Big News!

Jeff and I are thrilled to announce Baby #2 is on the way!  He or she will make their arrival early November and we feel extremely blessed!  I am happy to be approaching the end of the first trimester.  With the end of the first trimester, I hope it will be the end of lots of sickness too (I will spare you the details). 

So cool that we are able to see so many details so early (profile pic of the face also showing 2 arms and 2 legs!).  I cannot wait to meet this little guy or gal! 

Tyler got to make the announcement over Easter weekend with his t-shirt stating "I am the BIG BROTHER!

As you can see in the picture, Tyler did not cooperate much with the photos but with Aunt Maggie's persistent help everyone got the message.  Aunt Maggie was very troubled when family members did not pay attention to the shirt as she and Kyle were the first to figure it out.  (Our parents already knew.)

Here is Tyler texting with his new phone.  He didn't get the significance of the shirt - other than it had a "choo choo" on it.  He does love to say "baby" over and over again so we will see how excited he will be when the baby actually arrives.  I can remember when my mom and dad brought Kyle home from the hospital (I was almost 3).   I was excited until he peed in my face...then I requested they take him back.  Kyle, needless to say - I am glad we kept you! :)

Only 6 more months to go... Baby Francis #2 will be here before we know it! 

Happy Easter!

We had a great Easter weekend!   It was full of lots of great family time, plenty of eggs and of course the perfect reason for the celebration - Christ the Lord is Risen [Today]!  (I love that hymn!)

Krista and Patty help Tyler dye eggs...sort of.   Patty's face says it perfectly because Tyler wanted to THROW the egg into the dye.  Tyler didn't really get dying eggs but he loved to look at them when they were finished.  Very pretty (I didn't get that photo)!

On Saturday we braved the weather to participate in an Easter egg hunt and carnival celebration.  It wasn't raining when we arrived, but Tyler was dressed with his rain boots and Carhartt jacket - just like dad!  Tyler loved watching the kids at the bubble table... "bubble, bubble, bubble."  He doesn't quite get the concept of blowing them but he loves to watch them float away. 

Next it was on to the ball pit.  

He was pretty funny as he simply sat down and "counted" the balls moving them from his right side into a large pile on his left side. He might have slight OCD like his mother. ;)

The large parachute was pretty exciting too.  Uncle Kyle and Aunt Maggie arrived for the fun of this activity.  See the cute kid with the Mizzou jacket on...Tyler went over and gave him a hug.  Priceless!  I am so glad he knows how to pick great friends!

Of course, 10 minutes before the start of the egg hunt, it started to rain.  Oh, well!  Like Kyle said - "it's just water."  I am sad to say this is the only photo I got of the egg hunt.  My dad got much better ones so I will have to get a hold of his camera to post some of his pics.  It took Tyler a while to get the concept, but with a little coaching from Uncle Kyle, he started picking up two and three eggs at a time.  In this photo he simply decided to sit in the muddy lawn and play with the grass. 

Here are all the eggs he collected.  (The shopping bag was a much more practical egg holder than the basket.)  Way to go Tyler!

Tyler was also spoiled with lots of baskets full of goodies over the weekend.  

His wonderful sitter, Eileen, gave him this cute basket that included a shirt, some books a few pieces of candy.  We have are so thankful to have a wonderful, sweet sitter for Tyler.

He got a great basket from Grandma and Grandpa Zick with books, cookies, a new swimming suit, a new cell phone (Tyler looks just like he is texting with it), a car and a choo-choo. 

Grandma and Grandpa Francis got him a basket too with a Weebles bus, a new outfit, books and goldfish but he had it all out before I could grab my camera to snap a photo!

The Easter bunny made a trip to our house too and brought not only a basket with some Play-Doh but a shopping cart with a new baseball bat and ball, an Elmo movie and of course some new books.   He has since been loading up all his balls in the cart and pushing them around the house.   

I wish I would have gotten a better photo of his face when he rounded the corner on Easter morning.  He was so excited to see a new ball!  It is the simple things in life.

We are truly blessed to have spent the weekend with our families to celebrate! 

Happy Easter! 



We love Spring!

Tyler and I have been enjoying lots of time outside.  From walks around the neighborhood to afternoons at the park to simply swinging in the backyard and riding his bike, he often stands at the back door to the deck or the back garage door saying "mama, side?" (for outside). 

We often walk to Grandmas and on this trip Tyler make a mad dash for the ducks saying "quack, quack" all the way through the yard. 

 Grandma had to hold him back from physically touching/attacking the ducks.  This kid has no fear!

He got away and off he went.

Looking guilty after stealing Mommy's strawberry shake.

Tyler is so lucky to have family members who love to be outside with him too! 

Last Tuesday he got to go a park with GG (Great-Grandma Wood) and Great Aunt Sandy.

I love this one!

Good luck with the piggy-back since Tyler doesn't hold on very well.  :)

Taking a break to play in the leaves.

Another break to have a drink with GG.

His expression is priceless.

The day at the park wore him out!

This past Sunday, we took yet another opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather and went to the "squishy park."

Climbing up to the big slide all by himself. 

Daddy was shaking the bridge for him and he thought it was so cool!

We will be loading up on the sunscreen for a great Summer! 

I am so excited - sandbox and swimming pool here we come!