tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11820440350468333012024-03-13T08:24:49.821-07:00andEllamakes3A blog dedicated to the last trimester and of Ella's arrival! Of course, we want to keep everyone updated on our entire family, including our furry babies, Finlay and Savannah.Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-23446552990472246422012-10-14T13:46:00.005-07:002012-10-14T13:46:50.882-07:00Phew. What. A. Ride.Life with 2 little ones....it's like preparing for a tornado when you've never watched a storm chaser episode. Wait, maybe you had but you didn't know it'd be such a vortex of crazy. Well, folks, we are almost 8 weeks in and we are 1) tired 2) tired 3) in love with our little family and wait, there's one more.....TIRED. <br />
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It's been pretty hard and a little rough with some unforeseen setbacks. We are soldiering on and are just enamored with our little guy. Casey Mac. He's been such a love when he doesn't have reflux and is smiling and talking up a storm! <br />
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We have had painting done, grandparents have visited, watched a lot of Real Housewives (me, mainly), meditated, shopped at Target and Homegoods and attended one of my favorite gal's wedding last night, Beth. She was so gorgeous and just GLOWED! I love her to pieces and it is a real honor to call her a friend. Can't wait to spend more time with all of my girls once we get a little more of a routine in motion over here!<br />
<br />
Pictures galore above. Peace out. I am going to eat some cookies.Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-38847334346330543032012-10-14T13:46:00.004-07:002012-10-14T13:46:44.854-07:00Life with 2 little ones....it's like preparing for a tornado when you've never watched a storm chaser episode. Wait, maybe you had but you didn't know it'd be such a vortex of crazy. Well, folks, we are almost 8 weeks in and we are 1) tired 2) tired 3) in love with our little family and wait, there's one more.....TIRED. <br />
<br />
It's been pretty hard and a little rough with some unforeseen setbacks. We are soldiering on and are just enamored with our little guy. Casey Mac. He's been such a love when he doesn't have reflux and is smiling and talking up a storm! <br />
<br />
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We have had painting done, grandparents have visited, watched a lot of Real Housewives (me, mainly), meditated, shopped at Target and Homegoods and attended one of my favorite gal's wedding last night, Beth. She was so gorgeous and just GLOWED! I love her to pieces and it is a real honor to call her a friend. Can't wait to spend more time with all of my girls once we get a little more of a routine in motion over here!<br />
<br />
Pictures galore above. Peace out. I am going to eat some cookies.Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-41696312418855116252012-08-27T11:07:00.001-07:002012-08-30T08:33:12.633-07:00And Case makes FOUR!We are celebrating Mr. Case MacKenzie Francis's first week today at home. While big sister Ella is at preschool, I am sitting here staring at my little man. He is such a sweet little guy. He looks so much like Ella as a newborn but in his way, a lot like Daddy. He has Daddy's ears (down to the folds!), daddy's signature dimple but only in certain expressions and daddy's freakishly long toes. <br />
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After a scheduled induction last Sunday night at 11:30 pm, our Case was born at 9:04 am on August 20th. We had such a great delivery, this little guy, while 8.5 lbs, was out in 3 pushes and 10 minutes! What a huge blessing for momma, right?<br />
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In the last few days, I find myself looking around at my babies, my husband and think, how'd I get so lucky?I know it's not luck, it's totally a blessing from God. I am such a thankful lady.....<br />
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Ella has been SUCH a good big sister. She fills my heart with joy and laughter, as cheesy as that might sound, it's so true. Her boyancy and daring and sweet spirit makes me such a proud momma. She has offered up kisses, unsolicited advice on how to quiet baby "bruder" and lots of tender snuggles. <br />
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Thanks for all the sweet messages, texts and sweet thoughts. You don't know how much it means to our family of....FOUR!<br />
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xo-</div>
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NF</div>
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Cupcake delivery at the hosptial! This made Ella such a happy big sister!</div>
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View from our hospital room!</div>
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First picture of us all! Fresh from the hospital. </div>
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After Case's first dr. appt. Ella got her first haircut! Now all of her hair is even. Yes, beyond overdue!</div>
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Holding baby Case for the first time. She asked! Look at her proud face!</div>
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A sweet kiss from Ella.</div>
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Take our picture, momma!</div>
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First day of official day of the school year. My babies!</div>
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Super cool guy!</div>
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Case took Ella's first haircut in stride.</div>
Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-19965461715549351082012-08-15T06:14:00.005-07:002012-08-15T06:28:27.599-07:00Almost time....<div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">Pony Ride for big sister! Ella insisted this was Rainbow Dash. </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zYlozn5WQuc/UCujPk0STDI/AAAAAAAADsE/QGoElEn5dTA/s1600/blog%2Bpost.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5776890435009137714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zYlozn5WQuc/UCujPk0STDI/AAAAAAAADsE/QGoElEn5dTA/s400/blog%2Bpost.jpg" /></a> This baby (belly) at 39 weeks! Almost there!<br /></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIbW-aR6qm4/UCujPKeIq5I/AAAAAAAADr4/xz8D-AvsvvI/s1600/blog%2Bpost%2B4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5776890427936910226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xIbW-aR6qm4/UCujPKeIq5I/AAAAAAAADr4/xz8D-AvsvvI/s400/blog%2Bpost%2B4.jpg" /></a><br />Our kitchen! This has been a project and is finally done. Subway tile, undermount lighting and fixture above the island. One of our many house projects...<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSk4eTIFrcI/UCujO0ds5pI/AAAAAAAADrs/XUi1h_vTrX0/s1600/blog%2Bpost%2B3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5776890422029510290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MSk4eTIFrcI/UCujO0ds5pI/AAAAAAAADrs/XUi1h_vTrX0/s400/blog%2Bpost%2B3.jpg" /></a><br />Another shot of the pony ride...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUd6LcXLMwg/UCujOflXrfI/AAAAAAAADrg/xVx2hyHSHHs/s1600/blog%2Bpost%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5776890416424529394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tUd6LcXLMwg/UCujOflXrfI/AAAAAAAADrg/xVx2hyHSHHs/s400/blog%2Bpost%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>.....For our little guy to arrive. We are taking every day as it comes, taking in as much time with Ella as possible and enjoying the semi-quiet..for now. Last night, during the blessing, we always thank Jesus for our baby brother and for Ella. Mid-prayer, Ella shouted, "yay, baby brother!". I'll take it and I am glad that she knows that this might actually be a human and not a furry friend as she previously thought. The Francis dog hotel is all booked up.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>This past weekend, we ate ice cream, rode ponies (for real, see pic below), shopped for big sister presents and stocked up on baby boy F stuff. We have really left our weekends free for organizing and chilling. I am sure we will need the down time all too soon!</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I also thought I'd throw in a picture of this baby at 39 weeks! I haven't taken any pictures of the bump this go 'round; isn't that terrible? You can see that I am about ready to pop. We can hardly wait to meet our guy but will savor every second we have left with Ella as an only child.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div><br /></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-341195946995655502012-07-09T08:59:00.013-07:002012-07-09T10:26:13.766-07:00Where and how do I start?Warning: It's been for-ever since I updated the blog, hence, I have lost my mind re: uploading pics and organizing. Sorry for the mess!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cLYGYVh0mI4/T_sShcnFugI/AAAAAAAADrI/6qv3R7A-xQ4/s1600/Beach%2BHouse.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 128px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 85px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763220513975810562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cLYGYVh0mI4/T_sShcnFugI/AAAAAAAADrI/6qv3R7A-xQ4/s400/Beach%2BHouse.jpg" /></a> Daddy looking at the sunset. Beach House restaurant in Kauai!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILUd1lhK9g0/T_sShU-dRTI/AAAAAAAADq8/1bGrS58uyOE/s1600/Beach%2BHouse.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 128px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 85px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763220511926338866" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ILUd1lhK9g0/T_sShU-dRTI/AAAAAAAADq8/1bGrS58uyOE/s400/Beach%2BHouse.jpg" /></a><br />Daddy, Momma and Baby F. 5 months along....Beach House dinner. Delicious!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mw_2981xsHQ/T_sNoNqlSyI/AAAAAAAADqs/bu9brlVZb2U/s1600/Waimea%2BCanyon.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763215132664875810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mw_2981xsHQ/T_sNoNqlSyI/AAAAAAAADqs/bu9brlVZb2U/s400/Waimea%2BCanyon.jpg" /></a> Daddy and Momma's babymoon in Kauai. Freezing at Waimea Canyon! Breathtaking!<br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nnQbwZDcNeE/T_sNi0oRI-I/AAAAAAAADqg/U15R7mFOBVM/s1600/random%2Bsilliness.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763215040044934114" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nnQbwZDcNeE/T_sNi0oRI-I/AAAAAAAADqg/U15R7mFOBVM/s400/random%2Bsilliness.jpg" /></a> Random silliness with our girl. She's a hoot and a holler.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d6Fw3IC7iiM/T_sNi99J5QI/AAAAAAAADqQ/v-uGNQRNo0s/s1600/Hotel%2BHI.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 128px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 85px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763215042548458754" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d6Fw3IC7iiM/T_sNi99J5QI/AAAAAAAADqQ/v-uGNQRNo0s/s400/Hotel%2BHI.jpg" /></a><br />View from our hotel in Li'hue. If only the weather was worth a darn....<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BcEiUSJF6bU/T_sNiptSM3I/AAAAAAAADqI/YnSJx2JFEBc/s1600/Grandmother%2Bvisit.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763215037113185138" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BcEiUSJF6bU/T_sNiptSM3I/AAAAAAAADqI/YnSJx2JFEBc/s400/Grandmother%2Bvisit.jpg" /></a><br />Last visit with my grandmother...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ts1l-BR42ds/T_sNiFHHV-I/AAAAAAAADp8/vOK5D22vnPY/s1600/Grandmother%2Bkiss.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763215027289413602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ts1l-BR42ds/T_sNiFHHV-I/AAAAAAAADp8/vOK5D22vnPY/s400/Grandmother%2Bkiss.jpg" /></a> Final kiss goodbye...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-me1QhmSlfGY/T_sNh4msMHI/AAAAAAAADpw/_qKePRFufyo/s1600/Ella%2527s%2Bfirst%2Bday%2Bof%2BPreschool.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763215023932190834" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-me1QhmSlfGY/T_sNh4msMHI/AAAAAAAADpw/_qKePRFufyo/s400/Ella%2527s%2Bfirst%2Bday%2Bof%2BPreschool.jpg" /></a> Ella's first day of preschool. Tradition I am starting: Ask them on first days what they'd like to be when they are grown up. Ella's response shows how excited she was for the photo op.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YZ5OGPUmwE/T_sNZVleFEI/AAAAAAAADpk/qadoypQ22Do/s1600/Ella%2527s%2Bfirst%2Bday%2Bof%2BPreschool%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214877092877378" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0YZ5OGPUmwE/T_sNZVleFEI/AAAAAAAADpk/qadoypQ22Do/s400/Ella%2527s%2Bfirst%2Bday%2Bof%2BPreschool%2B2.jpg" /></a><br />Saying "hello" to her new friends. Momma was crying by this point.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jAXL3xOeWrA/T_sNYSKikaI/AAAAAAAADpM/FOOZOFnzrwQ/s1600/Ella%2BBday%2B12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214858994749858" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jAXL3xOeWrA/T_sNYSKikaI/AAAAAAAADpM/FOOZOFnzrwQ/s400/Ella%2BBday%2B12.jpg" /></a> Ella's 3rd birthday! Check out the princess cake!<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUSJMtz2qyo/T_sNX5bcE9I/AAAAAAAADo0/yJ7p5YdhyIs/s1600/Ella%2BBday%2B10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214852354741202" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IUSJMtz2qyo/T_sNX5bcE9I/AAAAAAAADo0/yJ7p5YdhyIs/s400/Ella%2BBday%2B10.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div>A real live princess came!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FFoSEUJ0Id4/T_sNP2IZIeI/AAAAAAAADoo/ZxeGW80HirA/s1600/Ella%2BBday%2B11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214714030596578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FFoSEUJ0Id4/T_sNP2IZIeI/AAAAAAAADoo/ZxeGW80HirA/s400/Ella%2BBday%2B11.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XFryjb9c1ug/T_sNPTX4l3I/AAAAAAAADoc/85lxEP2bzts/s1600/Ella%2BBday%2B10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214704700331890" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XFryjb9c1ug/T_sNPTX4l3I/AAAAAAAADoc/85lxEP2bzts/s400/Ella%2BBday%2B10.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kBOJbN_XCHA/T_sNPC-10KI/AAAAAAAADoQ/r2kPYXqKPfE/s1600/Ella%2BBday%2B9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214700300325026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kBOJbN_XCHA/T_sNPC-10KI/AAAAAAAADoQ/r2kPYXqKPfE/s400/Ella%2BBday%2B9.jpg" /></a><br />Ella joyfully proclaiming that she is "FREE"!!!! = "THREE"<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TD8HbjW8XMQ/T_sNOyf5aFI/AAAAAAAADoE/ZJNzyvx2kHQ/s1600/Ella%2BBday%2B8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214695875569746" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TD8HbjW8XMQ/T_sNOyf5aFI/AAAAAAAADoE/ZJNzyvx2kHQ/s400/Ella%2BBday%2B8.jpg" /></a> Ella's happy that the princess is at her house! She did ask, immediately upon Aurora's arrival, "where is the king?!"<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sm29g6c4SiU/T_sNOqMRd4I/AAAAAAAADn4/OxvsQWtccZ8/s1600/Ella%2BBday%2B7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214693645776770" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sm29g6c4SiU/T_sNOqMRd4I/AAAAAAAADn4/OxvsQWtccZ8/s400/Ella%2BBday%2B7.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRyWnEGb7fg/T_sM2pd6QGI/AAAAAAAADm8/qSLsRXveUYg/s1600/Ella%2BBday%2B5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214281134456930" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sRyWnEGb7fg/T_sM2pd6QGI/AAAAAAAADm8/qSLsRXveUYg/s400/Ella%2BBday%2B5.jpg" /></a><br />Outside craft table galore!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jTR4AZXIOc/T_sMsWX0qHI/AAAAAAAADmw/yVfdssZ1bBI/s1600/Ella%2BBday%2B4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214104209959026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_jTR4AZXIOc/T_sMsWX0qHI/AAAAAAAADmw/yVfdssZ1bBI/s400/Ella%2BBday%2B4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eNqQiJrnIcw/T_sMrrt3Z1I/AAAAAAAADmY/QA9KmqrQc5w/s1600/Ella%2BBday%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214092759689042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eNqQiJrnIcw/T_sMrrt3Z1I/AAAAAAAADmY/QA9KmqrQc5w/s400/Ella%2BBday%2B2.jpg" /></a> Ella's actual birthday. "Where are you", might you ask? Well, no place other than American Girl Store. Sigh. It starts.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vJzmkh-JEEA/T_sMrbyIBbI/AAAAAAAADmM/ON_Dy3zve8w/s1600/Ella%2BBday%2B1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214088482588082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vJzmkh-JEEA/T_sMrbyIBbI/AAAAAAAADmM/ON_Dy3zve8w/s400/Ella%2BBday%2B1.jpg" /></a><br />Ella's birthday cake "cake cakes". AKA. Pancakes. These were a special recipe and it literally tasted like birthday cake. For real. </div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lX6dhFvWrRE/T_sMrOWUUsI/AAAAAAAADmA/2PjQGoEq4GA/s1600/Ella%2Band%2BE%2BPa.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763214084876292802" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lX6dhFvWrRE/T_sMrOWUUsI/AAAAAAAADmA/2PjQGoEq4GA/s400/Ella%2Band%2BE%2BPa.jpg" /></a> Ella and E-Pa. Love this picture.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DU8vXzsDS3o/T_sMeigLa5I/AAAAAAAADl0/kQBX9FzSIqc/s1600/Easter.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763213866948062098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DU8vXzsDS3o/T_sMeigLa5I/AAAAAAAADl0/kQBX9FzSIqc/s400/Easter.jpg" /></a> Ella and Daddy on Easter.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFmJNoR3Kbs/T_sMeTa-TsI/AAAAAAAADlo/4JDcSWfiiok/s1600/Ella%2Band%2BBen%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 128px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 85px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763213862899699394" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFmJNoR3Kbs/T_sMeTa-TsI/AAAAAAAADlo/4JDcSWfiiok/s400/Ella%2Band%2BBen%2B2.jpg" /></a><br />Ella and Ben Bolger's first kiss. Caught (instructed, rather), on camera. Mondo Burrito in Santa Clara. Good times!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj3FAtlkcN0/T_sMeBSJ1HI/AAAAAAAADlc/58zXomqXA2Q/s1600/Easter%2BEgg%2BHunt.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763213858030867570" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uj3FAtlkcN0/T_sMeBSJ1HI/AAAAAAAADlc/58zXomqXA2Q/s400/Easter%2BEgg%2BHunt.jpg" /></a> Momma and Ella post Easter Egg hunt. Sorry, I warned you these pics were way out of order!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LSsZBYyhaYM/T_sMd3d1dVI/AAAAAAAADlQ/w4XR0ffyuaI/s1600/Cousins.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 128px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 85px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763213855395509586" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LSsZBYyhaYM/T_sMd3d1dVI/AAAAAAAADlQ/w4XR0ffyuaI/s400/Cousins.jpg" /></a> Cousins! Alex and Ella playing while momma and daddy stayed wet in Hawaii.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQAGL7VQioI/T_sMSB_J4lI/AAAAAAAADk4/2Cfw6MNbQao/s1600/Baby%2BF%2BShower%2B6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 96px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 72px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763213652061184594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQAGL7VQioI/T_sMSB_J4lI/AAAAAAAADk4/2Cfw6MNbQao/s400/Baby%2BF%2BShower%2B6.jpg" /></a> My wonderful shower hostesses. Sigh. This pic is too small but hopefully you can make out these lovelies. Love them to pieces!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kp3gGRu_iRw/T_sMRudrEEI/AAAAAAAADkw/TVdz7L6vVnY/s1600/Baby%2BF%2BShower%2B5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763213646820479042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kp3gGRu_iRw/T_sMRudrEEI/AAAAAAAADkw/TVdz7L6vVnY/s400/Baby%2BF%2BShower%2B5.jpg" /></a><br />Baby Shower Decor....how cute! Lil' Man theme!<br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NA_hLvs_kA/T_sMRXn5hnI/AAAAAAAADkU/3WNMH_36DN4/s1600/Baby%2BF%2BShower%2B3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763213640689354354" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NA_hLvs_kA/T_sMRXn5hnI/AAAAAAAADkU/3WNMH_36DN4/s400/Baby%2BF%2BShower%2B3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FngtIhxn_ho/T_sMQ7ahWrI/AAAAAAAADkI/d7ZqJGZk5y4/s1600/Baby%2BF%2BShower%2B2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5763213633117051570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FngtIhxn_ho/T_sMQ7ahWrI/AAAAAAAADkI/d7ZqJGZk5y4/s400/Baby%2BF%2BShower%2B2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>It's been a very long time since I posted and things couldn't be more happening right now for us! Please forgive me as this is the reason I have been MIA. Since November the following things have happened:<br /><br />1) Baby boy Francis is on his way! This isn't a surprise for those who know us, however. We are due August 17th and luckily for Baby F's momma, it's been SUPER HOT in Chicago. Like, record breakingly hot. Good times. As uncomfy as I am at 9 pm at night, I am still thankful for the sweet short weeks we have savoring Ella as an only child. She has a clue that her world is about to change and I hope to make the transition as easy as possible. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>2) Momma and Daddy took a trip to Hawaii in March and while we had a good time, the weather wasn't super accomodating. As in, torrential downpours and flooded hotels. Not the reception that we had envisioned for Kauai but, hey, we got away, just the 2 of us before big momma was super big momma status. We were able to spend time with family on the west coast and visit with dear friends, the Bolgers. Ella and Benny had a moment while on one of the rides. I see wedding bells in their future?! What wonderful in laws we would have in the Bolgers. I love me some Bolger. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>3) We have had several house projects underway. From trimming out windows and installing moldings, to kitchen updates, to painting rooms, we have been busy. The nesting thing started for me about 2 seconds after taking a pregnancy test and we have been full throttle ever since! I will post some good before and afters once our kitchen is done....hopefully this week?? With our contractor, you never can tell....Bless his heart.