Kids
My aunt, Sandy Pattan had a rough couple of years, but she is a fighter, and she has worked very hard to fight her way back to health. Aunt Sandy has lived independently for many years, and she has no intention of living any other way in the near future. These days might find Aunt Sandy making one of her three daily walks up and down the hall outside her apartment. On most days, she goes two or three times, making ten to twenty rounds. When she first started her walks, the neighbors rather thought she might be lost or something, but now that she has met a few of them, they know she is just staying healthy. Most of them say “hello” when they see her, and she has even become friends with the lady across the hall. That has the had added benefit of the opportunity to visit with the three grandchildren she babysits. They have come to Aunt Sandy’s for visits, and she gets to be “the cookie lady” to the kids. She loves kids, and she really enjoys their visits.
Aunt Sandy is a very social person and loves to have people come over to her house. She works hard to keep her house clean and polished so it is always “visitor ready.” She does it alone, without help. It’s part of being independent. She tries to keep her windows super clean, because she loves to watch the sunrise and see the birds that fly here and there, outside her apartment. While Aunt Sandy hates Winter, she is very much enjoying the Fall colors. She especially loves the yellow, although she would enjoy more reds too. Aunt Sandy’s hatred of Winter is quite evident when she wears sweaters if the temperature gets below 70°. I wish I could say, “I’m kidding,” but I’m not. If you go for a visit, even in the Winter, wear short sleeves. It’s necessary.
Aunt Sandy has a heart for giving. She likes to make and gift things to people she cares about. She hasn’t been able to do that as much these past couple of years, but she has plans to get back into it as soon as possible. 
Some things are a simple problem of the amount of time that has passed since she made these things. It’s a little daunting to get back into some things, as we all know, but Aunt Sandy is working hard to get herself back into the craft work she has done in the past. I am very proud of her hard work. While it isn’t easy, Aunt Sandy is no quitter. She will fight to the end to keep her independence and to get back to doing the things she has done for years. Today is Aunt Sandy’s 80th birthday, and she is still going strong!! Happy 80th birthday Aunt Sandy!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My nephew, Tucker Schulenberg joined our family when his mom Rachel married my brother-in-law, Ron. Tucker was a cute little not quite three-year old boy, who could melt your heart. with his little smile. In those early years, all girls were thought to have cooties, and it didn’t matter how old they were. I think grandmothers and aunts might have had a particularly bad strain of cooties. Of course, the girl, aunt, or grandma would not realize that they have been infected, but a little boy can sniff it out in an instant. That’s why Tucker 
always scrunched up his nose when he was subjected to a hug or kiss. Of course, Tucker would outgrow his girl-allergy in a few years and has had no adverse side effects from it.
One person who seemed to have missed out on the cootie infestation, was Tucker’s mom. He really never developed an aversion to hugs from Rachel. Tucker and Rachel were so close, always. They used to take silly selfies together, often with blue tongues. They made funny faces, and in general made each other laugh a lot. Rachel was such a great mom. And when she married Ron, Tucker got a good dad too. Tucker followed Ron around everywhere. He wanted to be just like Ron, and when Ron adopted him, Tucker felt like his world was perfect. Tucker wanted to learn everything he could from Ron.
Tucker was such a cute little boy, and it was so sweet watching him try to be a man. It’s always cute to see little boys try to imitate their daddies. Being a dad is so important and it’s such an important responsibility. Little boys depend on their daddies to show them the way to be a man. Watching Tucker and Ron together was so sweet. I think we all miss those years. Today is Tucker’s 18th birthday. It’s hard to believe he is a grown man now. Where have all the years gone? Happy birthday Tucker!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My great grandson, Justin Petersen is the oldest child of my grandson, Josh Petersen and his wife, Athena, three and soon-to-be four sons. Justin is also an Irish Twin with his younger brother Axel. They don’t know that, of course, but someday they will think it is a cool thing. That is also something the boys share with their grandma, my older daughter Corrie Petersen and her sister, their Aunty Amy Royce, who is my younger daughter, who are also Irish Twins. My girls always thought it was a fun thing to be Irish Twins.
