MATINE TURNS 3!

I still cannot believe my little girl is THREE years old already.  Wow, time really does fly.  The last three years with her have been the most exciting, inspiring, rewarding, challenging, and sweet years of my life.

Sweet Matine,

You are truly the sweetest person I know.  Your heart is so big, so honest, so strong.  You make every moment brighter with your enthusiasm for everything!  You choose to see the world as beautiful and fun in every way.  You prefer to laugh, love and hug ... resisting any efforts to ever be cross or not happy.  Even when you fall and scrape a knee you try to not cry or complain and proudly announce when you are "healed" or not sad anymore.   You just want to be happy!  You adore fun, beauty, excitement, people, places, animals.  You take it ALL in with GUSTO and you never cease to amaze me with your wit and curiosity for life.   These days are FILLED with a million and one questions as to why, how or my favorite "what did you say?"  "what are you talking about?"  You are smart and observant beyond your years and I am terrified so many times at what you are processing and understanding.  You have no problem asking over and over about something until you understand it and if you ever hear a word or expression that you don't understand you simply say, "I don't know what that means mom, can you tell me again."  I hope you never lose this quality.  Today I said, "it broke my heart" while talking with Grandpa Scott and you were listening.  You immediately ask me.  "Mom, why did your heart break?"  I know you were taking it literally and were very concerned that I had a broken heart.  When I explained that's an expression used when people are sad about something, you thought about it long and hard and then say, "Expression?  I don't know that word."  You had totally processed all of what I just said but that one word and you couldn't let it go.  I then had to break that down and explain what an "expression" was to a three year old.  You are keeping us on our toes little girl!    You want all people to be included in all you do and you already love your friends and family more than anything.  Princess, in your own words, "you are kind and gentle."  I love you more than words could ever express.  You are my heart and the greatest thing I have ever done or will do in my life.

xoxoxo - Mama

We had a birthday party fitting for a sweet, sweet girl who just loves to sit at a table and chat with friends. What else could a gal that requested a "pink" party want?  We filled the room with pink balloons, vintage dress up hats from Grammie, pretty dresses, flowers, tea sets, tasty treats and 12 of your favorite friends.  I think this over the top party was a success (as we witnessed you literally screaming with joy at the table and running hot laps around the house and yard for 2 hours non-stop).   This one will go down in the memory books.  Everyone kept asking, "how in the world did you find the time and energy to do this with a  10 day old baby?"  Well, let me tell you folks that the secret to ALL my success these days is the energy and time of JimPa, Nona and Grandpa Scott!  Matine has been enlisted to do some heavy lifting around here too!  Thank you guys, you are miracles ... truly.

First, a tea party dress must be picked out.  It must be pink, of course, and have some flowers on it.  Second, you must select a hat.  Pink again is preferred and you can't go wrong if there is a bluebird on top.  She proudly wore her new charm necklace from Aunt Michele (loves it).  Hair had barrettes and a pony tail ("just one").  She just loves to be pretty and adorned from head to toe.

The birthday girl - age 3

Jim Pa, aka "Dapper Dan" arrived early and she was so thrilled to see him sporting his hat and fancy coat.

Oh how they love each other so ....

Every single one of her friends arrived so excited and so cute.  Here is double trouble ... Audrey and Matine.  We are going to have to watch this duo.  Matine just has to have her arms around her friends when she takes pictures.  Not sure where that comes from ... aghem...

Sweet Kiris, Audrey and Matine!  

 The boys looked spiffy too and took right to the yard to play with garden tools and do boy things.

Darling Devin raking our play house yard.  Thanks Buddy! 

Devin's dreamy little brother Justin.  This little guy gets cuter by the day. 

 If you could only have overheard the laughing, giggling and conversations in the the yard.  These kids are hilarious.  At one point Matine was in the middle of the yard, dress hiked up, just peeing.  Yes, she peed at her tea party ... in the yard.  I was so proud!

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 William looking quite guilty at the food table... I love this boy.

Each kid had a place tags, gold chargers, glass plates and "tea cups" with sugary punch.  I tried to provide an assortment of foods (not JUST sugar) but alas, all they ate and went for were the lollipops, cupcakes, cookies and maybe some fruit.  Sorry parents.  I just hyped them all up on sugar and off they went at bed time... Good luck!

