Grandchildren
It’s hard to believe that the boy who made me a grandmother, made his mom a mother, and made his great grandmother a great grandmother…on her birthday, is turning 30 today. The big 3-0!! You were a busy baby boy with all that transition going on. How could the years possibly have gone by so fast? He should still be a baby, and yet he is a husband to his wife, Karen and father of three children, Cambree, Caysen, and Cyler. Christopher Petersen, you have grown into an incredible person. You are a successful store manager of Auto Zone, and people trust you and your advice. I am so proud of all your accomplishments.
Chris and his wife, love to take the kids on evening walks, and there are usually a few extra little boys around, since Karen babysits four other boys. Theirs is a house filled with boys, and one little girl, who is very outnumbered. 
Thankfully, Cambree gets along well with the boys. Chris enjoys yard work, which surprises me somewhat. I didn’t really expect that he would love mowing, and maybe he really doesn’t, but he does it so their yard will be nice for the kids to play in. Another thing I didn’t expect is that Chris likes to play golf. He and Caysen play whenever they can, and Caysen who is five, will tell you that he beats his daddy. I’m sure Cyler will be learning to play soon too.
Chris and Karen have a group of friends who often spend Saturday evening with them. The Petersen house is the go-to place for game night fun. They always have a great time, and its usually a “comedy hour” too, because everyone is in rare form, making jokes and having a lot of laughs. It’s especially nice for Chris and 
Karen, because they don’t have to get a babysitter for their kids. They are very social people, so having a group of friends to hang out with is nice…and being able to do it at home is extra nice. Chris and Karen have two dogs and two cats. So, they are kept busy making sure the animals get a little exercise too. Of course, with the kids, the dogs get a lot of running in, and the cats get lots of snuggles. Theirs is a house filled with love and happiness. Today is Chris’ 30th birthday. I still can’t believe you are 30 already!! Happy birthday Chris!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My mother-in-law, Joann Schulenberg, was all about family. She spent her married life as a stay-at-home mom, but that did not mean that she didn’t work. Taking care of six children is simply no picnic. Between cooking meals for everyone, cleaning, canning food, sewing clothes, and knitting things for them, she was a pretty busy lady. My mother-in-law was always the most comfortable raising her children in the country. She felt like it was too much out of her control in town. She worried about the traffic, and the people around, and about the kids running off while playing. She just needed the control of the country to give her peace of mind.
So, the family lived in the country for most of the years that the kids were growing up. It wasn’t until 1989 that 
the family, now of just three at home, moved into Casper to stay. It’s funny that Joann, who had always hated the traffic, the noise, and the activity of city life, suddenly loved to watch the cars go by on the busy street on which they lived. She liked not having to go so far into town for groceries and such. She liked having visitors come by, because suddenly it wasn’t too far for them to go. Like me, she discovered the convenience of city life. Those long drives into town were the first thing I found my self happy to do without. I’m sure my mother-in-law did too…especially on the icy winter roads around here.
By 1996, my mother-in-law became a great grandmother for the first two times. She got a great birthday present in her first great grandchild, Christopher Petersen, who made his grand entrance on her 65th birthday. It was a treat that she had wanted since her mother was also privileged to 
receive and never thought she would get. Then the very next day, she got something else she never thought she would get…a Leap Day Great Grandbaby…Shai Royce. Needless to say, we were quite busy those two days. She has gone on to have 11 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and 6½ great great grandchildren. Her family has sure grown, and while she has never met her great great grandchildren, I know she would love them as much as we all do. Today would have been my mother-in-law’s 95th birthday. Happy birthday in Heaven Mom. We love and miss you very much.
My grandmother, Harriet “Hattie” Byer was a woman of small stature…she stood just 5 feet…in her “tall” days…more like 4 feet 10 inches or less in her later years. While she was definitely short, Grandma was, nevertheless, feisty!! Every one of her children knew that their mom could take them to the floor in one fail swoop if the crossed her. She was the family boss, and they needed to toe the mark. It wasn’t that Grandma was mean, because she was one of the most loving moms you could have ever known. Her children knew that she loved them unconditionally, but they also knew that she expected them to mind her and be well behaved.
