Choke Cherries

This morning the Petty's were awakened by lightening, thunder and plenty of rain! This means it's chilly in the house so we celebrated with cups of hot chocolate for our breakfast beverage. Nathan came into the kitchen, his bare feet on the the tile. He said "Oooooh! It's cold" and then skipped over to the kitchen rug. I wish I could have recorded the surprised glee in his voice. Then he noticed the robe I was wearing and asked if I was wearing a towel.

The view off the back porch, right before it started raining some more

Last night the light sensors picked up motion, it was the deer, eating my crop of choke cherries. Only successful thing that grows here at the Petty residence. The deer and the millions of grasshoppers DESTROY all other forms of plant life. Ornery suckers.

This week Nathan and I have been picking the choke cherries, when the weather is agreeable: not too windy, not to hot, not too rainy.

With this years crop and last years (still in the freezer) I should have plenty of berries to make something with. This is a fun proposition. I like making jelly, jams, syrups and the sort.

I've also been using my bread maker again to make some delightful french bread.

Nathan had his last swim lesson of the session. I don't think this session went as well as the last. He did fine with the time, but believe the class was a little large, and filled with five year olds. This made Nathan look like the runt puppy, always trying to find a place to sit or stand or see better. The last day he ended up in tears. It was 'free day' and his instructor had failed to notice that the little guy was waiting for a toy, and never got one. Over all he did great job. But I know he'd much rather go with me when he can be IN the water the whole time.

Shane has been busy at the Autoplex, cars are high, the economy is down and Cash for Klunkers is the biggest scam of the century. Just call and ask him about it, he has all sorts of insight. Let's just say there have been several sleepless nights as of late.

The baby has been fluttering around. I don't feel it much, unless I'm lying down and concentrating on it. And, well, there hasn't seemed to be a lot of opportunity to do that right now. I am excited for our next prenatal appointment. I will be doing the ultrasound soon.

Shane just related that Nathan is playing in our bed (he often does) and that Nathan had turned the electric blanket up to 10 and was enjoying the heat and flying airplanes. Shane turned off the electric blanket left for a few minutes and returned to see it back on, but set on a lower number. Funny little kid!

7 Year Anniversary

The timing of the Shepherd wedding was perfect for us to also celebrate our Anniversary, as our big day was the day after the Shepherd big day. So we booked ourselves a room at the Homestead and stayed for a wonderful night get away.

The Crater

My cute boys (before NQ kneeled at the waters edge and sustained muddy pants.)



Blowing bubbles in the hot tub




A very nice room at the Homestead (not the exact one we stayed in, but one pretty close.)

The Homestead - a band happened to be playing on the lawn that night, so we enjoyed it for a short time.

The Petty's in the Crater (we didn't have time to swim in it)

The ducks and gold fish of Fanny's Grill where we had our Anniversary Breakfast Buffet where Dad and Brooke joined us. Nathan ate 10 pieces of bacon, no kidding, and four slices of french toast. (He hadn't enjoyed the wedding dinner like Shane and I had.)

Some lovely Landscaping

The indoor pool where we had our pre-breakfast swim

I highly recommend the Homestead, not only because they have 24 hour service, a spa, an indoor and outdoor pool, hot tubs and a mineral pool, two restaurants, a gift shop, fantastic rooms and beautiful landscaping...but because they give you a large sample of fudge at check in. And it is the best fudge ever. Yes, we had a great little 12 hour (work free) private get away, with Nathan. And we wouldn't have wanted it any other way :o)

The Shepherd Wedding Part 2

Quin and Nicole Shepherd

August 8, 2009

What a beautiful day it was, so glad that we were invited to share in thier happiness!

Very talented Harp Player AND my cousin: Sarah!





The maids and men and flower girls of the wedding party

(6th from right and then continue right: Wyatt, Sarah, Austin, and Summer) the siblings to the groom!

The Shepherd Wedding Pt. 1

Quin and Nicole were married on August 8, 2009. It was a Beautiful day, and actually warranted some long sleeves amongst the guests! I have photo's from the reception at the Homestead in Midway, UT. This part of the wedding will include the photo's of family enjoying the evening. Part 2 will include the wedding party themselves.

Canning Crew with Mike F





Amy sporting a delicious slice of cheese

Feinsteins and Dad

The Bluth's with Mindy (mother of the Groom)

Annette and Brooke

Jasen and Lily (above)

Kristin and Avery

The Rivers of Rain!

Also at the end of July we had amazing rain! I mean coastal rains. Buckets and Buckets of rain. Shane said it was just like Alabama rain. I compare it to the time I was in Washington D.C. with Kathyness and Cody and we were in our wedding wear and soon were wading in water up to our knees in the gutters of the Mall. Anyway, it was serious rain. Our windows and door jams were all just running with water. We had towels out, bowls and buckets catching the floods. We had to take pictures off the walls so they wouldn't get ruined (or washed off.) Shane took care of the downstairs which tends to get damp, even in less torrential water events. The water washed away parts of the 'lawn.' The photos I have don't give it justice, but here is what the water rush looked like:

The Utah Midget Shoot

Nathan and I joined Shane in Salt Lake for one of those 48 hour weekend trips at the end of July...about the 22 ish. While there, I took some photo's of Nathan playing in the back yard. Here they are:

It took me three days to recover from this trip. I got too tired, too hot, and was too darn sick to be doing anything! Glad that weekend is over!

It isn't just me...this is how Nathan looks the day after we get home from our weekend trips too.

Sheridan Rodeo Days and Water Fun

The weekend after the 4th of July is when Sheridan, WY celebrates Rodeo Days. This is a serious holiday, businesses shut down to observe. This year Nathan, Shane and I went to see. Later in the week Dad and Lori also came to take part.

The Carnival was a draw to young Nathan who took turns riding on his first Carnival rides. Because Shane and I were a little unsure as to how he would do by himself, Aunt Brooke volunteered to take the first spin with him.

Aunt Brooke and Nathan in the Car

The Fam at the Parade



Nathan and Grandpa at the Pancake Breakfast



Nathan on Rodeo night two, flying Solo in the helicopter

Driving on Night Two with some passengers

Day at the park, before we headed home

Heated little Firetruck Driver


In Sheridan there is a water fountain for people to play in. Had I realized what a hit it would be we would have played in it several times during the trip. As it was we found it right before we would need to head home. Nathan LOVED the splashing. Every time the water stopped he would, in a very upset voice, say: Can we do it again?!! So we did. We played in the fountain three times. During the breaks we ate ice cream and ran in the grass. Nathan sustained the worse sunburn he's ever had at the splash fountain. He cannot go long at all without some sunscreen on his pale little body.

Splashing in a puddle awaiting the first splash session




Running amok in the water


A Very Happy little boy


Wes and Shane being taken by surprise by the random spray pattern

The Petty's were invited to stay at the Graham apartment. It was very nice to have a place all to ourselves. We had an excellent time at Sheridan Rodeo Days and recommend it to any who want some rodeo/festival time. Thank you to Brooke and Wes for setting us up!