2011 in Review

This has been a year full of “highs” for the Petteys.  The biggest news of 2011 was our move back to Farmington in March.  We miss seeing our Layton friends so often, but we are making the most of our time here. 

Greg is in his 17^th year at Pella and is the top salesman in his department there.  This year, his highs were hiking Kings Peak, horseback riding in Yellowstone, and elk hunting with his new muzzle loader.  He hopes to get running again after an injury this year.

I have loved skiing with my boys and can’t wait to get back on the slopes!  I took a girl’s trip to Seattle, went to Education Week, and I’m learning how to take care of a much bigger household.  I’ve really enjoyed watching my boys experience so many new things this year.

Seth will be 12 this month and is excited to continue on in Scouting.  This year he got his ATV license and is a pro for his age at archery and target shooting with the 22.  (Like father, like son.)  Swimming, skiing, hiking, fishing, and camping keep this boy happy.  He won a photography contest and is constantly reading or creating.

Isaac turned 8 in September and was baptized in October.  He loves school and is an excellent student.  His vocabulary in English and French is constantly taking us by surprise.  He is always full of great ideas and you can tell his mind is always going, going, going.  Skiing and fishing are his favorite activities.

Joseph is 6 and is our newest Tiger Cub Scout.  He loves riding his bike and the fourwheeler, and teaching his older brothers how to do stunts.  He gets a high from running, playing soccer, skiing, and anything else that is intense.  He is doing great as the youngest in his 1^st grade class, reading better every day and speaking French without any hesitation.

Michael is 4 and is Momma’s little buddy.  He loves preschool and has apparently taught himself to read.  He will be more than ready for kindergarten next year.  He loves to do whatever his older brothers are doing, as if he doesn’t know he has a choice.  He keeps us all laughing and reminding us how to be curious.

As a family, we enjoyed plenty of outdoor activities and camping as well as a quick trip to Seattle and a long saved-for vacation in Southern California which included visiting family, the beach, Legoland, and Disneyland.  As this year is winding down, we are so grateful for the many opportunities our family has had and look forward to more amazing “highs” in 2012.

We rejoice in the hope that our Savior brought to the world at His birth and continues to provide in our lives every day!  May this season be filled with that hope for you and yours.  Merry Christmas!

Here are a couple of scrapbook pages we did for the folks this year.  We wish you all a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year!

2010 Roundup

Here’s what the Petteys have been up to in 2010, from A to Z

Arrow of Light – Seth earned this Cub Scout award after a LOT of hard work. * Backpacking – We took the WHOLE family to Long Lake and everyone did great. * Cousin Choir – The boys sang their hearts out with their cousins at several local care centers this Christmas. * Daffodils – And tulips at Temple Square with Grandma Julie. * Exercise – Greg ran the Ogden Marathon, took 55 min. off his time, and will run it again in May. * Fishing – We couldn’t keep up with everything the kids caught at Ferron this year. * Greg – Turned 40 in August and celebrated by skydiving from a plane at 18,000 feet. * Home improvements – too many to mention! * Isaac – 7 years old, he lost his first two teeth and loves his French immersion program. * Joseph – 5 years old, started Kindergarten in French and is playing soccer with a vengeance. * Katie – Working from home again a few days a week for Type A, Inc. * Lawn mowing – Seth is almost an expert. * Michael – 3 years old, loves playing with his friends in “playgroup” and wrestling with his brothers. * None – The number of deer Greg and Seth brought home from the hunt…again. * Opportunities – We are selling our home and plan to move to Farmington. * Pool – We lived at the pool for most of the summer – our boys are fish! * Quick – Trips to the cabin * Reconnecting – A major highlight of our year included joyful reunions with family members. * Seth – 11 years old, read all 7 Harry Potter books in 7 months and is now headed into “real” Scouts. * Tiger Cub Scouts – We started a new den in our neighborhood and Isaac loves it. * U of U football season tickets * Vacations – Washington, Oregon, Ferron, Aspen Grove * Weddings – Katie’s brothers: Whit in May and Jon in November * X-rays – After a high speed encounter with a bed post Michael is now sporting a crooked smile * Y – Education Week at the “Y”. * Zion National Park Subway Hike – The hardest one in the park, but our favorite. *

Here are a couple of pages we put together for my mom's book that sum up our year

We hope you had a Merry Christmas and wish you all the best for the New Year!

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Merry Christmas! ~ 2009

Hello Friends,

Considering the alternatives in this world, we have been truly blessed this year. Greg has a good job, I am still able to stay home with the kids, and we have an ample roof over our heads. For the most part, we have enjoyed good health and have had many opportunities which have strengthened us. You might describe this year as character building for us. We have tried to simplify our lives and with all the work that has needed to be done around here, our boys have had many occasions to work hard and they have enjoyed it so much! I have no doubt my boys would have made excellent pioneers or farmers. They love the dirt, working with tools, and mostly, working with their dad. They all want to be as strong and as smart as he is one day.

We were all proud of Greg this year as he trained for and ran his first marathon in May. As the weather improved, his training schedule fell victim to the yard work schedule. He did run the Ragnar Relay again this year and I am happy to report that we got the concrete poured, the sprinkling system in, and the sod was laid a few weeks ago just before the snow came. Now, on to the next project!

Seth (10) is enjoying Cub Scouts, soccer, and is currently enrolled in a Spanish class that he loves. He went on his first deer hunt this year, hiked to Emerald Lake (14 miles roundtrip), and carried a 22-pound pack on our backpacking trip. Isaac (6) also loves soccer, playing with his neighborhood friends, and began kindergarten in a French immersion program. I find him slipping into French occasionally without even knowing it. I’m just trying to keep my Spanish and French straight. I know just enough of both to make it very confusing for me. Joseph (4) is in preschool with his cousin and loves playing with his best friends – his brothers. So as not to be left out, he makes up his own language which none of us understands. Michael (2) is our independent little man who knows how to get whatever he needs or wants. He is the sweetest thing most of the time and thinks he is one of the big boys. Who knew raising a boy could be so easy?

I took a trip to NYC with my sisters this year, started a Cub Scout pack, grew a small garden, and pretty much tried to do as much outside with my boys as possible: hiking, biking, backpacking, swimming, river running, basically anything to make sure they are good and tired every night. Keeping ahead of these boys (or at least even) continues to be my goal and my motivation for staying in shape.

This year has certainly had its challenges, but as we focus on the good, we are reminded of how fortunate we are. We are grateful for the things we are learning and the strength they have provided our little family. We know next year will have additional challenges in store for us and we look forward to facing them with the support of our family and friends. Thank you for being an important part of our lives. We look forward to celebrating the Christmas season as we remember our Savior. He is the reason we rejoice!

Merry Christmas!

Love, Katie and The Boys