Hello fall.

It's getting chilly outside and the rain is in full swing. I am totally crossing my fingers that it holds out for us on Sunday for family pictures. If we have to reschedule, this mama will not be happy.

I am finding myself so excited for the season change - even more than normal. Summer has always been my favorite time of year but fall has me giddy this time around.

I am loving getting hot chai teas on cold mornings and seeing Ava wear tight leggings with boots is the cutest thing ever. I am so excited for the pumpkin patch, Halloween and photo sessions with the pretty changing leaves. I have started buying more scarves to add to my stash and am even considering trying out skinny jeans just so I can wear cute boot cuffs. I am also planning on hitting up E.Z. Orchards for those amazing pumpkin spice donuts soon with the bestie (she just doesn't know it yet.)

Fall time, is fun time.
Bring it.

The talker.

It has begun. Ava is full of words lately.

Just when I was wondering if she would ever talk, she just started spouting them off.

She has 'please' and 'thank you' down and even uses them appropriately.

She is also saying 'I love you' which sounds more like "ahh eew" when she says it.

I am enjoying this stage a ton. Especially when she tries her hardest to repeat after you. It's not only adorable, it's also pretty hilarious at times.

It's time.

After years of putting it off and after weeks of searching for the perfect photographer. I have finally scheduled our family pictures for next month.

I am not one who enjoys having my picture taken so I'm not very excited for that but I am looking forward to capturing memories of my family - all 5 of us, together. It will be nice to have some shots of the kids that I didn't take myself, too.

One thing that I am worried about is what I want all of us to wear, though. I have no clue what I want us in. You would think that would be the easy part. But, nope. I'm currently shopping online to find perfect outfits and color schemes.  Oh, the stress.

Today.

It is raining outside  and I am thoroughly enjoying it.  It has me excited for fall.

I am sitting on the couch while Ava destroys the living room with her new box of books.  She is highly interested in the ones with textures so she is opening all of them and feeling each page. I love watching her.

School is back in session as of yesterday. I should be leaving as I type to go pick up kids.

Thought I would leave a random post since I rarely do anymore.

Life needs to slow down... yeah, right. I know... I am dreaming.

Ava as of now.

She has recently learned how to twirl, so she will constantly spin around in circles until she is so dizzy that she falls over.

Instead of saying "bye" now, she will just blow you a kiss.

She is slowly cutting out her morning nap. Some days she will still take two but most of the time she refuses.

Her love for her binkie causes a power struggle daily. I dread the day that I take it away for good. I may just lose my mind.

She loves to watch me do my make up in the morning and tries to put on my lipstick.  She especially likes blushing her ears with my blush brush.

Dental floss is her favorite. She will watch me floss while she chews on a small piece of her very own.

She is fearless. Especially at the pool. She has started lunging herself off the edge into your arms. We have learned that you have to be giving her your full attention at all times because she is jumping, whether you are looking or not.

She likes to yell at the dog. Oh yes, its quite entertaining. Normally its when she has a snack in her hand and he goes for it. She likes to scream at him in her baby babble and point at his bed.

She has finally mastered the high-five and knuckles. It is THE. CUTEST.

Lately I have been noticing how much she is starting to resemble an actual "kid." It is crazy. At football practice she just runs around with all of the older kids and plays until she is exhausted. Most nights we get home and a bath is needed pronto. I love watching her grow, learn and change.

Its that time again.

Football practice started this week and so far, Layton has jammed a finger, and forgot to wear socks with his cleats.

Soon it will be chilly late nights, non-stop cheering for his team and lots of crock-pot meals.

Sounds good to me. We are ready for some football.

A bone to pick.

Life in the Frakes' house has been busy as usual. I have had almost no time to blog and for some reason it really was getting to me. So, I spent 45 minutes a few nights ago writing a HUGE post updating everyone on EVERYTHING going on around here. I also attatched 15 pictures from Instagram documenting some of those moments.

Everything looked perfect, so I hit the "publish" button on my handy little blogger app and poof! Gone! (Yes, I cussed.) I held a grudge for days because I was NOT rewriting it all.

Tonight though, the older kids are gone, Lee is helping our neighbor assemble a pool table and Ava is asleep. So, I decided to give it a shot. Then I realize that I no longer have all of my pictures because I got a new phone yesterday and they werent saved to my card. (Yes, I cussed again.)

Now? You are just going to get a post with me complaining and a picture of Ava eating her breakfast this morning. (Since thats then only one I have to share.)

This girl is going to bed.