What's wrong with this picture?

Is it me or does it look like Santa Clause is terrified of our darling baby? Is it the perfectly round bowling ball head? Do her dainty little fingers look like claws? Did she leave him a surprise on his knee? Maine visited the "Big Man" yesterday. A bit terrified she was, but we managed to distract her by acting like total idiots for a few quick moments. I LOVE our first Santa picture... Many years to collect more.

Will she do it?

Over the river and through the woods, to Amy's house in Dillon we go.... Santa got the change of address memo and we hope he arrives there. I have all sorts of new family traditions ready to go- designed to embarass my husband and make lasting memories for our new little family.

Matine is "soooo close" to crawling. She has mastered the "commando crawl," "wounded soldier," "baby scoot," whatever you call it. Will she take off by Christmas day?

Videos of the Day

She is a ham-bone and SO BIG!

Enjoy.

We Let our Child Play with Beer Cans

Ah the Holidays. It's a time for love, cheer, friendship, drinking too much, spending too much, being busy, fat pants, and for Matine, being the center of attention!

We have been hitting the Holiday Open House, Holiday Party, Holiday Lunch and Holiday Event circuit! Whew... we are pooped and it's only the 19th.

We excitedly dressed Matine in her darling new pink cable knit sweater and matching hat (thanks Auntie Heidi) for the Sweetwater Flyfishing Christmas Open House. All our favorite fisherman friends, wives, babies and dogs were there. Matine was dressed to the nines and ready for a party. We mix and mingle, holding sweet M as she proceeds to greet and "talk" to anyone that even looks at her... "Blaaaahhh Blaaahhh AHHHHHHHHHHH" was the gist of the conversation. She got really fired up when we stuck her in front of another friends 8-month old baby boy, Caleb. They were simpatico. They carried on a babble conversation for a good 20 minutes. Caleb would lean forward and "kiss" Matine (drooly and open mouthed of course), she tried holding his hand and they just cracked each other (and everyone watching) up for a good while.



Peter and I enjoyed the standard fly fisherman's beverage - PBR in a can - and with the empty can, Matine proceeded to play. I heard a few warnings from other moms (and me) that she might cut herself with the sharp opening... Naaahh... "she's fine, look, she loves it!"

I visit with some friends, turn back to see Matine, giggly and having the time of her life in daddy's arms, and COVERED in her own blood. Her cute little finger was hardly nicked but bleeding like a stuffed pig. Gasp. Poor baby. Oops. Bad Parents.

She wasn't fazed. She was at a party, getting LOTS of smiles and attention from lots of cute men and pretty gals. Oh well, thanks to my Mom I have a great new stain remover that will take the baby blood right out. On with the party.

She is put on the floor to play with her new boyfriend some more. Covered in blood and drool, and now attracting attention from the toddlers at the party (it must have been the high pitched squeals of excitement that they liked?), Matine is surrounded by little kids, convinced she is "their little doll" to play with. Little Griffin brought over a little plastic cup of water and put it on the floor in front of Matine. The next thing I see, our beautiful baby girl is licking water out of the cup like a dog! Literally lapping it up, head in cup. Laughter from adults and toddlers alike ensues.

I had a revelation as I picked our bloody, wet, red cheeked, cackling baby up... "We have that kid." You know the one that shows up at a party all cute and unassuming but ends up getting everyone all riled up and then leaves dirty, missing a shoe (or tooth) and covered in mud. We have a LONG road ahead I think.

Well, it was past her bedtime and she was showing no signs of leaving this party before the bartender. So, we drug her out. As soon as she sees us leaving the crying started. I really don't think our 7-month old baby wanted to leave the PBR party. Bloody sweater and all, we put sweet Matine into her dog bed to sleep.

She slept all night (which we do now... ALLLLLL night - yay for me!) and awoke ready for the festivities the next day.

