First day of Kindergarten

I don't want to forget to put up a few pictures of Cali's first day of school. She started school on August 3rd.

Just look how cute she is all ready for school. I can't believe how big and little she looks at the same time. She is such a sweet five year old and I must say very smart. Totally ready for kindergarten, but look how small she is next to some of the other kids. What is a mother to do, my only little girl is growing up and heading out into the world. Lets just hope that with three brothers she will learn to take care of herself, and if she doesn't, anyone that messes with her will regret it!

Getting ready to go

Her backpack goes down to her knees.

Goodbye brother.

Her teacher Mrs. Morris

Are these kids giants or something?

Kwintons Arrival

Quick pre-story: So, as some people know we have had a few bumps in this pregnancy. Around 25 weeks the Dr.s discovered that Kwinton's belly wasn't growing really well. It was around the 17th%. So we watched him pretty close for a while, thinking that a steroid might be necessary to help his lungs and heart develop just in case he needed to come out early. Well, at 32 weeks his stomach had bumped up to the 25th%. This made the Dr.s comfortable enough to rule out steroids and just continue on with the pregnancy. Note: 32 weeks is the last chance to do a steroid. So no turning back now! Well, 3 short weeks later at yet another ultrasound Kwinton's stomach had taken a dive into the 7th%. The ultrasound also showed that the placenta was calcifying and the umbilical cord was working too hard. So now we are at 35 weeks and just hoping that we can keep him happy for about 3 more weeks then get him OUT. Needless to say, I spent much of my time at my Dr.s office getting him checked 3 days a week, to make sure he wasn't showing any signs of stress. Also checking the umbilical cord every week to make sure he was getting enough oxygen. He wasn't stressed but I sure was.

Delivery Day: So knowing full well that my body had never actually gone into labor on its own I had no expectation that I would this time. The plan was to induce somewhere around August 18th. Well, the morning of August 8th the plan changed!

The contractions woke me up just after midnight, they didn't really hurt but they were pretty consistent. About 6-8 min. apart. So I got what sleep that I could (which was none, I couldn't stop looking at the clock every time I had one to check the minutes). Around 8:00am we decided we had better go into the hospital to get checked. At this point the contractions were still not painful just consistent, so I am thinking false labor, but because of the "high risk" pregnancy we decide it is better to be safe. So we dropped off the kids, picked up my mom, and we were off.

Then the waiting began.......

My mom and Kwinton took me on an hour long walk around the hospital to see if wee could move things along a little.

SHOWTIME!!!!

Around 5:00 Kwinton, Angie and my mom left me to go get themselves some dinner. I tried to rest but around 5:45 I stared feeling very painful contractions on the right side of my body. The epidural was only taking on half of my body because I was laying on my side. I called the nurse in to help me roll over and this is where things get fuzzy. After rolling me over the nurse decided to push the button on my epidural to give me some more medicine. Hoping it would now go to the other half of my body. Well, it did work........the problem is that my little body did not like that much drugs in my system. My blood pressure instantly dropped and my head went into a fog. The anesthesiologist was back in the room in seconds and he was immediately shooting something else into my IV and putting oxygen on me. During all of this commotion my family returned from dinner along with my dad and Meg. So now we have a packed house and I am out of it! In a few minutes my brain started coming back to me and I realized I was now feeling no pain but A LOT of pressure. The nurse quickly checked and said don't move the baby is right here let me grab the Dr.

I told my dad and Meg that this was going to be quick and if they wanted to stay in the room they were welcome to.

One contraction later we had our little boy!

Kwinton Jeffrey Franc was born at 6:27 p.m.

August 8th, 2010

A very surprising 6 lb. 1 oz.

A very short 17 1/2 inches

The NICU nurses came in to give him a quick look over, and he was just perfect!

Family Tradition!!!

The 24th of July is by far one of my favorite holidays. Summer heat, good food, family, friends, horse shoes, playing in the creek, parades. I have spent every 24th of July weekend that I can remember at my families cabin . From the time I was a kid up until raising kids of my own.

This year did not disappoint! Although being 8 months pregnant wasn't the ideal way of spending the weekend it turned out to be GREAT! I got to relax the weekend away while watching the kids play. Everyone was super helpful with my kids and of course Kwinton was there to take care of everything.

We got there Thursday evening and dad started on a few projects. (With Cole's help)

Apparently Cole had a few last minute phone calls to make.

The guys got up Friday morning and started setting up the BROKEN canopy. Thinking that with enough man power the could get it up.

That right folks it is being held together with sticks and duct tape. (Who in there right mind would sit under this death trap?)

This is the moment that they admit their defeat and decide to put up the BRAND NEW canopy that Kwinton brought up instead.

The rest of Friday the kids spent in the creek going down the "water ride" that the dads always build for them. This year Les got up there early and spend countless hours moving rocks and building a damn. It turned out great!

A ride on the alligator!

A ride in the pirate ship!

A ride on the tube!

Sierra had just fallen off the alligator. But Samuel was enjoying himself!

Go Emma!

Jarom was catching little tadpoles in a cup.

A little help through the deep water.

I'm not sure what he's doing, but he sure is cute.

Time to dry off.

Saturday morning the kids got dressed up for the parade!

The theme this year was Wild West!

I realize this is sideways, but if you think that I have any clue how to turn it the right way then you don't know me very well. Just tilt you head!

The boys were all sheriffs.

Look at what we've created.

This here is the finest parade you will ever go to. It last about two minutes start to finish, you come out with a few treats, and it has the cutes kids you'll ever see. That is my kind of parade!!

The kids all decorated their own bikes Friday night.

Cali and Hannah were a little slow but they made sure to stop and throw me some candy!

Cole walked right over and handed me some candy, he must know I don't like to bend over right now!

Grandpa always has to wear some ridiculous outfit. I love it!

The kids played games and won prizes!

Sherrie made these cute wanted posters that were hanging all around in the trees.

And last but not least Kwinton took second place in the horseshoe tournament. He was beat by my cousin Les. This isn't the first time Kwinton has taken second place to Les. I think we have a rivalry brewing here.