Justin loves to look out the window and see what animals might be out there. He also wants to know what every sound is that goes on in the house or outside. He has excellent hearing, and often hears sounds before I do…odd, because I have excellent hearing too. He especially loves train sounds, and dinosaur sounds. He doesn’t like monsters, but doesn’t consider dinosaurs to be monsters…even though they growl. He doesn’t think of zombies as monsters either, which is totally odd, but there you have it. 
Justin is an energetic boy with a really sweet heart. He loves his mommy and daddy so much and doesn’t like to be away from them for very long. His brothers are his best friends. He really loves helping with their care…well, with Cristian’s care anyway. With Axel, its rowdy playtime. They climb on each other and wrestle around. They are “all boy” boys. But, when it comes to Cristian, Justin wants to be the helper. He likes to bring him toys and feed him his bottle, bring the diapers and wipes, and anything else his parents or grandparents might need to take care of the baby. Justin likes being the “helper big brother” very much…that and hugging Cristian.
Justin has a hilarious sense of humor and a laugh that is contagious. When he laughs, his brown eyes just light 
up. He always finds something to laugh about, and he is a big teaser. He is also a boy who loves to say, “I love you!!” and to give kisses to those he loves. I have been so blessed to be one of those people. Just yesterday he said, “GiGi, I love you so much!!” It melted my heart. I can’t believe how quickly the years have flown by. Today is Justin’s 3rd birthday. Happy 3rd birthday Justin!! Have a great day!! I love you so much!!
My nephew, Ryan Hadlock and his dad, Chris Hadlock have always been very close. They both like the same things, and if Chris needs help with a project, you can be sure that Ryan will be there to help any time Chris asks, whether the project is big or small. This year the two Hadlock families went camping in the Black Hills. Ryan, his wife, Chelsea and daughter, Aurora, minus their son Ethan, who had to work, unfortunately. Ryan’s family, as well as his dad and mom, Allyn Hadlock rode the 1880 train and also made time to go golfing at Rocky Knoll golf course in Custer, South Dakota. It was a great opportunity for them to do some relaxing together instead of all the work over the past couple of years! They had been working very hard on his parents’ place, and Ryan was a big help in all that work.
Ryan was an usher in his sister, Kellie’s wedding to new brother-in-law, Tim Thompson and was also a big help doing extra things for us during the busyness of the wedding day, always adding a funny brotherly comment!
Chris has made it a tradition to take Ryan to a Bronco game for his birthday each year, but since it was on a 
Monday this year, Allyn and Chelsea went too. The sporting events they have attended this year have been a great source of enjoyment for the whole family, because in addition to the Broncos games, they attend the home games of the Wyoming Cowboys too. Partly because Ryan’s brother-in-law, Shannon Moore is coach and so they get to see his sister Lindsay and niece, Mackenzie, but because they love football too, and so every opportunity to go is a must.
His wife, Chelsea says, “Ryan is the most amazing man! He’s a great father to the kids, always there to help and give advice. He’s a great husband, kind, loving and encouraging. He’s a wonderful boss, treating all his employees fairly and encouraging them. He is great man of the Lord, and a good example to everyone who knows him. He has been enjoying practicing guitar with Aurora, helping Ethan with his truck, and going to a ton of sporting events.” His mom, Allyn adds, He is thriving at work as a foreman and all his employees really enjoy working for and with him. He is the type of boss who is very knowledgeable and yet doesn’t mind jumping in to help when needed. The Lord has blessed him with the ability to be a great asset to the company!! He loves his family and loves the Lord! Bringing them to church and being a great example of a true man of God!!”
