Tid-Bits at the Petty's

Here are a few tid-bits about the goings on at Petty's Place:

Nathan (like all two-year olds) is very possessive about things. Shane was playing with him the other day with his trucks and said, "Well, I think it should go over here like this. That's my opinion." And Nathan, NOT to be outdone said "NO! It's MY opinion!" This cracked me up. We're so glad he has his opinion.

Yesterday, Shane went garage sailing. He found a Christmas tree. We set it up in the living room to see how it looked. It was the happiest thing that happened all week! I LOVE Christmas and was SO glad to have a tree set up in my living room to admire.

Nathan has starting to learn about similes. For the last two weeks, when he gets chilly, he gives a shiver and says "Momma, I'm cold like milk."

The family went to a whirlwind Utah trip last week. We accomplished little, and were a bit discouraged. Mostly for Autoplex. I did however, procure a few maternity tops...I need to go back and get some cuter ones from Motherhood Maternity (I'm 16 weeks along now, not showing too much yet) I only made it to Kohls. Came home and was really sick for a few days. The highlight was seeing Harry Potter at Thanksgiving Point. No offense Lander/Riverton but digital sound, Big Screen, stadium seating and a clean theatre do make a more enjoyable viewing experience. However, the water I bought was almost as much as my ticket.

I have photo's from Utah and some photo's from rodeo days in Sheridan that I need to get up, but haven't done so yet. They are pretty darn cute, and I'm excited to get them posted. Plus the accompanying stories.

Nathan starts swimming lessons again tomorrow, I'm looking forward to this diversion. And to see how NQ does in an hour swim lesson. Especially since we went to the lake last week and he jumped off the boat, I don't know, at LEAST 30 times. He loves swimming, and didn't even mind his new life jacket. We'll have to go again when Shane can come and help round him up and return him to the boat.

Ah yes, and returning from the lake was an adventure as the truck was filled with gas, instead of diesel at the Riverton Co-Op. Impressive we made it home.

Shane has courageously been cleaning the outside windows of our Northern View. This has terrified me. But they are looking much better! So long as I don't see him swaying around on the ladder, I do fine.

I NEED some new requests for good books to read. I'm not a fan of sad/crying/disturbing types. (Example: Did NOT like the Kite Runner)

Just thought I better get some updates posted! Thanks for waiting.

4th of July 2009

Here are the cute cousins enjoying the front row seat to the parade, just before it got going.

Olivia LOVES to give loves.


Dad and the Larsens enjoying the simple joys of the 4th.

Wes and Brooke, the hero to every child on the block.

Nathan enjoying the goods.

Olivia had two or three.

Some very authentic looking Indians

Nathan was an enthusiastic waver to the parade people.

Favorite parts of 4th of July week:

1. BBQ with Sarah, Bela, Annie, Dave and company in the most amazing electrical storm and rain downpour ever. Bela buying a balloon for Nathan. So CUTE!

2. Shane's 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. killing spree with Wyatt and Kelton.

3. N.Q. liking to be sprayed by the firetrucks at the parade.

4. Dutch oven BBQ down by the Tee Pees at Grandparents Barney's House

5. Swimming in Grandma's Awesome inflatable pool.

6. REALLY amazing fireworks and program at the Bill's House. WONDERFUL SHOW.

7. Watching the town blast into the 4th with an amazing array of colors and sparkles, the black out helped bring out the intensity of the blast show going on everywhere.

8. Having Wyatt, Lisa, Brynnlee, and Kelton come shoot off a few fireworks with us.

9. Brynnlee's Squeaky shoes and piggy tails

10. Olivia's Laugh when I tickled her. And her all consuming smile.

11. Time well spent with family

12. Four hour nap on Sunday because I woke up long enough to be tired to go back to sleep again.

13. Feeling a little less sick most of the time. (But not all...)

14. The cool weather was fantastic and I loved it! Even the rain was welcomed by me.

Barney and Graham Engaged!

Brooke Megan Barney

Engaged to

Weston Timothy Graham

June 27, 2009

Wes set up a very well executed plan to have the Barney/Petty clan meet up in Jackson Hole at Snow Bird on June 28th, for a surprise brunch in the honor of the engagement. Brooke had NO clue we would be there and was perfectly surprised to have her family waiting at table to celebrate a wonderful occasion. Hats off to Wes and Travis for the ring exchange without Brooke knowing about it and HUGE hats off to Wes for setting up a party for us to all enjoy some happy times together. Brooke and Dad cried. Brooke and Wes were animated story tellers. The babies were adorable. The Daddy's took wonderful care of their kidlets and the rest of us enjoyed presents, tasty brunch, stories and good times together.

