Do Boys Have Cooties?

Apparently Matine doesn't think so . . . . I think it's love . . . .

(No staging was done to take this photo.... )

She Travels Too - Final Phase

We have been back home from Tulsa for a few days now. Matine keeps asking me why she can't be held by grandpa, Nona, aunt Michele, Uncle Clark, Courtney, Uncle Bob, cousins, neighbors and friends - all before lunch.... I think she is a bit bored with only mom and dad's faces. At least the dogs are helping us continue the showering of love (they do it with slobbery licks).

Oh how we miss our family and friends, but it felt really good to be back in our little home with our family all together.

So, here are the images and stories of our final phase of Tulsa. We will remember this trip the rest of our lives. There is nothing like going home anyways . . . all the people, the love, the memories. But to able to go home and show off your new BABY to all those people in your life is incredible. Matine is loved beyond words and it made my heart burst to know that the people I love adore her as much as I do (especially Uncle Clark).

Mom, Clark, Courtney, Jim, Matine and I drove down the famous Route 66 to Arcadia, OK to visit Micca and Josh. We stopped on our way home at Pop's... Basically a very large and fancy convenience store with every kind of "pop" (soda, coke, whatever you call it) that you can imagine. I think they actually call it a "soda ranch." Check out their website to get the full effect - it's quite a sight! We each picked our favorite flavor and the most obscure brand or bottle we could find. Clark chose a Russian looking bottle that tasted like Squirt, mom and Courtney opted for some classic creme soda and I chose a very delicious grape soda. Yummm....

If you didn't know... We Cottongim's take stupid pictures. The stranger the smile or "fake smile" the better. Someone forgot to tell pretty Courtney that she looks WAY too pretty to be in a picture with these two yayhoos...

At Micca's we got to see our favorite one year old - Henry! And his mom too. It was hot and by the end of the night, Henry was down to his skivvies.

We enjoyed their beautiful yard and of course, their company. Matine missed her aunt Mic. Josh disappeared into the corner with Matine for a while and fell in love.

One of the coolest things we did on our trip was visit Uncle Clark's "flip house." Clark and his friend Clark Neely have embarked on a very brave endeavor. They bought a very run down house which they affectionately named Thelma P. O'Reilly with a mission to fix her up to her former and even better glory and sell her for a pretty penny. Thelma resides in beautiful and hip midtown Tulsa. They have completely re-done everything from walls, moved staircases, windows, knocked down walls, installed new air conditioning systems... Thelma is going to be one hot babe by the time "Clarks of Tulsa" are done with her. She will likely be sold in a few weeks and they will do it again.

After meeting Matine, Clark's goal is to do this "flip thing" a few more times, make some $$ and move to Montana! Wouldn't that be fun?

Dad, Matine and Clark -- Thelma in the background.

Thelma 75% complete... To come - new yard and landscaping, finished paint job, and MUCH more inside. We are very proud of Clark.

Her Royal Cuteness after another morning hot tub soak.

More love from Uncle Bob and Aunt Michele. The house was literally a revolving door of visitors the entire week.

Aunt Michele came every single day after work. She loves Matine.

Talking to my Nona.

Annie Bynum was a bit jealous and confused. Why were her parents paying attention to that little bald thing? She doesn't even have hair!

My good college friend Carissa (check out her blog) came over with her THREE kiddos Easton (4), Emmy (2.5) and Cohen (4 months) - they are adorable! This momma is awesome - her kids are so well behaved, so cute and funny... It was fun to see her!

Me with little Cohen

This is adorable Emmy... She sang us her favorite song, Old Yeller (seriously) and it was one of the funniest things I have seen in a while.

Easton, Emmy and ANOTHER friend who came to see Matine, baby Dillan. Dillan is Jane Taylor's first grand baby, and daughter of Beau and Kim. Jane came to see Matine (who was asleep the entire time she was there), but we got to play with Dillan and see her in real life. Thanks gals for coming to visit!

Matine also got to meet her cousin's Sarah, Emily and Meg! These are my step-sister Tracee's beautiful daughters. More girls in the family!

