Tis the season!

This holiday season flew by for us! I can't believe Christmas is over...it seems like we just put up the old christmas tree yesterday! It's kinda sad to think that all of the fun we had been anticipating for so long has passed - there's always next year though! That being said we definitely had a blast this year and it will be hard to top it! So many great things took place - family gatherings with family members we rarely see, a new puppy, an excited little girl and let's not forget the unexpected snow! Having a yard blanketed in white powder made the lights and decorations on our house all the more festive! We had a blast playing outside with Gracie in the snow and it was such a treat to wake up Christmas morning with big fat snowflakes falling - it was almost magical! It's been a long time (at least 10 years) since we've had a white christmas here! We thoroughly enjoyed our time with family and friends and we wish moments like the ones we just shared could happen more often! As Christmas day approached I started to reflect upon all of the goodness that is in my life and I couldn't believe how blessed I truly am! I have a WONDERFUL family! Over the years Mark and I have grown to be the very best of friends - we have so much in common that the little things that irritate and annoy us seem to dissapear rather easily with a look, a kiss or a good old fashion 'goose'! I count the strong marriage that I have as one of my biggest blessings from God. Another one of my big blessings is my beautiful baby girl - Ms. Gracie Lynn. She is a riot!! Those of you who get to see her often know exactly what I'm talking about - she's spunk and sass and a little bit of silly... I just love her to pieces - some times I want to squeeze her so tight that I think I might brake her! I love this season for all that it represents and for the sweet spirit that seems to hover over all of us like a wisp of air. We had so much fun and we're now looking for ways to keep Christmas in our home all year long - I think we'll keep the mistltoe up - we are trying to have another baby after all!:)
Oh! Below you'll find a video of Gracie with her new gifts... a puppy and a stroller - need I say more?:)

Merry Christmas!!!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Puppy update

We asked the dog breeder whom we're purchasing our puppy from to send us some updated photos of our little guy - he's 5 weeks old now and in 1 more week he will be coming home for the first time - we're very excited - I think Gracie is even catching on to the fact that we are getting a puppy (It will still be a surprise come Christmas morning though) I guess it doesn't help that her daddy is far more excited than any adult should be!:) We allotted a portion of our christmas money towards things we need for him - A Carrier, chew toys, leash, collar, I.D. tag, etc. and it was fun shopping for him - Gracie loved going to the pet store! We have agreed upon a name for him and it is "Parker". When Mark was growing up his family would often call him 'Parker Joe'... we dropped the "Joe" and now I like it, he likes it, and we get to carry on a family nickname - everybody wins. Can't wait to hold the little bugger in my arms!

Photo booth

My cousin Kaylee is an amazing photographer that has recently been pushing a new concept for her bussiness, "Kaylee Eylander photography" (there's a link to her website on my blog) anywho, the concept she is trying to establish is called "photo booth" - it starts with a blank white canvas that can be set up pretty much anywhere, great lighting and a few boxes filled with different costume materials (hats, wigs, hula skirts, glasses, etc)the rest is up to the people in the photos - the idea is to capture random moments in time where people are stepping out of their mundane existance and trying something new - the images Kaylee captures is rather funny and sometimes flattering (although the day I was photographed I had a small band-aid on my face to help heal a pimple I was too embarrassed to reveal, so my photos aren't really flattering - but they sure are funny!!:) This photo-booth session was taken at Kaylee's house where she threw a bridal shower for my cousin Devoney - the girl you see in the photos with me is my other cousin Denae' (Devoney's sister) - we had a great time that night!!

Like father - like daughter!

For those of you who see Gracie often you know just what I'm talking about when I say that she is a spitting image of her daddy - but some of you live far away and don't see her often so I wanted to share with you this photo so that you can see just how much alike Gracie and Mark truly are! They not only look alike but they act alike - even in their sleep... this picture is proof of that! You can't see Mark's hand in this photo because I zoomed in so that you could see Gracie's - just know that Mark's hand is in the same spot - like always! Oh boy do I have my hands full! Somedays I just shake my head and then thank the Lord that my little family gives me the giggles!

