Paloma is 5 months!

Five months old, and the happiest baby I have ever met.
Paloma is eating solids now like a champ, and lights up everytime Solon walks in the room. She absolutely ADORES Quincy & Forrest, and laughs when I sing pirate songs from The Backyardigans. She has a really cute laugh. Paloma is exploring with her mouth - everything goes there first - and her newest trick is taking off her socks and trying to eat her feet. She is so cool. Solon and I have been truly blessed with our little family.

As usual, life hasn't slowed down for us. May began with my Aunt Nancy, Uncle Bill, and cousins Darcy & Kerry coming from Pittsburgh to visit. I LOVE THIS FAMILY. I enjoy every second I get to spend with them. My cousins are so beautiful and talented, and it makes me so happy to see them.
Aunt Nancy & Darcy meeting Paloma for the first time

Kerry Quinn!

Darcy Leigh!

The Jacobs' & Shaffners

Love these girls!

Paloma and her great-grandma Mama Mimi

My awesome aunt & uncle


We did a lot of celebrating for Kellan's 4th birthday with 2 parties and dinner out with all the family.

Kellan had a super-hero birthday party that I made a dessert table for - it was so much fun!


The kids had a blast in the bounce house


Our friend MaryAnn took these amazing pics



Paloma hanging with her Uncle Natan & Aunt Larel


She even got a [fake] super-hero tattoo


Playdate with Oren


Lisa (& Tony) came to town at the end of May to see us

And then flew back with us to Seattle where we visited for Memorial weekend.
We went on the Duck Tour & had a awesome tour guide


The floating house from Sleepless in Seattle!! (my favorite movie)

Everything in Seattle is so lush & colorful.

Lisa & Tony have the most beautiful flowers by their house, so I took advantage of the beautiful weather & snapped some pics of Paloma.



Quincy had so much fun, and got so tired that he fell asleep on the living room floor - he has NEVER done that before!

The other purpose of our trip to Seattle was to attend Vince & Anjie Giovannetti's wedding. Vince & Solon played football at Drake, and Solon was totally honored when Vince asked him to be the officiant and perform the ceremony! He did a FABULOUS job.


Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Giovannetti

Mr. & Mrs. Solon Bell

Elvis impersonators (me & the groom's father)


Drake Bulldogs - Randy, Vince, Luke & Solon

More fun on Grandma Lisa's patio

This is almost the whole group

We got lucky on the flight back - it wasn't full - so Paloma was able to sleep in her car seat which we put in front of Quincy's seat. This way he wouldn't be kicking the back of another passenger's seat.



It wasn't easy traveling with 2 kids (mainly b/c of all their stuff), but we did it, TWICE, in the span of 5 weeks, and I must say that we have it down now. We feel so fortunate to have been able to spend time with our family, and have our children in good hands while we had a little couple time. And we couldn't have asked for better weather. It was the most beautiful we had ever experienced while in Seattle. And Solon's wish was to have seafood EVERY DAY that we were there, and we fulfilled that wish! The food was wonderful!

Since then, we have just been laying low, and now trying desperately to beat the heat.

Here are some extra pics from the month:










Life is good.