Scottongim and Nana Time

Matine has had a big week -- first, her Nana Jo came to spend the night on Thursday. Her Grandpa Scott is in town and he LOVES to have fun and go out when he is in Livingston. Nana Jo came so Peter and I could join Dad and go out and be "semi-real adults" for an evening. Plus, Matine was due some alone time with Joellyn. We hit The Murray Bar and had a few beers and watched the tail end of the OK State v Colorado game.

Dad happy in his "home away from home" - Shocker - !!! He immediately made friends with a young local at the bar.

Pete and I out at The Murray since the first time since... well, since before I was pregnant??? Yikes!

Ah, Nana Jo -- I think you are so fun and pretty!

Other things we have done this week? We cooked some good dinners, sauna'd, hot tubbed, went out to eat. Matine, Dad and I even went sight seeing in Yellowstone National Park for a day.

Matine thoroughly enjoyed her drive in the Park --- as you can imagine, her view of things was a bit different than ours --- but she had a great time all the same.

We did our usual weekend routine of going to Chadz on Saturday morning to visit all the friends, had a play date with Sully and the boys did some home improvement projects.

This weekend was Jim Pa and Nona's 8th Wedding Anniversary.
Boy are we glad they found each other... Here's to MANY more years of wedded bliss.

Baby William and Matine -- chillin' at the Coffee Shop

And we generally just had a great time with ALL THE GRANDPARENTS this week -- Matine is one lucky baby to have so many people to love on her. Her grandpa Scott is SILLY about her. We are now resting up so we can be ready for our big Thanksgiving celebrations!

check out the ROLLS on that stomach!

It Has Been One Year

Since we lost a dad, a husband, a friend, a confidant, a grandad . . . and a really great guy.

John, we miss you, each and every day. We know you rejoice and smile at the daily life of your kids and wife and friends. We know you gently help guide our steps and help us keep our sense of humor about life. Thank you for showing us how to live life with open arms to everyone and everything. We see you each and every day in our little girl, in Cash, in Pete and Amy... and of course, in every perfectly cooked steak or cold martini.

Today, like everyday, we remember you with a few tears and a whole lot of joy...

All our love,

Your Family

Always Remember

Always remember the gone summer songs,
Constantly consider the days that were sweet
Into the instances of every young
That courses has drift on after life's treat
Flowers in the garden of shadows and light
Bringing you colors of everything
Moments of days and hours of the dim night
What you in your heart strings always shall sing

Always remember the moments of worth
They come very tenderly on their own
Trying to find you in your misty round ways
Seeds of left longings in roots of new birth
Everything coming not clearly shown
When hours so spotlessly in memory plays

By Peter S. Quinn, from the song, Always Remember

Family Fun in Dillon - In a Nutshell (no pun intended)

• We spent 3 days in Dillon with Amy, Eric and Cash last week.
• We had a great time.
• The cousins were curious and very sweet with each other.
• It snowed - the first big storm of the winter!
• Eric and Amy seem very happy and settled in their new home - this makes us happy!
• Cash is hilarious as a little walker.
• Matine thought he was very, very fun!
• Pete enjoyed playing Martha Stewart and cooking us fancy meals each night.
• Eric prefers simple meat and potato dishes we found out.
• We hit the big Patagonia Veteran's Day sale and got some winter coats.
• We watched the Gilmore Girls each day (sometimes twice) because Amy is addicted to Lorelei and Rory - she even dreams about the characters.

Grandpa Scott is Here!

Let the fun begin... My grandpa Scott is here! I sure love playing with and watching this animated and lively man. We are having so much fun. I think he likes me.

I am one lucky girl.... All my grandparents are around me all the time! Tonight, my Nana Jo is coming over to play with me and spend the night! Slumber Party!

Sven and Olie come to Montana

We have a new horse! Slowly but surely we keep adding to our pack string. Number 7 is a darling little Gelding who we have appropriately named "Sven."

I have a little background for those of you not from Minnesota or who are aware of the classic Sven and Olie characters from the jokes. Sven and Olie are a pair who get into all sorts of trouble, usually involving the winters and background of Minnesota. It's funny Scandinavian, Northern humor. Ask my dad- he has a few dozen of the books as "reading material" in his bathroom. Sven and Olie jokes often float around the Howell house too.