We also went to my friend of high school, Holly's house. I finally got to meet her beautiful girls in person and we got a nice good visit in! Holly is an amazing photographer and she took some pics of Matine (which we can't wait to see)! Holly is having baby #3 (Colin) very soon. Somehow I didn't take a single picture of our time with them... But you can read about Holly, Clay, Peyton and Eden's life on her great blog. We will see them in Montana for a vacation soon. I know they would love it here! Thanks for spending time with us Holly!

Well, now can you see why our little house is quite boring for a kid? Now we have to play catch up with all our friends who missed Matine while we were gone.

Baby is Growing

This is a test to see if I can really send pics to the Blog from my Blackberry... I CAN!!!

Matine has probably gained a pound or two since being in OK. Must be that good southern hospitality and food!

Here is our rolly polly this morning.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

She Travels Too - Phase 2

Sunday we left Stillwater and returned to Tulsa. Matine got a nice long nap (beauty sleep) that afternoon in preparation for her "Sip and See," hosted by her Aunt Michele.

The ladies (and Clark) flocked to come hold, see and shower Matine with their favorite kids books!

As usual, Michele OUTDID herself with the food, decorations and party. It was so lovely. The gals who attended came from all parts of my and my mother's life. There were longtime friends of my grand parents, my mom's best friends, and of course my friends since I was in pre-school. I'll say it again- this child has NO idea how adored she is - even from afar.

It was a great night. Clark even had a great time amongst all the women; feeling quite at home until we started the birth story and compared the genius of the epidural to the miraculous invention of the tampon(more of that will appear when I finally get the birth story posted).

Bailey holding a burrito like Matine

My cousin Monica (below) and her two beautiful girls, Bailey and Avery, drove all the way from Springdale Arkansas on Sunday to say hello to Matine and give her a "Skippy Jon Jones" book (their favorite)! They couldn't make the shower, so they came over a bit early.

Monica and Mattie

Michele throws GORGEOUS parties - with every single detail perfect.

Aunt Michele should be a professional party planner and caterer.

Cake balls - YUM!




This is my mom's best friend since 2nd grade, Susie Inman... She is wonderful.

The spread - oh so tasty!!! Have I mentioned that I have gained more weight AFTER having the baby than I did during the pregnancy? That is a bit of an exaggeration but it is close.... I need to start running badly, especially after this trip!

Aunt Susie (my dad's sister) couldn't get enough of Matine in Stillwater so she came to the shower too... As did cousins Ahna and Mandy... :)

Bonnie Meyer is a friend of my grandparents. She is an OB nurse that was in the delivery room when I was born and here she is, holding the next generation! This is quite a gal folks.

She Travels Too - Phase 1

Surprise, surprise . . . The angel child travels like a pro.

Matine and I left the Big Sky State to travel back to Oklahoma last Thursday. Excited, a bit nervous, and sad to leave Peter for an entire week, we packed our bags and prepared for an exciting week of visiting our Oklahoma family - all one million members!

Flying with a baby - I have heard horror stories. Matine again defied all laws of infant normalcy and didn't make a single PEEP or grunt for the entire trip. We had 2 flights, a total of 4 hours of flight and she enjoyed the entire thing. Awake for most of it, looking around, smiling at me, checking out our isle partners, looking out the window - she just chilled out. As the 4 other babies on our plane screamed and fussed she even slept for most of our second flight.

(the rare and elusive sleeping baby on plane)

We were greeted at Tulsa International Airport by a very excited and proud Grandpa Scott and Uncle Clark. Clark sat in the back seat of the car all the way home admiring his niece.

(Aunt Michele LOVES cute bald babies)

We got back to my mom's house where a ridiculously anxious and excited Nona and Jimpa awaited. Shortly after, Aunt Michele and Uncle Bob arrive to join us all for dinner!

This is the typical scene surrounding Matine - Cute baby, swaddled like a burrito with people staring at her non stop.

Matine really liked her Uncle Bob... Mom told her all about how fun Uncle Bob can be. He's the goofy uncle who loves to tell you stories and talk and will tickle you until you pee your pants (but not for another few years).


The next day we put on our cutest muscle shirt and headed West to Stillwater for the annual Cottongim Christmas in July (we have been doing this fun gathering for 17 years now)!