His sister, Lindsay says, That’s the question of the day! The only brother is a world of women. He is funny, sarcastic and kind. We love getting to spend time with Ryan while we camp, during football season and when we go to Casper. He’s grown in His walk with the Lord, and I love to see it! He is a great uncle…not like a great-uncle, but a “great” uncle. And he loves our dog, Brinkley the most of all the dogs!” Ryan is truly a blessing to all his family. Today is Ryan’s birthday!! Happy birthday Ryan!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My nephew, Riley Birky has come a long way in his life. When I first met Riley, he was 10 years old. His mom, Rachel had just married my brother-in-law, Ron, making Riley my nephew. We lost Rachel in 2021, and it was a devastating time for all of us, but especially for her kids, Cassie, Riley, and Tucker. When kids lose their mom, they suddenly feel lost, and it’s a long hard road to come back. Nevertheless, these kids have all made a good comeback, even though it has been one of the hardest things they will ever do. I know that as they go through their lives, they will all think of their mom often and strive to make her proud of all they do.
Last Easter, April 20, 2025, Riley married the love of his life, Sierah Martin. They had a son, Ryder Birky together and upon their marriage, Riley officially became stepdaddy to her son, Jace Swan, even though he had really been daddy to him for a long time. They are such 
a close family, and it is a beautiful thing to see. Riley and Sierah are two of the sweetest people you will ever know. They love their boys and each other, and they are working hard to build a great life for themselves and their boys. Riley fell in love with Sierah from the moment he first saw her, and that will never change. They are soulmates of the forever kind.
Riley has been through some rough times, including a car fire that put him, his brother, and two friends in the 
hospital for quite a while. Always a fighter, Riley worked hard to come back to his family. He knew he was needed at home. His family was depending on him to not only survive, but thrive. Riley is a great husband and daddy, and these things are all he wants to be. That is part of what makes me so proud of the man he had become, and it’s that part that his mother would be very proud of too. Today is Riley’s birthday. Happy birthday Riley!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
Our granddaughter, Athena Petersen became our granddaughter when she married our grandson, Josh Petersen. They are boy parents, and while they would have like to have a daughter, God had other plans for them, and they love each of their 3½ boys, with their 4th due in early March. Their boys adore their parents and keep them hopping with all their energy. As each new boy has arrived, Athena and Josh have fallen in love with their little sweeties, as have we. Their house is fille with the rough housing play that boys always bring, and yet there is a sweetness as the older boys try to help with the little ones. I can picture a future of forts in the back yard, water gun fights, wrestling, skinned knees, and little boys needing hugs…but then that has already started. I can also picture those big boys, picking on their outnumbered mom, right before they give her a big hug that melts her heart. Boys have a way of winning their mother’s heart.
Athena came from a larger family, as I did, and we both know the comradery that can only come from being surrounded by many siblings. You just always know that your siblings are there for you, even as you are fighting with them. While they may fight with you, nobody else had better, because siblings will vehemently protect their fellow siblings. It is usually one of the perks of being in a big family. Athena was blessed with five siblings, Ray, Larissa, Jillian, Jacob, and Andrew, and she is very close with all of them. Of course, they all pick on each other, but that is all part of growing up with siblings, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Athena and Josh are so perfect for each other. Theirs is a match made in Heaven, and they both keep God at the head of their union. It is a sweet thing to watch as their love for each other grows right along with their 
love of God. Athena and Josh are strong, moral people who are raising their boys to be gentlemen, and that is a rarity in this day and age. The boys are young, but the way kids are raised will determine the kind of people they will be later. Athena and Josh are great parents, and their boys love them very much. They love getting the boys out to do things, like going to the park. Being a parent is a big responsibility and it’s a lot of work, and while it can be exhausting, it is also very rewarding. They are very blessed. Today is Athena’s birthday. Happy birthday Athena!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My grandniece, Jolene Thompson is such a sweet girl. She officially joined our family when her daddy, Tim Thompson married my niece, Kellie Hadlock, but she was a part of our family long before that day. The first time we met Jolene, we loved Jolene. She is that kind of girl. She has a beautiful smile that lights up her whole face, and as strange as it may sound, I think she looks quite a bit like Kellie. They have many similar features, and similar personalities.
