The Bechtolt family knows how to make the most of a moment.
A day in the life of Hannah and Ryan and their daughters, three-year-old Laine and two-year-old Sutton, could entail roaming through a field of wildflowers, splashing in muddy puddles after a rainstorm or scootering down the sidewalks of their town of Monroe.
Their house isn’t far from the dairy farm where Hannah, who’s now a teacher, grew up. Or from Juda, where Ryan, who owns an exterior and construction company, was raised. Southern Wisconsin feels like home, and they’re raising their girls to appreciate its rhythms and simple joys.
Hannah offers a glimpse into how.
What do you like most about living in Monroe?
The highlight of living where we do now is that I am only ten minutes from my parents’ 250-acre farm. I love that my girls have gotten to have the freedom to enjoy the outdoors and get a piece of the way I grew up. It also means that being in our hometown means having our families so close! My husband’s grandma even watches the girls three days a week during the school year, and one of my best friend’s mom watches them the other two days. I also love the community of Monroe. It really offers so much with its beautiful downtown, parks and different programs offered in the community.
What are your favorite things to do together as a family?
As a family we appreciate the small parts of nature and just getting outside to enjoy it. Once the weather is nice, you can find us on the farm, at the park or just hanging out. We love to take night walks as a family admiring the stars and moon.
What’s a typical summer weekend like for you guys?
My husband’s busy season is during the summer, and the last two years we have become hemp farmers as well, which is a very time-consuming summer task. Therefore, I typically find myself on Saturdays just the girls and I. We like to find a new park, walk downtown for a snack, do a Target run, do special activity or meet up with friends or family to get out of the house before naptime. We usually eat dinner followed by an evening walk to the park until dark. On Sundays we try to all be together, which tends to be going to the farm and cooking out. While there, we take walks, play outside, go for four wheeler rides, have water fun and chill on the porch.
Why is being active as a family important to you?
I really have a hard time myself sitting still — I prefer to be on the move, being social and engaged with the world. When I had kids, I didn’t want to stop and wanted to share these experiences. I realized quickly what an adventure they could be, all the little things we stop taking the time to do as adults that can bring so much joy to our life. For example, just taking a night walk, hitting the beach or going to a local event. As farm kids, we were always outside, being adventurous and using our imagination to create our own little world. I really want my kids to have that same experience.
Any advice for other families looking to be more adventurous?
I know that packing two young toddlers up to get out can seem daunting. Even a quick walk to the park can turn into quite the complicated experience. I mean, packing the diaper bag, making sure you have snacks, getting them in their gear, begging them to try to go potty first yet inevitably having to turn around, after a block, to head back to go potty!
However, the more you do it, the easier it gets. Rarely have I found myself regretting one of our outings. It seems to ease the day for us and create experiences that create happiness for both the girls and I. So just do it, find something new and be okay with being uncomfortable. Lastly, laugh when it goes really wrong because your toddler puked all over the car, someone peed their pants or it was just a hot mess of a day.
There’s never enough time to do everything, so what do you prioritize as a family? What do you always make time for?
Honestly, just being together.
However, it was also hard for me to leave them and do something that is just for me. In the last year, I have realized how a break can help me feel more like me (not just a mom), and then in return it makes me more thankful for the chaos that is having two toddlers.
Why do you choose to live and raise kids in Wisconsin? What do you hope the experience means for your kids?
It is the only thing I know! I have traveled to many places, and being Midwest nice is really a thing. So what I really hope they learn is to be nice. That when you pass someone walking down the street, give a warm “hello” just because! That those small interactions make your world happier.
What are the most important things to teach your kids?
To be confident and to know their self-worth. I think these two things can get you through any situation. Even if the outcome isn’t what you hoped, having these two characteristics will push you onward in a positive direction.
What do you hope your kids learn from seeing you do the work you do?
With my career in education, I hope my kids find a love for knowledge and being learners. I hope they see that even if you don’t make a ton, that if you love what you do, life can just be more enjoyable. I hope they see how hard my husband works as well. Long days and hard labor can pay off. That you can also find a lot of joy in getting dirty, sweaty and creating things.
Photos by Hannah Bechtolt.
Katie Vaughn is the editor and co-founder of Northerly. She is a University of Wisconsin-Madison and Stanford University-trained journalist with experience as a writer, reporter, editor, blogger and author. She lives in Madison with her husband, daughter and son, and is always up for an adventure.