We made a small detour to Mannford to see Grandma Ellie (Brooke's grandma). Ellie was SO excited to meet little Matine and hold her. I think it made her month! Matine has heard many stories about her momma and uncle Clark's childhood fun on the farm in Mannford. It still looked the same and was full of love and lots of rescued dogs!

Courtney, Clark, Matine, Dad, Jaime, Logan and Rosa

We then made it to Pistol Pete land - Stillwater, USA, home of the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the entire family's Alma Mater. Matine got the ultimate campus tour from her very, very, very smitten and proud Uncle Clark.

The biggest and sweetest surprise of the trip so far has been Clark and his ADORATION of Matine. We knew he would think she was pretty darn cool, but he won't stop looking at her, holding her, making sure she is comfy, safe, warm enough, cool enough, happy enough . . . It is usually a tough sell to get Clark to drop his very busy and fun social life for us. Not the case now. He is wherever that little girl is now . . . Playing the perfect uncle! She is so lucky to have the coolest uncle on the Planet.

Proud Grandpa with a "praying" Matine.

We then met the Cottongim's at our favorite haunt - the original Hideaway in Stillwater! I crave Hideaway Pizza from afar and was so very excited to chow down on some Paradise Pie! Yummm... Trust me on this one - this is the best pizza in the world (disclaimer: Hideaway Pizza and it's affiliates did not pay the blog author to say this).

Cousin Shannon, Gwynn and Jason have been waiting to see The Real Life Matine in person for quite some time! There is no person in the world who loves a baby more than Shannon. Gwynn and her momma have been praying for "Baby Matine Howell (and Brooke and Peter) every single night since we were pregnant. It was precious to see them finally meet!

This is a typical scene --- Uncle Clark making sure Matine knows his face!

We HAD to make a pit stop at Michal, Wade and Henry's house to meet THE HENRY SHAW in person! I have admired and adored this child from a blog (and afar) for 14 months now... This reunion was long overdue. Matine knows that this is one Okie Boy she is welcome to date (or marry). I was not disappointed. He was even cuter, sweeter and funnier than I could have imagined (not surprising - his momma is the coolest gal in all the land).

This child's feet are amazing... Not sure how he can actually balance, but he can MOVE!

Did I mention that all the kids are really cute? Kaitlynn, Tessa and Micah (with a lurking Terry in the background)

We finally arrive at Terry and Pam's - the scene of the crazy Cottongim gathering. Picture cute babies, very loud cousins, lots of hugs, stories, good food, wet towels, random sleeping arrangements, cheap beer, homemade ice cream, ping pong games, pitch tournaments, giggling cousins, and good old fashioned family fun. The Cottongim Family is unlike any other. I forget how amazing it is to be surrounded by so much love. And my stomach forgets how much it can hurt after a long weekend with my family --- I laugh way too hard, way too much!

Again, Clark holding Matine and loving, loving, loving her... Clark usually doesn't hold babies. They usually hate him. Really. She sat around the entire weekend, being held by everyone, looking as though she was memorizing each and every face and voice.

Matine loves the hot tub, we already knew that... But would she like nice cooler pool water? Why, of course! She kicked her legs, cooed at her mom and enjoyed her short, shady swim in the pool!

Check out this swimming Diva in her cutie bathing suit! She has NO butt (thanks to her hottie Dad) so the bottoms pretty much fall off of her... But she looks darn cute anyways.

Jason and Gwynn, 2.5 years old (Gwynn is 2.5 that is)

Tessa and Aunt Susie (18 months old)

Gwynn and Shannon enjoying the pool

A 7-year old Sam - the diving master - adorable!

Giggling cousins (I LOVE these gals... There is nothing better than fun cousins)
Ahna, Diedra and Lacey

Colin and his Tessa girl

Brookie and her daddy . . . See any resemblance to Miss Matine?

Kierstynn and Tessa. Tessa was quite the Princess... All that was missing was a palm leaf fanning her.

Kierstynn, Mandy and Piper - bathing beauties.