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>4) Our Ella DeLane turned THREE on May 31st. This shocks me to my core. She is the light of my life and continues to keep me on my toes and my heart full of joy every single day. She has such a sense of humor. The things that she comes up with just blows us away. She is adventurous but a little cautious. She is thoughtful and sweet but very opinionated and doesn't shy away from telling you what you should do or how you are doing something incorrectly. She is loving and tender and very concerned with other people's "owies". She lacks patience, which she inherited from her momma. She is my favorite part of the day, any time of the day. She wakes up chattering away about what is on her mind. Her sweet voice just melts my heart! I couldn't be more happy or blessed to be Ella's mommy. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>5) We had a princess themed birthday party for our little princess, complete with a princess cake and real live princess appearance! She told the princess of her travels to Sea Worl and Disney World. Both of which, by the way, have never occured. She doesn't lack for an imagination, that's for sure!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>6) My sweet girlfriends, Susan, Erica and Abby hosted an amazing shower for our little peanut! To say that it was fabulous is an understatement. The food, the tablescape, the details....everything was so beautiful! I am posting some but I am including a link to the pictures provided by Abby. See for yourself! These ladies outdid themselves. I am so grateful for their friendship. All of the girls that attended mean so much to me and to spend a Saturday afternoon celebrating this little guy warmed my heart. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/klaughli/sets/72157630192305578">http://www.flickr.com/photos/klaughli/sets/72157630192305578</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>7) Sadly, my grandmother passed away on July 3rd. We jetted to Atlanta to spend time with family and for the service. My grandmother had been in poor health for the past 3 years but the last year has been a year where my mom saw the drastic decline first hand. While I am sad that the kooky, loving and opinionated grandmother that doted on me for the past 30 years is gone, sad that I will never hear her answer her phone again with her signature "hello", sad that I can no longer get away with saying inappropriate things and her just die laughing and agreeing with me, sad that she won't meet our little guy in the flesh, I am more than happy that she is reunited with her sisters and parents in heaven. I know she is dancing, laughing, singing and back combing her frosted mane as I type. I already miss her so much.....</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>We still have 5+ weeks until this little guy comes and a lot still needs to be done! I will do my best to keep the blog updated a little better! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>xoxos lovies.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-61296029223997182642012-01-19T13:20:00.000-08:002012-01-19T13:35:35.297-08:00FINALLY!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-ebNc71q4E/TxiMJStgB2I/AAAAAAAAC3w/7VAVkTKSY8w/s1600/francisfamily2011-75.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699459419706754914" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-ebNc71q4E/TxiMJStgB2I/AAAAAAAAC3w/7VAVkTKSY8w/s400/francisfamily2011-75.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grfUjbQ21DE/TxiMJI567vI/AAAAAAAAC3g/mj6cLuqEgVw/s1600/francisfamily2011-58.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699459417074495218" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grfUjbQ21DE/TxiMJI567vI/AAAAAAAAC3g/mj6cLuqEgVw/s400/francisfamily2011-58.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QmCVS2k-s6c/TxiMIx3AJZI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/mRYgne4CU7Y/s1600/francisfamily2011-46.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699459410888238482" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QmCVS2k-s6c/TxiMIx3AJZI/AAAAAAAAC3Y/mRYgne4CU7Y/s400/francisfamily2011-46.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jytff2taZZ4/TxiL8L_2teI/AAAAAAAAC3M/d3vUqBdRMTY/s1600/francisfamily2011-30.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699459194566391266" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jytff2taZZ4/TxiL8L_2teI/AAAAAAAAC3M/d3vUqBdRMTY/s400/francisfamily2011-30.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0k5pARwt04/TxiL8AnpGsI/AAAAAAAAC28/O_mQ5j9D8T0/s1600/francisfamily2011-22.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699459191512046274" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0k5pARwt04/TxiL8AnpGsI/AAAAAAAAC28/O_mQ5j9D8T0/s400/francisfamily2011-22.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccDyGllYT5w/TxiL7gsWXoI/AAAAAAAAC20/ndigsukoKDQ/s1600/francisfamily2011-9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699459182941855362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ccDyGllYT5w/TxiL7gsWXoI/AAAAAAAAC20/ndigsukoKDQ/s400/francisfamily2011-9.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uPaUf1GAR80/TxiL7SSX-lI/AAAAAAAAC2o/Qv4a8LOoGqk/s1600/francisfamily2011-7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699459179074812498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uPaUf1GAR80/TxiL7SSX-lI/AAAAAAAAC2o/Qv4a8LOoGqk/s400/francisfamily2011-7.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nxnXggun694/TxiL7JAkfII/AAAAAAAAC2c/uI7yvO1-rHY/s1600/francisfamily2011-6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699459176584215682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nxnXggun694/TxiL7JAkfII/AAAAAAAAC2c/uI7yvO1-rHY/s400/francisfamily2011-6.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>I have had may-jah technical difficulties until a blogger friend genius helped guide me.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>So, without further ado, hello!</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We have been settling into our new house and trying our best to make this much bigger space home. What I am finding is that:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>a) it's really hard</div><br /><div>b) especially when you have expensive taste</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I am kind of a budget person but everything I pick out is like uber expensive! One room at a time.....</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I will post some pictures this weekend of some of our almost completed spaces. It's definitely a WIP!</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>How was everyone's Christmas? Ours was fabulous. It was a quiet and intimate Christmas here in Chicago and we spent the day at church, resting and eating. We spent Christmas Eve with our friends, the Vajdas, and also helping Santa with Ella's toys. We are officially parents, right?!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />We are hopeful for a wonderful year and hope that you are as energized about the new year as we are. We have a slight reprieve from the cold and are jetting off to Kauai for a 5 day momma/daddy only vacation while Ella spends time with her Poppa and G-Ma. We are so blessed to have family able to watch Ella so that we can sneak off and get some time away just the 2 of us. Who knows when the opportunity might avail itself to us again in the near future.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I posted some pictures of our photo shoot with a family friend in Atlanta, his work is awesome. Thanks, Daniel, for shooting our family! We promise that Ella will be in a better mood next time. Possibly.</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>More pictures to come! Bundle up muffins.</div><br /><div>NF</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-37644341323110255112011-08-04T10:54:00.000-07:002011-08-04T11:01:46.078-07:00Just Because<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M9u4_A2Yb1Q/TjrePCEK5HI/AAAAAAAAC1g/7rJhfL8ZXYQ/s1600/pretty+ella+lip+gloss+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637062233441363058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M9u4_A2Yb1Q/TjrePCEK5HI/AAAAAAAAC1g/7rJhfL8ZXYQ/s400/pretty%2Bella%2Blip%2Bgloss%2B2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1fB9sNN0Ow/TjrePKQgVyI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/TtPIYp32q9o/s1600/pretty+ella+lip+glos.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637062235640583970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1fB9sNN0Ow/TjrePKQgVyI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/TtPIYp32q9o/s400/pretty%2Bella%2Blip%2Bglos.jpg" border="0" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nfZ2bUe_J0/TjreO9L5CNI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/4OC07YQVdh8/s1600/Ella+sleeping.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637062232131569874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9nfZ2bUe_J0/TjreO9L5CNI/AAAAAAAAC1Q/4OC07YQVdh8/s400/Ella%2Bsleeping.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div align="center">Ella decided to take over our bed no less than daddy was 2 minutes out of the front door (he's enjoying a much deserved boy's golf weekend in Hilton Head this weekend!). I decided to share how she invades my space. Time flies by too quickly so I am not saying no to this visitor any time soon! She'll be 12 and too cool all too soon for this momma.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center">Also wanted to post some of my pretty peanut with her lip gloss on. I didn't intend to give her these rings with a pot of lip gloss in them so soon but I do chaperone her but there's no stopping her; girlfriend is already into primping. Doesn't she look like a little girl? No longer my baby. Well, she will ALWAYS be my baby.....</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center">We are taking advantage of it being just the 2 of us this weekend. I have many plans for us. Swimming, street festival, tile shopping and brunching with girlfriends. I hope my #1 girlfriend behaves for brunch!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center">xoxo,</div><br /><div align="center">NF</div></div></div></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-12429296980923450272011-07-31T18:24:00.000-07:002011-08-01T06:54:32.538-07:00Excuses, excuses, excuses...<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vCiM-VUAaVY/TjYHFR-JbTI/AAAAAAAAC0w/EGmNgvZpiVc/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+463.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635699771005562162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vCiM-VUAaVY/TjYHFR-JbTI/AAAAAAAAC0w/EGmNgvZpiVc/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B463.JPG" border="0" /></a>Soccer. Ella's not a fan. Boo. Daddy might be slightly heartbroken.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-csr_R-QAvZ8/TjYHE-MveZI/AAAAAAAAC0o/DN4dyrXk_2c/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+070.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635699765698066834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-csr_R-QAvZ8/TjYHE-MveZI/AAAAAAAAC0o/DN4dyrXk_2c/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B070.JPG" border="0" /></a>Such a diva.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kgjJD-fQYM/TjYHElJHeNI/AAAAAAAAC0g/o26jvn0ZTx0/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+424.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635699758971975890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9kgjJD-fQYM/TjYHElJHeNI/AAAAAAAAC0g/o26jvn0ZTx0/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B424.JPG" border="0" /></a>Such a diva. Ex: 2. Momma, leave me alone. I am dressing up as princess.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Op00bC5xU0/TjYGhdDmpBI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/aEP-tuWyqI0/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+385.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635699155505947666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2Op00bC5xU0/TjYGhdDmpBI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/aEP-tuWyqI0/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B385.JPG" border="0" /></a>Happy 5th Anniversary to us. Chandon it is.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0DJA9h6YPg/TjYGhA_JuSI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/RtrZ6zyIQIk/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+411.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635699147971082530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l0DJA9h6YPg/TjYGhA_JuSI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/RtrZ6zyIQIk/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B411.JPG" border="0" /></a>Sassy one shouldered "soup soup" aka swim suit.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-re8wYtxb9hk/TjYGgulT3jI/AAAAAAAAC0I/wxRMom09604/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+360.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635699143030857266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-re8wYtxb9hk/TjYGgulT3jI/AAAAAAAAC0I/wxRMom09604/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B360.JPG" border="0" /></a>Great pic of the Francis family. Except, what the H am I doing? AH well.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CIl6hD3bL_0/TjYGgYEvAhI/AAAAAAAAC0A/ZFrQ1X3s8f0/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+472.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635699136988643858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CIl6hD3bL_0/TjYGgYEvAhI/AAAAAAAAC0A/ZFrQ1X3s8f0/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B472.JPG" border="0" /></a>Ella likes the "squishy" ball.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UWR1pqiDvP4/TjYFwiEIPoI/AAAAAAAACz4/cLAC1QTwfaA/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+351.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635698315036737154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UWR1pqiDvP4/TjYFwiEIPoI/AAAAAAAACz4/cLAC1QTwfaA/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B351.JPG" border="0" /></a>Happy 90th, Nana!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zt-2BcS_8II/TjYFwK1BwOI/AAAAAAAACzw/Qinmiufp3Y8/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+345.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635698308799381730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zt-2BcS_8II/TjYFwK1BwOI/AAAAAAAACzw/Qinmiufp3Y8/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B345.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1kmuh5pzsA/TjYFv4ybCbI/AAAAAAAACzo/0SE30iVczDQ/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+330.JPG">I got Nana to wear a hot pink boa. Mission: Accomplished.</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635698303956617650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W1kmuh5pzsA/TjYFv4ybCbI/AAAAAAAACzo/0SE30iVczDQ/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B330.JPG" border="0" />Cutting her beautiful cake.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JxTnBs2kdlU/TjYFvfVxBNI/AAAAAAAACzg/NqNqiD5d3eM/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+234.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635698297125536978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JxTnBs2kdlU/TjYFvfVxBNI/AAAAAAAACzg/NqNqiD5d3eM/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B234.JPG" border="0" /></a>Sunshine and family. Nothing better.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28AKlvXA5pU/TjYFRwDpW5I/AAAAAAAACzY/5hkbBMF5FnQ/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+199.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635697786216864658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28AKlvXA5pU/TjYFRwDpW5I/AAAAAAAACzY/5hkbBMF5FnQ/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B199.JPG" border="0" /></a>The spread at Nana's 90th pre-food.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M2-4J7sF9-M/TjYFRU6pZkI/AAAAAAAACzQ/B9uCAKNRRos/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+303.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635697778931361346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M2-4J7sF9-M/TjYFRU6pZkI/AAAAAAAACzQ/B9uCAKNRRos/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B303.JPG" border="0" /></a>Ella playing on the stairs. Can you believe her Granpa played on those stairs at that age, too?! Crazy.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FLdR-thRx1c/TjYFRJSRmRI/AAAAAAAACzI/_nYct1__Bxs/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+168.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635697775809239314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FLdR-thRx1c/TjYFRJSRmRI/AAAAAAAACzI/_nYct1__Bxs/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B168.JPG" border="0" /></a>Uncle Keith and Ella- Keith is showing Ella his iPhone or maybe Ella is showing him? =)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gZXoFXRXbM/TjYFQucYK4I/AAAAAAAACzA/nlUPbWKmllU/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+165.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635697768603855746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_gZXoFXRXbM/TjYFQucYK4I/AAAAAAAACzA/nlUPbWKmllU/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B165.JPG" border="0" /></a>Auntie Becky and baby Hudson! We love you, Huds!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xGqktRVMxrM/TjYEvCuQKxI/AAAAAAAACy4/oLNQkzL8oz4/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+179.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635697189931985682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xGqktRVMxrM/TjYEvCuQKxI/AAAAAAAACy4/oLNQkzL8oz4/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B179.JPG" border="0" /></a>G-ma and Ella. I love the blue sky behind these beautiful girls.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MSMbSzNNjhQ/TjYEuoetR5I/AAAAAAAACyw/WZ2t9Nlvceo/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+168.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OQroBLaTXRM/TjYEub_dl7I/AAAAAAAACyo/Q8lsnpyz5eY/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+157.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635697179535185842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OQroBLaTXRM/TjYEub_dl7I/AAAAAAAACyo/Q8lsnpyz5eY/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B157.JPG" border="0" /></a>Feeding the ducks in Boston. Love. that. city.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syNZtvcoE0U/TjYCrErM_MI/AAAAAAAACyg/AYvyYDvokSc/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+141.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635694922713332930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-syNZtvcoE0U/TjYCrErM_MI/AAAAAAAACyg/AYvyYDvokSc/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B141.JPG" border="0" /></a>Ella on her birthday. I love this girl. So. Much.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CSY1siV6ZDM/TjYCqkVPN6I/AAAAAAAACyY/0VvC1lrpvpk/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+124.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635694914031269794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CSY1siV6ZDM/TjYCqkVPN6I/AAAAAAAACyY/0VvC1lrpvpk/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B124.JPG" border="0" /></a>Yep, it's time for a bigger pool and/or yard/patio!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-srOJsqJ9EUs/TjYCqA9h4ZI/AAAAAAAACyQ/kmCIzu0FQY8/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635694904536588690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-srOJsqJ9EUs/TjYCqA9h4ZI/AAAAAAAACyQ/kmCIzu0FQY8/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B107.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UUJls-TMPqE/TjYCpiYvhNI/AAAAAAAACyI/gL038tCavqQ/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+090.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635694896329229522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UUJls-TMPqE/TjYCpiYvhNI/AAAAAAAACyI/gL038tCavqQ/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B090.JPG" border="0" /></a>Ella and Mommy at Shedd. No, not a back drop behind us. What a beautiful city!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRORtETJYR4/TjYCpO8IecI/AAAAAAAACyA/vp-qJ73F1L8/s1600/Ella+through+26+months+075.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5635694891108956610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRORtETJYR4/TjYCpO8IecI/AAAAAAAACyA/vp-qJ73F1L8/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B26%2Bmonths%2B075.JPG" border="0" /></a>Not a fabulous picture of smiling daddy and baby, however are their faces not hilarious?!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><div>Totally sorry for being so MIA. However, I have very valid excuses!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We have been finding renters, cleaning condos, having inspections, etc. etc. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We are closing on a new house on August 15th! I am so superstitious and don't want to post a picture until we are moved in and our renters are settled at 2801. Yes, I am very superstitious. Always kinda waiting for the shoe to drop. I know, bad quality. Trying to live in the moment as much as I can but I have SO MUCH TO DO.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Like, for instance, finally updating our blog.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Our summer has been jam packed since Ella's party. Between nights out, nights in, weekend trips, it's been non stop. It ain't over yet! We hopefully can get away for one weekend before the summer is finito.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here's a sampling of what we've been up to:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Birthdays- Kayla's/Lukie's</div><br /><div>Nana's 90th in MA</div><br /><div>Weekend trip to MI</div><br /><div>Weekend Chicago fun outings- Shedd-we are members! </div><br /><div>Fun nights out for Momma and Daddy</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>More to come in the next few weeks. We are so scared and excited for change but are sad to leave our comfortable condo and location. Change is good but I don't like doing it =( We started our wonderful family in this condo and it's hard to think of this chapter closing for us. For now. The market blows so we will still have the condo but it won't be ours officially any longer. Sigh. Very conflicting feeling but we are confident that the space will be good for hopefully growing family!