Birthday 2025 ~Here’s my Report ~My Family and Friends, They Spoil Me ~Thank You, Everyone for your Heartfelt Messages

Birthday 1958

My mother baked a German Chocolate Cake

to celebrate my special day..every..single..year..

And oh, how I am now craving that

sweet Homemade Pecan Coconut filling,

between the layers of moist rich dark chocolate cake.

Birthday 2025

These special friends came out to celebrate with us.

Hubby and I shared the Walleye Fingers, along with a side salad,

One of our favorites.

Another favorite is when this long-time friend comes to visit.

We met our Freshmen Year at NDSU,

and have stayed in touch for five decades.

The best gifts for senior friends are consumable,

like this package of beverage napkins for my morning coffee.

I’m also lovin’ this protein packed salad topping. 

Bee’s Wrap and a cute Kitchen Towel, with a cat theme,

all make me smile.

Thank you, Wendy and Debra.

Wait, there’s more…

Self care items, much appreciated.

Thank you Hubby, Wendy, Debra, and Shirley.

Birthday 1960

Why is everyone so serious?

Everyone, except my friend Karen.

She looks delighted to be at my Birthday Party.

I love this year’s cards,

My family and friends know me well.

Birthday 1963

I’m leaving you with this photo.

Check out those  Birthday hats…

I have no words.

Birthday 2025

Thank you, Family and Friends, for 

Making me feel like Royalty.

Take care,

~Natalie

CF Alumni Days 2025 ~Now a Memory

We girls have been planning this little reunion for weeks.

We enjoyed a weekend of reminiscing about Cheer Practice, Bus Trips,

Ball Games, Classes, Teachers, Sleepovers, and Christmas Parties.

We caught up on life… family, children, grandchildren,

careers, hobbies, parents, siblings, travel, and so much more!

Our mini-reunion preceded our annual Alumni Days.

When we were children, the weekend was called Ferry Days.

My Daddy would go to town early, along with the rest of the Men’s Club. 

They would start the meat in the pit to smoke all day.

There were Carnival Rides, Softball Games,

4-H Judging, and a Parade.

We girls looked at old albums and decided to try

and recreate this photo.

We Seniors posed in front…

Here we are 50+ years later… I guess we’re all “Seniors” now,

And getting up off the floor is not as easy as it used to be.

Haha 😛

Before we knew it, it was time to join all

the others at the Alumni Days.

Saturday was a full day of All School Alumni Activities.

Of course, there was no shortage of good food.

We had a big lunch and even bigger dinner.

We toured the cemetery, learning history of the community’s founders.

I enjoyed the presentations by Carol, Susan, and Karen.

This is my Mother’s side of the family.

Here are the Welo descendants in attendance.

Remember last year, we toured the Antiochia cemetery.

Here are the Kirkeide descendants,

My father’s side of the family, that were in attendance.

Next to spending time with friends and family,

this is one of my favorite events at Alumni Days.

The Horse Drawn Wagon Rides.

Making Sweet Memories

Being a “Farm Girl”, I really enjoy listening to the “City Boys”

sharing stories about who lived where,

and all the shenanigans that they all got into.

My Grandma lived in town and I stayed with her for several months after

my daddy’s accident. She lived on the south side of the tracks.

I graduated in a class of ten. These were the seven that

 gathered last year to celebrate our 50 years.

Six of the seven made it back this year.

Thanks for the Memories

See Y’all in 2026!

Take care,

~Natalie 

Happy Happy Birthday to our Granddaughter

This little Princess is now three.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl.

Love,

Papa and Gigi

An Anniversary in Heaven

Seventy-nine years ago today,

My parents said “I Do”

This is that lovely Pearl Choker Necklace that the Bride wore with

 her Wedding Suit. The precious keepsake is now displayed on my dresser.

Looks like my Daddy had a new Wedding Suit, too.

Here are the details of their Engagement.

My Daddy had returned home after his four years of Service in WWII

and wasted no time in purchasing a diamond.

He popped the question when he picked up my mother 

for her Thanksgiving Break.