Since we already had an Olie horse, we decided he needed a buddy --- ergo, Sven. Welcome to the family buddy!

On a very cold day, the family went to visit Sven at his NEW HOME at Jacqueline and Grif's place in Paradise Valley. We now keep all of our horses a mere 10 miles from the house. This makes it much easier to visit, ride and feed them... Plus, we get to visit Jacqueline and Grif more often too!

Jim Pa and his gal. I love this picture!

Good lookin' Pete with Sven the Norwegian Fjord.

Goodbye Forever Ugly Floor

Remember this? This hideous stick-um vinyl flooring has literally made me shudder for 3 years! I hate this floor. It's ugly. It shows every single speck of hair or dirt that laid upon it and it was so cheaply done that it is peeling up in places.

This floor covers our bathroom, kitchen and kitchen/living area -- so roughly 1/2 the house.

We can't afford fancy new floors right now, but we could splurge for some good ol' porch/patio paint! My mother graciously offered to paint the floor while we were in Dillon for 3 days. We realized that there was no way this would happen with 3 dogs going in and out. THANK YOU FAIRY GOD-MOTHER!

This is the bathroom floor -- painted "espresso."

And this is the living room, now brown, not blue and white checked (PLEASE IGNORE THE LITTLE DOG PAWS THAT YOU SEE TRAILING ACROSS)!

Brutus loves it. He also love the new love-seat that Mom and Jim sent our way. We now have an additional seating area upstairs in the room we typically hang out in the most.

Matine likes the new space too...

For the grandparents

We are in Dillon until tomorrow, which means Nona and Jim Pa haven't seen Matine for 3 days... Ouch.
We miss you too!

Xoxo- B, P and M
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Play Date

Matine had a fun day with Baby Audrey on Saturday. Sally is back to work and needed some help - Matine and were HAPPY to oblige. She loved having a friend to smile and play with. Audrey is actually 2 weeks older than Matine, but Matine seemed to dwarf her in size.

I think we will be seeing a lot of these 2 together over the next 18 years!

Tis the Season to Shower

Yes, it is a good time for ME to be showering on a more regular basis. I do find that many days I look at the clock at NOON and I have yet to brush my teeth or my hair. Gross, yes, but I haven't had a husband home to notice or care until now. I actually lost my hair brush last week and didn't brush my hair for 3 days --- that is what pony tails are for I figure. Mom even asked me if I had done something different to my hair the other day - it looked lighter and like it had been cut. No, I tell her. It had been washed, blow dried AND brushed - all in the same hour! But I digress, this didn't start out about showering of the water variety.

My friends are still having babies! It is so fun! Round 2 has begun and there are two more baby boys on the way. Levia is due around January 1 and Megan is due on Christmas! This means digging out the baby clothes that our chunky monkey has outgrown, passing on beds and other handy newborn items, and of course, planning fun parties so they can get all the unnecessary items for bringing home baby.

Friday night we had a shower for Levia at our pal Raluca's house. It was a really fun time - whether you were in to babies or not - the house was filled with beautiful and fun gals, good homemade food, and of course, WINE!

Daddy + Mommy = ME!

Raluca, Alexis, Deb, Camy, Jeannette, and Levia -- she received LOTS of wierd and helpful advice about pregnancy, nursing, and parenting. Hope she listened!

Not the best picture in the world, but Levia is remarkably beautiful as a prego mama.

Darcy and Kyra enjoying our gals night out (in).

Giggly Kyra and a gal with some serious hair issues.

Megan's shower is this Sunday! I am in charge of decorations and the cupcakes. If you remember back to Matine's Dedication week, I think I might give the Baby Cupcakes a second try... Hopefully the icing won't melt and make them look like "melting babies" again.

A few weeks back Megan, Levia, Matine and I went for a really nice hike (walk) up Deep Creek. They were all talk about labor, pregnancy and preparations to be moms. I was so happy for them... I know what is to come and NOTHING can prepare them for the experience and the love that is about to come into their lives! They both are going to be the most amazing mothers...