That carried on to her grandchildren as well, which is where I came into the story. I was one of her many grandchildren. While some of her grandchildren…especially the boys, crossed her a number of times, I can only remember one spanking…and one was enough. I knew that I didn’t 
want to sass Grandma again. Some of the boys…I was the only girl in the group of four grandchildren who were around my age, so I got to hear about some of the antics of the boys and the repercussions of my grandmother. They told me about the broom that somehow reached around the corner and got you as you ran away. The way she could somehow see through the floor to the basement. The bar of soap conveniently placed in their mouths for saying “bad” words. While the antics of the boys made me feel like “amateur night” because I wouldn’t have dared to pull the things they would, I must say that I got a kick out of the stories they told. I couldn’t believe the nerve of them, but I guess that is boys. They pushed her buttons quite a bit further than I would have. These days, I think it’s just funny, but as a kid, and one of five daughters of my parents, the 
antics of boys were not in my wheelhouse. These days as the grandmother and great grandmother of boys and only two girls, I understand boys much better than I used to. In fact, I can see my grandsons and even the great grandsons pulling some of the stunts my cousins used to. None of them were really “bad” boys, just mischievous boys. And these days, it makes me laugh to see the similarities to my cousins. They probably drove Grandma half crazy. Nevertheless, she loved each and every one of them. Today is the 117th anniversary of my grandmother’s birth. Happy birthday in Heaven, Grandma Byer!! We love and miss you very much!!
With the passage of time, the holidays begin to take on a different look. When I was a kid, the Thanksgiving was a day of wonderful smells and delicious food. That is one Thanksgiving tradition that hasn’t changed, but probably the only one. Those childhood Thanksgivings included my parents, Al and Collene Spencer, as well as my four sisters, one of whom, Alena Stevens, lives in Heaven now with Mom and Dad and others who have gone home. Of course, with Mom and Dad in Heaven, Thanksgiving is normally spent with our own families, because my sisters and I have families that have become too big to put in one house. Nevertheless, we connect via text messages, and we are all thankful for those who are still with us, while always missing those who are in Heaven. While things have changed over the years, we will always have much to be thankful for, because with each new year come new blessings. As new family members join us, either through marriage or birth, we realize that we are growing and we are so very blessed by each and every new member. Some have moved away, and we miss them very much too, and pray that their day is blessed as well. As our family grows, it also changes, with each new member being different than the others, but nevertheless, just as precious. It makes me think of how Thanksgiving got started in the first place. 
Thanksgiving started, of course, when the pilgrims, who had suffered a hard time in the new land, gathered with the Wampanoag Indians, who had become their friends. Most of us would have imagined a big party where the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Tribe came together to celebrate new friendships, but that’s not quite how it happened. Many in the Wampanoag, along with the entire Patuxet Tribe, had died from smallpox. To make matters worse, the Pilgrims were on the brink of starvation. They didn’t know much about farming, and between the smallpox, harsh winter, and lack of food, they were in serious trouble. With the help of the Wampanoag, however, they found they had many reasons to be truly thankful. The Wampanoag people were vital to the Pilgrims’ survival, forging a peace treaty that set the stage for a complicated relationship between the two communities.
The Wampanoag Confederacy, led by Chief Massasoit, lived in what is now southeastern Massachusetts. When the Pilgrims landed on the Mayflower in November 1620, they faced a brutal winter and had trouble setting up their settlement in Plymouth Colony. The Wampanoag had already been severely reduced by diseases brought by earlier European explorers, wiping out up to 90% of their population between 1615 and 1619. This situation 
paved the way for the Pilgrims to depend on the Wampanoag for survival. No wonder the two very different peoples came together to celebrate their friendship and their survival. It serves as a reminder that even though we have survived hardship and loss, we are strong and with God’s help, we will persevere and yes, even succeed in our lives. It is something to be very thankful for.
My grandson, Caalab Royce loves playing the guitar. He first got into the guitar when he was in middle school. When a child learns an instrument in school, there is normally little chance they will continue to play into adulthood, but Caalab really enjoyed playing, and he has continued playing ever since. He is very talented too, and I’m not just saying that because he is my grandson. Over the years, Caalab has honed his skill, and his playing style has evolved, which I’m sure is typical of a long-term guitar player. I suppose that in the days of old-time country music, the guitar pickers learned one style and stuck with it, but Caalab doesn’t play country music…although he could, if he chose to.
