My kids went out to help Brad wash his car the other day.  

Who doesn't wear a cape while washing a car?  Mack sure loves to. 

And this princess was "helping".  We had to change her clothes afterwards.  They were soaking wet.  

Mack has been playing soccer this fall.  he's not very aggressive.  Sometimes, as a parent, it is frustrating.  I guess I should be happy that he's not the kid on the team that slide tackles other kids.  So we are practicing in our backyard.  Franklin acts as the defense.  

So I was teaching piano the other day and saw macy doing this....She is yelling "jump" as she is jumping off the stair.  Seriously...it's happening already. 

P.S.  I feel like all the pictures and videos I've posted lately are of me and my messy house.  You have no idea the destruction macy does.  Her new thing...throwing things down the stairs.  Just sayin'. 

Mr. Franklin had a huge day this past week.  And not in a good way.  We had to have him neutered.  We didn't want to, but we didn't have a choice.  I don't want to get into details because that means I would have to use terminology I don't think people really like to hear too often (hint...it has to do with reproductive organs).  ANd unfortunately, it was a more invasive surgery than normal because they had to do an incision in his stomach as well.  SO, he has to wear a cone for 10 days.  Yes, 10 days.  It's rough for everyone in this house.  

Macy is getting much better every day with saying words.  Mostly names so far...but it's a start.  She is getting better at understanding me too.  I ask her to go get certain things like a diaper and wipes and she does it.  I can ask her yes or no questions about what she wants to eat for a meal, or even if she is hungry, stinky, or sleepy.  I'd say she is doing pretty well!

She figured out how to rock the rocking chair.  

I got this little baby at DI for $10.  It's going to be the nightstand for my guest room.  Here it is before:

Here it is after:

 I can't wait to get it all set up and finished in there!

While we are on the subject of me being "creative",  I also made a yarn wreath.  All by myself.  Not bad for a first time. 

Miss Macy and her cute tummy...

Meema was playing around with her clothes and gave her turban. 

Nikki's family was in town this last weekend  We got to spend lots of time with them!  We went to the pumpkin patch/corn maze with the kids.  It was so fun!

Macy and my mom

Mack and Xander

The girls

Macy kept pinching the goats nose.  Poor goat.  Or stupid?  He did keep walking up to the fence...

Macy also kept trying to eat the fence.  She also kept saying "stinky"...over and over again.  

And then she walked through a tunnel over and over again.  

And why not really pics of mack?  because he was running around with caitlyn and xander the entire time and i couldn't even get him to sit still long enough to take a picture.  Believe me...i tried.

the other day we were driving down to Orem, and he said that he needed to go to the bathroom.  UNFORTUNATELY, it was at that one stretch of freeway where there wasn't an exit for a few more miles.  And when Mack says he needs to go...he means NOW.  so, we pulled over to the side of the freeway where he did his thing.  Brad needs to work on his discretion when it comes to public urination.

Another waiting room, another test.  He had his blood drawn to test for arthritis to see if that was the source of all of his back pain.  The tests came back all clear!  However, the doctor wants me to take him to an orthopedic doctor now to have him checked out there and have more tests run so we can figure out why Mack has had back pain for the past 2 years.  His appointment is not until November 10th, so we will wait til then!

Macy saying cheese while taking a picture of herself with a fake camera.  Oh no...the self portrait pics in the bathroom mirror are coming before I know it!

I've become obsessed lately with repurposing and refinishing.  Here is a sneak peak of a lamp I'm working on...

A $5 ceramic lamp I got from DI for the guest room...

It is a hideous 70's brown color. 

So I spray painted it. BUT I think i'm going to do a different color...so It's not finished yet.

I also took this boring lamp shade I got from WalMart for $10...

And recovered it with some fabric.  Doesn't it look great?!

I also have a $10 end table that I am in the process of redoing for the nightstand in the guest room.  Pics to come soon.  It's going to look great.

Macy playing peek-a-boo with Lyndsey using her long hair.

The 2nd day of our quick st george trip, we got to visit with Family.  

Here is a 5 generation picture!

Just the girls...

4 generations

And cute Macy.

On Sunday, we went to St George for a quick trip.  Luckily, we got to visit with Nikki's family!!  Me and Nikki took the kids to the park...

See how curly her hair is?  Yeah..it's natural.

Caitlyn refused to stand still long enough for a picture with the three of them...but Mack and Xander had a blast playing tag.  

And this is what the boys did while me and nikki took the 5 kids to the park. 

I decided to make my own Halloween advent calendar.  I had no pattern, no picture to look at, I just kind of winged it.  It is 100% hand painted.  It took me over a week to finish.  

I know it looks super amateur...that's because it is.  happy Halloween!

Macy saying "cheese" to the camera. 

Macy loves giving EVERYONE kisses.  

Macy and Cohen saying goodbye to each other one night at Grandma Annies house...so tender.