Real Live Hunting Moment to Make You Laugh

This is not staged or a joke. This was really taken by our hunter during our last week of Hunting Camp. Our very own Keegan Isaly is the guy/guide "taking the picture" in the video and hunter Steve is well, you will just have to watch. I hope you have an empty bladder.

My Chronicle of Tulsa,

I fly! I'm a flier. I was SOOOO good on all the plane rides. I didn't fuss or cry a single bit, although the turbulence did cause me to produce some extra special diapers (that leaked through all layers of clothing, blankets and on to mom --- on the plane). I also had a nice big breakfast that I "lost" all over mom. I think that's why she had to change ALL of her clothes in Denver. Other than that I am told I was a "gem" and I made lots of friends on the plane. I enjoyed talking (loudly) to anyone who would listen or encourage me with a smile (I hear I am like my Grandpa Scott and Uncle Clark in that way).

We had lots of fun in Tulsa. It was a very quick and BUSY week. I seem to be very "in demand" and highly sought after. Mom didn't get to see everyone she wanted to see, but hey, you can only do so much in a few days with a schedule as busy as mine. I can tell you one thing, everyone we know sure is neat. They are all so loving, fun and good to me.

Here are some of the highlights:

Kate Bosworth. Yes, that is the name of an anorexic actress but she is also the name of Uncle Clark's new dog! She is CUTE! She is a heeler/beagle mutt with big brown eyes and a heart of gold. She already knows how to high five, sit, stay, roll over, play dead and stick like glue to Uncle Clark. It's about time he committed to something (I think I heard mom say that).

My new cousin Kate with Uncle Clark. We spent an entire day with Clark at his house. He has done some really amazing things to his mid-town home. On one particular day we helped him decorate his house for his big Halloween Party while he built an entire deck in his backyard. He's swell and I love him (and Kate).

Mom's friend... dear, dear, long-time friend since middle school, Allyson Wiley is back in Tulsa. Mom has been reading me the adventures of Ally, Tim and Silas of Russia. They lived there for 3 years as missionaries and are finally back in Tulsa for good. Mom was SO excited to see her. I was excited to meet Silas (who is now 2) - he was a cutie.


I remember vaguely meeting Joanne back in July when I visited Oklahoma, but she has heard so much about me since from my Nona. It was so nice to see her again. She told me stories of loving on my mom when she was my age. She was so sweet. I see why my mom and Nona love her so much too!

So, Grandpa Scott is the coolest guy around. He thinks I am something special. And, I really see a resemblance to him - especially the head. We played and played and talked and talked.

The easily excitable, loud, loving, fun and amazing Cottongim Clan came to Grandpa Scott's one night to see me and mom. Boy are they fun people. The kids taught me how to run around and I learned how to fit in with this family - TALK OVER EVERYONE! I was a hit and apparently after I crashed they all stayed up late talking. Mom sure loves her family and I am starting to see why.

Uncle Clark showed off his latest project - the "flip house." It was quite impressive and is now for sale? Any takers? If he sells it he will have the extra dough to come visit me in Montana! Maybe they should just post a picture of me inside? That might sell it quicker...

I toured the hip "mid-town" area with Clark during the days. We lunched at Utica Square's Stonehorse Cafe on one of our beautiful fall days!

Quality time with Uncle Clark - oh, how he loves me so...

My Aunt Shell (it's actually Michele) threw me a big party so Uncle Bob, Grandpa Scott, Rosa, Clark, Courtney, and Nona could ALL see me at once... It's hard for them to share me, so they do large gatherings where everyone has to draw straws for a chance at holding me. :)

They keep calling me a "tub of chub" and putting me in the big pink duck and filling it with water. Apparently it was really fun to watch me play in the water. I of course never oppose bath time. Too bad my scatter brained mom left the pink duck in Oklahoma... We miss it!

I LOVE, love love dogs. Especially Cash The Dog Rasp. He is the coolest lab I have met. He seemed to dig me too. Everywhere I was, there he was close at hand.

Why they insist on doing goofy things with me and then taking pictures? I guess I am cute, famous, or a combo of both?