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Love and Kisses,</div><br /><div>NF</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-51777454759131091602011-06-10T09:34:00.000-07:002011-06-10T10:32:48.239-07:00Happy 5th Anniversary to me + Scott!Five Years Ago today...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBCxXzNbit0/TfJUw0IHENI/AAAAAAAAB9E/8SsDKUmsiAI/s1600/nf0230.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616644882887545042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBCxXzNbit0/TfJUw0IHENI/AAAAAAAAB9E/8SsDKUmsiAI/s400/nf0230.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-etTTF-zzZCU/TfJUwe_J7VI/AAAAAAAAB88/rTJ2-YqA8wA/s1600/nf0185.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616644877212839250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-etTTF-zzZCU/TfJUwe_J7VI/AAAAAAAAB88/rTJ2-YqA8wA/s400/nf0185.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MDKkHGRyfbs/TfJUwMUjTCI/AAAAAAAAB80/BmEVWhSE-eE/s1600/nf0160.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616644872202308642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MDKkHGRyfbs/TfJUwMUjTCI/AAAAAAAAB80/BmEVWhSE-eE/s400/nf0160.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJwslFhgs6g/TfJUvi-H8iI/AAAAAAAAB8s/7mln6CVF9e4/s1600/nf0046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616644861102387746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJwslFhgs6g/TfJUvi-H8iI/AAAAAAAAB8s/7mln6CVF9e4/s400/nf0046.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ImreJn6W1A/TfJRkffbM2I/AAAAAAAAB8c/6Rut7d4oFuc/s1600/nf0043.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616641372654875490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5ImreJn6W1A/TfJRkffbM2I/AAAAAAAAB8c/6Rut7d4oFuc/s400/nf0043.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zpAZSnltwPk/TfJRjtWlqfI/AAAAAAAAB8U/a4vcueCQaS4/s1600/nf0011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616641359196039666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zpAZSnltwPk/TfJRjtWlqfI/AAAAAAAAB8U/a4vcueCQaS4/s400/nf0011.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IkqYWPlYdEs/TfJRjFFCubI/AAAAAAAAB8M/8_zHKzuibiE/s1600/nf0001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616641348385028530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IkqYWPlYdEs/TfJRjFFCubI/AAAAAAAAB8M/8_zHKzuibiE/s400/nf0001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3qn0YDcVF5I/TfJRi74Oa2I/AAAAAAAAB8E/ImgsHrCriTA/s1600/wedding+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616641345915349858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3qn0YDcVF5I/TfJRi74Oa2I/AAAAAAAAB8E/ImgsHrCriTA/s400/wedding%2B2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center">How did this happen? It seems like just yesterday, we were standing under the sweltering Atlanta sunshine, repeating our vows and smiling ear to ear....fast forward, we are both grinning ear to ear, for so many different reasons- laughing at Ella's sassy attitude, playtime with the puppies, just being together as a family, but most importanly, b/c I am married to the nicest, most reasonable, down to earth man in the world.<br /><br />It truly seems like yesterday, Scott. Look at our amazing lives together. Thank you for your love, support, friendship and kindness. You + Ella make me the luckiest girl in the world. I love you forever.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div>xoxo,</div><br /><div>Nic</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-8717835951009678262011-05-25T19:22:00.000-07:002011-05-30T18:55:40.539-07:00Little Pumpkin's 2nd birthday party....<div><div>For some odd reason, I can't upload pictures from my computer to blogger. Awesome. In the meantime, feel free to browse the sweet pictures from Ella's 2nd birthday party a week ago via picasa here----</div><div> <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/delgroove64/EllaS2ndBirthday?authkey=Gv1sRgCKHzuZfT57_56wE#">https://picasaweb.google.com/delgroove64/EllaS2ndBirthday?authkey=Gv1sRgCKHzuZfT57_56wE#</a>#</div><div>I went with an owl theme as Ella loves loves owls. I made everything by hand. Every.thing. I won't do that again! I loved planning and being crafty, I really do, but working full time does not lend itself to having massive amounts of free time. I already have a theme for next year in mind, but I am getting lots more catered and maybe won't feature a dessert bar? We shall see...</div><div> </div><div>So, my little girl will be 2 at 11:45 pm tonight. My heart is heavy and happy at the same time. We made it 2 years, unscathed and completely in love with a sassy little girl that will tell me, "go away momma" with a huge grin on her face and then seconds later kiss my legs and ask while her hands grasp my pants saying, "peas up momma?". Sigh. She challenges us, makes us laugh until our sides hurt and most importanly, makes me such a proud momma. </div><div> </div><div>She is completely over the moon over Dora, choc-at (chocolate), milky, fin(finaly, our dog), lounging on the bed with daddy watching cartoons and playing in massive amounts of water. </div><div> </div><div>This weekend was coined "birthday weekeend" b/c we had a huge birthday celebration for Kayla and Luke! How is Kayla 4 and Luke 1!? Unbelievable. I envy Tiffany's calm and and collective-ness. I so admire that about her. I hope it rubs off a little more on me =) Between birthday parties, play dates, costco, Shedd Aquarium and playing on the deck, mommy and daddy didn't get too much time to relax but look forward to seeing family this week in Boston! It won't be too relaxing, however, it will be so nice to see cousins, and aunts and uncles and Ella's namesake, Ella Francis the 1st! Nana is turning 90 and is an unbelievable lady. She golfs, sells real estate and drives her convertible around the south shore. She's amazing! I can't wait to post pics of the 2 Ellas in action.</div><div> </div><div>I will post some pictures of our Memorial Day weekend tomorrow night. We continue to be so thankful to our troops and service men and women who serve us here in Chicago and abroad every day! </div><div> </div><div>Have a great week everyone!<br /></div><div>PS- It was 90 in Chicago today! Bring on summertime....</div><div> </div><div>xoxo</div><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/delgroove64/EllaS2ndBirthday?authkey=Gv1sRgCKHzuZfT57_56wE#"></a></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-3884673864145967692011-03-30T07:54:00.001-07:002011-04-01T14:21:02.267-07:00Mexico Momma's Trip 2011<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWiXjXcoEXE/TZZBBWD-9bI/AAAAAAAABz4/dEUTm3EEpzk/s1600/Me+and+Karen+Mexico+11.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590727478785013170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 1px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 1px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWiXjXcoEXE/TZZBBWD-9bI/AAAAAAAABz4/dEUTm3EEpzk/s400/Me%2Band%2BKaren%2BMexico%2B11.gif" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RZRCZQxzMGI/TZZBBO6fntI/AAAAAAAABzw/-ZFK6JJyKsI/s1600/tres+amigos.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590727476866162386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RZRCZQxzMGI/TZZBBO6fntI/AAAAAAAABzw/-ZFK6JJyKsI/s400/tres%2Bamigos.jpg" border="0" /></a> Night out at Xache. We went again. I could go back every night forever. SO BUENO! <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHgxpAav_-w/TZZBAz0Z5pI/AAAAAAAABzo/ZAKuYRKp9Is/s1600/relaxed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590727469592864402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 151px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NHgxpAav_-w/TZZBAz0Z5pI/AAAAAAAABzo/ZAKuYRKp9Is/s400/relaxed.jpg" border="0" /></a> I took relaxation seriously. I ended up printing an US magazine onto my torso. </div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3nIPZM7s00/TZZBAkS9C2I/AAAAAAAABzg/W1V1PwMOgSU/s1600/Bikini+Hour.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590727465426029410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--3nIPZM7s00/TZZBAkS9C2I/AAAAAAAABzg/W1V1PwMOgSU/s400/Bikini%2BHour.JPG" border="0" /></a> Bikini Hour. Free "drinks" from 2-3 every day. I still kinda miss it! </div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>Well, in between the lost post and now, I have had a birthday and celebrated in both Mexico and Chicago. I had an amazing time with 2 of my sweet girlfriends in Mexico. We danced, laughed, talked about kids, swam, ate guacamole, repeat. Ahh. I am still laughing from our fun times and wonderful memories made in Playa Del Carmen. I will post some oldie but goodies this weekend (I promise) from the last year that never seemed to make the blog. I only have a few Mexico pictures as they uploaded as a gif file? Hmmm. I have posted a few for you to view while I figure that all out...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It is March 30th (how'd this happen!?) and we are almost 2 months away from Ella's birthday. Can you believe our monkey will be 2?! We can't. She is so fun. I really love being with her. We chase each other and she demands that I act like "airpaaaannnne" and I more than oblige. She can be chased and play "airpppannne" for hours. She is really pushing her limits and ours but we are trying our best to show her who's boss. I fear that Scott will be the disciplinarian. I am not good when it comes to this sort of thing. I am trying to be better but who are we kidding? The dogs even know what's up and ignore everything I say unless there is a choke collar around their little furry necks. Seeing as how DCFS would be called to our house before we could say Chicago PD, I will opt to not explore this tactic on Ella D. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>That's all for now, lovies. More pics to come this weekend. </div><br /><div>xoxo</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-19968105459268378842011-02-17T18:18:00.001-08:002011-02-19T13:38:57.373-08:00Northern California Getaway<div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYQRzFGSkDw/TV3hGcJGyLI/AAAAAAAABwk/oPLbpdWQbKE/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B316.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574859414504392882" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GYQRzFGSkDw/TV3hGcJGyLI/AAAAAAAABwk/oPLbpdWQbKE/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B316.JPG" /></a> Gramma's 30th dinner celebration. Our waiter wasn't excited about being a photographer.<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EeCA1SO5pIE/TV3hGOK717I/AAAAAAAABwc/gzGMgiWNgb8/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B311.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574859410753968050" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EeCA1SO5pIE/TV3hGOK717I/AAAAAAAABwc/gzGMgiWNgb8/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B311.JPG" /></a> Scott's and his parents at Gramma's bday dinner...Who do y'all think he looks like?</div><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-plUudPgGWfY/TV3hFmFhkEI/AAAAAAAABwU/FVzW49uTIt8/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B315.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574859399993856066" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-plUudPgGWfY/TV3hFmFhkEI/AAAAAAAABwU/FVzW49uTIt8/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B315.JPG" /></a> Sweet Alex. Almost 5! Where did the time go?? <div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KE4fGy00B6k/TV3goeq5VHI/AAAAAAAABwM/EoDKGZLaAro/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B307.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574858899786912882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KE4fGy00B6k/TV3goeq5VHI/AAAAAAAABwM/EoDKGZLaAro/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B307.JPG" /></a> Blow out your candle!</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ8m8vhERu8/TV3gn2u-H5I/AAAAAAAABwE/9yQqLCgKi-4/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B306.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574858889066586002" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ8m8vhERu8/TV3gn2u-H5I/AAAAAAAABwE/9yQqLCgKi-4/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B306.JPG" /></a> Frightened Ella.<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUWhU9dKSpU/TV3gnfkF0VI/AAAAAAAABv8/pNdikN9H870/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B301.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574858882846937426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUWhU9dKSpU/TV3gnfkF0VI/AAAAAAAABv8/pNdikN9H870/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B301.JPG" /></a> Carmel. Happiest place on earth.<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NROkBYH-xFY/TV3gIwZdB_I/AAAAAAAABv0/to9_2yiNQzQ/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B298.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574858354789779442" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NROkBYH-xFY/TV3gIwZdB_I/AAAAAAAABv0/to9_2yiNQzQ/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B298.JPG" /></a> Bliss. I don't know what flowers these are but they are so pretty....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zRPGNc5yhoA/TV3gH3JdRMI/AAAAAAAABvk/6K0V_uRxX_g/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B281.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574858339421865154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zRPGNc5yhoA/TV3gH3JdRMI/AAAAAAAABvk/6K0V_uRxX_g/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B281.JPG" /></a>Another view of the beach... <div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tiSP86OdSoc/TV3gHsmwTPI/AAAAAAAABvc/vWhPuPNZdBY/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B278.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574858336591957234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tiSP86OdSoc/TV3gHsmwTPI/AAAAAAAABvc/vWhPuPNZdBY/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B278.JPG" /></a> Ella went head first into the sand! She had a ball and her parents forgot a change of clothes. Lesson learned.<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATHd3qNHwlM/TV3fko8hiSI/AAAAAAAABvU/nlVZ_rY8Bzc/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B270.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574857734314101026" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATHd3qNHwlM/TV3fko8hiSI/AAAAAAAABvU/nlVZ_rY8Bzc/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B270.JPG" /></a><br />Me and my wonderful MIL.<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0558cj71sA/TV3fkJTQlFI/AAAAAAAABvM/-bYehyApTbE/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B250.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574857725819524178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D0558cj71sA/TV3fkJTQlFI/AAAAAAAABvM/-bYehyApTbE/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B250.JPG" /></a></p><p align="center">Happy Ella.</p><p align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJHQp_3Z2R4/TV3fjlliZ5I/AAAAAAAABvE/dbBNzRqyH0E/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B239.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574857716232513426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJHQp_3Z2R4/TV3fjlliZ5I/AAAAAAAABvE/dbBNzRqyH0E/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B239.JPG" /></a></p><div></div><p align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6attRUV8tVY/TV3fjFD52DI/AAAAAAAABu8/B-w2JrS104k/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B227.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 266px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574857707501508658" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6attRUV8tVY/TV3fjFD52DI/AAAAAAAABu8/B-w2JrS104k/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B227.JPG" /></a></p><div>So delicious!<br /></div><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OINYjKk1w6g/TV3ez0cfDFI/AAAAAAAABu0/I5lQ2zGU1-4/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B220.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 266px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574856895587355730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OINYjKk1w6g/TV3ez0cfDFI/AAAAAAAABu0/I5lQ2zGU1-4/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B220.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>I love this picture...<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wH7mZh8PENg/TV3ezThnthI/AAAAAAAABus/3G-957k8ul0/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B221.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 266px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574856886750524946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wH7mZh8PENg/TV3ezThnthI/AAAAAAAABus/3G-957k8ul0/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B221.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>And this one...Gramma is showing Ella something but Ella's giving me her devil smile. Love it.<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mgVBsnBt82w/TV3ey0wMZzI/AAAAAAAABuk/JjVnT8yWmmk/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B206.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574856878490150706" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mgVBsnBt82w/TV3ey0wMZzI/AAAAAAAABuk/JjVnT8yWmmk/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B206.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>Me and Scotty + Golden Gate. Is there a better photo opp??<br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMofWhMHrC4/TV3ex2IyqaI/AAAAAAAABuc/1hiQ4_TTPwo/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B170.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574856861681887650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UMofWhMHrC4/TV3ex2IyqaI/AAAAAAAABuc/1hiQ4_TTPwo/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B170.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Ella and Daddy playing on Baker beach. She would not give me a smile. At. All.<br /><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zNgBsu1C0N4/TV3d-eiDdzI/AAAAAAAABuU/deNdbI3FuQc/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B160.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574855979172067122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zNgBsu1C0N4/TV3d-eiDdzI/AAAAAAAABuU/deNdbI3FuQc/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B160.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OIGAWGd7zTE/TV3d90v5cYI/AAAAAAAABuM/Jb5-pZJ-rlU/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B145.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574855967955841410" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OIGAWGd7zTE/TV3d90v5cYI/AAAAAAAABuM/Jb5-pZJ-rlU/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B145.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We went into the city to see some SCU friends...We were able to meet 10 day old Lincoln, Nick and Yenny's little prince! Precious.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zeqddg6m55c/TV3d9C9P6RI/AAAAAAAABuE/insrtB5QFw8/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B148.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574855954590066962" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zeqddg6m55c/TV3d9C9P6RI/AAAAAAAABuE/insrtB5QFw8/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B148.JPG" /></a><br />Don't they look so happy? They are a pretty family, huh?<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7p_Vn1UYgQ/TV3dWYtKgZI/AAAAAAAABt8/UMdaEL1tCR8/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B147.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574855290413285778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-L7p_Vn1UYgQ/TV3dWYtKgZI/AAAAAAAABt8/UMdaEL1tCR8/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B147.JPG" /></a><br />Girl talk. Check out the view of the pacific from the Calabreses' pad!<br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fXBxiBbb9a8/TV3dVbVwrjI/AAAAAAAABts/nUmUwX2-nN4/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B142.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574855273940561458" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fXBxiBbb9a8/TV3dVbVwrjI/AAAAAAAABts/nUmUwX2-nN4/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B142.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Scott was SOO comfortable holding a newborn. He walked right up and scooped him up. After he sanitized, of course =) So funny how quickly you pick it back up....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUNU0Dq-C9w/TV3dU6Wl5ZI/AAAAAAAABtk/qEdQKUWu4MM/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B141.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574855265085678994" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUNU0Dq-C9w/TV3dU6Wl5ZI/AAAAAAAABtk/qEdQKUWu4MM/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B141.JPG" /></a><br />Ella and Gramma lounging.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tTsjd1CjJiQ/TV3criasMbI/AAAAAAAABtc/jvA0brmabhk/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B131.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574854554285781426" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tTsjd1CjJiQ/TV3criasMbI/AAAAAAAABtc/jvA0brmabhk/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B131.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>Trying on momma's glasses.<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzlQiJ9MZTU/TV3crWNe8HI/AAAAAAAABtU/IyYPPKEfLUw/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B120.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574854551009161330" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yzlQiJ9MZTU/TV3crWNe8HI/AAAAAAAABtU/IyYPPKEfLUw/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B120.JPG" /></a><br />Downtown Sonoma....ahhhh!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWE31mSNvuA/TV3cqiD1Z2I/AAAAAAAABtM/72QNN4vCLNg/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B115.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574854537010046818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zWE31mSNvuA/TV3cqiD1Z2I/AAAAAAAABtM/72QNN4vCLNg/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B115.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>Delicious place we ate dinner one of our 2 nights in Sonoma. SO GOOD!