Kelly is an avid and faithful blog reader (thank you). She knew this was going to be posted and threatened me. You just come up to Montana and get me Kelly... I dare you! (really, I would love it if she, Mike and the boys would come visit... hint hint)

Matine has been passed around like a hot potato since we arrived. Family and friends have been dropping by the house nearly every hour, on the hour... A gal gets tired!!!!

Again, Clark and his gal... Smitten is an understatement. You think she loves her Clarkie? She stares at him and smiles at him more than anyone! You like the strawberry outfit and matching hat?

The Pitch Tournament - Winners were Holly and Donald!

The Ping Pong Champion - again - Colin Roberts!

Colin defending his title against Doug "The Blur" Cottongim. Matine will surely learn to play ping pong with the best of them.

Ahhh.... The siblings - Aunt Susan, Uncle Doug, Dad, Aunt Paula and Uncle Mike - what a family!


No self respecting Cottongim gathering is without a lot of good eats . . .

Stay Tuned for the next phase of our trip . . . . . Coming Soon

Introducing Vanessa

Libby and Abby have a new puppy! Little Vanessa was brought home this week at 6 weeks old. She is the tiniest, cutest, most playful beautiful golden retriever I have ever seen. Just adorable and JUST like her big sis' Libby.

Libby hardly puts her down (Pete asked Libby if Vanessa would ever learn to walk), watches over her like the perfect mother and the pup is already showing she is a smarty with a desire to have lots of fun.

Good luck Kinseys!

Fun Family Project

Remember this? This is the recycling center / entertaining buffet that my mother designed and Jim engineered in May.

Pete's super creative and talented cousin Marni is an amazing pottery person and had the genius idea of making tiles, custom designing them and tiling the unfinished project.

This last Sunday, she and Loni came over for some hanging out, dinner and artsy fun! We cut the tiles from the clay slabs that Marni had already made, put "slip" on them, drew designs and pictures into the tiles and had a blast!

When they are done they will be glazed white with all our designs in that pretty deep red clay color.

The whole family got their hands dirty and did some artistic creation! Even Peter!



Stay tuned for phase 2 of the project!

Thanks Marni!

Happy Birthday Joellyn!

Happy Birthday Joellyn (last Sunday, June 28)! Another year wiser, more beautiful and more loving! Your son thinks the world of you and looks up to you more than most sons I have ever seen. You continue to be so generous to us and everyone you know, and you have shown the most amazing strength and courage this last year. I love you for welcoming me into your family without hesitation and I am so lucky to have such an amazing mother-in-law and Matine such an amazing Nana.

We love you and wish you a wonderful year . . . full of love and all things good!

XOXOX - Pete, Brooke and Matine

Missing Us?

Just a few images to brighten your day . . .


Mattie at her first Farmers Market in Livingston - she was a hit with the grown ups and young alike...

Riding in her Chariot jog stroller.

We are leaving for Tulsa tomorrow! We will be attending the Cottongim Christmas in July in Stillwater, Aunt Michele has planned a "Sip and See" for Matine, and of course, she gets to meet her Uncle Clark for the first time and get some more lovin from her grandparents and family!

For all you Okies - we hope to see you!

One Month Newsletter to My Girl,

*** This is about 3 weeks late, I know!

Baby Girl,

I wrote you a letter before you were born and I decided then to do my best to write you each month, trying to capture my thoughts about you before they are lost or garbled with the busyness of life.


This is definitely the BIGGEST month of change, at least in terms of OUR world so far. We have gone from living a life without you to it completely being different - better - in an instant. The very moment I saw you, heard your cry, and looked into your face I was completely changed. Daughter, there are no words to describe how full my heart is now. I couldn't wait to be a "mother" but I had no idea how amazing this would all be until I met you. I truly was in love with you from the moment I held you in my arms and as cliche as it sounds, there truly is nothing like a mothers love; absolutely nothing in the world.


Since the first night in the hospital you have been the most peaceful, calm little girl. You never seem flustered, uncomfortable or even slightly annoyed by anything. You love to be held by anyone - even little kids feel at ease holding you and you relax into anyone's arms. Most people that hold you tell me how therapeutic it is spending time with you. You have such a calming soul - you have from the first minute and I have no doubt you will be described that way for the rest of your life.