Caalab and his equally musical dad, Travis have formed a little band, and they love to jam together. Once in a while they hold a little concert for family and friends, and it is a good time for everyone. I love watching these guys really get into their music, and I know that Caalab’s mom, my daughter, Amy Royce and his sister, Shai also really enjoy these sessions. The family has a long-standing tradition of Tuesday night being family night, and they pretty much stick to that tradition. Of course, sometimes other obligations get in the way, but not real often. After all, as we all know, a 
job is really a way to finance our lives, and not the thing we live for.
That is the same with Caalab and his family. They are hard workers, but that isn’t their life. They love doing a variety of fun activities, and they are very social people, so they love socializing often. They have attended several baseball games and concerts this year too, and they always enjoy those. Caalab and his dad like playing Disk Golf, and the last time I was there, I got to go along. It was a lot of fun, even though I didn’t play. The course was beautiful, and I got to walk the whole thing with them. We had a blast. Caalab is a fun-loving guy with an infectious laugh, and I very much enjoy his company. Today is Caalab’s 28th birthday. Happy birthday Caalab!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
It’s hard to believe that my grandson, Josh Petersen and his wife, Athena Petersen have been married two years already, and yet it also seems like they have been married, or at least together for a long time. I remember the first time I met Athena. They had come to the bowling alley we bowled at for our league. It was their first date. Somehow, I knew this girl would be his wife. They were just perfect for each other. It’s not often that it is so obvious that two people are perfect for each other, but that is what happened with these kids, and the rest is history.
Josh and Athena were married on June 24, 2023. Their marriage has been blessed with three sons…Justin, born 
October 14, 2022; Axel, born September 18, 2023; and Cristian, born January 26, 2025. Their lives are busy and active. Those little boys keep them hopping, but they are very happy and loving every second with their sweet boys and with each other. I love how they are always telling each other just how much they mean to them. It’s so important to express your love for your spouse, and these kids do so all the time.
Josh and Athena actually met when they were in middle school, but like most kids, they did not make the connection until much later when they ended up working together. Their love is real and true, but that was not something they knew in middle school. In fact, Athena told me that she didn’t like Josh then, which is funny, because my mother-in-law, Joann Schulenberg (Josh’s great grandmother) told me the same thing about my father-in-law, Walt Schulenberg (Josh’s great grandfather). I guess the way boys are as kids can be annoying, but later on that boyish charm becomes endearing. In this case, it wasn’t the first moment they met, that 
mattered, but the second moment they met. Not everyone can say that they have known their spouse for much of their lives, but it is really cool when they can, and when they are still in love even after their school days are long over. Nevertheless, Josh and Athena truly are perfect for each other. I love that these kids have their priorities straight…God first, family second, and self, last. I love that they are dedicated to God and family. I love seeing their faith in action. Today marks Josh and Athena’s second anniversary. Happy anniversary, Josh and Athena!! Have an amazing day!! We love you!!
I was born on April 29, 1956, a Sunday in a Leap Year. Little did I know of the significance Leap Year would have for me just 40 years later. I was born part of the Baby Boomer Generation in Superior, Wisconsin, the second of my parents, Allen and Collene Spencer’s five daughters. Of course they didn’t know it then, but they would have five daughters, and no sons. My due date was April 27, and they would have loved it if I had arrived that day, because that was my dad’s birthday. One additional note, since my older sister was a girl, I was “supposed to be” a boy…oops. Well, you might say that I messed everything up. Good thing that my parents decided that they would keep me. Hahahahaha!! Of course, there was never a question on that.
That year found prices like fresh eggs (1 dozen): $0.60 ($6.48 in today’s dollars), White bread (1 pound): $0.18 ($2.12 in today’s dollars), Sliced bacon (1 pound): $0.57 ($6.70 in today’s dollars), Round steak (1 pound): $0.88 ($10.35 in today’s dollars), Potatoes (10 pounds): $0.68 ($7.99 in today’s dollars), and Fresh delivered milk (1/2 gallon): $0.48 ($5.64 in today’s dollars). What most of us wouldn’t give for prices like that these days. In addition, more and more Americans were going places, and car sales that year would prove that. President Dwight D Eisenhower signed legislation to construct an interstate highway system in 1956, leading to the creation of thousands of construction jobs as well as an increase in the number of roadside businesses. 
