The Big Man in Red

"Mommy took me to the mall the other day and we ran around like crazy people trying to find gifts. Then Mommy went to get me some food, which I always love, but she did something weird. Mommy didn't feed me in the food court. She took me to eat with some elves while we waited to meet someone special and new. When I was done eating, Mommy washed my face and changed my shirt. Finally, everyone got excited when this big, red man came and sat down. Mommy got out her camera and gave me to him. He was nice and I just looked at his shiny buttons and white beard. Some silly elves shook a jingle bell and I laughed a bit while they took my picture. I had fun. Mommy seemed way too excited to meet a new friend. I guess he was someone special but I don't know yet. Remember Mommy, I'm just 10 months old!"

~Love, Luke

Congratulations Danielle!!!

On December 14th, another Pettke received the title of college graduate. Danielle (Pettke) Klein graduated with a B.S. in Biology from Texas State and we all made the trek to San Marcos to celebrate. Well...some of us got sidetracked and made a side trip to The Salt Lick, a name synonymous with excellent barbecue. After the amazingly short graduation where the "micromachine" announcer buzzed through hundreds of names in less than one hour, the Mike Pettke clan decided we weren't going to sit in I-35 traffic. We made yet another detour to the Mandola Estates Winery for a wine tasting, and a graduation gift, of course. After sitting in the inevitable Austin traffic, we celebrated with Danielle and family at the Radison near the river.

Congratulations Danielle!

Becoming One with Nature - And Taking a Bit of it With Us

We participated in a renewed Pettke tradition this past weekend...the Christmas tree hunt. This time we were able to bring the newest Pettke member along. Mike, Jill, Brandon, Luke and I headed out to the piney woods of East Texas to search for that perfect tree. With the little one along, we were faced with a time dilemna...find a tree quickly or listen to Luke complain about an empty stomach. Mother Nature shown down upon us that day as we selected one of the first trees we found, a VERY tall Virginia pine with a nice form.

Since this tree will stand proud in our home, Brandon did the honors of cutting the tree down while the rest of us stood around and told him how to do it (in true Pettke fashion). Luke was too enamored with an animal cracker to care what Daddy was doing.

Well, the tree lost its battle with the saw and was cleaned, wrapped and secured to the roof of the Tahoe for a long trip home. After surprisingly little arguing between Mike and Brandon the tree stood proud in its new home, our game room. Thank you, oh beautiful tree, for gracing our home!