You are such a great sleeper! There are mothers out there who curse me that I have such a sleepy, happy baby. You sleep for 4 hours at a time, are awake and happy (literally NO crying) for about 2 hours, then back to sleep for another 4 hours. You wake ONCE during the night to eat and then easily go right back to bed. You awake happy and calm and love to eat. From day one you have nursed perfectly and taught ME so much. Did I mention that you never cry? Oh, we are so lucky!

I feel like you are the one teaching me about how to be a mom, how to slow down, how to soak in all the little things that matter in life. You make me stop to stare at gently blowing leaves with you, sing sweet songs, smile more, say I love you more, smell sweet things . . . The list goes on. You are so patient and kind to your us. Thank you. I will forever love you for making motherhood such a sweet joy - every single minute with you is such a gift and so enjoyable. You have given me love beyond measure and I feel so blessed that YOU are our baby, our gift for the rest of your life.

You will see this your entire life, but let me tell you right now how smitten your daddy is with you. Already I can see him turn to mush when he holds you. When he comes home and holds you, talks to you, looks at all your little toes... He slows down to a pace that no one else can make him do. He is SO proud of you and constantly wants to show you off to the world. He loves the way your head smells, your toes, and those adorable little cheeks. You have made him a dad this month - something he takes very seriously and it seems to suit him quite well. You are a lucky girl Matine.


While you are so calm and "zen" all the time, you also have a funny little personality and make me laugh constantly. You have a very expressive face and make the cutest little sounds and can stare me down like no ones business. You get VERY serious when you poop and I can see when it's coming. You flare your nostrils and bare down - ready to do your business. I never dreamed I would even talk or write about baby bowel movements, but this month has brought out all sorts of surprising things in me and your dad.


Your grandma Kerri (Nona) and Jim were here for the entire month of May - waiting patiently for you as you were a full week late and staying to help make our first few weeks together as fun and easy as possible. They adore you - so much that they realized they couldn't be 2,000 miles away in Oklahoma and within the month of being here they put an offer on a house right down the street.

Oh the people that love you little girl! This month has been filled with visitor upon visitor. You were loved before you arrived and will never be short on adoration or attention. Everyone thinks you are extremely special. You do have a way with winning over everyone you meet.



Your stare is piercing, deep and full of such peace. This month I have seen little changes in your face, your size, but those eyes, the look you give me . . . It shakes me to my core. You started make little smiles at me at 4 weeks! I cry every single time you smile. It is the most beautiful smile I have ever seen. Will I ever get over that? You started cooing a bit right at your 1-month birthday. You open your cute little mouth wide like a baby bird waiting for food and you try with all your might to make any kind of noise. Your favorite place in all the house is your changing table. We lay there for about an hour each time we change your diaper. You look at all the lights reflected from the mirror, the stripes/contrast of the ceiling, my face, your face. Your eyes light up when I lay you down there, it is the cutest thing.



You adore being held and snuggling. When you are on dad or my chest you burrow in, nestle your head in the crook of our necks, drape your arms over our shoulders or to our chest and melt before our eyes. If you are not wanting to just snuggle you have to be looking around! Those little neck muscles started getting a work out early - you love to look at everything!


You have an amazing trust for us, for your entire world. We have been able to take you anywhere... You LOVE to check everything out when we leave the house. Being outside seems to be one of your favorite things. This doesn't surprise us, you are our child, but it is so warming to see you love the smells and sounds of nature already . . . There will be much more of that in your future!


This first month has felt almost gluttonous. To spend my days and nights hanging out with you --- there aren't words. I find myself not caring about a single thing outside our little walls. What could be more important in these precious first days than soaking you in, loving you, cuddling with you? Our days are filled with sleeping, eating and "playing." I love to lay you down or hold you and just tell you all about your life, your family, your dogs, your world. You stare at me as we do this, somehow telling me something about you and teaching me to be better. Little Matine, if I do one thing right in this world, I hope it is be a good mother for you. You deserve everything. You deserve the most love, the most grace, the most peace in all the world.