That about wraps up my Oklahoma time -- Pumpkin Patches, time with Micca, Nona's friends, Clark, Grandpa, Tulsa Traffic .... Whew, I was one tired baby when we landed back in Montana.

You know Peter Is Out of Town When

I totally stole this idea from my friend Melynda, but it was brilliant and it got me thinking...

The dogs get really obnoxious and pout a lot!

There isn't a trail of socks, boots and scarves from the back door to the bedroom.

You don't hear any Judy Garland musicals or Die Hard playing in the background (yes, he enjoys both equally).

There isn't a bowl of Doritos out for me to eat.

I don't have my weekly spending money that I find in the dryer after doing Pete's laundry.

I eat a lot of dog hair because the dogs sleep on my HEAD at night.

We smile and laugh a little bit less.

The neighbors get less sleep because of my YELLING profanities at 3 dogs.
(I am sensing a bit of hostility toward the 4 legged kids... hmmm)

Alas, Pete is HOME for the rest of winter! Hunting season was a success. Now it's time for Pete to get used to waking up AFTER 4am, sleeping inside, and to get reacquainted and have some family time.

Livingston Spooktacular!

Halloween with Matine in a small town was all I had hoped it would be. She was the CUTEST Yoda in all the land. Her Yoda head was an all wool hand knit stocking hat made with love by her Nana Jo ... I then felted it and formed the ears with Elmer's glue and water. Her Nona Kerri sewed her a very fancy "Yoda robe" out of a towel, and I braided some rope for her belt. We layered her up and set out to see all the other cute kids, babies, and those kids at heart who just like and excuse to dress up.

Yoda and her Jim-Pa

Grandpa Jim was supposed to be dressed up like a "70's Pimp" but ended up looking a bit like many of the locals, so we just called him a "Clyde Park Cowboy" (no offense to those who live in Clyde Park, please)

Cloe and Yoda

We ran into friends Emily, Cloe and Deb on Yellowstone Street where ALL of Livingston goes to trick-or-treat.

The Scary Family - I resurrected a stand-by 80's Aspen Extreme Ski Uni-Tard, Jim was a Creepy Local Cowboy, and Mom was "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" (hee hee hee)

So CUTE!

Yoda with a Man in Polyester - Jim had to take off his hat at first because she was a bit frightened.

Mike and Laurie had some of us over for a Pre-Walk meet-up. Mike was very popular as the Budweiser Man. Personally, I think the mustache makes the look complete.

Laurie was a super hot and sassy fairy! Only Laurie Cox can pull this off and look HOT!
I scared myself a bit - I looked almost identical to my middle school pictures...
Not much of a costume.

Baby Noor was a pink pony - a very serious one at that.

Little Devon was a Monkey... Monkey See, Monkey Do!

Brad was the cutest Bronc Rider I had ever seen. If only he were a few feet taller - he looked so authentic.

Libby was STUNNING as a "Cat from the Musical Cats" - Abby really outdid herself with her make-up and none of us would have recognized her if she hadn't been with her parents.

And finally, one of Matine's boyfriends - Sully- was a very cute little Chick.

It was a great first Halloween! So fun to see it through the eyes of kids again...

Halloween Day Preparations

As I sit here excited about our first Halloween with a cute baby to dress up and tote around I realize she might blow away. The Livingston Winds (yes they get capital letters because the Wind is its own being here) are at epic speeds right now. Sustained 65 mph or something? In Oklahoma we call it a tornado. Here we apparently call it Halloween.

Matine's costume is ready (you will see pictures tomorrow - here's a hint: "Much to learn, you still have."), my costume is ready, and I think I might have even talked Jim-Pa into being Don Johnson from Miami Vice. I guess I can tether Matine to me somehow in case she is blown from my arms? Glad I am not dressing her like the Balloon Boy. Our GMC Yukon XL (a very large car) is swaying side to side and "hopping" around on the driveway like it's a tricked out pimps ride.

The most exciting thing we did today, besides chasing the garbage cans down the street? Matine, at 24 1/2 weeks old, ate rice cereal for the first time! She was ready and boy did she love it. All that staring at momma constantly eating paid off - she knew just what to do!