So, Friday... I had a little gals only get together at Deb's house - we had the first Annual Holiday Cookie Decorating Party at her house. It was grand. Sprinkles, cookie dough, wine at 3:30 in the afternoon, funny girls - what more do you need really?

Debbie in her cookie kitchen

Raluca and Zori... Ah Zori

No party is complete without a funny picture of Jeannette

I hurried home to join Peter and a well rested Matine at the Cajune's Holiday Party. What a spread they put out! It was really indescribable.

Beautiful party invites made by our friend Jenny and her new biz F Street Letterpress!

I felt like it was Martha Stewart meets Tom Cruise in Cocktail AND we got to dress up and look "Montana Sassy." Vedra cooked a ridiculous amount of gourmet appetizers, entrees, and desserts - all from scratch, all completely unique, and mouthwatering. Jason was buzzing around serving up the tastiest drinks I have had in a long time. The company was perfect and it was what a Christmas gathering of friends should be.

Matine and her prize - a celery stalk. Reminder to friends and family: a piece of celery is the PERFECT toy - no presents, ever, please.

Matine was the only baby (only teeny babies were allowed as long as we shared her). She was a gem - of course, she was in her element. Again she amused the guests, loved to be held by anyone, made babbling conversation and even seemed to "listen" to people's conversations, occasionally adding her 2 cents. I only have one picture of her at the Party, holding her celery stick (which she didn't let go of the ENTIRE night). Super photog Meggan took lots of photos and will surely have them on her Blog soon... I will let you know).

Vedra buzzing in her beautiful kitchen that supplied us lots of tasty morsels

Today we siesta and catch up on our sleep, tomorrow time with Libby and Abby and then Madeleine's B-Day/Holiday Party.

I guess the weary will finally rest when we get to Dillon for the 5-day Christmas with Amy, Eric, Cash and Joellyn? Unlikely.

Matine Does Coffee Shop

After 2 nights of Christmas parties, afternoons with friends, and general Holiday merriment, Matine, Pete and I had a nice Saturday morning at Chadz - coffee, bagels and catching up. Matine got to eat "eggs" for the first time and of course, showed off her new trick -- waving "hi!"

Life these Days

The last few weeks have been bliss for Peter and I. We are finally used to sharing the house again (it gets really easy to hogging a bed, house, and routine when your hubby is gone for most of the fall). I am working from home, Pete is taking a brief, well-deserved working hiatus, and of course, our little girl is home with us. We have been enjoying our leisurely daily routine of coffee and the Today Show, reading books, cookie yummy breakfasts, playing games, baking treats, using the sauna, going for walks, and watching our Netflix movies! It has been cold and windy (typical for Livingston this time of year), so we don't have a moment of guilt just snuggling in and enjoying our cozy, warm house.

When the baby goes to sleep Peter and I have been OBSESSED with the 24 Series. Let me just say, "I Love Jack Bauer!" We have both been having terrorist, spy, CTU, assassin-bad ass dreams! Pete actually shook me in the middle of the night, waking me up saying, "Hurry up, we have to get to the President now... He's going to be late!" Apparently Peter has been dreaming that he was actually Jack Bauer or one of the characters from his Vince Flynn novels. We might have an addiction. I was so upset yesterday when I realized I didn't get the Netflix back in the mail in time... Now we will have to wait 2 whole days until the next CD comes!

Other things we have been up to: painted the basement floor, Pete built some storage shelves in the basement, chopping lots of firewood, shoveling snow, checking on our horses, hauling hay, buying and wrapping Christmas presents, visiting Grandma Jo, lunch with friends, making new baby foods, and much much more!

Ahhhh.... We really enjoy our life.

Bozeman Day

We just had a fun, big day in the big city of Bozeman! Christmas Shopping, costco, lunch, banks... We even got to see our Auntie Marni! Fun fun. It was 5 degrees, but mom and dad kept me warm and cozy.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

The Christmas Horse

Although Matine is too young to really know what Christmas is all about at this point and "presents" are a concept that that are completely lost on her, we still HAD to get her something to have under the tree. We needed that perfect gift that we can take pictures of and tell her years from now, "this was your first Christmas and this is what we got you." It is most definitely a present for US, not really her at this stage.