When Kellie sent me pictures of Jolene, my first thought was…Jolene is fearless!! Of course, I was referring to Jolene holding up a snake!! Kellie agreed, saying, “She is the bravest little girl!! She loves to fish, and she knows all the ins and outs of it! She baits my hook for me, and she does all the gross things I 
don’t like to do!!” Kellie was never a serious hunter-fisher girl, but Tim and Jolene are slowly drawing Kellie into that world. I’m not sure she will ever bait a hook, but thankfully, Jolene can do that for her. Jolene is capable, and she takes Kellie’s hand and leads her into this new world that Kellie has fallen in love with.
Kellie says, “Jolene is the kindest and funniest kid, and she is every bit her father’s child!! Fearless!! She does all the things that I could never dream of doing like picking up snakes and finding bugs and all that, haha. Tim’s favorite thing is to tease her and pick on her, and she fires right back at him and doesn’t miss a beat!! She is always the first to ask if we need help with anything around the house, she is so sweet to everyone she comes in contact with. She is so good 
with her younger cousins and siblings and loves to be the leader and take care of them.” Jolene is very capable, but she might be just a little bit shy too. Kellie tells me, “Once she got used to the idea of being in front of people for our wedding she was STOKED!! She loves to get dressed up and she loved that she got to pick out her own dress for the wedding and her hairstyle. She is the girliest outdoor girl in the world!! I am so thankful that God gave me her for a daughter!! She is so incredible, and I have loved every minute of watching her grow! We are so incredibly blessed to have our sweet Jolene!!” Still, Tim will say, “She loves her bibs when we’re doing boyish stuff!!” That may change later, but I’m sure she and her dad will always do the “boyish stuff” together. Today is Jolene’s 10th birthday. She’s in the double digits now!! Happy birthday Jolene!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My niece, Jessi Sawdon and her daughter, Adelaide, consider themselves two of the most blessed woman and girl on the planet. They tell me, “We can’t say enough about our love for Jason and Daddy!! Traits that everyone sees everyday ring true at home too. He’s kind, selfless, caring, and such a helper. But dang he is a hard worker! He goes to work and works hard to support his team and troopers around the state, then comes home and gives all his attention to Adelaide, Riley (the dog) and me (Jessi). He always gives 100% to everything he does and is so good at so much.” Jason is a great family man, and from the moment he and Jessi met, you could tell that he was going to make her happy. He is totally devoted to her and now to Adelaide too.
The Sawdon family is very active…always on the go, but Jason won’t miss a chance to hook up the camper and take them away for a weekend of fun in the mountains or at the lake. That is something that doesn’t surprise anyone who knows Jason. He is always ready for a good time and is funny and fun. Jessi reminded me that 
Jason is “never one to shy away from being silly,” and anyone who knows him can attest to that. Off the top of my head, I can recall several events where Jason boisterously made his feelings for Jessi known is a way that might have shocked the average person…who didn’t know him, like bidding up her cake at a cake auction. Not that Jessi isn’t a great cook and baker, but Jason wanted everyone at the church to know it. It was an endearingly funny moment, for sure.
Jason always makes sure Adelaide has fun wherever they are. Jessi tells me, “He is a girl dad through and through and does the best job! He and Adelaide have the best bond, and he loves to teach her new things. He’s a patient and effective teacher because he wants everyone to be successful and understand why something is done. He is such a blessing to our entire family and I’m so thankful the Lord had him in mind for me. Our lives are so blessed, rich, and fun with him in them.” Jason fit into our family from the moment he and Jessi got together. They were perfect for each other, and everyone could see it. Before long, we couldn’t imagine Jessi 
with anyone else. Theirs was a match made in Heaven. While their marriage thus far has been amazing, I know that the future will just get better and better. Nothing can stand in their way. They will weather the years like the great couple they are, and someday, I can picture them on their front porch in their rocking chairs, just enjoying growing old together. Today is Jason’s birthday. Happy birthday Jason!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My great grandson, Axel Petersen is sweet little boy with a loving heart. The kindness in that boy shows on his sweet face…even when he is having one of his mischievous 2-year-old moments. And believe me when I say that he does have those moments, you know the kind when he pretends he has no idea what you are talking about, as he “innocently” continues doing the very thing you are telling him to stop. He even walks up to the thing he isn’t supposed to do, turns and looks at me, grins and does it anyway!! That pest!! Still, at other times, he is a perfect little angel without so much as a hint of a mischievous side. He just sweetly brings you a gift of a flower, a block, or other toy that he thinks you might like. Or he asks you to sing him a song, as he sleepily rolls over and drifts off to sleep, in need of a nap after all that play. It’s a sweet memory of an average day with Axel and his brothers, Justin and Cristian.