<br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xku_UVoYJmc/TV3bfFcKYJI/AAAAAAAABtE/Zzd3FRUDdJo/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B108.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574853240837267602" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xku_UVoYJmc/TV3bfFcKYJI/AAAAAAAABtE/Zzd3FRUDdJo/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B108.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>Champagne flight at Domaine Carneros. Yummo...<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V-PzOsqu-Ho/TV3behwhsII/AAAAAAAABs8/nPgLfficusI/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B104.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574853231259005058" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V-PzOsqu-Ho/TV3behwhsII/AAAAAAAABs8/nPgLfficusI/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B104.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Scotty outside of Domaine Carneros. So pretty!<br /><br /></div><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2UzlCOtMsM/TV3bdkTke5I/AAAAAAAABss/odcME3iK3_g/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B097.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574853214762990482" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_2UzlCOtMsM/TV3bdkTke5I/AAAAAAAABss/odcME3iK3_g/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B097.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Tasting at Etude.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yoICZlcU-x8/TV3avZUM3-I/AAAAAAAABsk/kIvq7cFjnqA/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B098.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574852421538865122" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yoICZlcU-x8/TV3avZUM3-I/AAAAAAAABsk/kIvq7cFjnqA/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B098.JPG" /></a><br /><br />If you squint, you can see the shrubs spell out the vineyard, Etude!</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tuONZS4JZQs/TV3auq1pjOI/AAAAAAAABsc/G9DZtvLsWuk/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B089.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574852409062690018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tuONZS4JZQs/TV3auq1pjOI/AAAAAAAABsc/G9DZtvLsWuk/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B089.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Tasting at Jarvis winery. My fave was the reserve, quite a deal at 185/bottle. Don't worry, daddy didn't spring for it.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQgVm_q2MrA/TV3auden80I/AAAAAAAABsU/sm7JTI4padU/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B079.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574852405476455234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oQgVm_q2MrA/TV3auden80I/AAAAAAAABsU/sm7JTI4padU/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B079.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Outside of Jarvis. Pretty impressive Cave winery! They don't turn a profit and the bottles START at like $100!?<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OdoPb3_ROoY/TV3aLH8e2WI/AAAAAAAABsM/1xFxDQVx8vQ/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B061.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 266px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574851798400686434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OdoPb3_ROoY/TV3aLH8e2WI/AAAAAAAABsM/1xFxDQVx8vQ/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B061.JPG" /></a><br />Tasting some bubbly at Chandon. MY FAVE!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wNXCqhYdMfg/TV3aKt4OJdI/AAAAAAAABsE/kem4qS3qQ6Y/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B063.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574851791403492818" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wNXCqhYdMfg/TV3aKt4OJdI/AAAAAAAABsE/kem4qS3qQ6Y/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B063.JPG" /></a><br />Yum.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DhhrxV_6ENs/TV3aJ3r5PgI/AAAAAAAABr8/fDJ_tgkuuDE/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B056.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574851776856276482" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DhhrxV_6ENs/TV3aJ3r5PgI/AAAAAAAABr8/fDJ_tgkuuDE/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B056.JPG" /></a><br />The boys being silly.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EHfjVJmyCH8/TV3aJRovLpI/AAAAAAAABr0/fuag6B3m7mQ/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B042.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574851766642486930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EHfjVJmyCH8/TV3aJRovLpI/AAAAAAAABr0/fuag6B3m7mQ/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B042.JPG" /></a><br />Vineyards....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQHU5oU8KM8/TV3Zq8nBHJI/AAAAAAAABrs/uzXOSeYXoXQ/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B039.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574851245602053266" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQHU5oU8KM8/TV3Zq8nBHJI/AAAAAAAABrs/uzXOSeYXoXQ/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B039.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Cheers to us!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4JEaNyaioBo/TV3ZqVa-uII/AAAAAAAABrk/dz_kKcQhgtw/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B029.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574851235082582146" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4JEaNyaioBo/TV3ZqVa-uII/AAAAAAAABrk/dz_kKcQhgtw/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B029.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Our ride for the day!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zgOfZV_EIqk/TV3Zp8CU89I/AAAAAAAABrc/64TcOr5pJDU/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B027.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574851228268295122" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zgOfZV_EIqk/TV3Zp8CU89I/AAAAAAAABrc/64TcOr5pJDU/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B027.JPG" /></a><br /><br />We will be back!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2q-E6AgA00/TV3YzMDBBiI/AAAAAAAABrU/72iZlfSbig8/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B024.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574850287673345570" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g2q-E6AgA00/TV3YzMDBBiI/AAAAAAAABrU/72iZlfSbig8/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B024.JPG" /></a><br />Dinner in Sonoma at Estate.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSaNJxrCLgM/TV3Yy576YyI/AAAAAAAABrM/MRw0ktvzr5k/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B022.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574850282811712290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YSaNJxrCLgM/TV3Yy576YyI/AAAAAAAABrM/MRw0ktvzr5k/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B022.JPG" /></a><br />First glass in Sonoma.<br /></div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_NSdzCwg7Ds/TV3YyaGDu_I/AAAAAAAABrE/XXi1AEU5UEc/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B020.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574850274264333298" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_NSdzCwg7Ds/TV3YyaGDu_I/AAAAAAAABrE/XXi1AEU5UEc/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B020.JPG" /></a><br />My girl, Jen. I am so thankful for Scott's introduction to her! She is the best and wish we could hang out more....love you mucho, Jen Bolger!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQeAlJgSzQg/TV3YyDin0mI/AAAAAAAABq8/9MGyDgqlykw/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B019.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574850268210123362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQeAlJgSzQg/TV3YyDin0mI/AAAAAAAABq8/9MGyDgqlykw/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B019.JPG" /></a><br />Boys at dinner. Cute.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HiPmxQ9jKU0/TV3X0TYKTpI/AAAAAAAABq0/meVX7nmtFo8/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B018.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574849207309323922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HiPmxQ9jKU0/TV3X0TYKTpI/AAAAAAAABq0/meVX7nmtFo8/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B018.JPG" /></a><br />Happy with her cousin, Alex.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2FfZQKwDhM/TV3XzqeaqcI/AAAAAAAABqs/RD68zhX1jLg/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B012.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574849196329707970" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2FfZQKwDhM/TV3XzqeaqcI/AAAAAAAABqs/RD68zhX1jLg/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B012.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Happy, california girl in the70's and sunshine!<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4PQ0V-CYKQQ/TV3XzCbj9tI/AAAAAAAABqk/ek9xnyqbheM/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B005.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574849185580316370" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4PQ0V-CYKQQ/TV3XzCbj9tI/AAAAAAAABqk/ek9xnyqbheM/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B20.5%2Bmontha%2B005.JPG" /></a><br />Helping mommy pack before we left.<br /><div></div><div></div><div>Well, we had an amazing trip back west to California. It was time. Time to leave the cold behind. Time to spend time with our sweet family. Time to get away, just the 2 of us to Sonoma, and have some fun. Unfortunately, the Francis Family Travel curse struck yet again and I ended up getting the worst cold! Body aches, fever, chills, etc. I was feeling so crummy the last night in Sonoma, of course!, but was so happy to have the time with Scott and hang out with the Bolgers. We had a blast. Out of all of the wineries, I think Scott and I liked Chandon the best. I am on a mission to find the Rose in the flight we tried at Binny's. So refreshing. So good. We had 7 hours in the limo but it flew right by! We couldn't believe it.</div><div></div><div>We headed back to Danville to see our family for the remainder of our time. It was so needed. Ella got to spend some time with her aunt Meg, cousing Alex, uncle Tom and Grams and Granpa. She ate it up. I wish we could give her time with her family more often =( </div><div></div><div>We have been back a week and it's 30's but sunny. Not quite the 60's and sun we left in California, but it's home and it's perfect for us right now. I was truly happy to be back in grey, snowy Chicago when we landed. Is that the feeling you have when you know you have made a place your home? I think I have it b/c we made our family here and it feels good to be back. </div><div></div><div>We are in town for the rest of the winter- woot- and hope to take is slow and easy. Our little bug turns 2 in 3 short months and this makes my heart beat fast. I want to treasure every single day before it's official that she's a little girl.</div><div></div><div>Hope all is well and that you are enjoying your time at home, wherever that might be..</div><div></div><div>xx,</div><div>Nicole</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div></div></div></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-53084018594027104672011-02-02T16:46:00.000-08:002011-02-12T17:22:47.268-08:00The post than never uploaded....The Blizzard of 2011!What to do when its -5 below outside and there's only so much Dora we can take? Read and feed your baby....<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-g_cHD2QGU/TVcwzApdeII/AAAAAAAABqU/JaUmMFkKcJQ/s1600/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B119.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572976716799637634" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u-g_cHD2QGU/TVcwzApdeII/AAAAAAAABqU/JaUmMFkKcJQ/s400/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B119.JPG" /></a><br />Silly girl posing while saying "cheese" with a mouth full of it!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmuumTOyLRY/TVcwj7KPNzI/AAAAAAAABqM/cbEcchfDQn0/s1600/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B006.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572976457628464946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xmuumTOyLRY/TVcwj7KPNzI/AAAAAAAABqM/cbEcchfDQn0/s400/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B006.JPG" /></a><br />Ell and Daddy after playing in the snow for about, hmm.....maybe 5 min?!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZuWBi_re8w/TVcwjcyRCQI/AAAAAAAABqE/Lwrxdtzfrpk/s1600/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B161.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572976449474857218" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xZuWBi_re8w/TVcwjcyRCQI/AAAAAAAABqE/Lwrxdtzfrpk/s400/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B161.JPG" /></a><br />Daddy in a drift.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j48bzLPDIdY/TVcwjFONYCI/AAAAAAAABp8/UEh76LfFKVQ/s1600/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B157.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572976443149606946" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j48bzLPDIdY/TVcwjFONYCI/AAAAAAAABp8/UEh76LfFKVQ/s400/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B157.JPG" /></a> <div> </div><div>She refused to wear gloves, hence, we came in after only 5 min. Defiant little one!</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YlM0XJobrbY/TVcwiumIVxI/AAAAAAAABp0/8BzkjH4FW18/s1600/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B155.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572976437075924754" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YlM0XJobrbY/TVcwiumIVxI/AAAAAAAABp0/8BzkjH4FW18/s400/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B155.JPG" /></a><br />Daddy and Ella. Cold.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jujfR9WKhGk/TVcwKDkGx8I/AAAAAAAABps/d0yAvCU9qhA/s1600/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B148.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572976013207848898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jujfR9WKhGk/TVcwKDkGx8I/AAAAAAAABps/d0yAvCU9qhA/s400/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B148.JPG" /></a><br />Sweet Savannah being my model. Check out the snow drifts at our patio door!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQSmUwd2Lec/TVcwJofd-jI/AAAAAAAABpk/FnMnk8ox8HE/s1600/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B144.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572976005940640306" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GQSmUwd2Lec/TVcwJofd-jI/AAAAAAAABpk/FnMnk8ox8HE/s400/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B144.JPG" /></a><br />Our patio door.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohgnT1lGx1M/TVcv7ezKqRI/AAAAAAAABpc/ex6A8jMpj8g/s1600/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B125.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 266px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572975762820737298" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ohgnT1lGx1M/TVcv7ezKqRI/AAAAAAAABpc/ex6A8jMpj8g/s400/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B125.JPG" /></a><br />Sweet bug posing for V-Day cards.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8-3w20nMTV4/TVcv6uwOSoI/AAAAAAAABpU/qytAabqpE8g/s1600/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B103.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572975749923490434" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8-3w20nMTV4/TVcv6uwOSoI/AAAAAAAABpU/qytAabqpE8g/s400/New%2BCamera%2B2011%2B103.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div>Wow. We got just a wee bit of snow. I scoffed when I heard New Yorkers groan about a couple of inches, errr, feet of snow thinking, "that's do-able". Well. It's not. Not a little bit. This city totally came to a halt and we enjoyed the time to spend indoors with just us. So quaint and so needed. </div><div> </div><div>Momma got a new camera and I am in LOVE with my Nikon 5000. It's pretty sweet. It comes at a great time as we just got back from to visiting family and friends today in NorCal. We had a ball. Just being able to be away from the city in the sun and high 60's was perfect. Another post on that tomorrow. For now, momma is beat after entertaining Ella for a 4 hour flight. </div><div></div><br /><div>We hope y'all are warm and safe, wherever you might be reading. We love you all!</div><div>xoxo,</div><div>N</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-55500874516248683422011-01-11T11:29:00.000-08:002011-01-11T12:00:08.742-08:0019 month old letter to Ella<p align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSy1WPlrgjI/AAAAAAAABok/2kkdqLjMdXs/s1600/Francis54.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561019033642041906" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSy1WPlrgjI/AAAAAAAABok/2kkdqLjMdXs/s400/Francis54.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Dear Ella,<br /><br /><br />You are a little more than 19 months old. You amaze me with your warmth and laughter. Your personality is blossoming a little more, every day. You have such a sense of self, even at 19 mo, which, I know sounds silly, but you do. The other day, we were coming back from Target. I had mounds of groceries, houseware stuff and also had you in tow. I set you down so that I could get a better grip of the bag and my hand, instinctively, reached for yours. We don't do this often, this hand holding thing, because 1) we are never anywhere where you would need to hold my hand (I am not letting you cross a Chicago street without you being close against my person and 2) I just kinda prefer holding you as I know that it won't be much longer that I can hold you, and you let me. As my hand reached down, you grabbed it, smiled at me and I melted. Right there in our garage, I looked down at this little girl who smiled as she held my hand. It makes my eyes well up with sadness seeing how fast you are growing up...<br /><br />My heart swells with pride for you everyday. I think about how much I love you and wonder if you will ever know, aside from having children of your own, of how much I could possibly love and adore you? It's a tedious and tricky relationship, this relationship b/w a daughter and a mother. I want so much to be the best momma I can by you, to be the kind of person you admire and respect. The kind of of woman you could aspire to be without knowing that any admirable attribute I might possess was only realized by being your mother. By loving you. By watching you grow up. I saw the following line on a blog that stuck with me, "I want, more than anything, to do right by you. I want to be someone who is easy for you to love, easy for you to fold yourself into when you most need me. I also want to be easy to walk away from, easy to be apart from. What a funny combination. What a challenge". What a challenge it will be, bug. I came to Chicago, on a wing (err, Honda) and a prayer, and these abounding hope of something new and exciting. To make my own way. To meet interesting people and to be inspired. Oh, how God knew what I needed more than I ever did. I met your father and the rest is history, and your beginning. Your beginning has made me feel like a complete person, to be your mother..<br /><br /><br />I shudder to think of how this relationship b/w us could veer south, but I want you to know that i will always strive to be the bigger person, because, after all, I am your mother. I will do my best to not hold grudges or be envious of all that you achieve. I want you to succeed and accomplish more than I ever could. Most importantly, I want you to always remember just how much I love you, at your 19 month birthday, of just how much I will always support you and be there for you, no matter what. I will always shower you with "I love you's" even when I am not happy about your choices because, after all, I always will. I hope you will do the same, too.<br /><br /><br /><br />I am battling through my inherited trait of helicopter-ing. I do need to step back a bit more, move aside from my own thoughts and desires for you to make the choices you feel like you need to make. You are an amazing little bundle of self awareness and precociousness. You are already marching to the beat of your own drum and throw caution to the wind and let loose. Already. I want you to always be proud of yourself and of these traits I admire so much.<br /><br /><br />I couldn't love you more as we barrel towards your 2nd birthday. I love you with all my heart, little nugget, and pray that God keeps you safe from harm as we figure out this whole thing together. I will try to be the best guide I know how.<br /><br /><br /><br />Love you for always,<br /><br />MommaNicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-87260414815471043102011-01-02T11:04:00.000-08:002011-01-02T12:07:23.299-08:00Hodge Podge and Christmas, too....<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDXqdasLgI/AAAAAAAABoc/VQjOPaID2xo/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B341.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557679064626245122" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDXqdasLgI/AAAAAAAABoc/VQjOPaID2xo/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B341.JPG" /></a><br />NYE 2011...Cocktails a flowing...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDXqKfzIFI/AAAAAAAABoU/0O08dmJUhlo/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B340.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557679059547398226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDXqKfzIFI/AAAAAAAABoU/0O08dmJUhlo/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B340.JPG" /></a><br />Pre-dinner picure.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDXp9EAEiI/AAAAAAAABoM/6-Le4Zxhg9U/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B335.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557679055941145122" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDXp9EAEiI/AAAAAAAABoM/6-Le4Zxhg9U/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B335.JPG" /></a><br />Logan Square Christmas beauty.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDXpuEP_sI/AAAAAAAABoE/Op3HFif-iZI/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B330.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557679051915656898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDXpuEP_sI/AAAAAAAABoE/Op3HFif-iZI/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B330.JPG" /></a><br />3 story Christmas tree!