I am honored to be your mom. I cannot believe an entire month has gone by - every single minute has been the greatest gift I have ever imagined. Thank you for choosing us, for making us parents, making us see the world and love in a whole new way.

ALL my love always,

Mom

Museum of the Rockies

Matine, her cousin Loni and I met my dear dear friends Kelly Ward and kids at the Museum of the Rockies last week for a visit. Kelly and kids (Daisy, Lucy and Henry) came from Pullman, WA to visit some family. I take any opportunity to see this wonderful family. If you don't remember from previous reading, we all go back to Oklahoma State days when I watched this darling kids in college. When I met them, Daisy was 1.5, Lucy was 3 months and I got to be there when little Henry came into the world! They are just as wonderful and it was great to see them meet Matine. Life comes full circle!

The living history homestead at the Museum - every day they have volunteers "acting the part" of homesteaders at this working home.

The Museum of the Rockies is world renowned for it's dinosaur exhibits. Dr. Jack Horner, an MSU researcher and world expert on dinosauers does his work here. We showed Matine all the big bones that were all found within miles of our home here.

Kelly, Lucy and Henry with Matine and I (not sure why Daisy isn't pictured here...)

They also have a very cool "living homestead exhibit." It's a working turn of the century homestead where volunteers work every day in authentic garb and do authentic work and crafts for the time. We saw them baking on the wood stoves, a blacksmith doing blacksmithing things (???), the kids tending to their chickens, weaving rugs and working in a real garden. VERY COOL!

Loni and I showing Matine about meat eating extinct creatures.

She slept through most of it, but I am sure some of the knowledge sunk in somehow.

Father's Day Camping Trip

For Pete's first Father's Day, and Matine's 6-week birthday we celebrated by silly cheesy presents (a mug with Matine pictures all over it) and a camping trip with fellow 1st year dad Hermes and Emily and Sully, and of course our favorite boys - Caid and Brad (Laurie came too :))


We set up camp on some friends property along a very roaring and BIG Mill Creek.


We had a great fire for smores and keeping warm.


We feasted on some tasty elk and veggie kabobs for dinner, pancakes, eggs and sausage for breakfast, lots of hot chocolate, and of course more smores.


The boys chased each other and played "Indians" (cowboys and indians) in the tall grass, shot their bow and arrows, dug up stuff with shovels and were 100% BOY! So much fun to watch. Soon little Sully and Matine will be running around and a bit harder to "contain."

Caid was an excellent baby holder. He loves the little kiddos.


Matine LOVED being out there. It was hard to get her to go to sleep, as we could see she just wanted to soak in every little smell, sight and feel.


We will be doing much more camping with her. However, we had to laugh at ourselves - camping with a baby is quite different than our old camping routine - the suburban was FULL of miscellaneous kid gear. It took us a good 1/2 hour to get everything unpacked and organized. Now we know what we need (and lots of what we don't) and we THINK we can downsize the truck load a bit next time.


We also went for a hike up the beautiful West Fork of Mill Creek. Dad and Hermes did some skiing up this drainage this winter and it was fun to see it in the green of summer now that all the snow has melted.


Baby Matine made it up to about 7,500 feet elevation - not bad for a 6 week old gal! She even saw a very big pile of Grizzly poop! Luckily the big bear was afraid of us, we didn't see him (but was he watching us from a hidden spot??? Likely)!


The dogs - Brutus, Oliver, Gaucho, the Cox's Moggie and new black lab puppy Archie (cutest pup on the planet) all enjoyed the frolicking and of course, food dropped around the camp.


Little Sully and Matine were excellent campers and hikers - they slept in their tents between their parents, took their naps and generally enjoyed the wonderful fresh air and all the sounds and smells of beautiful Nature.



We had a great spot among the trees where we didn't have to worry about the sun and we were close to the Creek where the dogs enjoyed getting their feet wet.


We love summer in Montana! It is refreshing, wild and it makes you feel so carefree. We cannot wait to keep doing things with our little girl and showing her all the beautiful things of this world right outside her back door.



Cute new family - the Lynn's.

Our growing family -- notice Brutus on the far left - what is he looking at?

Cute, hot dads and babies!

