Getting SO BIG!

Vivi has been very busy growing up this month. We have eight days left in the month but so far in May she has:

Started feeding herself cereal

Begun waving and saying "Hi"

Learned how to clap

Begun babbling "Mama" and "Dada" while looking at Will and me

Pulled herself up in her crib and playpen

Learned "SO BIG" from Grandma Shutters

Started waking Will up by tapping, actually slapping is more like it, his head

The way she's going, I'm sure she will pull out some new tricks before the month's out.

Man, That Mindy is Talented!

Mindy Myers is a great friend of ours and is one of the most talented photographers I've ever seen. And, she throws one heck of a Christmas party. Besides being lucky to have her as a friend, we have had the good fortune to have her capture the special moments in our lives; our wedding, Vivien as a newborn and, now, Vivien at seven months. Check out all of the great pictures she recently took. She managed to capture all of Vivi's expressions and it is something that we truly treasure.

Leaving for India

Our friend, Kristin is leaving for India today. She will be working at the Principal offices for three months.

We will miss her but are excited to hear about her exciting adventure. Kristin's husband, Jay, has taught her how to upload pictures and to post travel tales to their blog, www.JayandKritsAdventures.blogspot.com.

Safe travels, Kristin!

Busy Family Times

We have been caught up in a wonderful family whirlwind for the past few weeks.

On April 26th my father-in-law, Bill, laid down his overhead markers and officially retired from teaching. In his 4o plus year career, he has taught thousands of students complicated math theories and the finer points of driving on the road. It has been fun figuring out which friends of ours he has taught over the years. Betty, my mother-in-law, threw Bill a surprise retirement party at one of their favorite local restaurants. I wondered if he was surprised because he walked in to the party and seemed to take it all in stride but he did say that he was truly surprised.

The next week, my parents, Kathie and Steve, came to visit from Florida. We had a great time hanging out with Vivi and watching her tricks. She pulled out her first word while they were here. It was "Hi!" and she topped it up with a wave. While Grandpa and Grandma G. were here we went out to our old house and got pictures taken in front of the Crab Apple tree that Dad and I gave to Mom on Mother's Day many moons ago.

Then, the majority of the Quinn clan, including Jim and Linda from Wisconsin, were in town too to see my cousin Conor receive the sacrament of First Communion.  There were so many kids receiving the sacrament (over 200) that they held two different masses. Conor looked quite dapper in his new duds and received the Eucharist like a pro! Congratulations Conor!

Check out our Picasa Gallery to see pictures from all of the festivities.