Albeit, she is completely enthralled with the little things right now - magazines (not even the whole thing, just a couple of pages will do), wooden spoons, plastic spoons, a tupperware lid, and best of all . . . her Tylenol drops container! So, why the need for us to actually spend a dime on a "present?" Because we are first time parents and it's CHRISTMAS! We just had to start our traditions (more of that coming later by the way... hee hee hee).

So, careful thought went into something she will enjoy between now and her birthday in May. Something that is cheesy cliche and that will always remind us of her "First Christmas." The final decision -- a cute and cuddly rocking horse! She loves horses, loves it when we make animal noises, enjoys "riding pony" on daddy's leg, and is starting to really get a good balance.

So, the Horse is under the tree. Of course she noticed the big stuffed horse and so we tried introducing it to her. She touches it -- cute... She pets it and bangs it a bit --- still fun . . . She pulls on it's yarn mane and tail --- cool toy! It got ugly quick as we squeezed the stallions magical ears and it made the clippity clop sounds and a demonic neigh. We really messed it up when we put her on the scary beast's back! All very bad ideas.

Our child who LOVES noises, loves horses, loves anything new, starts CRYING! Yes, we made sweet Matine cry with her magical Christmas Present. She grasps and latches on to our necks, never to let go if we walk her towards the thing. Mean Mommy and Daddy.

Since she hates the horse, we made sure to wrap up some boxes with paper and fill them with beans. We might even wrap up a fancy kitchen ladle for giggles! Since we can't get any pictures of our cute baby on her toy, here are some pictures of her friend Sully on her horse. He LOVED it.

You can watch a short video of her reaction here -- mind you, this is her TAME reaction compared to the first 6 times we tried to make her like it.

This is just a fun picture of Chubby and Sully playing the other night. Apparently Matine is to Sully what the horse is to her. He can't be around her right now without breaking into tears and wails. I guess she is a bit intimidating and scary? Is it the baldness? The baby boobs? The elephant knees? The cheeks the size of Texas? Or is it the grin that spreads across her entire face? Not sure... What is it with the Holidays?

Finally -- Matine in Real Time!

I have been trying to figure out how to upload video for quite some time... I think we may have done it. For those of you who have always wondered what a cute chubby baby playing with her diaper and making cute sounds looks like -- here you go.

7 Months!

Bubbly Matine,

I am amazed how fast time has gone. I shouldn't say "gone." I feel like we have truly not allowed any single moment of your life to "go" anywhere. I am certain I annoy the family and your dad by making sure that every grunt, giggle, smile, movement and bowel movement is noted and acknowledged. But, hey, that's what Mom is supposed to do, right.


But alas, you are growing up so fast! You are such a quick learner. I think it is attributed to your need to examine everything - persons and things- with so much intensity. By the time you have stared it down, touched every object in every possible way, listened to the noice it makes - you then have it all figured out. You approach every learning opportunity with such excitement too. Everything seems so fascinating to you... Most of all right now it's your very own hands. You seem to have the patience of Job already (something you clearly didn't inherit from me). You can play and play and play for well over an hour - all by yourself on the floor. You have a bowl of toys that we set in front of you. You will carefully take one at a time out - play with it, touch it, "bang" it on the floor, on your hand, on another toy. You use your growing "scooting" and inching skills to move all over the room. You aren't crawling yet, but you have all the mechanics down pat. It's only a matter of time before you take off. Each minute I see progress - literally. It is amazing how fast you develop.