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDXpYDeX-I/AAAAAAAABn8/3ocx0TdYrgo/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B328.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557679046006824930" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDXpYDeX-I/AAAAAAAABn8/3ocx0TdYrgo/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B328.JPG" /></a><br />Another house in Lincolnwood..<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDWdnCjNnI/AAAAAAAABn0/3D9mNb79jzY/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B326.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557677744359421554" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDWdnCjNnI/AAAAAAAABn0/3D9mNb79jzY/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B326.JPG" /></a><br />Ella and Daddy Christmas dinner pic.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDWdG5N5AI/AAAAAAAABns/dKVHtwWwpPk/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B324.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557677735730340866" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDWdG5N5AI/AAAAAAAABns/dKVHtwWwpPk/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B324.JPG" /></a><br />Chrismas dinner pic in our PJs.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDWc_qZTTI/AAAAAAAABnk/UDF9iU9S6Nc/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B322.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557677733789125938" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDWc_qZTTI/AAAAAAAABnk/UDF9iU9S6Nc/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B322.JPG" /></a><br />Kayla and Ella at church.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDWcloBEZI/AAAAAAAABnc/kkju7-vY3to/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B313.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557677726799827346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDWcloBEZI/AAAAAAAABnc/kkju7-vY3to/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B313.JPG" /></a><br />Ella opening her presents.....too bad the vaccuum noise scares her or she is already boycotting chores? Hmmm...<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDWcYM7PkI/AAAAAAAABnU/ZhkSbMVUpio/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B308.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557677723196538434" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDWcYM7PkI/AAAAAAAABnU/ZhkSbMVUpio/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B308.JPG" /></a><br />More prezzies. Again, less than impressed. Tear.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDUKQRPaKI/AAAAAAAABnM/hiYPfBaNWC0/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B306.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557675212806252706" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDUKQRPaKI/AAAAAAAABnM/hiYPfBaNWC0/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B306.JPG" /></a><br />Before madness ensues. <div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDUKDK7cbI/AAAAAAAABnE/hYk01TrMKII/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B292.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557675209290117554" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDUKDK7cbI/AAAAAAAABnE/hYk01TrMKII/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B292.JPG" /></a><br />Christmas Eve dinner... <div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDUJ2GxmPI/AAAAAAAABm8/WD_FHgvGAV8/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B299.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557675205783034098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDUJ2GxmPI/AAAAAAAABm8/WD_FHgvGAV8/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B299.JPG" /></a><br />Ella and Kayla- Christmas Eve.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDUJ8_UY6I/AAAAAAAABm0/a_hBlauSajM/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B290.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557675207630807970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDUJ8_UY6I/AAAAAAAABm0/a_hBlauSajM/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B290.JPG" /></a><br />Mommy and Ella...does her thumb ever come out of her mouth!?<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDUJo0OgcI/AAAAAAAABms/UW_wezPYXwg/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B286.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557675202215576002" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDUJo0OgcI/AAAAAAAABms/UW_wezPYXwg/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B286.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Posing. Love her.</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDS-38N0SI/AAAAAAAABmk/n5AgAnlYtlA/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B283.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557673917785428258" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDS-38N0SI/AAAAAAAABmk/n5AgAnlYtlA/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B283.JPG" /></a></div><div>Naked post bath admiration of the decor.</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDS-jVX3aI/AAAAAAAABmc/pO9h6aGGvo4/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B285.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557673912253799842" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDS-jVX3aI/AAAAAAAABmc/pO9h6aGGvo4/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B285.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Christmas Eve dinner.</div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDS-ReE8eI/AAAAAAAABmU/17VS9Pdo5o0/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B258.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557673907458470370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDS-ReE8eI/AAAAAAAABmU/17VS9Pdo5o0/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B258.JPG" /></a><br />Breakfast with Santa at Macy's. LOVE.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDS-MlQc7I/AAAAAAAABmM/lxKT_dwOmhk/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B272.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557673906146407346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDS-MlQc7I/AAAAAAAABmM/lxKT_dwOmhk/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B272.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Pre-church picture.....</div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDS97AjebI/AAAAAAAABmE/_vRv78BbHVw/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B252.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557673901429062066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDS97AjebI/AAAAAAAABmE/_vRv78BbHVw/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B252.JPG" /></a><br />Ella just loved Santa. Nightmare! She was climbing up my person to get away!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDRnR6IFlI/AAAAAAAABl8/wYlBNpdrTUw/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B246.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557672412927497810" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDRnR6IFlI/AAAAAAAABl8/wYlBNpdrTUw/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B246.JPG" /></a><br />A little still freaked by the Santa experience. A balloon artist helped. A little.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDRnIqkR8I/AAAAAAAABl0/Dhfyd4JNReY/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B245.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557672410446317506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDRnIqkR8I/AAAAAAAABl0/Dhfyd4JNReY/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B245.JPG" /></a> </div><div>So happy to have gramma and granpa in town for the breakfast with Santa!</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDRmwHaQlI/AAAAAAAABls/FBPGwiMYnXw/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B243.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557672403856409170" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDRmwHaQlI/AAAAAAAABls/FBPGwiMYnXw/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B243.JPG" /></a> </div><div>Macy's....</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDRmjqau5I/AAAAAAAABlk/JBnzjC_BFG4/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B237.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557672400513579922" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDRmjqau5I/AAAAAAAABlk/JBnzjC_BFG4/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B237.JPG" /></a><br />Ella having a little breakfast. Do you love her bib?! I DO!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDRmbgIfjI/AAAAAAAABlc/kneWY7QbiTw/s1600/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B231.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557672398322957874" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TSDRmbgIfjI/AAAAAAAABlc/kneWY7QbiTw/s400/Ella%2Bthrough%2B19%2Bmonths%2B231.JPG" /></a><br />Loving on some cheerios.</div><div><br /> </div><div>It's 2011! Can't believe it. We cozied up, hunkered down, rested and ate all day yesterday. It was so nice. I am dreading the work week already as the last 2 weeks have been filled with Ella and Scott time. It's back to business with no long weekends in sight. </div><div> </div><div>We have some fun trips planned to fill our winter but that's bittersweet, too. The faster winter passes, the closer my little girl is to turning 2 and that just makes my heart beat fast and feel heavy. I will cherish the last few months of her being a "baby"....I know, I know, she is kind of a toddler, but I feel like 2 is the official start of little girl-dom. </div><div> </div><div>Christmas went by much too quickly this year! I feel like a broken record but jeez! It really did. We celebrated Christmas Eve with our neighbors full of food and laughs, and then woke up early on Christmas to eat gorilla bread, break open the presents and get ready for church. We couldn't take too much in at church b/c it was a full house full of noisy kids (Ella was one of them, oops), but it was nice to celebrate Chrismtas at church b/c really, that's what its all about. I pray that we instill the real message of Christmas in Ella as she grows...very challenging in such a commercial world but little traditions surrounding around church and family will hopefully do the trick! Speaking of commercial trappings of Christmas, Ella just didn't really get the hang of unwrapping the presents fully. She liked ripping a piece of but would get bored and play with our adult gifts to one another. I don't think she's paid too much attention to her presents this year, oh well, I am sure she will be more into it next year. She gets really excited when she sees Santa in print, real Santas, however, are not so appealing. She is not a fan of the man. This, too, will improve (hopefully!?) by next Christmas..</div><div> </div><div>We ate a huge meal and wandered around Lincolnwood, IL, which is just north of the city and is so cute...close to Chicago but so many neighborhood amenities/feel. I really like it. It was my mission to find the 3 story christmas tree that is written up in the Chicagoist.com, and we did! It was glorious. Pictures of it, along with other pretty houses, above. We also visited the coolest, most ostentacious house this year again, and the owners added a few more lights, if that's possible. This house is off of Logan Blvd, just a 1/2 mile from where we live. Check it out above! It's hilarious!</div><div> </div><div>NYE 2011 was seriously perfect. I really wanted to go "out" but like, low key "out". So, we made ressies with the Vajdas for dinner at our favorite restaurant, Rose Angelis. We rang in 2011 across the street at a little neighborhood bar, complete with a little dancing, bubbly and taking in the drunken 25 year olds pairing off. God, I don't miss that scene but it is fun to be silly and dance with good friends!</div><div> </div><div>We have taken down the decorations, met a new friend for coffee and pastries, so I think we will spend the rest of today relaxing and gearing up for January. We are visiting my friend Sara and her little ones in a couple of weeks to celebrate Reece's big 3rd party! I cannot believe this little lady is 3! She's a doll and I can't wait to catch up with my favorite girls.</div><div> </div><div>We hope you are having a fabulous 2011 so far! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-1230310317107995612010-12-23T06:18:00.000-08:002010-12-23T07:53:31.110-08:00The eve of the eve...Annual Cookie Exchange with Erica =)<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNu9diPjJI/AAAAAAAABlQ/K0qIRl-oJyc/s1600/erica+and+nicole+cookie+exchange.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553904767657282706" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNu9diPjJI/AAAAAAAABlQ/K0qIRl-oJyc/s400/erica%2Band%2Bnicole%2Bcookie%2Bexchange.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNu9NKHDrI/AAAAAAAABlI/LiTT6ouSTR0/s1600/erica+and+nicole+cookie+exchange.jpg"></a> Ella got in on the action.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNu80rEsfI/AAAAAAAABlA/akIWhlskfTY/s1600/ella+at+cookie+exchange.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553904756688466418" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNu80rEsfI/AAAAAAAABlA/akIWhlskfTY/s400/ella%2Bat%2Bcookie%2Bexchange.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ella picking out nail polish. I wanted to throw this in just b/c it shows what an absolute girl she is!<br />She could spend hours looking at colors and dutifully putting them back...<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNu894ZkpI/AAAAAAAABk4/bI1gUiss0PU/s1600/ella+and+polish.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553904759160279698" style="WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 166px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNu894ZkpI/AAAAAAAABk4/bI1gUiss0PU/s400/ella%2Band%2Bpolish.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ella and Mommy at the cookie exchange.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNuqQkBSdI/AAAAAAAABkw/IHZOZ9t__QM/s1600/ella+and+mommy+cookie+exchange.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553904437757561298" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNuqQkBSdI/AAAAAAAABkw/IHZOZ9t__QM/s400/ella%2Band%2Bmommy%2Bcookie%2Bexchange.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Favors.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNupqOzdsI/AAAAAAAABko/h77lwRsMZHs/s1600/cookie+exchange+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553904427468027586" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNupqOzdsI/AAAAAAAABko/h77lwRsMZHs/s400/cookie%2Bexchange%2B4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />All of the girls in front of the tree.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNupPoer1I/AAAAAAAABkg/abEJWvhpk4w/s1600/cookie+exchange+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553904420327960402" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNupPoer1I/AAAAAAAABkg/abEJWvhpk4w/s400/cookie%2Bexchange%2B3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Decor...<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNuo_fNIsI/AAAAAAAABkY/bVy92G8_Wto/s1600/cookie+exchange+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553904415994094274" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNuo_fNIsI/AAAAAAAABkY/bVy92G8_Wto/s400/cookie%2Bexchange%2B2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />More Decor...<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNuoJl9zdI/AAAAAAAABkQ/EhCs6tBiXu8/s1600/cookie+exchange+1.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553904401526934994" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNuoJl9zdI/AAAAAAAABkQ/EhCs6tBiXu8/s400/cookie%2Bexchange%2B1.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Halloween with our bee, Olivia-stein, Ariel and Sebastian Vajda.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNhE5UgHBI/AAAAAAAABkI/E9ZDfkoQmq4/s1600/sofa+shot+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553889502212135954" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNhE5UgHBI/AAAAAAAABkI/E9ZDfkoQmq4/s400/sofa%2Bshot%2B2.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Buzzing bee on the go. I wish I had a better shot of her gold/glittered mary janes.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNgdan-zuI/AAAAAAAABkA/oWVdLgogC-Y/s1600/Chicago+Halloween+2010+029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553888823957442274" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNgdan-zuI/AAAAAAAABkA/oWVdLgogC-Y/s400/Chicago%2BHalloween%2B2010%2B029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div>Precious picture of E-Pa, Ella and Gram taken on the lake in Glencoe.<br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNgc1HuXrI/AAAAAAAABj4/l10cZyKW2fg/s1600/Chicago+Halloween+2010+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553888813890035378" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TRNgc1HuXrI/AAAAAAAABj4/l10cZyKW2fg/s400/Chicago%2BHalloween%2B2010%2B009.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div>It's officially the eve of Christmas Eve of 2o10. Wow. This year went by faster than the last...this time last year, we were surviving the work/life balance of working parentdom and raising a 6 month old. This year, I feel like we really hit our stride. I am in continued awe of my daughter and husband; our team work is stellar! I just couldn't do it without Scott. Oh, how he puts up with my crafting, my random ideas, my hobbies, my hot mess self. </div><div></div><div></div><br /><div>Here we are, with an 18 month old little lady. She is just hilarious. She is now saying SO many things, running like the wind, trying her best to use the bath tab as a slip-n-slide, telling the dogs to go "AWAY" and asking for things she should not be but asking in the sweetest voice, with the "pleases" growing more and more loud until I cave. Sigh. She also nods her heads when she says "please" which comes out a "peas". I love it. These little things make my heart burst at the seams with happiness and love for my little doll. She is quite the sass, too, but I'm kinda proud of that too because I believe she will have the passion and integrity to stand up for what is right and to voice her opinion when the situation calls for it. I fear, however, that she will inherit her mother's inability to pick her battles which can negate this quality at times. She is a constant reminder to me of the woman I want to be and with her help, I think I am getting there.....</div><div></div><br /><div>There have been so many things that I haven't posted about! Let's see...what did I miss?<br /><br />Halloween? Yes, pictures above.....we did our annual walk the neighborhood with the Vajdas. Ella is still a little too little too understand the full situation that is Halloween. Hopefully by next year, she will be marching up the front steps to get her own snickers.<br /></div><br /><div>We have had parents in town, parties we have gone to, parties we have hosted and here we are at Christmas! We are staying in Chicago for Christmas again. While I get a bit wistful on days like today, when I think about my family on the east and west coast, I then remember that we have our own little family here in Chicago and I get really excited about sharing this time with just Scott and Ella. Starting our own traditions. It is a small and intimate Christmas, but I can't wait. Uninterrupted days of Scott and Ella time are headed my way and I cannot wait...</div><div></div><div> </div><div>We will be going over to celebrate Christmas Eve with the Vajdas and will also head to the Walnut Room at Macy's to have a little lunch. This tradition was started the first Christmas we all spent together, when I was pregnant with Ella. It was so pretty and such a fun memory...</div><div></div><br /><div>On Christmas, we will wake up, unwrap presents, I will make gorilla bread (thanks, Paula Dean!), and get ready for church. I will make a ridiculous amount of food for dinner and then work it off while taking in the lights of the north shore hoods. Ella will hopefully stay awake this time!</div><div></div><br /><div>I wish all of my sweet readers the best Christmas. I am so thankful to have some of the sweetest and most thoughtful people in my life. Here's to a fabulous 2011!</div><div></div><br /><div>Love,<br />NF</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-2129728643637760492010-11-16T18:17:00.000-08:002010-11-16T19:21:43.779-08:00Completely Delinquent. What else is new?!Erica's shower girls...<br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONIyBuENZI/AAAAAAAABjg/SdmkLJiNuX8/s1600/Erica%2527s%2Btea.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540351990888150418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONIyBuENZI/AAAAAAAABjg/SdmkLJiNuX8/s400/Erica%2527s%2Btea.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Erica and Ryan- first dance!</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONIHqM_CII/AAAAAAAABjY/1zNLXGgLvqc/s1600/happycouple.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540351263020877954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONIHqM_CII/AAAAAAAABjY/1zNLXGgLvqc/s400/happycouple.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>Ella and Auntie Beth.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONIHQeqKdI/AAAAAAAABjQ/d3Y0nah-UNk/s1600/nugget.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540351256115685842" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONIHQeqKdI/AAAAAAAABjQ/d3Y0nah-UNk/s400/nugget.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONGRyttkQI/AAAAAAAABjI/MpqEwkBtuK8/s1600/Erica%2527s%2Btea%2B12.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540349238081065218" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONGRyttkQI/AAAAAAAABjI/MpqEwkBtuK8/s400/Erica%2527s%2Btea%2B12.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONGRTlLwMI/AAAAAAAABjA/x_lXhOmtVaE/s1600/Erica%2527s%2Btea%2B11.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540349229723795650" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONGRTlLwMI/AAAAAAAABjA/x_lXhOmtVaE/s400/Erica%2527s%2Btea%2B11.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONGQkI2fCI/AAAAAAAABi4/5ULuFp8Cg8w/s1600/Erica%2527s%2Btea%2B7.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540349216988494882" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONGQkI2fCI/AAAAAAAABi4/5ULuFp8Cg8w/s400/Erica%2527s%2Btea%2B7.jpg" /></a><br />Custom Monogrammed Cupcake toppers<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONGQY3K6OI/AAAAAAAABiw/s4Oy_WfZTZs/s1600/Erica%2527s%2Btea%2B5.