Axel is the middle of my grandson, Josh Petersen and his wife, Athena’s three boys, although soon he will have 
another brother. Like his grandma, my daughter, Corrie Petersen and her sister, Amy Royce, Axel and his older brother, Justin will always be the same age for about a month, before Justin’s birthday. They are “Irish Twins” just like their grandma and aunt…something they will always share. Nevertheless, Axel will soon become one of the big brothers, with two little brothers to help out with or to get into mischief with, whichever they seem to be into at the moment. The bigger boys love their little brother, Cristian, especially making him laugh and holding him, even though Cristian isn’t too sure about that part.
Axel loves books, especially when the book has some special parts, like flaps to open, rubber tires to touch, or dinosaur pictures that growl. He loves dinosaurs and loves pretending to be one to see if he can scare me. He stomps his feet menacingly toward me, and when he gets close, he says loudly, “Rrrraaaaar!!” It’s my job to act 
scared, or sometimes roar back at him, to which he scampers away, pretending to be afraid, and then comes back at me for another attack. Having had daughters myself, this “new world” I’m a part of filled with mostly boys (plus one granddaughter and one great granddaughter) has been a bit of a learning curve and a “culture shock” too, but I love all those boys very much, and I know that I have been truly blessed to see the other side of grandparenthood and great grandparenthood. A side where bugs and worms aren’t disgusting, but rather they are interesting, and a “must see” item…a side where wrestling around on the floor being tackled by two “monsters” is just an average day in the life of a little boy!! Today is Axel’s 2nd birthday. Happy birthday Axel!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
My youngest grandchild, Josh Petersen is a husband and daddy these days. Josh has known his wife, Athena since they were in middle school together. They have three young sons, Justin, Axel, and Cristian now, and another baby due in early March. Josh and Athena love kids. They talked about having five, but it sounds like they may have settled on four. No matter how many they have, they are loving parents and enjoy their kids very much. The love to take them to the park and to go hiking on easier trails that the boys can handle. And like many parents of younger kids, the splash pad at David Street Station is always a favorite destination. I think Josh and Athena have as much fun at these places as the kids do. They are truly young at heart.
Josh has spent a number of years working at All Out Fire as a fire extinguisher service tech. He really like his job. He had considered becoming a fire fighter, but knee issues prevented him from continuing that pursuit. He 
is really good with customers and has learned a lot about the business. Probably because of his work and prior firefighting studies, Josh is a very safety conscious person. He knows his fire extinguishers and smoke alarms well, and he tries to make sure that everyone he knows takes safety very seriously too. It is such an important subject, and Josh is very good at stressing the importance to everyone he knows…never annoying, just informative. You can always tell that he cares about people.
Josh is a hard worker and is always willing to help people if he can. He takes good care of his family and loves spending time with both sides of his family. He has become good friends with Athena’s siblings, Larissa, Jillan, Jacob, and Andrew, and enjoys being part of their family, as well as his own family. They love going to Edness Kimball Wilkins Park to go swimming in the summer, and they like winter activities too. They love the holidays 
and making sure that the kids get to do as many holiday activities as possible…especially all the holiday decorations around town. For Josh, it’s all about his family and making sure they have everything they need to be happy. Josh and Athena love doing the same things, and similar interests, and a good focus on God and family. They attend church regularly, and I am very proud of their devotion to God. Today is Josh’s birthday. Happy birthday Josh!! Have a great day!! We love you!!