A Nice Living

Just when I start to miss my hubbie and think I have lost him to the Rivers, I look at pictures of what he gets to do every single day for a living.

Life is really, really good and even better when you get to do what you love for a living (oh, and it doesn't hurt that your office is the mountains and rivers of MONTANA)!

These are some of his super fun and cool clients, Charles and Annie. After their trip last week Matine, Peter and I met them in Bozeman for some breakfast, shopping and hanging out. More perks to the job - great people!

Annie got Matine a cute little red union suit (the one piece longies that have a button flap bottom) to match Peter's union suit - very cute! Can't wait until she fits into that and hangs out at elk camp with dad!


The first real family picture that has all three of us in it!

The boys . . . you take a guess at what they are doing. Thanks for this picture Annie. I personally like Pete's hand on the hip.

A nice little rainbow.

Cutie Annie and I- look- like- a- convenience- store robber-Pete.

This week, Peter is on the Missouri again with Jim and Jim. That would be Jimmy Woff (the Rev, the man that married us on the beach) and Jim Wolf. Both are two of his best buds and by far his favorite fishing partners. I imagine they aren't having too shabby of a time. They will be back tomorrow to meet Miss Matine and do some relaxing in Livingston.

Big Day for Little Things (and People)

Whewww... What a day. Let me just tell you what I did today - quite alot for a 5 week old!

My dog Brutus and I went to work at Angler's West with mom. It was mom's first day back in the shop since I have been born and she was very nervous about it. It is SO cool that I can go with her. I have my own pack n' play set up in the back, my very own bouncy seat and I can just chill, nap and visit with customers along with mom. I was a hit!


Then, I came home and told dad all about what a good kid I was. He told me all about his day - he moved our horses from Bridger Canyon up to Nana Jo's house. He said they were getting way too fat on all that rich grass, so they are going to Fat Camp at grandma's - less grass and more controlled feedings.
Then, it was a gorgeous night so I took my dogs for a walk to the River. Boy those "cattle dogs" sure like to swim!

On our walk we saw a MedFlight helicopter take off from the Livingston hospital where I was born. Very cool sight to see, but we said a prayer for the person who needed it.


My favorite part of the day was my playdate with Sully. On our walk we stopped by his place. We hung out on the floor.

Hey there guy... You're kind cute!

Dude, I didn't mean to make you mad. I just wanted to hold your hand.

Alright, one more picture...Are you blind yet too? Look at the camera over there this time...

Ah, then it was really cool... We invited the Lynn's to our place for dinner. The dads decided to walk us babes back up to the house by themselves. They looked a bit like a cute gay couple who adopted some babies. I think I heard a few honks from some admirers on our walk home.

The duo arrived home just in time for mom and Emily to have dinner almost ready. There's nothing cuter than good looking men with cute babies (so I have heard).


Boy I am tired. That was a FUN, BIG day.

Swim Lessons

Since the arrival of "the kid," Peter and I realized that we really needed another camera. We are both a bit trigger happy with the contraptions (if you haven't noticed yet) and it just wasn't worth the therapist bill to deal with the negotiations over who gets the camera each day. Peter needs one to take pictures of all his clients, fish and such. You never know when you or your client might catch the state record brown trout!

I of course have to have a camera at all times to record and document every waking move, darling outfit and facial expression of our ever changing new hobby - Matine.

So, we shopped around and found a terrific deal on a camera that has some very cool features (at least good ones for this crazy family). They include: being able to be dropped at 5 feet, shock proof, and the ability to go completely under water.

We tested it out last weekend when Amy was in town again with Cash. Cash really likes the hot tub and even likes going under water now! Pete took it to the Missouri this weekend with some of our favorite of his clients, Annie and Charles, and then we let Matine test it out for us too. I am sure I will drop it soon to make sure that "shock proof feature" really is all they say it is.


Pretty rainbow trout on the Missouri River


Cash, after his swim (I think he looks a bit like Hugh Hefner here with the robe)

Cash - 9 months old - thank goodness he doesn't swim like his dad (poor Eric gets hounded by us a bit b/c he can't swim... what do you expect of a guy who grew up on a sheep farm in Minnesota?)!


