Overdrive

If the Francis family were a car, and one asked, "How is the Francis family running these days?" the answer would be simple: IN OVERDRIVE!
So many changes and events have stretched us and they have all happened within the last few weeks.

On August 25th my cousin married her sweetheart and invited Gracie to be a part of her big day - it is my biased opinion that Gracie was the most beautiful flower girl I have ever seen.

Gracie with her 2nd cousin, Evan.

"Hold my hand"

Just the girls... waiting for direction.

These boots were made for walking...

As soon as the wedding was over, it was back to work for us - lots of packing and prepping left to do before our big move!  Prior to our move into our new (and much bigger) home we realized that we had 4 additional rooms that we needed to fill. One of the rooms was a formal living area (or the "sitting room" as my father in law refers to it). In our pursuit to fill these new rooms and our need to keep costs low we started hitting thrift shops. I have always loved the rush I feel from taking 'old garbage' and turning it into something new. Because I am sooo pregnant and I can't (well, shouldn't) lift heavy things, I "hired" an accomplice, my helpful and willing husband! In the process we found a new hobby and we look forward to restoring thrift store furniture together in the future (when I am not so pregnant :). We scoured thrift shops for several weeks looking for the right pieces to refinish and in the end we created this room for less than $100 (and bonus: we had fun doing it together:)

Our new home in Stanwood, WA

The front porch. 

I sort of miss my old porch but this one is cute too and I am sure that in time I will find ways to decorate it for the holidays like I did the old one.

We worked our bums off over Labor day weekend unpacking and setting up our rooms, so that Gracie (and mommy) felt relaxed and settled on Gracie's first day of school. 

Here she is excited to meet new friends and learn!

Hello lil miss Kindergartner!

Such a big girl now!!

Her locker that she shares with a classmate who just so happens to be named Grace as well. 

How cool is that!?!

Gracie's at her desk - hard at work! What a cheese ball!

So, with all of the new changes, one would think that the Francis' are due for some idle time - you know, put the car in park and just relax, but there is more change just around the corner! In less than 2 weeks we will have a new member in the family and daddy will start his training for SWAT. I am thinking that from here on out things will never slow down, but that's okay cause I've always had a lead foot anyways! :)

Baby bird

To welcome this sweet miracle baby of ours, some friends at church offered to host a shower for me, and I am so grateful. As most of you know by now, nothing excites me more than planning a party so I just couldn't keep my hands out of the party "plotting" fun. In the beginning, I was told to sit back and enjoy the pampering but night after night the ideas kept me from sleep (that and a 5 lb. baby sitting on my bladder) and I couldn't contain myself.  In the end, my friends (most likely overwhelmed by my enthusiasm) let me take control. I have always wanted to do a nature/bird theme party but I haven't had an excuse for it... until now (mu wah ah ah...). I really had a lot of fun creating all of the table decor and I am happy to report that the majority of it will find a spot in our new home (wherever that may be... *sigh* that's another story in itself). 

"Welcome to our nest"

 Wishing well tree.

 Party favors.

Thank you to all of the ladies who supported me by coming to the shower!

The menu.

My special chair. "Reserved for Mama Bird".

Food table. "Welcome Ezra".

My attempt at serving a 'watermelon' :)

Our two junior guests, Camille & Gracie. (I might be a little biased but I think Gracie is just beautiful.)

Me and my girls; Audrey, Sarah, and Michelle.

 Me and my little princess.

 Sarah cutting string for one of the games. Just so you know, that long piece she cut off did NOT fit - and I am happy to say that it was too big. Whew!

Audrey measuring her string. 

She was a bit harsh in her assessment of how big my belly is and we may never be friends now :)

Oh yeah! Besides decorating the party I had my hands in the food too. These cute little cupcakes were an idea I stole from Martha Stewart. Very time consuming but well worth it.

 Proud of my work :)

One of the many adorable things Ezra will be sporting. This onesie says " Little Trooper". Too cute!!

It's official, there is a baby coming! Can't wait to welcome lil' Z with mama bird kisses!

flash, fireworks, and family

Okay, so much time has passed since our last post about Cali. Needless to say, there are many pictures and not enough time or words to describe them all, so I am going to be brief.

FLASH...
just a few days prior to our Cali trip in June Gracie learned how to ride her bike without training wheels. When we got back from our trip she picked up right where she left off and since then she has become our little flash lightning on 2 wheels.

                                    

FIREWORKS...

for 4th of july we took it easy this year (something about being 6 months pregnant). we took Gracie to the Sedro Woolley Carnival and let her ride a few rides. then we traveled down south to the in-laws where we babequed and relaxed. we took a quick trip over to boom city to pick up some fireworks for Gracie and then spent the rest of the evening watching her light them off. it was a very calm independance day - a nice change from tradition.

 FAMILY...
with our little family soon to be expanding we decided to capture what we look like now - a sort of 'before' shot of us prior to lil Z's arrival. my mother-in-law took these in her backyard. it was a brief "photo shoot" but it got the job done!

Mark celebrated his 31st birthday by working so the next day I took him out to eat. i arranged for our closest friends to accompany us without his knowledge and he rather enjoyed that little surprise. Happy birthday to my handsome sweetheart!

Palm Springs

Just recently we returned from our two week stay in sunny Palm Springs, CA.

Everyday we enjoyed the luxury of sitting pool side in a private condo community that my grandparents operate. The palm trees swayed in a light breeze as the scorching sun quickly bronzed our stark white skin. When the sun was at it's hottest we showered and hopped into a air conditioned car where we ventured out and did some super fun things. At night we would return to a comfortable 85 degree night sky and we would take another dip in the pool and hot tub. I am seriously feeling "homesick" for Palm Springs as I write this. The pictures say it all...

 Riding "Cracker Jack" at the street fair.

 Our favorite place to get a cool treat.

Miah and Mark. GBF (Goggle Buddies Forever) 

These two grown men spent the majority of their time in the pool under water doing "tricks" and besting one another at finding rings and holding their breath. Audrey and I have never been so proud of them! 

 SEA WORLD SAN DIEGO!

 The daddies taking the kids on a trip around the world.

 JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

(This is a Joshua tree for those of you who didn't know)

There are no words for this masterpiece.

 DISNEYLAND!!

 Little miss coppertone. Those aren't whitey tighties you're seeing... those are washington bum cheeks!

Even Ezra was happy on this trip! :)

Actually my grandma painted the smiley face on my belly. It is definitely getting rounder as lil Z gets bigger and bigger. Hello third and final trimester!!!

WE MISS YOU PALM SPRINGS!!!