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540349213961545954" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONGQY3K6OI/AAAAAAAABiw/s4Oy_WfZTZs/s400/Erica%2527s%2Btea%2B5.jpg" /></a><br />Yay. Erica and Ryan banner over the goods.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONFzl9v0TI/AAAAAAAABio/YJ8irVOhaDI/s1600/Erica%2527s%2Btea%2B2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540348719262585138" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONFzl9v0TI/AAAAAAAABio/YJ8irVOhaDI/s400/Erica%2527s%2Btea%2B2.jpg" /></a><br />Spread with fun Amy Butler fabric napkins. Love AB fabric. Love.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONFyvXfvUI/AAAAAAAABig/xu08UCIDdlI/s1600/Ericas%2Btea%2B11.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540348704606633282" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONFyvXfvUI/AAAAAAAABig/xu08UCIDdlI/s400/Ericas%2Btea%2B11.jpg" /></a><br />Every guest got a mug with their initial along with a collection of teas and sugar rock candy stir stick (pink, of course).<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONFyThulHI/AAAAAAAABiY/vUg11lkHtWQ/s1600/Ericas%2Btea%2B10.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540348697133356146" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONFyThulHI/AAAAAAAABiY/vUg11lkHtWQ/s400/Ericas%2Btea%2B10.jpg" /></a><br />Custom drink stirrers. </div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONFx8-HbiI/AAAAAAAABiI/KUvBa5XMoyA/s1600/Ericas%2Btea%2B6.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540348691078409762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONFx8-HbiI/AAAAAAAABiI/KUvBa5XMoyA/s400/Ericas%2Btea%2B6.jpg" /></a><br />More artistic shot- thanks, Susan!<br /><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONFGpsFLaI/AAAAAAAABh4/n7tM23_eDsI/s1600/ericas%2Btea%2B4.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540347947168116130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONFGpsFLaI/AAAAAAAABh4/n7tM23_eDsI/s400/ericas%2Btea%2B4.jpg" /></a><br /><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONFF4bVZkI/AAAAAAAABhg/k2Ug0BZCOBg/s1600/Family%2Bat%2BEB%2527s%2Bwedding%2B2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540347933944538690" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONFF4bVZkI/AAAAAAAABhg/k2Ug0BZCOBg/s400/Family%2Bat%2BEB%2527s%2Bwedding%2B2.jpg" /></a><br />Family shot at Erica and Ryan's reception!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONDtbn4-GI/AAAAAAAABgw/Jqk3ftL4Whc/s1600/Erica%2Bwalking%2Bdown%2Baisle.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540346414384085090" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONDtbn4-GI/AAAAAAAABgw/Jqk3ftL4Whc/s400/Erica%2Bwalking%2Bdown%2Baisle.jpg" /></a><br />Beautiful bride walking down the aisle with her daddy. You can see her tearing up!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONDtLBJfWI/AAAAAAAABgo/nqtDjZN0KgQ/s1600/Ella%2Bon%2Bdance%2Bfloor-%2BEBs%2Bwedding.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540346409926622562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONDtLBJfWI/AAAAAAAABgo/nqtDjZN0KgQ/s400/Ella%2Bon%2Bdance%2Bfloor-%2BEBs%2Bwedding.jpg" /></a><br />Ella couldn't contain her excitement!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONDsOmEitI/AAAAAAAABgg/VmACv0TBhJ4/s1600/Ella%2Bdancing%2Bat%2BEB%2527s%2Bwedding.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540346393706924754" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONDsOmEitI/AAAAAAAABgg/VmACv0TBhJ4/s400/Ella%2Bdancing%2Bat%2BEB%2527s%2Bwedding.jpg" /></a><br />Dancing.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONDr_jAoxI/AAAAAAAABgY/Ijw-Y_hXcU4/s1600/Bean%2Band%2BMomma%2Bat%2BEB%2527s%2Bwedding.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540346389667554066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONDr_jAoxI/AAAAAAAABgY/Ijw-Y_hXcU4/s400/Bean%2Band%2BMomma%2Bat%2BEB%2527s%2Bwedding.jpg" /></a><br />Tired dancing queen.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONDrrS9bqI/AAAAAAAABgQ/QUak_WZaCuk/s1600/Ella%2Bat%2BEB%2527s%2Bwedding.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 124px; HEIGHT: 166px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540346384231526050" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TONDrrS9bqI/AAAAAAAABgQ/QUak_WZaCuk/s400/Ella%2Bat%2BEB%2527s%2Bwedding.jpg" /></a> </div><div>She made some friends.<br /></div><div>I have not been able to get to the blog lately. No excuses. Just the usual. Busy, time commitments, travel, family, you know. Please don't remove me from your blogger dashboard just yet! </div><div> </div><div>It's already almost Thanksgiving. This is, hands down, my favorite time of the year. I still believe in the spirit of Santa and to see families come together to give thanks for one another and to celebrate the birth of our savior, all within a month of each other, is pretty neat.</div><div> </div><div>Before I go on my what I am thankful rant (which would include so many things, God is so good to us!), I will touch on the beautiful wedding of Erica and Ryan! They have been married for over a month now- wow- and I haven't posted pictures! </div><div> </div><div>The weekend started out a little rough for me and I ended up in the ER in transit to MI for the weekend- long story!- but it ended up being such a fun and full weekend; you could really feel the love from everyone there....I always come away from weddings renewed in my own commitment to Scott. I always say those vows to myself again and think of the amazing commitment that two people make to each other. No matter what, we be broke or in high cotton, we are going to stick it out and do the best we can by one another. Pretty amazing. It reminds me of the reason I married my best friend and I get all full of love and sentiment. Well, this witnessing of my dear friend repeating those vows wasn't lost on me. I was welling up and dabbing at my eyes, thinking that they looked so happy and in love! I was so honored to be apart of their special day!<br /></div><div>Before the wedding, Susan, Sam, Ella and I ventured out to explore Grand Rapids; what a fun surprise! There was a lot going on as Art Prize was going on- it's an art contest, sorry, that was pretty apparent, I guess- and we just wandered around and shopped. It was really fun! A little girl time is always welcomed.</div><div> </div><div>And then, the wedding! What a beautiful wedding and reception. It was elegant and beautiful, just like the bride! We had a great time and I think Ella entertained most of the guests on the dance floor. I have to say, I am pretty proud of her moves and her brazen display of putting herself out there! She really brought it. A couple of other kiddos joined in and it was a hoot! Ella continues to keep us on our toes and laughing along the way. She is just so fun and easy to be around. I am so proud of her! She was so good during the wedding reception and on the ride home.... We had such a fun time. The weekend went by too quickly...</div><div> </div><div>What a fun weekend honoring such sweet friends. </div><div> </div><div>I also posted pictures of Erica's shower which was so beautiful. I hosted along with her bridesmaids and it was so much fun! I hope y'all enjoy my pics as I reminisce about the past couple of months. </div><div> </div><div>xoxo,</div><div>Nicole</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p></div></div></div></div>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-31153453242751549992010-10-22T10:57:00.000-07:002010-10-22T11:01:21.692-07:00A must read.I need to pick up a copy for myself, and suggest all of y'all do the same, but I just love the following pieces of advice from the blog turned book, <a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/">http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/.</a> <br /><br />Happy Friday muffins.<br /><blockquote></blockquote><br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2010/10/264-people-can-change-but-you-cant.html">#264 People can change, but you can’t change them.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2010/10/263-accept-chivalry.html">#263 Accept chivalry.</a>When your father and I started dating, I was shocked by the way he held every door for me and grasped my hand when I stepped off a low curb. Despite being secretly smitten by these gestures, in my self-righteous youth, I responded with ridiculous assertions that I could do it myself. I kept up this charade until the day he bluntly told me to lay off. He knew I was perfectly capable of the simple task of opening a door; he just wanted to do it for me! Then and now, I revel in your father’s dedication to old-fashioned chivalry: He still walks to the passenger side of the car to open the door for me; he refuses to allow me to carry heavy things; and he insists that I wrap myself in his coat, even though I knew it would be a cold night and left my warm jacket at home because it didn’t coordinate with my dress. This is what’s known as gallantry. Know that you aren’t entitled to it, and you can’t expect it, but in those rare cases when you find it beating down your door, embrace it! Also, thank your father for showing you how it’s done. <br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2010/05/238-where-theres-smoke-theres-fire.html">#238 Where there's smoke there's fire.</a>When there are facts that you don’t want to face, it’s tempting to rationalize them away and avoid the truth. This type of self-deception only mires you deeper in the muck. Trust your instincts: Things are usually exactly what they seem to be.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2010/03/231-come-home.html">#231 Come home.</a>Don’t stay away from home for too long, if only because my heart breaks a little every week we spend apart.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2010/03/228-when-your-tax-bill-goes-up-revel-in.html">#228 When your tax bill goes up, revel in all the libraries, schools, and roads you are helping to maintain.</a>And really, a higher tax bill means you’ve made more money. Take pride in that and in your contribution to the civil services those taxes pay for.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2010/02/225-you-will-get-good-at-anything-you.html">#2</a>25 You will get good at anything you practice.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2010/01/220-if-you-are-passionate-about-craft.html">#220 If you are passionate about a craft, invest in the best equipment you can afford.</a>Whether in photography, making music, woodworking, or cooking, the right equipment makes a difference in the finished quality of your work. What is money for if not to feed your passions? Invest in your talent.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/09/203-return-your-shopping-cart.html">#203 Return your shopping cart.</a>Abandoning your shopping cart in the middle of the parking lot implies a sense of entitlement. Someone has to put it away, that someone should be you.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/07/181-be-where-you-are.html">#181 Be where you are.</a>Try not to think about where you need to go next or wherever you just came from. This is more difficult than it sounds, but work at it. It’s important for your head to be present in the place where your body is. <br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/07/179-dont-fear-strangers.html">#179 Talk to strangers.</a>Teaching you to fear strangers would be cynical. The generosity of unknown people will ease your burden on many occasions. Instead, I want you to learn to gauge people’s intentions by listening to your gut instincts and recognizing subtle cues. Confidence in this skill will allow you to avoid the aberrant persons you encounter and embrace something much more common – the kindness of strangers.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/07/176-wrap-dress-is-universally.html">#176 A wrap dress is universally flattering.</a><br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/07/170-dont-marry-your-first-love.html">#170 If you marry your first love you will miss out on the exquisite pain of a broken heart.</a><br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/07/161-live-alone-for-period-of-time.html">#161 Live alone for a period of time.</a>I love living with you and your father; I also cherish the years I spent living alone. You shouldn't go from being someone's daughter to someone's wife to someone's mother without first being someone yourself. Living alone will allow you to discover who you are when no one is watching, what you need to get through a day, and ultimately that you are a capable, independent woman.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/07/160-indulge.html">#160 Indulge.</a>Live a rich life textured with little extravagances. Eat the hot fudge brownie, buy the handmade dhurrie rug, lie in your flannel sheets all Sunday afternoon. Just remember that indulgence by definition is temporary gratification of a whim. Do it more than once in a while and you're just a hedonist.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/07/152-men-as-rule-are-not-good-mind.html">#152 Men as a rule are not good mind readers.</a>Articulate your thoughts to them clearly if you want to be sure that you will be understood. Imagine writing on a 3X5 card; short and to the point.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/06/145-order-that-people-should-enter-and.html">#145 The order that people should enter and exit an elevator is: The elderly, then persons with disabilities, then children, and finally able-bodied adults.</a><br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/06/141-see-beauty-everywhere.html">#141 See the beauty everywhere.</a><br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/06/125-you-are-american.html">#125 You are an American.</a>Whether or not love of country is a passion point for you, please don't take it for granted that you are a citizen of the United States. There are some vital things to be proud of, not the least of which is your right to feel however you want to about it.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/06/116-at-close-of-each-day-fill-your-head.html">#116 At the close of each day, fill your head with thoughts of how lucky you are.</a>It's counting your blessings; saying your thanks. No matter what kind of day you have had, you are a fortunate girl in one way or another. Your father and I talk to each other every night before sleep about what a magical joy you are and what a lovely life we have together. It's important to bring these thoughts to the front of your brain; it cements the little things that make life happy into one cohesive positive outlook. <br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/06/115-its-not-good-idea-to-weld-when-you.html">#115 It's not a good idea to weld while wearing tights because the sparks will burn holes in your stockings and legs.</a> <br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/06/100-i-love-you.html">#100 I love you.</a>Your grandmother, my mother, wished that I share this with you here above all of her other gems. I can guarantee you daughter, looking back on the relationship that she and I have shared, that there will be times you just don't believe it. But it is, and always will be, an absolute unwavering certainty that I Love You. <br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/06/95-when-attending-party-open-door-with.html">#94 When attending a party, open the door with one hand and bring a gift in the other.</a><br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/05/81-not-everyone-is-going-to-like-you.html">#80 Not everyone is going to like you, and that's just fine.</a> <a name="1640992637873562581"></a><br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/04/72-have-one-good-karaoke-song-in-your.html">#72 Have one good karaoke song in your back pocket.</a>If you happen to have inherited your parent's inability to sing very well, that's okay you should still sing all the time! Singing in the car or the shower or just humming to yourself while you walk is fun! Pick one song and learn to sing it really well. Then you can whip it out at karaoke night or some other occasion when singing seems like the thing to do.<a name="3506837399736354837"></a><br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2009/02/66-throw-parties.html">#66 Throw parties!!</a><br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2008/10/41-maintain-good-credit-at-all-costs.html">#41 Maintain good credit at all costs.</a>This is a lesson for the ages. There is much more to this that I will have to do my best to teach you, but you can start by keeping a written budget and developing a sense of responsibility towards your future self.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2008/10/34-good-lighting-is-key-to-decorating.html">#34 Good lighting is the key to decorating a cozy home.</a> <br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2008/10/26-tend-to-your-friendships-especially.html">#26 Tend to your friendships, especially those with women.</a><br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2008/10/21-pay-attention-to-politics.html">#21 Pay attention to politics.</a><br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2008/09/13-you-have-garden.html">#13 You have a garden.</a>If you ever get sad that you don't have a garden of your own, remember that you have hundreds of beautiful gardens all over the city and all over the world. Try to erase the language of "want" from your head. You have everything that you need.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2008/09/7-always-make-time-for-art-museum-in.html">#7 Always make time for the art museum in every city you visit.</a> You learn much about a city and yourself when you see its art collection. A good museum will fill your chest up until it feels as though your heart could explode.<br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2008/09/4-when-given-opportunity-wear-costume.html">#4 When given the opportunity, wear a costume.</a> <br /><a href="http://www.prudentadviceformybabydaughter.com/2008/09/1-always-send-thank-you-note.html">#1 Always send a thank you note.</a>This has served your mother and grandmothers well for generations and seems a fitting place to start.Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-74810406824916422262010-10-05T12:56:00.000-07:002010-10-05T13:00:24.615-07:00Ella's 16 month pictures....I just love Laura Couture. She is a doll and takes the best pictures! Check out her blog with a preview of the pictures she took of Ella. I want all of them....<br /><br />Who does Ella look like? What do y'all think?!<br /><br /><a href="http://littlesnapshot.blogspot.com/2010/09/another-round-with-sweet-e.html">http://littlesnapshot.blogspot.com/2010/09/another-round-with-sweet-e.html</a>Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-18112955820275343052010-10-04T13:41:00.000-07:002010-10-05T12:52:10.996-07:00Many Fun Things<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpK7EgaJsI/AAAAAAAABgI/EFdCR7TQGYo/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+156.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpK7EgaJsI/AAAAAAAABgI/EFdCR7TQGYo/s400/Ella+through+16+months+156.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524310271605745346" /></a><br />Ella likes to wear momma's underoos as necklaces.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpK66Xy_5I/AAAAAAAABgA/xQ6676xQx7I/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+155.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpK66Xy_5I/AAAAAAAABgA/xQ6676xQx7I/s400/Ella+through+16+months+155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524310268885270418" /></a><br />Ella thought it prudent to dive head first, fully clothed, into a bath.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpKh7cNl6I/AAAAAAAABf4/JRhR8Uzyc0w/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+150.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpKh7cNl6I/AAAAAAAABf4/JRhR8Uzyc0w/s400/Ella+through+16+months+150.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524309839675496354" /></a><br />Ella at the pumpkin patch pointing out the giant Dora. They don't take long, folks, to figure out Dora and/or Elmo.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpKhh7Fl8I/AAAAAAAABfw/VjcTZwSmkjc/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+145.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpKhh7Fl8I/AAAAAAAABfw/VjcTZwSmkjc/s400/Ella+through+16+months+145.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524309832825673666" /></a><br />Ella and a sea of pumpkins at the pumpkin patch!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpKhT6DvrI/AAAAAAAABfo/Vt9hcuVrLug/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+143.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpKhT6DvrI/AAAAAAAABfo/Vt9hcuVrLug/s400/Ella+through+16+months+143.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524309829063261874" /></a><br />Ella is clapping for the pumpkins. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpKg-yAdeI/AAAAAAAABfg/QDft5l0kohI/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+137.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpKg-yAdeI/AAAAAAAABfg/QDft5l0kohI/s400/Ella+through+16+months+137.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524309823392347618" /></a><br />We tried for a long while to get everyone to look in one direction. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpKgkNuKVI/AAAAAAAABfY/9GwVykhmmIE/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+136.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpKgkNuKVI/AAAAAAAABfY/9GwVykhmmIE/s400/Ella+through+16+months+136.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524309816260831570" /></a><br />Ella refuses to look in our direction!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpJgO9RrmI/AAAAAAAABfQ/5Onxmnk_dzY/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+133.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpJgO9RrmI/AAAAAAAABfQ/5Onxmnk_dzY/s400/Ella+through+16+months+133.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524308711043083874" /></a><br />The patch had tigers?<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpJf3JdfaI/AAAAAAAABfI/cwjtH7dyUIs/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+129.