Little Matine got in the hot tub on her 5 week old birthday! I was totally freaked out about putting her in water so soon. You know, ANYTHING could have happened - a freak short in the electical system, shocking all in the tub; dropping a slippery wet baby, rendering her unconscious; her skin reacting to the water and leaving her with a scarring rash for her prom; or maybe just simply overheating and being sweaty and hot all day long, leaving her with a bad feel for water and never being able to get her in a bathtub again -- then we'd have "that smelly kid" in class for our entire lives.

Alas, I called the Doc and he said cooler tubs, 100 degrees or less are great for them - no problem and she'd probably like it - just don't leave her in too long. The Doc was right again, she loved it! Happy as a clam for her entire 5 minute soak at Nana Jo's house. I think Dad was the most excited about the new adventure.

Matine the fish.

Check out her cute swimmy trunks - another wonderful hand-me-down from our friends.

Cool underwater camera!

That is one cute kid, I must say - and the baby is cute too.

Things I LOVE Today

Cinnamon toast and milk for my evening snack. I have always loved this meal. Yummm... It has been hitting the spot for about 3 days now.

Our NEW front door! The day we moved into our house the door broke and was jammed shut. It was a big clunky solid wood door with no windows. For over 2 years we have been using the side door which brings people into our kitchen. Last week, this lovely new door was installed by our friend Matson. It is gorgeous and I love being able to see out. It totally opens up our living room and is much more inviting for our lovely guests!

Oliver. He's just stinking cute and has been quite charming the last few days. He has decided to take a very strong interest in Matine lately too. Like Brutus, he follows us room to room, loves to give her kisses, makes sure she's sleeping soundly during nap time and even barked at a neighbor dog trying to protect her. Very cute. Our baby is growing up!

My new haircut! I promised Pete I wouldn't go above my shoulders, but I lost a good 10 inches and went back to my natural color! Well, I didn't "go back ot anything." However, with my highlights grown out to the bottom half of my hair, all that was left was my non-highlighted hair. Perfect for the summer!


I also love a man who isn't ashamed to wear my blue moon & star robe around while drinking morning coffee! He is one cute man.

I tried really hard to do one post without a baby picture... Well, I couldn't. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this girl. How adorable is that sleeping beauty?

Baby Party - Oh how life has changed

Last year at this time we were enjoying our late 20's early 30's with backyard BBQ's that started at 9pm, lasting well into the next day. There was an occasional child here or there, but the "kids" were of the "furry variety" for most of us.

These are 3 of Matine's future boyfriends... She has wonderful prom date options!

Boy have times changed! It was a baby party this last weekend! Four new mama's hanging out, trying our darndest to NOT talk about babies the entire time, and showing off the cuteness of our new little friends.

The boys hung out around the grill while we sat in the living room, breastfeeding.

Big Changes

It's amazing how such a small person can change SO much in a matter of days. Today Matine-y-Weeney decided she was strong enough to start really holding her head up - for real - and check the world out with great intensity.

Dad time - Pete went down to Yellowstone National Park yesterday for some orientation about backcountry / horsepack trips. He has a new gig as a back-up outfitter for trips into the Park for a local guest ranch here in Paradise Valley. He only has a few empty days this summer, but he is hoping to fill them with some fun Yellowstone horsepack / fishing trips! He was telling Matine all about it here.

I LOVE this picture. When she gets hungry and starts rooting around - Pete puts his nose near her mouth and she latches on like a fish!





Does anyone else think she looks like a little Pink Jedi here?




Yum... Baby toes!

Aunt Micca Meets Matine

I think someone is in love.

And someone else is REALLY happy to have her best friend here . . . Loving on her little girl.


Check out those little hands . . .


I am 4 weeks old! I'm happy to meet Aunt Micca - I've heard SO much about her and all the fun she and my mom have together.

Amy and Joellyn had THEIR BF's in town too! We all hung out in Livingston today.

Random cute picture of Matine's cloth diapers on the clothesline.

Micca got to carry Matine in the Baby Bjorn all over town today!

Our "Family "

Too bad we can't fit the 6 horses and 12 fish in bed with us too!