CONGRATULATIONS to Brooke and Wes.

We're excited for you both!

Ahhh, the emotion (and the only photo of the ring I made it home with.)


The happy Parental Units


The Brother of the Bride to be, and the CUTEST niece EVER.



Sister of the Bride to Be, and the CUTEST niece EVER!


My Husband and NQ as the CUTEST present EVER!

Pregnancy One Vs. Pregnancy two

I am almost 12 weeks along...almost jumping into the 2nd trimester, and so far I have noticed some differences in this pregnancy as compared to my first pregnancy.

I have learned now what is meant by "they're all different, no two kids are a like, so you can't do with one what you did with the other."

I have also learned that women are NOT being sissy's during pregnancy...they really, legitimately, can BE that sick!!

Here are a FEW differences I have noticed between my two pregnancies, in order of first pregnancy (Nathan) vs. current pregnancy (undecided.) **Please use your own discretion at reading the following, it could get a little personal, vile, scary, etc.**

1. NO morning sickness...ever VS. MORNING sickness DAY and NIGHT (Overheard: "I will KILL YOU if you open that fridge and I'm inside this house." Followed by gagging)

2. NO use of 'extra fiber', no need to VS. Metamucil Daily (I told you, it gets ugly.)

3. Being able to go to work, a regular job VS. does making from one couch to the next count as work?

4. No need for extra shots VS. PLEASE give me the SHOT again!!! It seems to help a TINY bit.

5. Fairly regular need for sleep VS. 12-14 hour of sleep minimal to survive. I've never been so tired!

6. SUPER ALLERGIES and Congestion VS. no extra nasal mucus at this time. (ah, relief.)

7. A happy glow about being pregnant, I LOVE being pregnant. VS. Oh, this is why people don't like it.

8. A paranoid, over protective husband who worries about me VS A paranoid, over protective husband who worries about me. (Some things don't change, wow.)

9. a True excitement about being pregnant VS a True excitement about being pregnant. Kidlets are awesome!

Speculations are still abounding about the sex or number of the baby(ies) I may be carrying. More to unveil itself as gestation continues.

Congratulations Nathan!

At 2 and a half years old, certainly he doesn't understand his own little awesomeness...but NQ has gone ahead and passed his level one swimming certification! I, of course, didn't even realize that he was even trying to accomplish that! But his cute swim instructer, Krisiti, was all sorts of positive about how she was passing him off and to make sure to pick up his certificate. Congratulations Nathan!! You're now working on your level one! This means he will now have hour long lessons, instead of half hour. And he's no longer in the 'preschool' class.

If you can see that smile...it is the one he has on the whole time he's in the pool.

To my Darling Husband

I would like to tell my Husband "Happy Father's Day!!" And let him know what a super fantastic, marvelous Daddy he is. This weekend, NQ and I went to SLC with Brooke for a Car inspection and for a Wedding Reception. This little pregnant momma did way too much and got way too tired and sat way too long in the car. She felt way tooooo sick when she got home, the next day being fathers day. She had plans to make biscuits and gravy, she had plans to make it a special day, she had plans to dote on her darling husband. What she did was lie on the couch all day and throw up. Lots. So what did her husband do on his father's day? He made his own breakfast with Nathan. He took the little guy outside, he took him for a drive, he fed him, bathed him, changed him, loved him AND he tried taking care of his invalid wife, who was on the couch, lying there. My Sweetest husband, I'm so sorry I was sooo sick. We'll make it up, promise. Thank you for being such a wonderful Husband and Father. We Love You Much!

Here are some photos of a recent outing on the Nature Trail up in the Canyon above Lander

The fantastic view

The boys checking out the fuzzy caterpillars.

Another Excellent Jennifer Giveaway for the 4th of July!

Jennifer is taking a "What is your favorite 4th of July Tradition?" pole in her comments section! Comment, link on your blog, or link on your facebook for a chance to win those Uber-cute USA Blocks! Or do all three for three times the chance to win! Thanks Jen! JUST CLICK HERE to be linked to her contest!