That would be vital in our nation’s future. It was a good year for workers too, as the minimum wage was raised to $1 per hour, which was an increase of 25 cents. As we look on these things today, they seem to be such trivial amounts, but at one dollar an hour, I don’t suppose the prices charged for those things was such a bargain.
You could buy a house, depending on the size, of course, for somewhere between $11,700 and $22,000. Ford model cars coming off the factory line in 1956 ranged from $1,748 to $3,151. Filling up the gas tank of that fancy new car would cost a whopping 22 cents per gallon. A college education at private universities like Harvard and Radcliffe rose from $800 to $1,000 for a full year, including dorm and food. State colleges like the University of Wisconsin were $675 per year for out-of-state students and a mere $225 for students already residing in the state. Rent varied, depending on whether you lived in a boarding house or an apartment, but on average, folks were spending about $88 per month. You only needed three pennies to purchase a first-class stamp for your letters in 1956, and the post offices wonders why people don’t send much in the mail today.
As I look at my own life, and the many changes that have taken place over the years, I know that I am definitely in the best place for me, my talents, and abilities. The Bible was right where it says in Esther 4:14, “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another 
place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” I think that is true. The abilities I have would not have worked in Biblical times, in the Old West, or even in the 1950s. This is my time, and I am best here. Today, I am 69 years old. I’m probably not typical for my age. I am a Christian, a Conservative, a techie, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a caregiver, a retired insurance agent, and a writer, and I have loved each and every one of my life’s occupations.
When I met my sister-in-law, Debbie Cook, over 50 years ago, we became friends right away. We both worked at Kmart then. She was in the Deli, and I was in the Millinery Department (handbags, gloves, and wigs, in case you didn’t know). In fact, it was at Kmart, where I met my future husband, Bob, who is Debbie’s brother. As our friendship grew, we decided to make each other our maid of honor at our weddings. Debbie and her husband, LJ were married first, on June 8, 1974. Bob and I were married on March 1, 1975, nine months later. As we had planned, I was her maid of honor, and she was my matron of honor. At that time, as with any marriage, there are no guarantees, but both marriages made it to our fiftieth anniversaries. Debbie and LJ celebrated theirs on June 8th, 2024, and we will celebrate ours on March 1st.
Our lives took turns that were the same and turns that took us in different directions. We both had daughters. 
Bob and I had two daughters, Corrie Petersen and Amy Royce. Debbie and LJ had three daughters, Machelle Moore, Nancy Cook (who passed away shortly after her birth), and Susan Griffith. The girls spent a lot of time together…until Debbie and LJ moved first to Thermopolis and then to Powell. After that, while the girls were still friends, they didn’t see as much of each other as they had before. That part made us sad, but life takes us in different directions sometimes. The moves to Thermopolis and Powell were what was best for Debbie, LJ, and their girls. In fact, they still live in Powell today.
There were some other differences too. Bob and I had three grandsons and one granddaughter, while Debbie and LJ had two grandsons and two granddaughters. Bob and I also have one great granddaughter and five great grandsons, while Debbie and LJ don’t have great grandchildren yet, but that day will come too. There 
could well be more great grandchildren in all our futures. Life has taken us in different directions over the years, but it has also taken us to the same place too…our golden anniversaries. We have remained sisters and brothers-in-law. And we have remained friends. We have shared a family, her family, my in-laws. We have shared history, experiencing many of the same things. We may have taken a few different paths, but we have arrived together. Today is Debbie’s birthday. Happy 72nd birthday Debbie!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
With her family living in several areas of the state, my youngest sister, Allyn Hadlock’s family decided to meet in Wheatland so that everyone could be there for a birthday celebration. Most of her family lives in Casper, but she has daughters and their families in Laramie and Cheyenne too, so Wheatland is the logical choice. Everyone decided that a “destination birthday party” was a great idea, even if it wasn’t like to Hawaii or something. Allyn really is all about her family. She would give her right arm for any one of them. She is a very involved grandmother too. Even though, granddaughters Adelaide Sawdon and Mackenzie Moore live in Laramie and Cheyenne, Allyn is always willing to happily go and stay a few days to babysit them if their parents have to be out of town or something. That time with the girls is so special to her, and everyone is so happy that she can work that out.
