Ernie's Art Show

Cousin Marni's boyfriend and fellow artist, Ernest had the opening of his very cool and interactive art show at MSU.  Like Marni, Ernie is in ceramics and he had made some very elaborate installations and pieces that are nearly impossible to describe - you just needed to be there, trust me.  

I told Matine that we were going to go to an "art show" the day before (FYI  - waaayyyy too early).  We picked out a very chic little ensemble (a gift from Nona last year), that I knew she would love wearing and we then proceeded to talk about it for 2 entire days before we were finally dressed up and on our way there.  

before the show at the house, she thought she was so cute, she wanted pics taken with each dog.  

We met Nana Jo in Bozeman for dinner first, Loni was coming over from Missoula, it was going to be a big night.  

The show was very fun!  Hundreds of people, very active and exciting "show."  Ernie had made dozens of ceramic bowling pins and balls, a bowling alley, 2 enormous ceramic boat/vessels (filled with balls), another boat that was used as a cooler to hold beer, and had this all "online" and streaming live to those that couldn't be there.   It was interactive with iPhone apps and even sponsored by PBR Beer (when you live in Montana you understand that sponsorship from PBR is very cool).  

Someone ADORES her Aunt Loni! 

Ernest, against the wall drinking a PBR, watching his clean up men sweep up the latest bowlers mess.  

The second we got out of the car at MSU Matine starts the dialogue (actually, we all know it started long before that), but it was "where's the art show, where we going, where's Marni and Loni, is this the art show, is this the party!, this is fun, do I get to dance?, etc, etc."  Gal was ready for some culture and mingling! 

When we arrive the place is packed!  People are taking turns bowling the ceramic balls down the lane and smashing (very loudly) both balls and bowling pins, cheering, drinking, laughing and talking.   I dare say MOST 2.5 year olds (and many adults) would have FREAKED OUT at all the chaos and loud noises.  Matine watched stunned (big brown eyes) for about 1 minute and then was completely in her element.  She chatted it up with Loni and Marni , complementing them on their clothes and earrings, met some new friends, some old, and within a half hour didn't even need or want to be held as she made her way (knee height) through the crowds to help herself to the food table and juice boxes.    She soaked in every single detail of what was going on and was so happy! 

  

Soaking it in and getting an art tutorial from Aunt Loni.

The Buell / Howell clan! 

Ernest Forward's ceramic boat/vessels - at the end of the night they were set to collide and break and explode... Cool! 

She did what she usually does these days and as soon as anyone made eye contact with her, she immediately, "What's your name?"  They of course answer back and ask hers and she begins her "conversations" with them.  I just wish you could see this little social butterfly in action.  

The drive home, she sat in her carseat, clutching a broken (but not sharp) souvenir piece of one of the bowling pins, half dazed and wiped out, smiling, talking and processing her "art show" night.  We have got to keep this little gal plugged in to the art scene - she definitely has a propensity and natural draw to it all! 

Making new friends and mingling at the food table. 

On her own and making her way through the crowds. 

Wow, I really love those earrings Marni - did you make them yourself? 

Spring Craziness has begun!

It was a BUSY weekend here for us.  It felt good to be so active with all our great friends and get out and about more after a long winter.  Friday was a get together with folks and soak at Chico, Saturday I had coffee and a nice good walk with some other pregnant girlfriends, and then Saturday night we had a great St Patricks Day dinner and fun fest at our friend Camy and Andy's in Bozeman.  After that we took a trip to Nana Jo's for Saturday and Sunday morning.   This momma is tired and Matine took a 4.5 hour nap after "school" today!

Before we could leave our house for Camy's house Matine made sure she had her own bag "which I want to carry like the mail lady" (over one shoulder and across the chest) with appropriate toys she thought the other kids would like to play with.   This included a My Little Pony, Bride Barbie, a plastic sheep, and a stuffed Giraffe, and a few extra barrettes (in her words, "in case I lose the ones in my hair").

After a 5 hour PARTY for adults and kids, Mattie was half delirious (it was 930 by now) but still clear headed enough to make sure that our next stop to Nana Jo's was well thought out.  On our way up there, Matine was going through the "pack list" in her head.  No kidding, this kid sat in her car seat and asked me if I remembered to pack her swimsuit, towel, toothbrush, pajamas and gloves.   I don't think I am going to be able to miss a single step with this kid.  I guess I don't really have to worry about introducing baby #2 and being overwhelmed... Mattie will clearly keep me in line!

Michelle made a nice bday cake for Andrew!  

Pat, Alexis, Michael (rocking the party in his undies), Camy and Levia 

Lucas and Matine with Peter 

Lucas is the cutest boy on the planet... He is SO funny (if you can't tell by just looking at this face)

Anna, Danica and Kennedy - Matine worshipped them! 

