NEW ADDITION!!!

This morning in San Diego, CA. our family welcomed a new addition. Makenna Rae Stelzner was born to Dan's oldest sister and her husband, making their total score Girls: 4 Boys: 1....sorry Mike, it looks like you're out numbered! Makenna joins sisters Elissa and Kira and is the 8th grandchild for Dan's parents. She weighed in at 8lbs. 14 oz and has a beautiful head of dark brown hair. Mommy and baby are doing well, other than being a little tired =) Stelzner family, we love you and we are so excited to meet our new, precious niece!

"Children are a reward from the Lord" Psalm 127:3

Thanksgiving in Nashville

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

It was a quiet Thanksgiving Day, with just the 5 of us, but we had a great time! Due to a major dip in our temperatures, the morning started off with Hot Chocolate and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Around 10:00am the cooking began! Everyone helped to make homemade apple pie, turkey, potatoes, veggies and (a Francis Family Tradition) Sweet Potatoes with Pecans. Dan and Daniel did some serious male bonding while watching the football games and Savannah created beautiful name cards for everyone at the table. McKayla, in the spirit of Rachel Ray (her favorite), spent most of the day with J cooking in the kitchen. (Her uncle Chef Ben would be proud!) We missed all of you in California but one of the joys of being a young family is beginning our own traditions! Here are a few photos of our festive celebration ( Yes, even one of Diego, the wonder dog, who thoroughly enjoyed the post-Thanksgiving scraps!). We hope your day was blessed!

Celebrations of Thanksgiving!

"Give Thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love endures Forever!" Psalm 136:1

What an awesome blessing we have this week to celebrate all of the gifts for which we are thankful. No matter what situation we find ourselves in, we all have something for which to be thankful. Perhaps it is family or friends, a great job, wonderful weather, our children or grandchildren and, of course, an awesome God who loves us eternally! Many are blessed enough to give thanks for all of these things. Something our family is thankful for is all of you, we are so grateful for your influence in our lives. Each of you plays a significant role and we pray that God blesses you beyond all measure this Thanksgiving! We love you.

Here are a few pictures of the girls' Thanksgiving celebrations at school this morning. For Savannah's class today was all about Native Americans and tomorrow will be all about Pilgrims! McKayla's class dressed up and performed some holiday songs, then enjoyed a feast with the Moms and Dads. It was such a fun time with both girls!
Hope you enjoy the photos.

Happy Birthday McKayla!

Today I'm 4!!
Thank you for all of your calls, emails, text messages and birthday wishes. You all made the day very special for me.

We started the day at church with all of my Sunday School friends. Then my family and I opened presents (including a really cool "Webkinz" from my big sister!). There are a couple other pictures of me with my new roller skates and my Hot Pink ATV from Meemaw.....awesome!!!

After naptime, our family went to Chuck E Cheese's where we played games and ate birthday cake. It was really fun. Hope you all enjoy the pictures from my special day....I wish you all could have been here. I love you....hugs and kisses, McKayla.