Lucas ROCKING my Grammie's vintage hat.  

Kiris, age 5. 

Audrey, age 3

Gray, age 5 (Kiris' twin)

Anders, age 5 (and loving the butterfly cakes)

Finn, age 4 with a cute new haircut.

Zori, almost 3 and ALMOST a big sister

 They all were so cute at the table and felt pretty special.  Matine was at the head of the table and grinning ear to ear the entire time!   At one point she was shrieking with joy.  Until our eardrums about popped and we had to request the b-day girl save that for outside.

The mass of kids at their high tea festivities! 

The shrieking 

 She kept asking me all day, "will we sing Happy Birthday to ME????"  Yes my love, we will!

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 Half of town have adopted JimPa as their surrogate granddad.  Sophia and Sully sure enjoyed his company at the other end of the table.  Please notice Sully's tee-shirt with a tie sewn on to it.  This boy loves casual clothes and he ROCKED this shirt. I thought it was so perfectly "Sully" for such an occasion.

THE TABLE BEFORE IT WAS DEVOURED

Grandpa "Cot" and Nana Jo

oh sweet girl, I am quite certain she is an ANGEL!

As anyone who knows my dad can attest... I can hardly get him in pictures.  He was at this party the entire time but was chatting someone's ears off outside while drinking a beer (beers) ... I can't believe he isn't in more photos.  And as you know, my mom and I are behind the cameras, alas, I have NO pictures of her either...

It was a great party.  We are all still trying to recover.

Sully Turns 3

We have been so lucky to have a special friendship with Sully since he was in his momma's belly and Mattie was in mine.  We have literally watched these kids grow up together from the very beginnings!

Sully recently celebrated his THIRD birthday at Chico - soaking, swimming, friends, pizza, pinatas, and cupcakes... Oh my!

Birthday Boy 

So anxious to sing and eat the candy on top of the healthy carrot muffins!  

Lucas and Matine waiting patiently! 

Such happy smiles and cute kids. 

We love Chico!  AND, banging on a piñata.  

You can recap birthday two here,  our first 5K walk/race together with the new borns when they were only 20 days old, our first Fathers Day camping trip when the babes were 6 weeks old, Emily and I's first real "trip to the park" with the babies (we thought it was so crazy at the time) .... It's been fun and we love our little Sully so much.

And most recently, he shared our excitement as we he and the new school welcomed Mattie on her first day of school!

That's what friends are for ..... Old friends are the best kind of friends.

my bro is 29!

It's a month of birthdays ... big ones, my favorite people.  So here goes another shout out and thanks to a person I would be absolutely LOST without.  Clarkie, you are the best.  You are the funniest, most loyal, hard working, quirkiest, most creative, intelligent, interesting, brave man I know.  You embody the phrase "live everyday as if it were your last." 

2006 - Ski Trip to Austria

Meeting my Little Brother in 1982!

 I look up to you little brother in so many ways, but my favorite thing about you is your enthusiasm for LIFE... all of it.  You love the gritty parts, the humor, the scary stuff, the adventure, the love and all of the smells, feelings, tastes and things that living a FULL life brings.   Thank you for being just as excited to tell me about a new favorite recipe as you are a concert you saw.   You are surrounded by amazing people and friends because YOU are amazing and a friend.  You are magnetic and contagious and people adore you because you are real and sincere and WANT to know people, in and out.  You are ALWAYS there for me... the first to call me to the table but the first to give me a hug and tell me you love me.  Thanks for being on my team since the day I met you.  You are my best friend ... always.  I hope we have many, many, many more adventures together!  Never lose you hunger for all things beautiful! 

He loves Montana!

What?  Did we really get along THAT well?

How I remember you most.

With his favorite niece this summer.

celebrate, celebrate

We had to show Mom a good ol' Montana float night for her birthday!  She has only floated the Yellowstone on a whitewater trip, and while that is LOTS of fun, there is nothing like a crisp Montana evening when all is quiet but the birds and a few river-side deer lapping up their last bits of water for the day to make you take a deep breath and say, "I live in the best place on the PLANET!"  It was a gorgeous evening and I think a good time was had by all. 

