HERE SHE IS... MISS ELIZABETH!

Mommy BEFORE Mommy, Elizabeth, and BIG BROTHER TJ

Finally, the long awaited Franklin Princess has arrived. We are so happy to have her in our family. She is definitely related to TJ. TJ is loving being 3 and a big brother. His first words to Elizabeth were, "Hi, baby Wisabef, I am TJ your big brother!" He has not stopped wanting to kiss and hold and hug her. If no one is holding her and he doesn't see her... he gets to asking where she is. He does love her so. We are looking forward to all of you getting a chance to meet her in person. She sure is loved so much. So far things are going as can be expected. She is learning to sleep at night with the help of her daddy, and a little bit of formula. For those of you who didn't get the details, she was born at 6:30 pm on the dot on 6/18/08 (4 days after our anniversary and 4 days before TJ's birthday). She weighed in at 6lbs 10.5oz and was 19.5in long. She is a tiny one. Maybe she will take after her namesake "Dawn". Who knows? Thank you so much for all the love, calls, and emails. They are appreciated.


Love to you all,

The Franklin Family
Tyler, Maria, TJ, and Elizabeth


TJ and Elizabeth Daddy and his Princess

Happy Anniversary Casadei & Betsy!

We love you both and are so glad to be family!Happy Anniversay!
June 28th

A New Look To the Old Hall Way

Well as all of you know, Dad and I have been so busy with the hallway and getting the carpet re-stretched and having tile laid. It isn't finished just yet but it is coming right along. It has been wild around here. I know I sent some pictures of the remodeling but someone suggested I put them on the blog so here goes. I hope you can see and appreciate the hard worked that is going on. Love, Oma

Baseball Star Kate

OK...maybe not a star, but she does have a big heart!

More to come...

Pickin' Blackberries

We picked blackberries about a week ago.

Clair was not one bit interested in picking...

Bowen (once again) got picking and eating mixed up!

Kate was my only helper!

Once home, I put Bowen and (a very grouchy) Clair down for a nap.

Kate helped me make one run of jam ...with a little left over for blackberry cobbler next time Oma & Opa come to visit!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TJ MAN!

I had to get in on this posting pics of "little" TJ, too!

Happy BIrthday TJ

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday dear TJ!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy Cows Are Actually From South Carolina!

We took the boys to Happy Cow Creamery and let them see the moo cows. One mother had just given birth and there was another in heavy labor. We met another family who was waiting for the second cow to give birth and we talked to them for a while. One of their kids (about 12 years old) played with the boys and taught them how to play peek-a-boo. Alex is so funny when he does it. He covers his eyes and uncovers them very quickly. There's not even enough time to say "peek-a-boo."

Alex and Ben get up close and personal w/ the cows. Alex (of course) says "BYE!"

The Mommy cow w/ her new calf.

Alex plays "Peek-A-Boo" with his new friend.

No Baby... Y ET!

So today was THE day or SUPPOSED to be the day, but you know how life is with kids... there is NO schedule. TJ woke up yesterday and I just knew he was sick, I had that mother's intuition thing and I was in denial all day. Around 7pm when he still wouldn't eat and had received 3 doses of Motrin with no help, we opted to take him to the Doc. He kept saying he had a Frog in his throat. Well, he didn't really have a frog, but Strep!!! Yeah for us! So, I decided that I wouldn't pawn my kid off on someone since I don't HAVE to have Elizabeth today, just WANT her today. So we are hanging out and I am cleaning, wiping everything down. Yeah for me! Just thought I would let you all know... pics of Elizabeth are coming... eventually!

Love to you all

Maria (still pregers)

I Wonder What Will Happen If I..........

Ben and Alex are in a "destructive" phase. Roz, Maria, Mom.....does this ever end? Today they decided to "destroy" a full box of tissues that I carelessly left within their reach!

Coming soon to a blog near you...

PICTURES OF OUR NEWEST BRIGHT FAMILY MEMBER...

Miss. ELIZABETH!

Maria and Tyler, good luck tomorrow! I know you will be in all of our thoughts & prayers!

We love you guys and can't wait to see the newest angel on the block!

Summertime...and the living is easy!

So our first official day of summer vacation (yesterday) was a blast!

We got up and went to breakfast at the Waffle House (as per Kate's request!). It was yummy but my kids drank so much chocolate milk that they didn't eat any of their breakfast! (Except Bowen who ate nearly the entire waffle as big as a dinner plate!)

Then we went to Wal Mart and the kids got to pick out new pool towels! I was able to talk two of the three down from the more expensive trademarked character towels, so I was pleased!

When we got home we put on sun screen and swimsuits and went down to the pool for a couplehours! We had lots of fun and got a little sun kissed!

Once we got home we ate lunch and Bowen went down for a nap. The girls were excited to start on their summer workbooks! So while I did the dishes from lunch and cleaned up the kitchen they did a little work! Kate also practiced her piano! Then we read a couple chapters from our Narnia book!

After Bowen woke up we went to the library and signed up for summer reading! Kate also got her very own library card. She was proud and poor Clair was so sad she couldn't get one. I promised to bring her ON her birthday to get one!

Next we stopped by to see the cousins Alex and Ben. We stayed just for a second cuz Aunt KT had to be somewhere!

Then we went and got some dinner...sushi for mom, teriaky rice and stake bowl for Kate, and McD's for Clair and Bowen! We brought the food home and ate and then took baths and read some more Narnia and a few of our new books from the library!

It was a great day!

Clair in the spot light!

Clair had her final "Big show" at Little Gym yesterday since it was the end of the term! She got to perform for everyone and did such an awesome job! Here are some pics!

After their routines, they got to take their families around and show them their favorite things to do!

Then they got medals! Clair was SO proud of her little medal! she even wanted to wear it to bed!