Nana Jo Time!

I LOVE the hot tub... especially in my swimsuit and red cheeks.

Nana Jo came to stay with me for 4 whole days! Mom was in Bozeman this week, becoming a Licensed Property Manager - she said she learned a lot about what NOT to be doing with all our rental homes and how to make more money! Good stuff. We fired up the hot tub again and I LOVE getting in it ... morning, night, whenever! I think mom just likes to see me in my swimsuit. Lots of playing and hanging with one of my favorite people ... it was a good week!

Oooooklahoma

We did it! We booked a ticket and got some therapy. That is best friend time-therapy in OKC. Matine was a super-trooper on the plane (even though it was right during her bed time). Will I fly at that time again? Hell no. Will I block the experience out of my mind. Yes. But doesn't seh look cute in her extra seat eating her snacks on the plane (with puppy, of course).

First full day with Aunt Mic - we SWAM and enjoyed the sun and heat! On this day in Edmond, it was 90+ degrees and it was SNOWING in Livingston.

There were a LOT of kids at this waterpark - but Matine only had eyes for Micca.

The real fun began when Mattie realized she could have her own private pool in the yard, be naked ALL day, and poop in the yard, WHILE playing with the garden hose and Cash-dog. This was her idea of Heaven on Earth.

Water baby in beautiful, green Oklahoma!

We finished off our first full Day in OKC with a good ol' Oklahoma truck ride to check on the Rasp's cows on their red-dirt lease land. By the end of this trip, Matine knew what "cows" where quite well. With the mooing, friendly (face licking) calves and cows just outside the yard, I think she thinks all cattle are like pets.

Next day --- Shopping with Mom and Micca and the anticipation of the arrival of Micca's larger-than-life dad, JP, and step-mom Patty. They came for the weekend too to help with the Rasp's First Annual Branding!

I hate baby blogs

I am truly trying very hard to not make this entire blog about a baby. I am aware that it can be very annoying when people publish to the world wide web information about their babies poop, noises, milestones and seemingly dull things. However, Matine is not just any baby (if you doubt this just ask her parents) AND I promise to do my best to keep the other plumbing mishaps, horse events, parties, paint fiascos, dog trials, and embarrassing moments well documented.

Until I do something really stupid again (just wait) here is some ridiculously "cheeky" stuff for you to enjoy in 2010! You can't go wrong with 2 chubby babies in water.

Matine (7 1/2 months) and her cutie cousin Gwenna (4 1/2 months)

Uh, dad, when are you going to pass that on... please.

Mama Mary and her little gal, Gwenna

Matine's newest "face" -- this scrunching of the nose is her smile - she's very happy here.

Uncle Dan loves Matine!

Just chill-axin

Does this hat make my cheeks look big?

No. THIS hat makes MY cheeks look bigger!

Let's be friends forever Gwenna!

Swim Lessons

Since the arrival of "the kid," Peter and I realized that we really needed another camera. We are both a bit trigger happy with the contraptions (if you haven't noticed yet) and it just wasn't worth the therapist bill to deal with the negotiations over who gets the camera each day. Peter needs one to take pictures of all his clients, fish and such. You never know when you or your client might catch the state record brown trout!

I of course have to have a camera at all times to record and document every waking move, darling outfit and facial expression of our ever changing new hobby - Matine.

So, we shopped around and found a terrific deal on a camera that has some very cool features (at least good ones for this crazy family). They include: being able to be dropped at 5 feet, shock proof, and the ability to go completely under water.

We tested it out last weekend when Amy was in town again with Cash. Cash really likes the hot tub and even likes going under water now! Pete took it to the Missouri this weekend with some of our favorite of his clients, Annie and Charles, and then we let Matine test it out for us too. I am sure I will drop it soon to make sure that "shock proof feature" really is all they say it is.


Pretty rainbow trout on the Missouri River


Cash, after his swim (I think he looks a bit like Hugh Hefner here with the robe)

Cash - 9 months old - thank goodness he doesn't swim like his dad (poor Eric gets hounded by us a bit b/c he can't swim... what do you expect of a guy who grew up on a sheep farm in Minnesota?)!


Little Matine got in the hot tub on her 5 week old birthday! I was totally freaked out about putting her in water so soon. You know, ANYTHING could have happened - a freak short in the electical system, shocking all in the tub; dropping a slippery wet baby, rendering her unconscious; her skin reacting to the water and leaving her with a scarring rash for her prom; or maybe just simply overheating and being sweaty and hot all day long, leaving her with a bad feel for water and never being able to get her in a bathtub again -- then we'd have "that smelly kid" in class for our entire lives.

Alas, I called the Doc and he said cooler tubs, 100 degrees or less are great for them - no problem and she'd probably like it - just don't leave her in too long. The Doc was right again, she loved it! Happy as a clam for her entire 5 minute soak at Nana Jo's house. I think Dad was the most excited about the new adventure.

Matine the fish.

Check out her cute swimmy trunks - another wonderful hand-me-down from our friends.

Cool underwater camera!

That is one cute kid, I must say - and the baby is cute too.