Easter Bunny makes it to Dillon

Well, the Easter Bunny travels.  Thank goodness.  There was a lot of talk about this elusive rabbit this year and it did not disappoint.

A fun filled weekend in Dillon with the Hoffmanns!   Eric's brother and his family were there from Minnesota as well as his dad Ken.  It was a packed house and that always makes it fun for the kiddies!

While all our Midwestern, Southern, Floridian, and California readers read this .... It wouldn't be "Spring in Montana" without some sledding behind a horse!

Easter egg hunt in the riding arena - very Hoffmann-esque! I love this picture and how Shep the dog is hiding with the kids. 

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Mattie and her aunt Amy on Merlin the horse (he closed his eyes for the picture, dang it)! 

We just can't keep this kid out of a mud puddle or body of water!   I love her.

Peter took a cool picture of Merlins eyeball. 

I just love this for some reason - playing in the snowsuit in a playhouse and then little Gaucho sitting there as some sort of protector.... He is always looking out for that kid! 

The "easter bunnies" getting baskets ready for the morning... 

What a generous bunny that gal/guy is!

 On a side note, Mattie was very excited about the Easter Bunny thing.  We did walks around the neighborhood the week leading up, looking for him in the bushes, she had her headlamp out at night looking for the rabbit, and 2 days after Easter when she was home, Peter walked out with her in the front yard and there was a rabbit in the neighbors yard.  Very quietly she points out that it's there and then you hear this very soft and sweet, "THANK YOU" come out of her mouth as she looked at it.  It could melt your heart!

Cash Man 

Clearly liking her Easter Bunny bunny and not sure what the hanger is for.... 

But they're cousins ...

Identical cousins ... la la la.  Well, definitely not identical cousins, but they sure do like each other.  Amy and Eric took a week long trip to Arizona this last week and Nana Jo was keeping Cash and Jhett.  She needed help for one of the days so they came to Livingston to stay the night and the next day.   We had a great time.   Mattie was thrilled to have a sleepover with her favorite friends and Cash and Jhett seemed to enjoy the different toys and pace of our crazy lives.

It was hard to catch them all in the same room at the same time and cooperating for a picture, but here are a couple to remind us how cute they all are at this age.

Mattie doing Jhett's hair

Jhett Marie - 2 years 

Matine 34 months, Cash 3 years 5 months

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

We are ringing in the New Year in Dillon with Pete's sister Amy and Eric (and of course cousins Cash and Jhett).  The kids are having more fun than I could ever show you in pictures or words.  We occasionally have to break up a fight (usually involving sharing a tractor, hat or ball); but for the most part they disappear to "shoot monsters"  "jump on beds" and play with all their Christmas toys.  We can't keep clothes on Matine this trip (shocker) so most of the time she is feral in diaper only.  

We have a little bit of snow so they get kicked outside as much as possible to sled, throw snowballs, or their declared favorite activity of "falling in the snow."  

We went to Elkhorn Hot Springs in the Pioneer Mountains yesterday (a first for most of us) and it was heaven.  Snow all around, warm water and happy swimming babies.  Jhett and Matine are FISH and couldn't get enough.  Cash is still on the fence as to whether he really likes the water or not.   We have already planned a trip back to Elk Horn to rent a cabin and soak more.  There is a ton of cross country skiing practically out the cabin doors, a cute restaurant, and of course, hot natural spring water!   Our kind of place!  

Today we will head down to the arena on the La Cense Ranch where they are doing a bulldogging and break-a-way roping contest/benefit (yes, I just asked Eric and Peter what the heck that was).  Should entertain the kids for a while!  I am sure Matine will love an excuse to wear her chaps, gun and holster in public.

Tonight we will try to stay awake until midnight, eat some appetizers made of elk, and ring in the New Year with our family... We feel very lucky and happy to have had such a great year and look forward to a very eventful 2012!  

Our best to you - our friends and creepy stalkers on the world wide web!

Cheers,  The Howells

Have you seen Jhett Lately?

Well, she's almost 8 months old now!   Matine sure loves her little strawberry blond, blue eyed, smiling cousin!  These were taken in August, Sept, and October.

Airstream Adventures

We haven't taken the Airstream on a legitimate "maiden voyage" quite yet.  Since the day after we got Her, she has been parked in our driveway and graciously housing our constant rotation of house guests.  She has proven to be quite the extra bedroom.  A reminder to future visitors:  the Silver Bullet has air conditioning - our house doesn't!  The mobile living unit is very cozy and all Her guests have raved about her comfort, temperature and overall charm.  

We have taken her out to Joellyn's house twice now as our living quarters when we are there.  When there is a houseful of Amy, Eric and kids and other miscellaneous visiting family - even Jo's spacious house gets crowded and loud.  We love being about to sneak off outside and find peace and quiet in her metal walls.  Matine sleeps better in the Airstream than in her bedroom - she loves it!

There our beauty sits, perfectly at home as a backdrop to the Horseshoe Hills

She is an excellent focal point for adult and child gatherings alike.  Throw a few cushy Paco pads, bouncing balls, and dogs and the kids are right at home!

Sally, Audrey (pictured with Matine) and Camille came up last weekend for a nice relaxing day on the Howell Farm.

Camille cuddling her favorite friend and sister.

Amy and her baby, Miniature Eric (we also call her Jhett Marie)

TWO sweet babies - lucky me!

Cute and blurry picture of Mattie with her proud daddy.  These two are starting to look like twins.

After Nana read her grand-babies some stories, it was off to the Airstream for Matine who slept from 8pm to 8am!