 Time is never wasted at Joellyn's.  By 8am she and Peter (and Matine of course) were hard at work fertilizing  her fields for spring ... Mattie supervised from the back of the 6th wheeler... With a big grig of course!

60's Christmas

I adore our little town in Livingston.  Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful.  See for yourself ... This was taken on Christmas Eve.

I stole this picture from Melynda's Facebook page and she did NOT take it... artist unknown. 

It is filled with equally beautiful and FUN people.   Dorel threw a super chic 60's cocktail / holiday party earlier in the month.  It was fabulous and oh so much fun to dress up fancy and imagine us all living the hippy / mod life of the 60's.  Great night.  And as always, fantastic people!

Dorel and Deena

Kevin, Chad, Mike and Henry --- so adorable. 

Jim and Henry - showing the 2 sides of the 60's. 

Sally and Kathy and Mike Kasic 

Lauren and Kyra!  

Chantelle and Meriweather 

Chad and his extra dirty Martini

The kissing O'Connors

me and Sally 

Baby got some sparkles that night! 

Chad and Amy 

the scene

Jen, Sally and Meriweather ... oh ladies, you just look so chic.

Mary making up some martinis! 

Happy Holidays!

Fall Fun and Mary Poppins!

We have had a fun and busy fall.  Beautiful weather, lots of leaves, pumpkins, friends, and of course - DRESS UP!  This post is long, but you get to see all of October, including the finale - Mattie as Mary Poppins herself.

It all started with a trip to the wonderful Rocky Creek Farm in Bozeman for pumpkin picking and petting zoo time.  Cousin Cash and Jhett (and their driver Amy) were in town, as well as Loni and Marni!   Nona and Jim Pa were with us as always and we met up with Sally and girls and it was a party!

On this particular day, Mattie was feeling very free spirited and dressed herself.  I couldn't bear tell her she had to change, so alas, what you see is her idea of a pumpkin patch outfit.  She loved it and sported the entire ensemble all day.  I think I loved it even more.

That might be my favorite picture of all time - yes, that is my daughter and yes, that was just a "Matine" moment caught on camera.

Some of my girls - what would I do without Loni, Mom and Marni? 

Sally and Camille

Cash Man! 

Amy, Jhett, me, Marni, Loni and Sally

Cousins playing in the hay -they are like night and day! 

I love this picture. 

Jhett refused to crack a smile on this day.  So cute. 

The kids - minus Cash. 

We then enjoyed a nice dinner at our house where we carved pumpkins, had some homey Shepherds pie, and visited ... the adults did most of the carving while the girls played dress up and ran around the house.

Today, on actual Halloween, Mattie and enjoyed a day of "fall crafts."  We decorated our 2nd pumpkin - this time with Halloween stickers, cut outs and glitter glue sticks.  We collected some leaves and made a "tree" picture with our real leaves.  And Mattie anticipated her dress up "trick or treating" by changing her outfit at least 6 times throughout the day.  This child can't decide on WHICH dress up dress she likes best, so she wears them all.

Serious concentration with the glitter glue (notice the sparkly go-go dress)

It was finally time for the finale... Costume time.  We have been looking forward to her Mary Poppins debut for months.  And again, thanks again to my creative and crafty (and organized) mother, Mattie had a handmade costume that cost mere pennies.   We watched scenes from Mary Poppins while getting her dressed and she got really good at saying, "trick or treat thank you" (all one word).

Year three's costume .... Mary Poppins!

Now that you are wooed by her cuteness I will tell you how this all REALLY went down.  I was crazy, cranky and impatient from 1pm on... Mattie refused to take a nap and cried in her room for an hour until I laid down with her.  She woke up crabby and testing my every move and word.  She refused to wear at the hat or jacket (key pieces to the costume).  Now, I know this is not her fault - she is 2.5  - I am an adult.  I needed to just "let it go" and relax, but it was one of those days where I just couldn't.  I wanted to lock myself in a closet and scream at the top of my lungs.  A large glass of wine would have helped the situation, but since I am pregnant, that was out (*^%$#).

Sally (my wife), the girls, and ME... terrifying I know.

She (me) ended up pulling herself together, helped and we had a great time with our friends and loved trick or treating.  That made it all much better, but I still need a do-over button sometimes. Hopefully she won't remember her scary, cranky clown (that was my costume) mom of Halloween 2011 when she grows up.  I was definitely the scariest thing I experienced tonight.

MANY more pictures coming later of tonight... This was all I had on my little aim and shoot.

Happy Halloween.