Pumpkin Patchin'

What is fall in Oklahoma without going to a Pumpkin Patch? And, what is new parenthood without dressing your darling kids up and taking pictures of them with hay and orange pumpkins? I have been looking forward to taking my beautiful baby girl to her first holiday celebrations since she was a mere twinkle in my eye... We found the perfect location in Arcadia, OK and we had the BEST company too. Blog friends united finally and Micca, Matine and I met Lauren, Ben and Des (there blog is awesome if you are not already reading it) for a perfect fall outing.

(Beware: This is a bit photo intensive, but I just couldn't narrow them down!)

Lauren finally meets Matine -- and not through pictures and not just through a BLOG! I get to hold the extra delicious Desmond (2 months)


He is darling and so sweet!

Lauren's little Benjamin (2 years) LOVES babies, is the sweetest spirited little boy and here he is, giving Matine kisses.... I am 'ok' with this arranged marriage if Matine is in to older, Oklahoma men one day.

The Pumpkin Patch we went to also had a petting zoo with all sorts of very friendly creatures. This sheep came running up to us to greet us. Matine and Ben both loved the flea bags. Desmond was sleeping.

A white turkey -- who knew?

This little goat was a hit. It nicely ate from your hand and then would JUMP up on you, begging for more. Matine got a good hold of both horns.

Her chubbiness increased while in Oklahoma.

There was also a very fun corn maze! Don't worry, we didn't get lost.

Ok, these are just cute pics of Mattie John (5 1/2 months) wearing her cute crocheted shirt and red booties from Christina. I love all of these!






Her face is as round as the pumpkins.



Ahhh... Ben is amazing. He was so sweet all day.

Picking out the perfect pumpkins.

Happy baby.

How she literally juggles 2 boys and a super fun life, I don't know! Here she is juggling 3 pumpkins on top of it all!

Boiling Antelope Heads and Babysitting

Yes, you read the title correctly. Matine and I are still in Oklahoma, LOVING every minute of our time here with our family and friends. I have endless stories to tell but will start with one. The trip started in Arcadia where we stayed with Micca and Josh for a few days. Actually the trip started on our little Frontier Airlines prop-planes, but that is an entirely different story that deserves its own post, coming soon.

Micca, Matine and I had a blast. Matine absolutely loves Micca. I am not just saying that to make anyone feel better or impose my adoration of my best friend on my daughter. She clicked with Micca the second we stepped out of the car in the same way Micca and I "clicked" on the 10th floor of Drummond during Rush Week at OSU. I could have disappeared for 3 days and Matine would not have cared (if only I could have left my boob with a supply of milk).

They laughed, giggled, tickled, played until it was absolutely too late for Matine to keep her little peepers open. On Sunday, Josh sweetly offered to watch Matine so Micca and I could go out, have some alone time and do something that neither of us would ever do if we weren't together. We tried to go get a pedicure, but alas, it's Oklahoma on a Sunday and this State actually observes the Sabbath.

Thanks to the power of the mighty dollar and capitalism, the Mall was open and that is something neither of us EVER endure without each other. It was great. We shopped, I made Micca buy things she normally wouldn't (shirts with color and that aren't gray, white or black), I got a little make-over and got some new make-up, and we did some grueling bra-shopping.

We left Matine napping and I knew she'd be asleep for a good 2-3 hours and Josh was ordered to call as soon as she woke up to give us a status on her mood and composure. 2 hours into our excursion into the City he texts: "the little lady is up, but we are all happy, don't rush home."

happy baby in borrowed bouncy seat - thank you Kim and Beau!

She remained in a great mood the ENTIRE time we were gone - even our final text on our way home, "still doing great." Josh has the magic touch!

