? We always go to ours (in Iowa) the beginning of September for the best honeycrisps right off the trees, and then we go in October to pick out pumpkins, sip apple cider and eat apple turnovers and fresh homemade donuts 🙂 it’s the best, and a great fall tradition!
Connie says
I love Fall!! The weather, the pretty changing colors of the leaves and when they fall on the ground. Pumpkin everything! I’ve already made two different pumpkin recipes and they were delish! Here in Michigan as you have been in the past. ? We like to go to the Cider Mill to get pumpkins, fresh picked apples, (there’s nothing better than picking your own delicious fresh apples off the trees) hay ride, apple cider and the yummy donuts!! I make my grandma’s pumpkin pie recipe (the best) every Thanksgiving and Christmas for my family. My mom used to, but I took over several years ago. It’s fun seeing the costumes at Halloween and I’ve always had fun dressing my kids up and snapping photos! Last year my daughter was an American Girl doll. My husband and I designed the box to look like the real deal and she was super cute! We sometimes go to the Renaissance Festival too! Madeley made the cutest Moana last year!! Happy Fall!!
Amanda Wilson says
I love FALL to!! However, our Fall is being cut short with snow ❄️ .
I would say the only Fall thing we do you don’t have on your list is Corn Maze!!
Courtney says
I just have to say, I love your hair in the picture with your family on Thanksgiving! 🙂
Love all of the Fall ideas – thank you!
Courtney
Clare B says
This list makes me so excited for fall!!! Add this rainy weather we’re having and it’s perfect!
Rebecca says
Looks like so much fun!! Here in Sweden we don’t really do trick or treat, or go to pumpkin patches 🙁 I wish it were more like in America. Anyway, where do you buy your kids cute halloween pyjamas?
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
I can’t wait for all the fall fun!! That Inspired Chick
Jenna says
I love fall! We watch a lot of football this time of year. Nothing is better than a big field of pumpkins to go pick. Happy Fall!
Linda E says
When my kids were young, we used to “boo”
friends’ houses around Halloween. The kids thought sneaking up to someone’s front porch under the cover of night and leaving treats was a blast! And, trying to figure out who booed you was just as fun! You can read more about it here:
http://christmas.organizedhome.com/crafts/halloween/boo-youve-been-booed-poem-signs
sydnee says
I love Fall and all the holidays following it! I get so many ideas for fun activities during this time from your blog. x
Sydnee | Design by Sydnee ?
Kelsey says
Love Fall! Some of my favorite traditions are fall movies on Hallmark and s’mores by the fire!
Laura says
Apple picking along with hot apple cider and apple cider doughnuts! Up here we also love going for drives to see the Fall colours. Fall hikes through the woods with the crisp autumn air.
Emily G says
We’re decorating for fall tonight at our house! Where do you get the Halloween jammies for the older kids? I’m striking out so far…no problem for the baby but the 5 and 7 year old options are meh…
Bre says
Love everything about this post and FALL!!! Our traditions are pretty similar to yours, one additional tradition that we have is our annual trip to the Apple Orchard! We go apple picking, eat apple cider donuts, drink apple cider and apple wine and the kids love playing on all of their fun kids activities that they have set up!! 🙂 Cheers to a beautiful fall!!!!!!
Penny G says
Hi, Shay – I want to suggest a visit to the Dallas Arboretum this Fall! From Sept. 22-Nov. 21 they will present “The Adventures in Neverland” – an exhibit made up of over 90,000 pumpkins, squash and gourds. My hometown, Floydada, TX, has a family who has supplied these pumpkins for several years! It is a spectacular display! Check out the details at dallasarboretum.org
Adrienne says
I can’t for pumpkin patches and Halloween
Leah says
Oktoberfest in Germany is a must-do Shay! I went two years ago and it was fantastic. The atmosphere, the excitement, the food and the overall experience were amazing!
Bit of advice: don’t go opening day unless it’s just adults going (it’s crazily chaotic), but weeknights had just the same magic as weekends. It’s definitely been one of the more memorable experiences in my life, so I totally recommend!