She was teaching in Michigan, ND

Engaged in November, Married in June…

They made their home here, from 1946

 until 1970 when we moved to the family farmstead.

Now, they celebrate their love story in Heaven,

Probably sharing a nice dinner and then dancing the two-step

to my Daddy’s favorite tune, Alley Cat. 

Take care,

~Natalie

Father’s Day 2025 ~Hubby, Girl Dad, Papa, and More

Happy Father’s Day to my Hubby and Dad to our daughters.

Seven years ago, Hubby added the title of Papa.

He enjoys the time we spend with our four grandchildren.

My Daddy.

My Mother always said he would have given me the moon.

Hubby liked being a Girl Dad for those first 20+ years.

And then our daughters fell in love, got married,

 and we were blessed with Sons-in-Law.

So now, in addition to still being a proud Girl Dad,

Hubby enjoys doing Guy things with his Sons,

like playing darts out in the ManCave.

Or a Corn-hole Tournament in our driveway.

As the head of their households, these two Daddies are loving and caring.

They provide guidance and bring happiness to their families.

We are Blessed.

Sending best wishes to all the Dads, Fathers, Father-figures,

Papas, Pops, Gramps, and Grandpas.

Happy Father’s Day

Take care,

~Natalie

Flag Day ~ Happy Heavenly Birthday to my Grandma Hilda ~Happy Birthday to my Blog

Today we honor our Nation’s Flag.

It symbolizes our American Values and

the Sacrifices made to defend them.

June 14, 1977, is the date when the Continental Congress

approved the design for our first flag.

Those Stars and Stripes stand for our Principles of

Freedom, Liberty, Unity, and Patriotism.

It is a day to display our flag and to participate in

our community’s Patriotic Events.

My Grandma was proud to share her Birthday with Flag Day.

Born June 14, 1893, she would be 132 years old.

I grew up on a farm, about a mile from town.

Everyday, my mom and I drove in to collect our mail at the local post office.

Every day we stopped at Grandma’s  house…

And every single day she had fresh baked goods, cooling on her table.

My favorites were her Banana Cream Pie,

and her soft Molasses Cookies that we called Cry Babies.

June 14 is also the Anniversary of my first Blog Post.

Here’s what I had to say, Seventeen years ago, in 2008!

May our flag continue to proudly wave.

🇺🇸 Land of the Free…Home of the Brave 🇺🇸

Take care,

~Natalie

Our Anniversary Report ~Thank You, Everyone, for all of your Greetings ~And a Year of Selfies

Forty four years ago we stood in this location and said “I Do”.

That is the Church Bell Tower there behind us.

We enjoyed hearing from each and every one of you,

thinking about how we became friends.

We are blessed to have many friends, family, classmates,

 co-workers, and former students in our lives.

Thank You.

This beautiful bouquet of flowers are a gift from my Hubby.

They will brighten up our kitchen all week long.

I gifted him an updated, large print, Road Atlas to use

 when he “plans our next adventure”.

I guess it’s obvious which one of us is the Romantic,

and which of us gives Practical gifts. Haha

I’ve compiled all the “selfies” we’ve taken in the last year,

since our last anniversary.

These adventures have taken us to North Dakota,

Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Georgia…

Plus all the States in between.

When traveling, we take a mid-day break to stretch our legs,

get some steps, and have a bite to eat.

Remember New Years found us downtown Omaha, enjoying the fireworks,

before finding a place to eat. Pretty sure we were the oldest couple in that Sports Bar.

We appreciate pretty scenery, especially if there’s water.

Trip Highlights of our 44th year include Brewery Tours,

Professional Baseball Games,

  Niagara Falls, the Mackinac Bridge,

The Hallmark Crowne Center, Storybook Land,

a Pumpkin Farm, Bison Football, and

Worship in my Hometown’s refurbished Country Church.

Selling our Creations at local Makers Markets

help us pay for these adventures.

We celebrated our Anniversary with these Special Friends…

(minus that little girl)

We didn’t know who she was?!

Of course, our greatest highlight of the year is traveling to

spend time with our daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren.

And plans are in the works to do just that in a few weeks.

We are excited…So stay tuned.

Take care,

~Natalie