Your voices and verbal silliness is one of the things I love most right now. You clearly "talk" to us. You love little conversations, trying to mimic our faces, and making silly bubbles, raspberries, and grunts. As dainty as you can seem little girl, you have got some pipes on you! Usually when we are in a quiet store or restaurant you will belt out a long, gutteral, raspy "ahhhhhhhhhh." You are clearly trying to see how long you can hold your "word" and love to see us react to you. You also will do this to complete strangers across the room who look at you and say hi. It must be your "hi" back. It's not subtle. Will this be your personality in the days to come too?

This month you have developed a new trick. You think it's so fun to do a "genie head bob" when you laugh. You make an almost sneezing noise while at the same time throwing your chin to your chest, your head forward, and blinking your eyes (Very much like the witch in I Dream of Genie)! I was a bit worried (for a day) it was a "tick," but I have noticed it is very deliberate and you do it when you are wanting to make someone laugh. You are just a very silly girl, pretty much all waking hours of the day.

You are so observant. Did I say that? Nothing get's past you. You notice every movement the dogs make, every picture on a wall. When we read your favorite book at the moment, "Moo, Baa, La La La" you patiently wait for every page to be turned, laughing with each animal sound we make... You anticipate each moment of the story. You love animal noises and are starting to put together that "Woof Woof" comes out of your dogs.


Your hair. You are still just a little baldy with some fuzz all over. It is definitely growing, but nice and slow. Your dad and I are glad. We love, love, love your soft fuzzy head. It is our favorite place to nuzzle. You are starting to grow a little Kewpie Doll curl right on the top, almost a little mohawk.

Teeth. Bless your heart, we are starting your orthodontic fund now. It's normal to develop the two front or bottom teeth first. Not our little vampire. Your INCISORS and molars are coming in first. Ouch and yikes. They are painful and the last couple of weeks you have definitely been bothered by them. A little Tylenol here and there has helped and you continue to hardly fuss or cry --- and you LOVE your Tylenol dropper and chewing on the sugary drug (don't worry, I let you chew on the SEALED bottle... I am not letting you self medicate quite yet).


We have settled into such a fun routine here with our little family. Your eager dad LOVES to see you right when you wake up. I have never seen anyone bounce out of bed so willingly than when he hears your little babble from your room each morning. He excitedly greets you, kisses you and brings you to bed with us. Your nurs and cuddle and get all warm. We then play with you in bed... Laughing and watching you start your engine for the day. The dogs join us too and always have plenty of kisses to share with you.

Your days have been filled with floor time these last 2 months. You love to sit up and then be on your belly and side and back... Scooting and rolling. Playing with your toes and shaking and banging your toys. You like to roll and scoot to places in the living room that get you in precarious positions. You think it's hilarious to get all but your head under the couch or ottoman. When you get off the rug and onto the slick wood floors, you will spin and twirl on your belly. Also hilarious for us to watch. You very rarely get frustrated with the learning process of crawling. Not once have you belted out crying because you get "stuck" or to a place where you don't' want to "crawl" anymore. You figure it out and problem solve every little movement, toy or place you get yourself into. Baby, I hope you stay such a patient thinker.


You are still just as mellow and happy as can be. It is RARE when you even fuss for a minute. Even rarer when you cry. This is why your "fangs" and teething just break my heart. I can see you fighting tears - you don't want to cry - but I can see it hurts you. Even with your unfortunate teething you are a JOY to be around, every single minute.

All of your grandparents are nutty about you. They enjoy just watching you play, learn, love. You are so lucky to have so many people that love you. They are also pretty fortunate to get to spend so much time with you. I know their presence in your life will help make you the person you will become- in so many good ways. To be showered with adoration, love and support from day-one. I believe this will make you feel secure, confident and never alone your entire life.

It's still nearly impossible for me to articulate in words what I feel for you, for being a mother. My heart continues to overflow with joy, wonder, happiness, elation at every single moment of being with you. When I take the occasional errand on my own or go out for coffee with friends... It's only a few hours, but I feel like an appendage has been removed. You are more a part of me than I ever imagined.