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpJf3JdfaI/AAAAAAAABfI/cwjtH7dyUIs/s400/Ella+through+16+months+129.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524308704651738530" /></a><br />And an owl....he DOES look so smart, right?!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpJftf6bQI/AAAAAAAABfA/XImMWRL0o5s/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+122.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpJftf6bQI/AAAAAAAABfA/XImMWRL0o5s/s400/Ella+through+16+months+122.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524308702061554946" /></a><br />And giraffes. LOVE these guys. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpJfFP_LQI/AAAAAAAABe4/MErPVRKvpis/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+120.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpJfFP_LQI/AAAAAAAABe4/MErPVRKvpis/s400/Ella+through+16+months+120.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524308691257339138" /></a><br />The girls posing. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpJe8bj_sI/AAAAAAAABew/NkdqeUF5nOI/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+115.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpJe8bj_sI/AAAAAAAABew/NkdqeUF5nOI/s400/Ella+through+16+months+115.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524308688889970370" /></a><br />Ella trying her hand at riding. She looks frightened!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpIjI_y_8I/AAAAAAAABeo/1cBFYq_sP4Q/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+110.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpIjI_y_8I/AAAAAAAABeo/1cBFYq_sP4Q/s400/Ella+through+16+months+110.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524307661471023042" /></a><br />Feeding the goats. Turns out, goats aren't so friendly.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpIiykRWgI/AAAAAAAABeg/8Qgcy5JJsgg/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+103.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpIiykRWgI/AAAAAAAABeg/8Qgcy5JJsgg/s400/Ella+through+16+months+103.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524307655449991682" /></a><br />Ella posing on a fake pony. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpIikgQNLI/AAAAAAAABeY/HaDnJdzNN3Q/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+099.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpIikgQNLI/AAAAAAAABeY/HaDnJdzNN3Q/s400/Ella+through+16+months+099.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524307651675042994" /></a><br />Ella touching the baby pig. Can we please take one home, daddy?!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpIibViRpI/AAAAAAAABeQ/7xGB9hpqNDw/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+097.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpIibViRpI/AAAAAAAABeQ/7xGB9hpqNDw/s400/Ella+through+16+months+097.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524307649214170770" /></a><br />Standard Goebbert Farm Picture!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpIiC6DThI/AAAAAAAABeI/rVt4eY1cpvc/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+095.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpIiC6DThI/AAAAAAAABeI/rVt4eY1cpvc/s400/Ella+through+16+months+095.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524307642656443922" /></a><br />Last warm day in Chicago =( My pretty little lady!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpGUZrESHI/AAAAAAAABeA/FPpFNcKdERk/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+091.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpGUZrESHI/AAAAAAAABeA/FPpFNcKdERk/s400/Ella+through+16+months+091.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524305209226184818" /></a><br />Daddy's Birthday! Enjoying some cake...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpGT2TeecI/AAAAAAAABd4/ydeSOy3Y3fM/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+088.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpGT2TeecI/AAAAAAAABd4/ydeSOy3Y3fM/s400/Ella+through+16+months+088.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524305199731997122" /></a><br />Couldn't wait....<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpGTfVbf-I/AAAAAAAABdw/0M0Ini4OBj0/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+087.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpGTfVbf-I/AAAAAAAABdw/0M0Ini4OBj0/s400/Ella+through+16+months+087.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524305193566175202" /></a><br />YUM<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpGTOfyX-I/AAAAAAAABdo/1ewWWRLFK0c/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+085.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpGTOfyX-I/AAAAAAAABdo/1ewWWRLFK0c/s400/Ella+through+16+months+085.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524305189046214626" /></a><br />Me and Tiff at DMB!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpGS1iQnQI/AAAAAAAABdg/s4Tj-gyApJs/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+083.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpGS1iQnQI/AAAAAAAABdg/s4Tj-gyApJs/s400/Ella+through+16+months+083.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524305182345698562" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpFXWMbTaI/AAAAAAAABdY/vEuy3nTwF2s/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+079.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpFXWMbTaI/AAAAAAAABdY/vEuy3nTwF2s/s400/Ella+through+16+months+079.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524304160320343458" /></a><br />on the swan boats on the pond in Boston Commons...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpFXBzRWsI/AAAAAAAABdQ/coiPGd_FTwo/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+078.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpFXBzRWsI/AAAAAAAABdQ/coiPGd_FTwo/s400/Ella+through+16+months+078.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524304154846124738" /></a><br />My wonderful in laws!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpFWw5uGZI/AAAAAAAABdI/RyXjFDnn57I/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+075.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpFWw5uGZI/AAAAAAAABdI/RyXjFDnn57I/s400/Ella+through+16+months+075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524304150309771666" /></a><br />Ella and Daddy enjoying the boat ride. <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpFWdcpFAI/AAAAAAAABdA/G0oWzdx4EN0/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+073.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpFWdcpFAI/AAAAAAAABdA/G0oWzdx4EN0/s400/Ella+through+16+months+073.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524304145087534082" /></a><br />Chatham Bars Inn. We will see you next time!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpFWEnMcdI/AAAAAAAABc4/0A3ALs4FlKo/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+070.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpFWEnMcdI/AAAAAAAABc4/0A3ALs4FlKo/s400/Ella+through+16+months+070.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524304138420908498" /></a><br />The pier in Chatham...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpEk5aC7RI/AAAAAAAABcw/0fWBfb8xWs0/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+068.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpEk5aC7RI/AAAAAAAABcw/0fWBfb8xWs0/s400/Ella+through+16+months+068.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524303293599378706" /></a><br />Daddy checking out the fisherman..<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpEktCg83I/AAAAAAAABco/mvnPZaF9b_k/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+065.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpEktCg83I/AAAAAAAABco/mvnPZaF9b_k/s400/Ella+through+16+months+065.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524303290279457650" /></a><br />Manatees were giving us quite a show!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpEkfFkWAI/AAAAAAAABcg/cMAKwGce3hI/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+063.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpEkfFkWAI/AAAAAAAABcg/cMAKwGce3hI/s400/Ella+through+16+months+063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524303286534166530" /></a><br />The beach in Chatham...so pretty!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpEkM2ANSI/AAAAAAAABcY/dZ1ryitZh_Y/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+059.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpEkM2ANSI/AAAAAAAABcY/dZ1ryitZh_Y/s400/Ella+through+16+months+059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524303281637045538" /></a><br />Houses in Chatham...not a bad place to summer.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpEj39nOcI/AAAAAAAABcQ/1_jriNcRVYc/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+058.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpEj39nOcI/AAAAAAAABcQ/1_jriNcRVYc/s400/Ella+through+16+months+058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524303276031818178" /></a><br />The B&B we stayed at- Carriage House Inn.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpDRrdX-0I/AAAAAAAABcI/HHSJW1OeC7I/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+054.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpDRrdX-0I/AAAAAAAABcI/HHSJW1OeC7I/s400/Ella+through+16+months+054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524301863926102850" /></a><br />DELICIOUS dinner at the Wequassett. Already planning a return trip!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpDRRzModI/AAAAAAAABcA/xBjVA1LKblk/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+044.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpDRRzModI/AAAAAAAABcA/xBjVA1LKblk/s400/Ella+through+16+months+044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524301857038311890" /></a><br />Best Cheesecake. Ever.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpDQxfgfQI/AAAAAAAABb4/1X9ON9vA_28/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+040.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpDQxfgfQI/AAAAAAAABb4/1X9ON9vA_28/s400/Ella+through+16+months+040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524301848365792514" /></a><br />Ella taking in the sights in Martha's Vineyard.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpDQoKngEI/AAAAAAAABbw/Z0hyXcY0toA/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+039.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpDQoKngEI/AAAAAAAABbw/Z0hyXcY0toA/s400/Ella+through+16+months+039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524301845862252610" /></a><br />Momma and Ella at the Black Dog.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpDQbOmZ1I/AAAAAAAABbo/bGTCCaNw9pc/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+033.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpDQbOmZ1I/AAAAAAAABbo/bGTCCaNw9pc/s400/Ella+through+16+months+033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524301842389296978" /></a><br />Ella and Daddy on a morning walk along the beach in Scituate.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpBQg5FjcI/AAAAAAAABa4/yVw56E92IhU/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+017.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpBQg5FjcI/AAAAAAAABa4/yVw56E92IhU/s400/Ella+through+16+months+017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524299644886420930" /></a><br />Scituate Beach.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpBQaYjTuI/AAAAAAAABaw/Hyor6kdXWRo/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+016.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpBQaYjTuI/AAAAAAAABaw/Hyor6kdXWRo/s400/Ella+through+16+months+016.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524299643139346146" /></a><br />Ella on the couch. Worn Out!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpBQHLCBTI/AAAAAAAABao/Ex3ZWymKBUg/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+012.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpBQHLCBTI/AAAAAAAABao/Ex3ZWymKBUg/s400/Ella+through+16+months+012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524299637982364978" /></a><br />Boston made her sleepy. Clearly.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpBPmOlJdI/AAAAAAAABag/cA3onhK--K0/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+011.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpBPmOlJdI/AAAAAAAABag/cA3onhK--K0/s400/Ella+through+16+months+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524299629138879954" /></a><br />Momma in Boston.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpBPO2egyI/AAAAAAAABaY/9npZ1WkJhGI/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+009.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKpBPO2egyI/AAAAAAAABaY/9npZ1WkJhGI/s400/Ella+through+16+months+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524299622863766306" /></a><br />Daddy in Boston.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKo_kC1ncRI/AAAAAAAABaQ/XAtKJVvemYc/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+008.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKo_kC1ncRI/AAAAAAAABaQ/XAtKJVvemYc/s400/Ella+through+16+months+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524297781392929042" /></a><br />Cheers!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKo_j6Ad_CI/AAAAAAAABaI/eoZDVl2GQ6c/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+007.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKo_j6Ad_CI/AAAAAAAABaI/eoZDVl2GQ6c/s400/Ella+through+16+months+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524297779022527522" /></a><br />We got to hang out with the Hays'. I miss Karen so much. I didn't cry when we left each other this time, though. I was close, however!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKo_jgFCX_I/AAAAAAAABaA/pqel0NQt-zk/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKo_jgFCX_I/AAAAAAAABaA/pqel0NQt-zk/s400/Ella+through+16+months+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524297772062367730" /></a><br />Silly little ham bone.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKo_jIfE_rI/AAAAAAAABZ4/M9sgPJ5tofg/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKo_jIfE_rI/AAAAAAAABZ4/M9sgPJ5tofg/s400/Ella+through+16+months+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524297765729140402" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKo_izF2VqI/AAAAAAAABZw/ev2cX1LIKQ8/s1600/Ella+through+16+months+001.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TKo_izF2VqI/AAAAAAAABZw/ev2cX1LIKQ8/s400/Ella+through+16+months+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524297759986177698" /></a><br />Ella is a ham. And I love her. Deperately!<br /><br />We have been on the move and our blog has been neglected....again. So sorry! <br /><br />To start, we ventured to Scituate, Martha's Vineyard and Cape Cod a little over 3 weeks ago and we had a blast! We will begin making this a yearly Francis rendezvous. We met up with my wonderful in-laws, Meghan, Tom and Alex in Scituate (where Scott grew up) for a really great family trip. We had a blast. We never get to spend much time with family for days on end and it was so nice. It really makes us sad that we don't live super close to anyone but we are so thankful for our little family unit and that we get to visit family coast-to-coast. <br /><br />We celebrated Daddy's birthday a little early when I surprised him with a night out on the Cape! We had couples massages at Chatham Bars Inn. Fabbo. We walked around Chatham and had chowda and bloodys. We rested at our B&B, the Carriage House Inn, we went to the most AMAZING dinner at Atlantic 28 at the Wequasset. When I say it was amazing, I mean, seriously, one of the best dinners I have had in years. I cannot wait to go back to the Wequasset. I wish I were the kind of girl who could make summer be a verb, but alas, we will just go back for a long weekend or week long trip. We are not "summering" type of people but boy, if I was, The Wequassett would be my summer destination. Check it out_---> www.wequassett.com<br /><br />We got back from our trip and went directly to the Dave Matthews concert! We had a blast, felt old, waxed nostalgic and were in bed by 12 am. Yep, we are old. How'd we get so old?! It seemed like only yesterday I was picking up Under the Table and Dreaming DMB CD at Disc-Go-Round and playing it NON STOP in my childhood room in Rex, Ga. My life has already gone by too quickly and taking the time to slow down and listen to music that marked a big part of late adolescence/early adulthood was surreal. We had a great time!<br /><br />We headed up both the Francis and Vajda families to make the trek to Goebbert's farm. It was a drive but worth it! The kids had a blast, even if Ella looked tee'd off. For the life of me, she would not look at the camera.<br /><br />Finally, we celebrated Daddy's bday with a cake from...Sweet Mandy B's. I have GOT to find a new place but even if I did, what's the point?! SMBs has the best butter cream frosting in the city. <br /><br />We are still unwinding from our trip to Grand Rapids, MI for Erica and Ryan's wedding. We had the best time. It was quite the trip; it involved road tripping with friends, to me ending up in the ER, to an allergic reaction to said medication given in the ER, detour to South Haven, MI (which is awesome, btw. Chicagoans, when the weather warms, you must make the trip to South Haven), to touring Grand Rapids, to attending the most beautiful wedding of one of my most dear friends. We ended up having the BEST time this weekend; it's not where you are but who you are with that matters. Yes, shameless line from a DMB song, but so true. I am so lucky and blessed to have some really neat people in my life. <br /><br />I will post pics from this weekend tomorrow night (fingers crossed!).<br /><br />XOXO,<br />NicoleNicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-18292501807469280072010-08-29T15:46:00.000-07:002010-08-29T16:34:41.571-07:00So many fun things and not enough time to post...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrojMu4E3I/AAAAAAAABZg/ZoWf2oRRASw/s1600/Ella+through+15+months+012.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrojMu4E3I/AAAAAAAABZg/ZoWf2oRRASw/s400/Ella+through+15+months+012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510972785452127090" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THroitjdRtI/AAAAAAAABZY/Mt8yL0Y4mjM/s1600/Ella+through+15+months+017.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THroitjdRtI/AAAAAAAABZY/Mt8yL0Y4mjM/s400/Ella+through+15+months+017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510972777082734290" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THroh0g_-mI/AAAAAAAABZQ/Y8ADHUB_Rac/s1600/Ella+through+15+months+015.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THroh0g_-mI/AAAAAAAABZQ/Y8ADHUB_Rac/s400/Ella+through+15+months+015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510972761771604578" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrohXsTrSI/AAAAAAAABZI/Xn7fMUgk0lo/s1600/Ella+through+15+months+014.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrohXsTrSI/AAAAAAAABZI/Xn7fMUgk0lo/s400/Ella+through+15+months+014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510972754034404642" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrog6irwuI/AAAAAAAABZA/69anGAJwva8/s1600/Ella+through+15+months+013.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrog6irwuI/AAAAAAAABZA/69anGAJwva8/s400/Ella+through+15+months+013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510972746209411810" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrnEabJk-I/AAAAAAAABY4/QFl7Z7Vnigc/s1600/Ella+through+15+months+010.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrnEabJk-I/AAAAAAAABY4/QFl7Z7Vnigc/s400/Ella+through+15+months+010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510971157039911906" /></a><br />naked greeting party. <br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrnDlNF5UI/AAAAAAAABYw/50eA_MipQeA/s1600/Ella+through+15+months+006.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrnDlNF5UI/AAAAAAAABYw/50eA_MipQeA/s400/Ella+through+15+months+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510971142753871170" /></a><br />A dip in the pool, fully clothed!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrnC797YgI/AAAAAAAABYo/XmCZraKtevg/s1600/Ella+through+15+months+005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrnC797YgI/AAAAAAAABYo/XmCZraKtevg/s400/Ella+through+15+months+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510971131684413954" /></a><br />Momma and Ella dining alfresco. Such a big girl! She fed herself an entire omlet!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrnCNwI5vI/AAAAAAAABYg/OdA5TBKpZbE/s1600/Ella+through+15+months+003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrnCNwI5vI/AAAAAAAABYg/OdA5TBKpZbE/s400/Ella+through+15+months+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510971119278548722" /></a><br />Being a little devil at Ryan Milford's bday! Such a devil, we didn't get a chance to take a pic of the bday boy!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrnBhEO0OI/AAAAAAAABYY/Pmt-RhkpYfg/s1600/Ella+through+15+months+002.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/THrnBhEO0OI/AAAAAAAABYY/Pmt-RhkpYfg/s400/Ella+through+15+months+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510971107283226850" /></a><br />Ella trying to lick blue moon off an empty beer bottle. Shame.<br /><br />Hi all!<br /><br />We are busily winding down our summer here in Chicago and this brings me such sadness. We had the best summer, ever! We had a colic free summer with hot, hot weather which was much welcomed by this displaced southerner. <br /><br />Ella is 15 months old. She is amazing. She is so kind! She is my angel. She is so funny. I could go on, obviously. What our little nugget is up to lately....<br /><br />1. She is counting to 3! Yes, daddy has spent time with her teaching some of her numbers. If you are talking about one ANYTHING, she will follow up with "twooooooooo", "three!" I love it!<br />2. She is saying "no". A lot. If we ask her something, most times, even if it is "do you want chocolate cake for dinner, Ella?", she'd promptly look at us very seriously and say "nooooooo" with her mouth in an O shape. She is quite the drama queen. Most get that from her daddy, no? Ha.<br />3. She loves to love the doggies. She rests her head on them and then kisses them. It warms my heart. Finlay is finally letting her love on him for longer periods of time and without us threatening his life to be still.<br />4. She is RUNNING. She is climbing. She is so curious. She keeps us on our toes.