Well, when we get home we see what Matine and Josh have been up to - Matine is on the shady beautiful deck in her bouncy / neglecto-saucer thing bouncing away, he says they went for a walk to see the horses, played a bit, and then Josh got busy boiling an entire antelope head (with rack) in a large steaming cauldron, all while drinking a chilled PBR. FYI - the boiling of the head is to get all the skin and guts off of it so it can be properly mounted. It was CLASSIC Josh Rasp. We laughed so hard...

notice the happy bouncing baby with steaming antelope and beer in background

Matine was right at home with dead game, the wind in her face, and the company of Josh. Pete will be glad to hear that she was in proper company and learning such important lessons about big game while she was in Oklahoma.

steaming dead antelope

You can see an entire album of pictures that were taken at the Rasp's house here.

Real Life - The Office

Taken from a recent email exchange with an un-named friend... I laughed really hard. Especially after watching anything like the Office or Office Space. We all know how strangely accurate this is. If threaten to take a job in an office again someday - please stop me!

One of the secretaries in my "room" is 99% deaf and she has me take her calls for her. She has me translate something ALL THE DAMN TIME AND IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY. But, she has a big candy bowl on her desk so that helps make up for it. There has been an ongoing email from the receptionist because someone keeps messing with the time released air freshener thingy in the bathroom.

Oh, and I also literally got in trouble from the lady that is in charge of ordering all the office supplies because I was using the stapler that was specially to be left in the copy room. Seriously seriously????? Oh, and the really old deaf lady will send me an email and then also print it off and set it in my chair. Really???? Does she not understand how emailing works? So, do I send her an email back and then also print off my response and set it on her desk? Or do I just respond to the email like a normal person?

Polka Dots and Giggles

A few reasons why I love my life . . . .

Guess Who We Get To See????

Matine and I are coming to Tulsa on October 24th and the highlight will be seeing THIS GUY!

Her Latest Looks

Matine makes me laugh every hour of every day! Even the hours she is sleeping, I am laughing at something she did the hour before? Am I crazy about our baby? Yes. Is she the most darling, sweet, perfect thing imaginable? Yes.

At 5 months old she is chatty, wiggly, smiling at everything, loves to see things move and work, has something to say back when asked a question, loves to bounce in her johnny jumper, loves to flap her arms and legs out and in as fast as she can, play with her pacifier, Dad, Nona, Jim-pa, and Mom; and of course, she will NOT drink out of a bottle, sippy cup or anything that contains fluids (except for mom, of course). She is very interested in what the dogs are doing now, even squeals at them when she can, is almost sitting up completely on her own (she does now but topples over after a few minutes), and will roll all over the place when put on her back or belly. She entertains herself for long periods with her own hands (twirling and moving them back and forth and rubbing them on things), and is starting to form syllables - ba ba, ma ma (but not a "mama"), blows bubbles and likes the sound of her own voice. We got our hot-tub up and working again and we discovered she is a FISH. She loves the water and doesn't seem to tire of splashing, kicking and being splashed with water.

She has started getting a bit more particular about her bedtime routine. We have discovered that she really doesn't like being babysat and not being put down by mom or dad. My mother swears she screams "mama" as the tears stream down her face when I am not around to nurse her before bed. Hmmm...

Life is bliss in baby land and we adore her and enjoy this child more everyday. We are trying to get outside and enjoy the last few beautiful days of fall before we enter the season of 6 layers and cold-chapped cheeks: although, she really enjoys the cold we have discovered.

As you can see, I am having fun with what my mom refers to as "the best dress up baby doll" I have ever had!

These are Matine's super cute "muck boots" for the snowy ground (thanks Mandy and Aunt Susie). Ours have to be black. Booorrrriingggg.

Cheeks getting bigger by the feeding.

This is her "lounge chair" that she hangs in while we eat casual dinners and watch some primetime TV. She LOVES her Jim-Pa.

OOOHHHH... Something must be scary on TV. This is a new face she has been making lately - it is usually followed up with a "baaahhh baaaahhhh", munching sound. Notice the sippy cup with milk. No, she didn't drink it, just throws it.


Matine got a Lil' Stormy Kromer hat to match her dad and grand-dad (and every other hunter or Montana man). Here is sporting her Carhart coveralls, denim jacket and Stormy Kromer. Kinda cute I must say.

Jim, Pete, Matine and JP at the Pop Stand for a wintery day breakfast with the guys.

I like how she looks like a little redneck Montana angel with the cool blur effect....