I never want to forget what it feels like to sit quietly and smile and laugh back and forth. To share those simple moments of just staring at each other, feeling your soft perfect head, holding your beautiful hands and seeing you experience life, moment by moment. You are perfection. There is nothing more beautiful on the Earth than your laugh, your smile, your noises. You are loved little girl. You are loved more than you will ever know. I just hope that as life happens, as you grow older, have your own busy life or trials down the road (a long way down the road) that all this love we feel for you, that all this faith we have in your abilities and potential, that you feel it all- that deep down you see what we see. You are perfect just the way you are, you can do anything, everything you touch is amazing and better because you were a part of it. We see all this and so much more.

It is about 3 weeks to Christmas... your FIRST Christmas! I have a sneaking feeling that you might just figure out once and for all how to crawl over to that beautiful twinkling Christmas tree before the big day!

Mattie John, thanks for making me a mama... It's the greatest job I have ever had. Thanks for being so perfectly YOU. We can't get enough of you in a day... All we want for Christmas are more days of soaking in your sweetness.

True Story

It has been really, really cold here. Yesterday it was -24 in Bozeman and about -12 here in Livingston when we woke up. Thanks to modern conveniences, we keep our house nice and toasty with central heat and a massive wood burning stove.

I was scheduled to help some friends out and work their retail shop downtown at 3pm yesterday, and that was my ONLY scheduled outing for the day. Peter even complained of the cold on this day ... and he never does. He chopped some wood outside for a few minutes and he nearly had to amputate his digits. The following conversation takes place with my husband, a man.

Brooke: "I am going to get the car started here in a few minutes so it has plenty of time to warm up before I have to leave for work."

Peter: "Seriously? It is really hard on the car to drive it in this weather."

Brooke: "I know, and that is why I am giving it nearly 40 minutes to warm up."

Peter: "It is really bad on the car to drive it this cold, why don't you just walk to work."

Brooke: Speechless, dumbfounded look on face.

Peter: Staring blankly back at Brooke

Brooke: "I am going to drive the car. I think it might be worse on the WIFE to WALK 15 minutes than for the car to have to suck it up and drive me there."

Ahhhh. Male logic. I guess a popsicle for a wife is better than a broken car?

Teaching her Early to Choose Wisely

The (not so) Great Christmas Tree Hunt

We LOVE December when we can go on a fun journey to find the perfect Christmas Tree. This year it was 8 degrees on the day we had set aside to go and we decided to just purchase one from the Boy Scouts. Joellyn came over for the day to help us find our tree and then decorate it (she is a professional tree decorator you know).

Well, Plan B failed too... Boy Scouts hadn't started selling yet. So, we loaded baby in the car and drove up Mill Creek anyways, determined to find a tree that wasn't too far from the road so we didn't have to get her out of the car.

We succeeded! We actually found 2 great trees just off the side of the road. We pointed, Peter hacked them down with his saw, and in the truck they went... Not as adventurous and glamorous as past tree ventures, but we got the job done - all while Matine rested warm in the car.






We love our tree... Love our warm, decorated home, and we are quite certain Matine is going to finally figure this crawling thing out just in time for Christmas so she can pull all those sparkling pretty things off the tree!

Thanks Nana Jo for a beautifully decorated tree (and fun time with you)!

The following pictures are just cute pics of Matine in a Christmas outfit under a tree, surrounded by stuffed animals... yes, I am fully aware of the cheesiness.

Truly Thankful

What a Thanksgiving the Howell / Waters / Hoffmann /Bynum Clan had this year. I believe our family continues to grow in size and spirit - as it should be everyday, but especially on Thanksgiving. The doors were opened wide to share love and laughter and high calorie foods with anyone that wanted to be with good people.

