Busy Times

I can't believe it's been nearly a month since my most recent post! My goodness time is flying by. We've been having SO MUCH FUN in the past month or so. Let's see...what have we been up to?....

Well, at the end of June, we three Petersons mobilized to my parents' house for the weekend. Sadie got to spend some quality time with her Nana and Poppy, while Brian and I spent three amazing nights at the best music venue in the world (in my humble opinion), rocking out to one our very favorite bands, Widespread Panic.

My favorite thing about Panic Red Rocks every year is getting to reconnect with friends that we only see once a year. I love our Panic friends, and cherish the opportunity to get down and boogie with them! Especially our friend Derek (D-Man), Brian's friend from college, and one of the nicest people I know. I wish we could see Derek more often, but it's such a treat to be able to spend the weekend with him at Red Rocks every year.

It definitely took us a while to recover from the weekend. I'm not going to lie, these rock 'n roll shows take more and more out of us, the older we get. Three straight nights of being on our feet for 5+ hours dancing, walking up and down those brutal stairs at Red Rocks, smiling and singing are lots of fun, but I pretty much couldn't walk on Monday. But we survived and enjoyed every minute of it!

Next up....the neighborhood band, Whiskey For Breakfast (Ryan Dyer: guitar and vocals, Brian Peterson: banjo, Rachel Peterson: mandolin and vocals), recorded ourselves on our cool digital recorder. Brian has posted some of the songs on his banjohangout.org page. Check them out if you want to hear what we're sounding like these days. (the sound is pretty low, so turn up your computer's volume to hear...)

Angeline the Baker

Carrie Brown

Pallet on Your Floor

By the way, we have a new instrument in the house! I sort of feel like Sandra Bullock finally revealing her adopted baby to the world. We kept it under wraps for a while, but Brian finally made it public that he has a brand new Ome 12" Celtic openback banjo and it's the most beautiful banjo I've ever heard. He's picked up clawhammer banjo so quickly and amazingly. And now my home is full of the most soothing banjo music ever. When I found myself married to a banjo player, I always wanted it to sound like this. Clawhammer banjo played on this beautiful instrument is truly a dream come true. I'm so proud of him! He is really a VERY good banjo player. He has found this hidden talent of his and I couldn't be more impressed.

Over the July 4th holiday weekend, we had a wonderful time with the Petersons at their cabin in Twin Lakes, Colorado. It was so nice to spend time with my wonderful in-laws. I am so lucky to be a part of this beautiful family of Petersons. Sadie loved having lots of time to cuddle with her Grandma and Grandpa, as well as her Aunt Suzie and Uncle Jeff, and Aunt Carrie.

We also had a pool party and BBQ in our driveway. Well, the pool part was really for Sadie only. Fun, relaxing day with our neighbors.

The following week was busy getting ready for 2 weeks (!!) of vacation. I'll post more on my vacation adventures soon.