Penny G says
Hi, Shay! I am from Floydada, TX, and a local family, The Pyle’s, have supplied the pumpkins to the Dallas Arboretum for several years for their annual Fall display! This year the theme is “The Adventures in Neverland”. The website describes it as “a spectacular show of color with 4,500 chrysanthemums, along with 150,00 MORE flowering plants and over 90,000 pumpkins, squash and gourds.” Access dallasarboretum.org for more details. Talk about gorgeous, colorful photo ops!
Kelli says
Have y’all ever been to Henrietta Apple Orchard? Apple picking!? It just feels so Hallmark movie-ish ?. Was wanting some feedback if it’s worth going to. We live in Louisiana super close to state line.
Brittany says
We’ve been to Henrietta Creek Orchards but their hours are spotty. I would recommend checking their FB page before you make a trip. 🙂
Wendy says
I love fall but I do not love that winter is right around the corner from fall. Of course I live in Minnesota so that might explain things!!! My favorites for fall are apple picking/apple orchard, driving around looking at the fall foliage, raking the leaves and then jumping in them and a hayride at night followed by apple cider and a bonfire.
joyce says
There’s a glaring omission here…Post-season Baseball! Especially since the Sox clinched a playoff berth last night!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well, that was a given, right?! 😉
Elizabeth says
I am so excited for all the fall festivities! I am surprised that you guys don’t go on a vacation to Vermont or Maine with how much you love fall and the changing of seasons! Some of my favorite fall traditions are UVA vs Pittsburgh football game with our extended family (whether it is in VA or PA we always go!), visiting a pumpkin patch, and going to a fruit farm to apple pick! My husband and I just moved to a new state to be closer to family and I am so excited to start some new fall traditions that involve my niece/nephews!
Tisha says
Apple picking in Maine in the fall!!! Most fun ever!!!!!
Angela Ellingson says
Traditions make me so happy! Your family has some fun ones!! I need to see if there is an Oktoberfest close to us?!
Ralinn says
I love the pumpkin hay bales. Someone is very clever. I live going to the pumpkin patch and a good PSL.
Apri Justice says
One thing that I’ve done in the past and hope to do again this year is a Friendsgiving. What’s better than spending time with those who you consider family, but don’t actually have any blood relation to? When I hosted this before, I provided the main meat entre (I did roast instead of turkey) and everyone else brought a side dish or dessert. We ate, drank, played games, watched football and sat by the fire pit. It was a great way to say your thankful for the framily members in your life.
Kristen Hardison says
We do this too! So much fun! Sometimes we wear comfy clothes and we bathe the kids early so they wear their pajamas.
Sharon Keeter says
Funny story …. I grew up in Houston and went to Texas A&M. My freshman roommate was from Terrell, TX, and she LOVED the State Fair. But I had never heard of the State Fair of Texas!! After graduating, my husband and I lived in several areas around DFW and loved going to the State Fair with our kids. We left TX 25 years ago and have lived in several states, but nobody does a State Fair like TEXAS!!!
Caroline says
Hi Shay! Until you make it to Germany, consider a trip to Cincinnati for the fall. We have the largest Oktoberfest in the USA! “Oktoberfest Zinzinnati”. Cincinnati has a very rich German heritage, which we love to celebrate! You can even participate in the world’s largest chicken dance. It’s a fun time. Check it out! http://www.oktoberfestzinzinnati.com
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ve heard of this!!! It’s totally on my bucket list!!
Alexis deZayas says
I came and visited McKinney for Oktoberfest last year and LOVED it 🙂 We also love decorating Halloween gingerbread houses! It’s like a gingerbread house you see at Christmas but Haunted House/Halloween style!
Alexis deZayas says
Also the Dallas Arboretum is BEAUTIFUL in the fall! You would be in heaven!!
Kristen Hardison says
Y’all need to do the Halloween Scavenger Hunt kind of like Jammie Cocoa Christmas! It’s so fun! We wear our Halloween pjs, take our scavenger hunt sheet and drive around looking for the items while we eat Halloween cookies and drink milk. My boys have already asked when we can go! It will be our 3rd year!
Kelly heinonen says
WHEre do you get the kids Halloween pajamas ?
Mix and Match Mama says
Gymboree!!