4 minute read
Meet the Petteys Family: Living the Good Life
Photo by Kim Lind Photography
Story by Alexandra Sullivan, Resident since 2017
One of the most endearing features of Danville is how many of its residents grow up here, and then later choose to return and raise their own children right back in this community.
For Chris and Kasey Petteys, returning to their roots was an easy choice. As parents to Hank (8), Kate (6), and Sam (20 months), they knew that moving closer to family and raising their children in the same town that Kasey grew up in was a decision that would enhance the lives of everyone in their family.
Patriotic pride for the Petteys family
Rewind to a bit over a decade ago, where at UCLA, Kasey, in her senior year, would meet Chris, a graduate student, “Chris and I met at a party at UCLA, and then the following day we saw each other again in class! I had just returned from studying in Spain and he was in his last semester of undergrad. Luckily he returned to UCLA the following year for his Masters program.” These two had plenty in common to keep the sparks flying, besides being big fans of UCLA football, both Chris and Kasey were involved in Greek life; Kasey a member of Alpha Phi Sorority and Chris in Sig Ep Fraternity. They dated through the remainder of their respective years at UCLA and after graduation they moved to Hermosa Beach. In 2005 they made their way back up the coast to the Bay Area, and in 2006 their marriage began in a beautiful, picturesque winery in Sonoma County.
Just a Dad and his kids!
For almost ten years Chris and Kasey lived in Walnut Creek. It was in that blossoming hub that they had their first son, Hank, and their daughter, Kate. A few years later the Petteys family moved back to Danville. “We live on the border of Alamo. We moved to our home in Danville in 2015 and love it! We live on a cul-de-sac, and the kids love to play in the street with our neighbors – lots of pick-up games and skateboards and scooters.” Family-friendly takes on a whole new meaning when family actually lives right around the corner, “Kasey’s parents live a half-mile away from us, and the kids are able to ride their bikes to Grandma and Grandpa’s. We are so lucky!”
It’s not just proximity to extended family that make Danville a great place for Chris and Kasey to raise kids; getting involved in sports, piano lessons, and school events all helped build up a community that the kids are thriving in. As a parent of two great students at Montair Elementary, Kasey has gotten involved with the PTA and Foundation Boards. Hank and Kate swim at Del Amigo, both play basketball and soccer, and baseball and softball, respectively. Hank’s hobbies include golf and skateboarding, and for Kate it’s gymnastics and girl scouts. Sweet little Sam loves to swing and play with trucks. Hank and Kate also attend Faith Formation classes at St. Isidore’s, where the whole family attends.
Baby Sam, of course, hasn’t quite grasped the experiences that he’s had so far, “We love to vacation in Hawaii and also go regularly to Sunriver, OR for summer fun. We are a big snow ski family and enjoy our trips to Tahoe in the winter.” Hank and Kate each learned how to ski around age 4, so Sam has a couple more years before he’s ready to hit the slopes with the big kids and their parents. He is able to enjoy the other things that the rest of the family enjoys, like reading and cooking. More travel will surely be in their future, and Sam can continue to build on his early memories of all the things that make his family so fun! Aside from Chris, Kasey, and the kids, the Petteys family is also made of 14 year old cats Toby and Otis and the family’s live-in au pair, Ciara.
Once a Bruin, always a Bruin.
Chris and Kasey both balance work and home life. Chris is a Partner and incoming CEO at Forell Elsesser Engineers in San Francisco. At UCLA, Chris received a BS in Civil Engineering and an MS in Structural Engineering. Kasey received her BA in Business Economics from UCLA. She is now a Partner at Deloitte in San Francisco’s Audit Practice. All the hard work that these two have put in to grow in their careers has allowed them to do some pretty great things back at home.
This year they completed a backyard remodel just in time for summer to kick off! “We’re all so excited about the new backyard,” Kasey said. What part of the remodel was the most exciting? “The kids would definitely say the new pool, or maybe the play structure. Chris and I are loving the cabana area for dining & entertaining.”
This family lives by the words “Work hard, play hard!” With three young kids, it’s probably safe to say that every moment at the Petteys house is filled with an emotion of some sort - good, bad, and everything in between. Knowing that they can stick together through anything keeps this family smiling, “We feel really fortunate to have been able to travel around the world and enjoy so many amazing experiences here in the Bay Area with family and friends. It’s a wonderful life!”
