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)
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 RosaWe 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)
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
3 comments:
It is great to see Mattie getting SOO much LOVE.....especially from her uncle! ;)
And....THANKS! We will celebrate when you get home for sure!!!
I contend that until a certain age (perhaps the age of hair) ALL babies resemble Scott!
Great to see you and Matine. Next stop--MONTANA!
What an AWESOME family you have. It sounds like so much fun...and that bathing suit! What a cutie!
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