<br /><br /><br />There are many other Ella-isms to report, but after spending the weekend getting her pictures done (thanks, Laura Couture! You are awesome! lauracouturephotgraphy.com), brunching with Erica and spending the afternoon at the pool with our extended family (The Vajdas, of course), I am wiped out! <br /><br />We are headed to the Cape in a little over 1.5 weeks! We are so excited. We are renting a place so that the entire Francis and Fiore clan can shack up for the week. We cannot wait to put on some Lilly P and a Red Sox hat and act like east coasters. <br /><br />We then have the DMB concert the Friday we get back. So many fun plans coming up! We are excited for all the time we are spending with family and those of you who are our family regardless of us not sharing DNA. We love you all! Happy Summer!Nicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-44265692885643541412010-07-13T14:36:00.000-07:002010-07-13T14:56:10.332-07:00Desparately Seeking....blog update time!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzgIWXkLmI/AAAAAAAABYI/f_jHASPp4II/s1600/Home+July+4+2010+016.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzgIWXkLmI/AAAAAAAABYI/f_jHASPp4II/s400/Home+July+4+2010+016.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493512079533157986" /></a><br />Fun in the pool with daddy...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzgH5Y04-I/AAAAAAAABYA/Vog24AiXkHU/s1600/daddy+and+ella+on+deck.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzgH5Y04-I/AAAAAAAABYA/Vog24AiXkHU/s400/daddy+and+ella+on+deck.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493512071753819106" /></a><br />Daddy and Ella playing on the deck....so sweet!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzgHsso0OI/AAAAAAAABX4/FIuXEdqYxho/s1600/ella+laundry+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzgHsso0OI/AAAAAAAABX4/FIuXEdqYxho/s400/ella+laundry+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493512068347252962" /></a><br />Ella just loves helping with the laundry...now, if only she could start pushing a vacccum...<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzfyovd-XI/AAAAAAAABXw/evjBZtmc7Bo/s1600/hudson+galbut"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzfyovd-XI/AAAAAAAABXw/evjBZtmc7Bo/s400/hudson+galbut" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493511706508130674" /></a><br />Baby Galbut!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzfydjvzjI/AAAAAAAABXo/pRjdJACrXPM/s1600/ella+laundry.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzfydjvzjI/AAAAAAAABXo/pRjdJACrXPM/s400/ella+laundry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493511703506177586" /></a><br />More proof of above referenced helpfulness.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzfyMJfocI/AAAAAAAABXg/gOzDJ8feGXw/s1600/ella+loves+elmo.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzfyMJfocI/AAAAAAAABXg/gOzDJ8feGXw/s400/ella+loves+elmo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493511698832662978" /></a><br />Ahh, I heart Elmo.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzfxUafosI/AAAAAAAABXY/YdJQRGvWIjY/s1600/ella+d+13+months.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzfxUafosI/AAAAAAAABXY/YdJQRGvWIjY/s400/ella+d+13+months.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493511683871580866" /></a><br />Becoming somewhat picky?!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzfxKHe8BI/AAAAAAAABXQ/4MA1zRk8Pq8/s1600/ella+d+sleeping.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TDzfxKHe8BI/AAAAAAAABXQ/4MA1zRk8Pq8/s400/ella+d+sleeping.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493511681107488786" /></a><br />Stupid hand, foot, mouth disease!<br /><br />Hi All, <br /><br />It has been brought to my attention, ahem, that I have been negligent in posting. Yes, dear readers, I have been and for this, I am sorry! <br /><br />Where does one begin? We have had, in the following order:<br /><br />1. Becky's shower! I still need to post pictures- these pictures are trapped in my mother-in-law's camera. I will post as soon as Peggy masters the uploading process.<br />2. Birth of Hudson MacKenzie Galbut- our new nephew! He is perfect and precious. Baby and momma are doing well. Momma could use more sleep, honey, I feel your pain! Picture of Hudson below.<br />3. Impromptu trip to Atlanta for the 4th. We needed to get down south to check on a few things and spend time with Gram and E-Pa. Nice to escape the cit-ay.<br />4. Double Date this past Saturday- so fun! We got to hang out with the Lonardos on Saturday night and had a blast. Can't wait to do it again.<br /><br />Nothing to do substantive this weekend which is fabbo. A little R&R is just what we need after a crazy past 2 months! Ella is just getting over hand, foot and mouth disease. Yuck. We are healed and looking forward to laying low.<br /><br />Loves and kisses, <br />Nicole and EllaNicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-45853485612881480642010-06-10T10:23:00.000-07:002010-06-10T10:28:12.028-07:004 years and counting.....<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TBEgYXGIJsI/AAAAAAAABXI/fUCJxkyMJ0E/s1600/wedding.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TBEgYXGIJsI/AAAAAAAABXI/fUCJxkyMJ0E/s400/wedding.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481197824375269058" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TBEgYHtqo0I/AAAAAAAABXA/xoa94BtVaNc/s1600/wedding+4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TBEgYHtqo0I/AAAAAAAABXA/xoa94BtVaNc/s400/wedding+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481197820246139714" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TBEgXgG6XZI/AAAAAAAABW4/aqx1jT_8-lU/s1600/wedding+3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TBEgXgG6XZI/AAAAAAAABW4/aqx1jT_8-lU/s400/wedding+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481197809614609810" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TBEgXVSy-pI/AAAAAAAABWw/JKt6qs-y5QE/s1600/wedding+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TBEgXVSy-pI/AAAAAAAABWw/JKt6qs-y5QE/s400/wedding+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481197806711667346" /></a><br /><br />I married my best friend 4 years ago today. It is amazing to me how I could become so lucky. Scott Francis is the sweetest, most amazing boy I have ever met and the fact that I am married to him and get to spend all of the days of my life with him blow me away. <br /><br />To the best daddy, friend, love, husband I could ever ask for- Happy 4 years, baby! I can't imagine anyone else I'd rather go on this roller coaster with.<br /><br />All my love, <br />NicNicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-33195362763125657432010-06-08T10:20:00.000-07:002010-06-08T10:31:06.287-07:00Weekend Festivities...We really didn't do much of anything this past weekend which was phenomenal seeing as how life has been so flipping busy lately! I am going to make a real effort to slow things down a bit for the rest of the summer.....we will see how this goes...<br /><br />We went to dinner to our favorite place, Rose Angelis, this past weekend. Ella was so stinking good at dinner. I swear, she is just a sweetie. She flirted and smiled at everyone and is now doing a little beauty pageant wave. It's perfect form which scares me slightly. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TA5-Es5WLbI/AAAAAAAABWg/YdI71Th_3ow/s1600/ella+at+dinner.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 221px; height: 166px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TA5-Es5WLbI/AAAAAAAABWg/YdI71Th_3ow/s400/ella+at+dinner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480456415792737714" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TA5-ENgZOKI/AAAAAAAABWY/Q277i2BZtM0/s1600/ella+at+dinner+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 166px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TA5-ENgZOKI/AAAAAAAABWY/Q277i2BZtM0/s400/ella+at+dinner+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480456407366580386" /></a><br /><br />She is also getting more and more adventurous, a little more sassy and sweeter by the day. She is into EVERYTHING and is such a thrill seeker. She loves to be a tease us while "walking" only to throw her hands up as if she is on a roller coaster ride and then throw herself into/onto whoever happen to be present. It might be me, Daddy's or Finlay, but our girl is determined to have fun whatever she is doing. <br /><br />When I stop to think of how innocently and freely children look at life, it really is inspiring. The fact that Ella throws up her hands up to crash into someone or something, all with a huge smile and teethy grin, it makes me stop and think of life and how precious it is. We should look at every opportunity as a chance to throw caution to the wind,throw our hands up and laugh. There are so many things we have to be grateful for....<br /><br />I will jump off my soapbox now! I hope all of you are having a fabulous week!<br /><br />We are off to Phoenix for the weekend to help host a baby shower for Aunt Becky! We will have lots of fun pictures to post next week...<br /><br />xoxo,<br />Francis FamilyNicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1182044035046833301.post-87622342637985831762010-06-02T18:09:00.000-07:002010-06-03T06:58:33.915-07:00Ella turns ONE!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAe09xvEvyI/AAAAAAAABV4/kphk4jP-QFo/s1600/Ella+and+cake.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAe09xvEvyI/AAAAAAAABV4/kphk4jP-QFo/s400/Ella+and+cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478546445135298338" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAe09i6DtxI/AAAAAAAABVw/UIxF824MzxQ/s1600/ella+and+cake+2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAe09i6DtxI/AAAAAAAABVw/UIxF824MzxQ/s400/ella+and+cake+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478546441154836242" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcKojgtQWI/AAAAAAAABVo/FIrxJQb-ePQ/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+084.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcKojgtQWI/AAAAAAAABVo/FIrxJQb-ePQ/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478359163562967394" /></a><br />Kayla's Birthday Celebration<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcKoLhB0bI/AAAAAAAABVg/9MRN4bDgIds/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+083.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcKoLhB0bI/AAAAAAAABVg/9MRN4bDgIds/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+083.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478359157121864114" /></a><br />Pool time....<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcKnoMBcBI/AAAAAAAABVY/1-cRU7N6zYE/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+077.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcKnoMBcBI/AAAAAAAABVY/1-cRU7N6zYE/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+077.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478359147638517778" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcKnMt3UGI/AAAAAAAABVQ/_-eItLx7fiE/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+059.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcKnMt3UGI/AAAAAAAABVQ/_-eItLx7fiE/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+059.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478359140264267874" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcKAk9lnVI/AAAAAAAABVI/lKKViFx46d8/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+058.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcKAk9lnVI/AAAAAAAABVI/lKKViFx46d8/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478358476757769554" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJ_vIlvPI/AAAAAAAABVA/k8RjEhwE-_M/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+041.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJ_vIlvPI/AAAAAAAABVA/k8RjEhwE-_M/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478358462308400370" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJ_ElXC6I/AAAAAAAABU4/MkmKFoZDizo/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+039.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJ_ElXC6I/AAAAAAAABU4/MkmKFoZDizo/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478358450886347682" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJ-r8ttnI/AAAAAAAABUw/3HZEusQcrQo/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+036.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJ-r8ttnI/AAAAAAAABUw/3HZEusQcrQo/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478358444273415794" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJ-B4IE3I/AAAAAAAABUo/nhlhVKEvp90/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+040.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJ-B4IE3I/AAAAAAAABUo/nhlhVKEvp90/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478358432979882866" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJUFH33CI/AAAAAAAABUg/WK78-YSZQQM/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+034.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJUFH33CI/AAAAAAAABUg/WK78-YSZQQM/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478357712296729634" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJTeeSvRI/AAAAAAAABUY/_TlJGCNd6tY/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+030.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJTeeSvRI/AAAAAAAABUY/_TlJGCNd6tY/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478357701921783058" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJTJF4YcI/AAAAAAAABUQ/XvODjQV94lA/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+031.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJTJF4YcI/AAAAAAAABUQ/XvODjQV94lA/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478357696182247874" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJSo85M-I/AAAAAAAABUI/oazqSRS7dlg/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+025.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJSo85M-I/AAAAAAAABUI/oazqSRS7dlg/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+025.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478357687554618338" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJSce8EzI/AAAAAAAABUA/n3CTSOaCLWc/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+023.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcJSce8EzI/AAAAAAAABUA/n3CTSOaCLWc/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478357684207751986" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcIimoj_GI/AAAAAAAABT4/X4Y3NJFtqZw/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+015.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcIimoj_GI/AAAAAAAABT4/X4Y3NJFtqZw/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+015.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478356862298750050" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcIiFjVtZI/AAAAAAAABTw/WTKV2xFaykI/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+013.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcIiFjVtZI/AAAAAAAABTw/WTKV2xFaykI/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478356853418472850" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcIhuoOLoI/AAAAAAAABTo/sO-y_-cvxwE/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+008.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcIhuoOLoI/AAAAAAAABTo/sO-y_-cvxwE/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478356847264935554" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcIheL4o7I/AAAAAAAABTg/yXlJkc4qIvo/s1600/Ella+through+1+year!+005.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcIheL4o7I/AAAAAAAABTg/yXlJkc4qIvo/s400/Ella+through+1+year!+005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478356842851115954" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcIg3xdW5I/AAAAAAAABTY/1gx4X9lY1jU/s1600/Ella+through+1+year+054.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcIg3xdW5I/AAAAAAAABTY/1gx4X9lY1jU/s400/Ella+through+1+year+054.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478356832539728786" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcH3My6-SI/AAAAAAAABTQ/Th_dAgrgyWQ/s1600/Ella+through+1+year+053.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcH3My6-SI/AAAAAAAABTQ/Th_dAgrgyWQ/s400/Ella+through+1+year+053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478356116628502818" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcH223JaDI/AAAAAAAABTI/DVb_aXa5GTk/s1600/Ella+through+1+year+049.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcH223JaDI/AAAAAAAABTI/DVb_aXa5GTk/s400/Ella+through+1+year+049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478356110740645938" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcH2JmNhsI/AAAAAAAABTA/bg3VaJAGikI/s1600/Ella+through+1+year+047.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcH2JmNhsI/AAAAAAAABTA/bg3VaJAGikI/s400/Ella+through+1+year+047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478356098590017218" /></a><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcH1gvU39I/AAAAAAAABS4/6PY1McQ1uSc/s1600/Ella+through+1+year+045.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcH1gvU39I/AAAAAAAABS4/6PY1McQ1uSc/s400/Ella+through+1+year+045.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478356087622393810" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcH1XXjLGI/AAAAAAAABSw/6DK_89JUQK4/s1600/Ella+through+1+year+042.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcH1XXjLGI/AAAAAAAABSw/6DK_89JUQK4/s400/Ella+through+1+year+042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478356085106748514" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcGaYIMTUI/AAAAAAAABSA/jJdSFC8n6Fc/s1600/Ella+through+1+year+014.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcGaYIMTUI/AAAAAAAABSA/jJdSFC8n6Fc/s400/Ella+through+1+year+014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478354521942674754" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcGZiWdzjI/AAAAAAAABR4/wyV_QcyRD4Y/s1600/Ella+through+1+year+007.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcGZiWdzjI/AAAAAAAABR4/wyV_QcyRD4Y/s400/Ella+through+1+year+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478354507507027506" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcGZGDBlBI/AAAAAAAABRw/6-3T6HcVh9Y/s1600/Ella+through+1+year+006.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcGZGDBlBI/AAAAAAAABRw/6-3T6HcVh9Y/s400/Ella+through+1+year+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478354499909293074" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcGYnX5RSI/AAAAAAAABRo/hylB_LedkJo/s1600/Ella+through+1+year+003.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcGYnX5RSI/AAAAAAAABRo/hylB_LedkJo/s400/Ella+through+1+year+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478354491675329826" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcGYUM80QI/AAAAAAAABRg/3yp7uRnLviI/s1600/Ella+through+1+year+002.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JDFthC-CCdg/TAcGYUM80QI/AAAAAAAABRg/3yp7uRnLviI/s400/Ella+through+1+year+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478354486529151234" /></a><br />Well, the inevitable finally happened and my little baby that we took home from the hospital, all of us wary and a little scared, made it one full year. I still cannot believe that we made it. Unscathed and hopelessly in love with a sassy blonde that cannot get enough of hide and seek and tormenting Finlay.<br /><br />She is everything to us. I am eternally grateful to be her mom and to also be Scott's wife. God is so good to me!<br /><br />Before I get into the party, I must touch on the amazing wedding of Kadee and Ryan. We were honored to attend and take part in such a special day! The bride was gorgeous, the venue was amazing, the band was fabulous and the wine was abundant. What more could one hope for whilst attending a wedding? Oh, yes. Fireworks. Fireworks on the beach of Sea Island. Yes, that capped off a fun night out for us. <br /><br />Ella, of course, got a raging ear infection while we were in St. Simons! We have the world's worst luck when traveling and keeping everyone not violently ill! What is that about? Well, after a trip to the ER and a round of antibiotics later, she is better (knock on wood!)and we vow to get those ears checked out RIGHT before we take off next time. <br /><br />Ella's birthday was fabulous. She didn;t have as many friends there because of the Memorial Day weekend (wow, how'd I miss that when I started planning MONTHS ago?!), however, we had such a fun group for the birthday that included both sets of grandparents, Uncle Clint, Auntie A AND her cousin, Grayce. How very special and grateful are we that they made the trip! <br /><br />Her party was awash in pink and green and bird themed trinkets. We had a ton of food and lots of booze. Note to my sweet blog readers: when serving a fun wine cocktail and serve it in fun mason jars, label it. Like, have a 21 with an X through it or SOMETHING. A sweet 3 year old got a little more than she bargained for when taking a swig. Yes, next time I host a kid friendly party, I will make doubly sure that kids have their own virgin cocktails and that I label alcoholic beverages. Kid party throwing novice. Total rookie mistake. <br /><br />Ella didn't quite know what to do with the cake! She pushed our hands away and started whining at one point b/c she was over us shoving something in her face. Once Scott successfully shoved icing into her mouth, she loved it. So much in fact, she shoved her entire face into it!<br /><br />The cake was adorable and a 3D bird adorned the top of the cake. For those who haven't been, Bleeding Heart Bakery is the best bakery ever! So many organic and vegan choices. I just LOVED what they did for our smash cake. Ella is still eating it.<br /><br />For Ella's actual birthday, we ventured out into the grey skies that threatened rain to go to the Shedd. Geniuses that we are, we forgot an umbrella! We made it there just as the bottom fell out. We tried to wait it out but it never let up. We made it to the nature museum instead. <br /><br />The butterfly exhibit was awesome! Ella loved watching the butterflies flutter around. All the excitement wore her out so we headed home for a nap and then later cruised to Target in her new wheels. She loves them. Thanks, Aunt Becky and Uncle Keith!<br /><br />I am so sorry for the delinquency of my postings! I am crazy busy lately. We are not planning on doing much at all this weekend save for a date night. Can't wait!<br /><br />xoxo muffins. Thanks for popping in for the past year to check on us and for all of your love and support. We love you all.<br /><br /><br />-NicoleNicole Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10716394664956233513noreply@blogger.com0