Snow day

Not often does it snow here in Washington - I mean really snow - like stick to the ground and stay there until the next day - sure, we'll get the occasional "white rain" that turns to road slurpee within a couple of hours...but not often does it really SNOW...well, it did yesterday and today Church was cancelled, so you know what that means!?! SNOW DAY for the Francis family!! Mark had to work until 4am last night so Gracie and I had to wait until at least 10am until we culd go in and wake hime up... waiting like that was torture for Gracie because her friends were already outside building snowmen! Finally I couldn't take it anymore - the puppy dog eyes and wimpering at the window so I bundled her up and just as I was getting my clothes on Mark decided to wake up early! After we got dressed we opened the front door and Gracie literally ran out of it like a charging bull - she was sooo excited! We played in our yard for a little while and then we took Gracie over to her friends house where she helped them build an adorable little snowman. After that we took her for a walk to our neighborhood playground where she slid down the snow-filled slides like a snow plower! We had a blast until the wind kicked up and then it became unbearable to stay outside any longer. What a wonderful little treat the Lord blessed us with this weekend! For those of you who get snow (real snow) every winter it probably doesn't mean much to you, in fact it may be somewhat of a burden, but for us Washingtonians it's something spectacular - heck! anything other than rain is welcomed here!! We had a blast today! Stay toasty everyone!:)

Computer update

I woke up at 2am on black friday and stood in line at Best Buy - one would think that getting in line 3 hours before the store opened (in the "I can't feel my toes" freezing cold) would be a bit irrational but tell that to the 100+ people that were already there when I arrived! I tried my hardest to stay awake, to not freeze my butt off (although if that were truly an option - I'd be completely okay with losing a few inches off the old rear end!), ignore the annoying teenage girls that thought they were far cuter than they were and try not to smack the lady that kept blowing her cigarrette smoke in my face - I know, I know, ba humbug! I'm not a morning person at all so the entire experience was exhausting... but, in the end, well worth it!! I was able to buy an awesome computer and a new printer as well at a fabulous price... all in all a great shopping day! Now all we need to do is get internet - high speed internet for the Francis family from now on - the last 8 months of dial up have been brutal! We should be getting it within the next week so until then there will be no new posts. Take care and Happy Holidays!!!
Oh! Can I just say that I absolutely love Christmas! I love the sights and sounds and smells of this special holiday... it's my favorite time of the year! I'll be sure to share more later concerning this topic! Until then...

Prepare for the longest post in blogger history...

Okay, I have so much to share - where do I begin? ... Let's start with Gracie's halloween photo. This one is for you Aunt Bean:)


We didn't go trick or treating this year - Mark had to work a night shift and so someone had to man the post! We have a lot of trick or treaters in our neighborhood! My friend Laura came over with her sweet little baby girl Calista and we had a girl's night (her husband had to work too) we had fun passing out candy and Gracie LOVED answering the door... everytime she opened the door she said, "Tcka-tee".

Okay, moving right along... Let's talk a bit about the 'Twilight' movie.

Mark and I enjoyed our night together, even if the movie was a little bit of a let down! Yep, I said it - the movie wasn't that great - in fact it was a cheese fest! I think the actors were good (some of them at least), the plot, of course, was fantastic (dejavu?) but the special effects were horrible and some of the casting was a little different than what I had pictured in my head. We still had a great time going out for dinner and it was nice to see the book come to life. It was a little sad being surrounded by a bunch of teenagers in the theater...but, who cares, eh? We weren't able to go for a walk due to the wonderful rain we get here in Washington but we were able to remedy that dissapointment at 5:30am the next day when we went for a 'twilight' jog - just us two... Mark grabbed my hand in the middle of our run and said, "Come closer, my Bella" I then replied, "Oh Edward!" it was very cute!

What else? Oh yes...the puppy!