Pete and I made the trek to Joellyn's house on Wednesday to spend some quiet time before the festivities began. We then stayed until Saturday afternoon. He wanted to work with and ride our two newest horses - Sven and Olie. Let's just say, "we don't pack light anymore." Literally - we loaded a 1 ton dually truck with saddles, 3 dogs, bags, food for Thanksgiving, baby, pack and play, 5 days supply of clothes and diapers, Ipods, board games, a million other things, oh, and don't forget the TRAILER pulling 3 horses! It was quite a sight.

The weather this week was gorgeous - cold, crisp air but sunny and bright. Amy, Eric and Cash made it up on Wednesday night, as did "the girls" Loni and Marni. As usual we drew straws for beds and couches and the slumber party began.

Our first Holiday with our newest addition... She was amazing.

On Thanksgiving Day my mom and Jim, along with longtime friends from California, Dea and Rob, joined us. We had decided today was the perfect day to finally spread John's Ashes on the property. It was one year ago at the House that we celebrated with over 60 people on Thanksgiving, honoring his life. A perfect, peaceful spot was found under a very beautiful cedar tree. Pete spelled a "J" on the earth, Amy an "H" and Joellyn a heart shape. It was perfectly fitting and beautiful. I know John would be so happy to see his family, all together, holding what they didn't have last year --- his grandkids, laughing and smiling and honoring his memory with lots of laughs and a few tears.


Also fitting for John -- we ATE -- a gorgeous and delicious meal - prepared a bit by everyone. Isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about?

We took a walk to the Saloon, drug Cash around in a sled, played with horses, Joellyn gave the customary haircut, we watched some football, and we all delighted in our new babies.

A little trek to the saloon... over the river and through the woods...

Jim Pa and Nana Jo

This is what our clan looks like when we take off for a quick walk...
We are usually out numbered by dogs...

No Thanksgiving that I know of is complete without a few cocktails. The Pendelton bottle was drank completely, a blender full of margaritas had been topped off, 2 bottles of wine .... So, rightly, it was GAME time... Balderdash and Dominoes on a Mexican Train. Oh what fun!

We are grateful --- for all of these people, things, and more.

We took some classic snow bunny pictures.

This is my FAVORITE new picture of Mom and Matine...
I have never known a woman to love a baby more... How could you not really?

The beautiful Waters Sisters -- This is for you Aunt Jan - we missed you.

The Hoffmanns!

Handsome men with babies... Grrr...

The Howells -- Christmas card picture?

Eric is a trusting soul... Haircuts from his mother-in-law?
I guess it's better than from your wife.

Nana Jo did lots of reading, chasing and playing with her darling grandkids... Can you tell they are cousins or what?

There are MANY MANY more amazing pictures from the week...

Look Here and Here.

LITTLE Reunion

It has been way too long since my Little Sister Zoe and I have hung out. We finally reconnected last night over steamers and eggnog lattes at Coffee Crossing. We gossiped about the usual and had a few laughs. She continues to amaze me - such a smart, fun, and beautiful young lady.

I can't wait to get back on a regular schedule and see her as often as I should.

For those who wonder aboiut Big Brothers Big Sisters - it rocks!
( Sorry about the goofy picture - Tim the Magnificent, our local character and town magician can't seem to magically take a decent picture with a Blackberry)

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Woodstock -- the Cabinets not the Event

I know I brag and talk about my family a lot. They are terrific. I hit the jackpot when I was born the daughter of Scott and Kerri. I then won the Powerball when I got my brother Clark. They say you can't win the lottery twice, but I sure did when I then married into the Howell family. Geez, I really should share the wealth, but SORRY, they are all mine and I won't give them up.

I am ECSTATIC to spend all my time with these people. So, when I talk about them all the time and tell people about what they do --- it's nice to occasionally be able to SHOW what they do.

My dad and brother, together, run the most amazing custom cabinet and woodworking business in Oklahoma - maybe the region - heck, maybe the WORLD! Somehow these 2 balls of never-ending energy sell, design and build some breathtaking woodwork.