Speaking of work, Allyn has worked from home now for the past few years, so it’s pretty easy to just take her 
work with her when she is spending time with the grandkids. Allyn is actually a boss at her work, and somehow, she manages to juggle all the responsibilities she has, without missing a beat when it comes to family time. Working from home really gives her that freedom. She loves having the girls, or her local grandkids, Ethan and Aurora Hadlock come to her house and spend time too. The summertime might find her house filled with kids hanging out. She also has a bonus-granddaughter, Jolene Thompson, who joined the family a few years ago, and while she lives in Rock Springs, she gets to come and spend time periodically, especially in the summer. And we must remember the “grand dogs” too, because they love spending time with grandma too.
While she can’t always be with her kids, she talks to them just about every day, sometimes several times a day. Daughter Lindsay Moore says she can’t even imagine how many phone calls her mom gets a day. Allyn has four children, Jessi Sawdon, Ryan Hadlock, Lindsay Moore, and Kellie Hadlock, but that is only a small part of the family. Jessi is married to Jason, and they have Adelaide; Ryan is married to Chelsea, and they have Ethan and Aurora; Lindsay is married to Shannon, and they have Mackenzie; Kellie is engaged to Tim Thompson, and they 
have Jolene; and we must not forget her fifth child…her dog, Liberty…whose picture is also on the mantle!! Allyn is married to Chris Hadlock, who is just as dedicated to the family as Allyn is. The Hadlock bunch are very dedicated to each other.
This year is an extra special one, because Allyn is the mother of the bride. With Kellie and Tim getting married this summer, she and Kellie are busily planning the wedding. She and Kellie have been picking out the decorations and “doing all the things” that go along with putting on a wedding. Kellie says, “She is the most supportive, kind, funny, and amazing person, and I’m so happy she is my mom!!” And I know everyone in her family would heartily agree. Today is Allyn’s birthday. Happy birthday Allyn!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
On January 26, 2025, my newest great grandson, Cristian Corey David Petersen decided to forego the nudge to arrive that was scheduled for January 27th and arrive on his own a day early. Tired of waiting, Cristian began his push toward his birth-day a couple of weeks ago, but it was slow going. For a time, we thought he was still going to have to be nudged, like his older brothers were, but he was determined, and he got his way. Cristian made his entrance at 3:36pm on that Sunday afternoon, and he has been happily enjoying his time with his family since then. While early, Cristian was not premature…weighing in at 7 pounds 4 ounces and he is 20 inches long. Cristian has a 
medium amount of dark hair, and olive skin like his brothers. He is just a sweet little boy.
Cristian joins a family, now of five, including his mommy and daddy, Athena and Josh Petersen. He also joins brothers, Justin and Axel, who can’t wait for him to get older so he can play with them. They are rough and rowdy boys, so I hope Cristian has a tough exterior. Nevertheless, both Justin and Axel are also very loving, and Cristian will be very much loved…amid wrestling matches, which are so common for boys. Cristian will adapt and will learn to “roll with the punches” so to speak, and I think the three brothers will quickly become best friends. Being the baby brother, he will have a reprieve for a little while, and then the brothers will expect him to get as tough as they are…and I’m sure he will.
Cristian is a good baby and of course, sleeps a lot at this point. I’m not sure Axel really notices him much, being just 16 months old. Justin at 27 months, does notice him, and he can say his name now. He wasn’t too sure of him at first, and he cried a bit. But once daddy got him calmed down, he could see that he was going to be a fun brother, and now he likes him. It is so cute when he says his name. Cristian has a lot to look forward to in his young life. Soon he will be running around with his brothers and yelling at the top of his lungs as they play and have a great time. We are so excited and blessed to have this new little sweetheart in our family. Welcome to the world Cristian!! We love you so much already!!