We are so excited about the newest addition to our family - our puppy just arrived a week ago and as soon as he turns 6 weeks old we can bring him home. We were going to get a girl dog but when we got to the breeders home and we saw the runt of the litter we fell in love with him. He is so sweet and we are so excited to surprise Gracie with a puppy on Christmas morning...we haven't decided on a name yet, but when we do we'll let you know.

Okay, last but certainly not least I wanted to share some photos of Gracie when I caught her having a little tea party in the clothes dryer - she thought she was pretty sneaky! I sure do love my little monster!

Computer problems

I just wanted to let everyone know that I probably won't be blogging very much because our computer crashed due to a virus... we will be purchasing one on black friday so until then I won't be able to blog very often. I'm currently at my in-laws and I know that we will be back here next weekend so perhaps I can bring the memory stick from our camera and at least share Gracie's halloween photos ( for you Bean!:) I'm pretty sure that I will take the time to add a little blurp about our romantic twilight evening and if I'm able to I will also post some photos of the puppy we are getting Gracie for Christmas...we're making a trip to the penninsula next weekend, near Forks (that's right Tia - we're headed back to Forks - the day after Twilight is released!) and we're going to make a deposit on the little thing - she was just born last week and we're all so excited. Until next time...

TWILIGHT

I just saw a new trailer for 'Twilight' the movie and I am even more excited than I was before! When Mark and I read the Twilight series we were hoping they would make the captivating words of Stephanie Meyers come to life on the big screen and now our wish is coming true! We have November 21st already planned out ... and now were just counting down the days! Gracie is going to spend the night at her grandmas and we are going to have a twilight night of our own. We're going to go out for dinner, then see the movie in the theaters...afterwards we're going to go for a moonlit walk on a secluded trail in Anacortes (the trail runs along a stream of water and it is enveloped in a canopy of trees - very romantic!) and then we're going to spend the rest of the night snuggled up - no Gracie- so you can only imagine how fun it will be!:) Don't get me wrong I LOVE my little bug, but, I am so looking forward to spending an evening alone with my "Edward". If you haven't read the first book, 'Twilight' yet - it's not too late! We read it in three days... so you have plenty of time! I have two copies I could lend out - just let me know. If you are planning on seeing the movie - you MUST read the book! I know I sound like such a nerd, but I am really passionate about this! Please, please, please check it out! You'll love it! OH! Also, the movie soundtrack comes out today, so, if you like the kind of music that Mark and I listen to (Alterantive) - let us know - we're getting the soundtrack and you are more than welcome to get a copy! Okay, enough movie plugging for one day...

Gracie's Bedroom

For the longest time I have been procrastinating painting a murral on Gracie's bedroom wall - I've wanted to - I've just never made it priority... well, that all changed this past week! I finally did it and now her room is complete. When she gets a little bigger we are going to get her new furniture - white this time- and save her old furniture for her new (hopefully soon - we're trying) brother or sister. It has been so much fun decorating a little girl's room and now I can't wait to have a boy - I have so many ideas floating around up in this crazy head of mine!

Blue Lake

This weekend we were able to finally hike up to Blue Lake (Whatcom county). We tried hiking there when Gracie was 6 months old but the trail was super wet and slick and I was too nervous to continue on...this time the conditions were much better and Gracie is much older. Grace absolutely LOVES hiking! She loves looking at all of the trees and pretty leaves. She loves RUNNING down the trail. She loves picking up sticks, pinecones and snow. She loves snacking on goodies while chilling in her pack nestled on top of her daddy's back (that kinda rhymes!) I love how adventurous our little bug is - I don't think I could handle a prissy girl (or boy for that matter!)Don't get me wrong - we love to shop together, but we aren't afraid to get dirty either! I love my little girl - she is a perfect mix of the both of us! I love my husband too. Ten years ago it was hiking along trails and talking about spiritual matters when I fell in love with him - and I love him even more today!! I thouroughly enjoy doing the same things we did as teenagers and count it as one of my many blessings. Enjoy the pics! (The one of Gracie standing all alone is my favorite - She gave me that look when I told her we were all done hiking.)