You can check out HERE a photo album of some of their recent work in Oklahoma. For you Okies out there... Give Woodstock Cabinet Co. a call when you need new cabinet doors, a remodel or are building your dream home. I can promise you some dependable Characters to do the job!

I am so proud!

Scottongim and Nana Time

Matine has had a big week -- first, her Nana Jo came to spend the night on Thursday. Her Grandpa Scott is in town and he LOVES to have fun and go out when he is in Livingston. Nana Jo came so Peter and I could join Dad and go out and be "semi-real adults" for an evening. Plus, Matine was due some alone time with Joellyn. We hit The Murray Bar and had a few beers and watched the tail end of the OK State v Colorado game.

Dad happy in his "home away from home" - Shocker - !!! He immediately made friends with a young local at the bar.

Pete and I out at The Murray since the first time since... well, since before I was pregnant??? Yikes!

Ah, Nana Jo -- I think you are so fun and pretty!

Other things we have done this week? We cooked some good dinners, sauna'd, hot tubbed, went out to eat. Matine, Dad and I even went sight seeing in Yellowstone National Park for a day.

Matine thoroughly enjoyed her drive in the Park --- as you can imagine, her view of things was a bit different than ours --- but she had a great time all the same.

We did our usual weekend routine of going to Chadz on Saturday morning to visit all the friends, had a play date with Sully and the boys did some home improvement projects.

This weekend was Jim Pa and Nona's 8th Wedding Anniversary.
Boy are we glad they found each other... Here's to MANY more years of wedded bliss.

Baby William and Matine -- chillin' at the Coffee Shop

And we generally just had a great time with ALL THE GRANDPARENTS this week -- Matine is one lucky baby to have so many people to love on her. Her grandpa Scott is SILLY about her. We are now resting up so we can be ready for our big Thanksgiving celebrations!

check out the ROLLS on that stomach!

It Has Been One Year

Since we lost a dad, a husband, a friend, a confidant, a grandad . . . and a really great guy.

John, we miss you, each and every day. We know you rejoice and smile at the daily life of your kids and wife and friends. We know you gently help guide our steps and help us keep our sense of humor about life. Thank you for showing us how to live life with open arms to everyone and everything. We see you each and every day in our little girl, in Cash, in Pete and Amy... and of course, in every perfectly cooked steak or cold martini.

Today, like everyday, we remember you with a few tears and a whole lot of joy...

All our love,

Your Family

Always Remember

Always remember the gone summer songs,
Constantly consider the days that were sweet
Into the instances of every young
That courses has drift on after life's treat
Flowers in the garden of shadows and light
Bringing you colors of everything
Moments of days and hours of the dim night
What you in your heart strings always shall sing

Always remember the moments of worth
They come very tenderly on their own
Trying to find you in your misty round ways
Seeds of left longings in roots of new birth
Everything coming not clearly shown
When hours so spotlessly in memory plays

By Peter S. Quinn, from the song, Always Remember

Family Fun in Dillon - In a Nutshell (no pun intended)

• We spent 3 days in Dillon with Amy, Eric and Cash last week.
• We had a great time.
• The cousins were curious and very sweet with each other.
• It snowed - the first big storm of the winter!
• Eric and Amy seem very happy and settled in their new home - this makes us happy!
• Cash is hilarious as a little walker.
• Matine thought he was very, very fun!
• Pete enjoyed playing Martha Stewart and cooking us fancy meals each night.
• Eric prefers simple meat and potato dishes we found out.
• We hit the big Patagonia Veteran's Day sale and got some winter coats.
• We watched the Gilmore Girls each day (sometimes twice) because Amy is addicted to Lorelei and Rory - she even dreams about the characters.

Grandpa Scott is Here!

Let the fun begin... My grandpa Scott is here! I sure love playing with and watching this animated and lively man. We are having so much fun. I think he likes me.

I am one lucky girl.... All my grandparents are around me all the time! Tonight, my Nana Jo is coming over to play with me and spend the night! Slumber Party!