Helping Dad row the boat.

I am pretty sure this was here letting us know about a "whale" sighting.

Thanks to Peter for rowing our tails down the River AFTER already putting in a full days work rowing clients down another River.  It was worth it to see my mom's smiles and to hear Matine's squeals as she was CERTAIN she saw "whales" in the Yellowstone River.   She even convinced herself (after we told her) that some splashes in the River were the "whales" and she immediately says to us (with great certainty), "I need to hold him."  Good stuff.

Happy JimPa

Love that fried chicken.

Mi Mama!

Best seat in the House.

Fried chicken, cupcakes, and beer = $20.00.  Time with your family on the Yellowstone River = Priceless!

"my nona"

 Today is my sweet Mother's birthday.  Wow.  It's hard to imagine another year has gone by and I have been lucky enough to spend nearly the ENTIRE year with her just a few blocks away.   Having her by down the street and close to our lives has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.  I can't imagine not being able to share the craziest, most amazing years of my life without her.  NO ONE loves our child, me, or my world more than my mom.  She has been a steady, consistent, and faithful "fan" of me for as long as I can remember, but I have never needed or WANTED her here more than the last 2 years.   From drop in play dates with Matine, sharing dinners, recipes, an extra hand with the smallest to largest home improvements, someone to run errands with, have a beer with, go shopping with, or just to call and tell a funny Matine story... She is always willing, ready and delighted.  She's amazing.  My mother has an unbelievable way of being the perfect blend of fun, outgoing, friend who you always want around and also a "mom."  She knows when to just smile and laugh and when to sit me down and give me that counsel and advice that only a Mother can do.  She is Super-Mom.

Circa 1982 - Brooke, Mom and Clark

Everyday I am AMAZED at her talents and enthusiasm for anything that she does.  She can decorate on a dime like no-ones business, she can see the most beautiful potential in things that I would never give a second glance to, and she has in less than 2 years made for she and Jim (and our family) the most beautiful, warm and inviting home.  She loves that people can just show up, get a beer from the fridge and relax - she is a master at making people feel welcome and love; and let me tell you, half of Livingston adores Kerri!   I am so proud to introduce her to my friends and the irony is that they are now HER friends, OUR friends.  Our entire community has embraced she and Jim because they are so good at embracing others.  I am so proud to have her in my life.

2009 - Thanksgiving

If you haven't seen my mother with her grand-daughter, you should.  It is the most beautiful thing to behold. So many days I watch them together and it literally brings me to tears.   She ADORES Matine and somehow knows EXACTLY what she wants, needs and desires at any moment. We joke that Matine is always so perfect and happy at "Nona's because she never tells her 'no'" but I know that isn't entirely true.   It is taking a Village to raise that little one and I am sure grateful to have her on my team.

2011 - July

My mother seems to have found her true calling as a Grandma and it is contagious and delightful to see.  Games, crafts, puppets, movies, bike rides, baking, sewing, swinging, napping, sharing snacks ... They do it ALL together and she always makes it MORE FUN than anyone else.   Mattie looks at her with such adoration and I LOVE that she begs to go to her "Nona's house" or asks if "Nona is coming" when we get dressed to go somewhere.  They have an amazing bond that I know will be the forever and I can't ever thank my amazing mother enough for taking the time, opening her generous heart, and allowing my child to love her so much.   My mom has been many things to me over the years (counselor, nurse, teacher, friend, resource guide, personal seamstress/gardener/shopper, etc) but the greatest thing yet has been getting to share Mattie with her.  I have more respect, love and understanding about what it meant to be my mom now that I am a mother.  Mom, somehow, you made it look pretty darn effortless.  And I know Clark and I weren't always the easiest kids.   You always make the time, have the energy, the smile and the love that I need.  Always.  I love you so much and have no idea what I would do without you.  You are the strongest, bravest, most beautiful and interesting friend, mother and woman I know ... I hope I am half the person you are ... someday.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY KERRI NONA!

2010 - Vancouver Trip