Roller Skating

Gracie was invited to her first birthday party and it was at the roller skating rink! Mark had work off and so we were all able to go as a family. Gracie was a pro at skating - the wheels were super tight so she was essentially walking with skates on, but she was very courageous in them - every time we tried to hold her hand she got upset - she is a very independant little girl and this is just one example of many. I got my skates on after I put on Gracie's and I noticed that Mark didn't have size 13 skates in his hand so I asked him where his skates were - he said he forgot to wear socks so he couldn't skate with us and I replied, "Oh, you're skating with us big boy! Go buy some socks up at the front counter." He thought he was off the hook but I bursted his bubble real quick! He was absolutely hilarious in skates - he looked much taller in them (his legs seemed to go on for miles!) and not very graceful, although I have to admitt, he did get much better towards the end - except for when he started to fall and he used Gracie to brace himself!! Even though Gracie seemed to really enjoy herself on the skates we spent the majority of our time at the arcade - Mark had a good time racing his buddy Keith and Gracie loved eating candy she won. We had a blast and I can't wait to take her again!

Tragedy in our hometown

As you all know, we had a major tradegy hit our community a week ago. A crazed gunman went on a shooting spree, killing 6 people and wounding 4. I haven't written about this until now because I've needed time to collect my thoughts and process them. When Mark and I married I knew he wanted to go into Law Enforcement - and I was 100% okay with his choice - never, for one second, have I been worried about him - I've just always known that the Lord would protect him - some may call it being faithful and others may call it being naive - I call it being supportive. Even after this recent tragedy that shook our entire community I am still 100% supportive of my husband. I was shocked to see him on the cover of every newspaper and on every news channel, but more importantly I was grateful and PROUD - my husband was blessed with the protection needed in order to capture that man without accident or injury AND he was given the opportunity to serve his fellow men - in a way that some of us will never fully comprehend. This job takes him places he would rather not go and he sees things he would much rather not see, but in the end, when the day is through he has had the privaledge of making our community, and this world, a little safer and for that I am extremely proud of him. The other trooper who assisted Mark in arresting this man is also Mormon and there's a little joke going around the station that they are the "Stormin Mormons" and no one stands a chance with them! It's funny and perhaps a little true. I am grateful that I have a husband who trusts the Lord and was able to call upon Him just seconds before he encountered this man, and ask for protection, so that he could see Grace and I again, and strength to shoot this man if need be. This past week I have been a little emotional at times as I've reflected on the craziness of this world and the heartache the poor families who lost their loved ones must feel - my heart goes out to them. May they find comfort and peace in the Lord.

Mark's birthday

We had a wonderful time hanging out as a family on Mark's birthday... this year it fell on a Tuesday and he had to work so we spent the day apart but he was home by 4pm so we had a nice afternoon and evening together. Gracie and I went shopping in the morning and then we spent the rest of the day preparing daddy's dinner and birthday cake. Every year I make Mark a special birthday dinner of his choice and this year he chose sweet n' sour chicken over steamed rice with a tossed spincah salad and herb-cheese bread. Yummy! Gracie's favorite part of the whole day was peeling carrots for carrot cake - she was tickled pink when I gave her the peeler. Mark came home a little early and caught us finishing up the cake. We spent the evening wrestling with Gracie on the floor and just snuggling up together - great times.

Francis Family Reunion

We had so much fun in Utah the first week in July - we're now seriously having withdrawals. We had a blast hanging out with Mark's family and I miss them terribly. It's hard living so far away from eachother - I've gained so much love and respect for all of my sisters-in-law and I wish I could see them more often. My brothers-in-law are easy to talk to and I have a good time when I'm bugging them. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Gracie play with her cousins - I only wish this could happen more often - maybe someday it will. We haven't been able to get everyone together as a family in a few years - there's always been someone missing - but not this year, so we took advantage of that and got our family photo taken. It was great to see how much the fam has grown in comparison to the last family photo that was taken just after Mark and I got married - we've added 5 new people to the family - 4 kids and 1 adult. I love the Francis family and I consider them to be my family. At church a few Sundays ago we were discussing family legacies ... as I sat there next to my sisters-in-law and my mother-in-law (most of us crying) I felt so warm inside and I felt closer to them than ever before - I consider their family's legacy to be my legacy. I love this family.

Fun with the cousins

Here's some photos of Gracie with her cousins . . . we went down to Utah last week and got to spend a week with Mark's family. Gracie doesn't get to see her cousins very often so it was nice to get them all together.
This photo is of Gracie with her cousin Dylan - they look a lot alike - in fact we heard a couple of times from different people, "Are they brother and sister?" I wish they could see eachother more often.



This next photo is of Gracie with her cousin Kaylin. The girls are wearing their cute Hawaiin dresses their 'pop' bought them in Hawaii.




This photo is of all the grandkids - it wasn't easy getting a good shot - they were all a bit squirmy...Gracie was a little confused with all of the mommys and daddys talking all at once (trying to get their kids to smile) so she did what she always does when things are a little loud - she covered her ears - too cute!

Jane Austen Heriones Quiz

Take the Quiz here!

You are Elizabeth Bennet of Pride & Prejudice! You are intelligent, witty, and tremendously attractive. You have a good head on your shoulders, and oftentimes find yourself the lone beacon of reason in a sea of ridiculousness. You take great pleasure in many things. You are proficient in nearly all of them, though you will never own it. Lest you seem too perfect, you have a tendency toward prejudgement that serves you very ill indeed.

Motorcycle mania!

I'm laughing out loud right now and I've seen these pictures about a dozen times. First of all, you have to know what a character Lynn (Mark's dad)is - just a great guy with his own unique sense of style. He got a small motorycle a few months ago and he's turned into quite the roadster - he finds reasons to ride his "cherried hog" and he's always talking about it - have you seen the movie "Road Hogs"? He is part of an older generation road hog group in good old Marysville - these guys are hilarious and totally out of touch with how ridiculously caught up they are in their "steel & wheels" - total mid life crisis - in fact, the ring leader dies his naturally gray hair light brown, as if no one can tell the difference - funny stuff. Mark's dad isn't that bad - he's sort of the new guy on the team. Anyways, he's been dying to take Mark out for a ride - and Mark has turned him down everytime he's offered - not because he's scared of Motorcycles - he just doesn't want to look like an idiot - the bike isn't exactly a mo-ped but it aint no harley either and we all know how big Mark is, so needless to say Mark was still skeptical right up to the last minute - he said he'd only go for a quick ride as long as I took some pictures because he knew they would be absolutley hilarious, and he was right! When Mark said, "Yeah, I'll go on a quick ride with ya" Lynn was so happy. He wheeled his bike onto the pavement and tried starting it. No such luck. He tried again. No such luck. He tried again. No such luck. Then he sat there for a minute, totally peeved, sort of pouting - Mark was dying, so I took a photo - that's the second photo you see here. Anyways, when he finally got it to start, lynn said, "Oh! That's the problem, she (the bike) just needed a moment to get ready for the ride!" Good stuff.

The train tunnels

We had a blast hiking to the 'train tunnels' this past Saturday. We've been cooped up with all of the crappy rain lately and we've been yearning to get outdoors and play a little. Saturday wasn't raining - in fact the sun poked through every now and then! We drove down to Marysville and met up with Mark's dad for a hike - first one this season! I'm not sure where exactly the train tunnels are - you would have to ask Mark, but it's a great hike - especially for beginners - the incline grade was probably only 5% and that was only at the very end of the trail - there were huge rocks we had to manuever over and through and at times my maternal instincts kicked in and I felt unneasy about taking Gracie any further, but Mark was the one carrying her so I felt reasured that everything woud be ok. . . and it was! We had such a great time talking with Lynn ("Pop") and we were glad he was able to come with us. Gracie LOVES being outdoors - she probably has a little cabin fever just like the rest of us. It was just a great day and we are looking forward to many more hikes! YEAH!