More Summer Fun ~Family Visit ~Dacotah Prairie Museum

This Papa and Gigi loved sharing the local attractions

with our grandsons.

We were welcomed into the Museum by this majestic mammal,

The American Bison.

Did you know there are two baby Bison out in one of the barns

at Storybook Land?

Henry checked out this Mud and Stick Hut…

…and whole family fits inside this Native American TeePee.

Upstairs, we discovered an area just for children,

A Country School-themed Exhibit with a barnyard

and kitchen where they can do their chores,

and pack their lunch to take to the schoolhouse.

In the classroom the order of the day is 

reading, writing, and arithmetic.

This is fun for all ages, perhaps one of our highlights.

Another highlight was purchasing “Penny Candy” in the gift shop,

(for twenty-five cents)

We stopped for a quick lunch before Papa got ready

to leave for League Golf.

When Papa left for the Course,

We packed up and left for Storybook Land.

There’s the Land of Oz and the Barn that blew away in that famous tornado.

The Grandsons went on the ride, while Mama and Gigi watched,

safely on the ground.

However, one’s never too old to ride the Carousel.

We packed a picnic lunch for our dinner, 

something that we did once a week when

Mama and her sister were young.

After a fun filled day, the boys were tired and went to bed.

Mama and Gigi stayed up late for a little

Mother/Daughter Crafting.

Stop back as there’s still two more days to tell you about.

Take care,

~Natalie

Our Summer Fun continues ~A Family Visit ~Sunshine and Ice Cream ~Four Generatons

The day after our Memorial Day Cookout

found me out at the airport.

I was there to pick up some precious cargo.

Yep, our daughter and grandsons were

on that plane.

Once we got home, they wasted no time in bringing out

the Legos and the Game Boards.

Their visit coincided with our hot weather…

temperatures above 90°

We burned some energy at the neighborhood parks.

And cooled down with Italian Ice Twists at the Twist Cone.

This week’s flavor was Strawberry Buttercream.

The boys wake up with their body clocks,

which are set to Eastern Time.

After breakfast is a good time for reading and art.

Of course, one of their priorities was to visit Great Grandma.

She enjoyed looking at their school yearbooks,

 their certificates, and awards.

Here’s one happy Great Grandma.

Here’s the Annual Four Generation Photo. 

And here’s the “okay, now you can make a funny face” photo!

Stay tuned for more Family Fun photos tomorrow.

Take care,

~Natalie

A Sweet Start to Summer

Summertime, my favorite time of the year.

It’s daylight when we get up…

Beautiful sunshine streaming in the window.

There’s a break from the classroom, homework,

and the busy school schedule.

One can go on daytime adventures,

like baseball games and children’s museums.

We Retired Empty Nesters took advantage of the Memorial Day Holiday,

the unofficial first day of summer, to host a Holiday Cook-Out…

Burgers on the Grill, Texas Beans in the Crockpot, Pasta Salad,

Wendy’s Green Salad with Butter Lettuce, Asparagus,

Sliced Apple, and Blue Cheese Vinaigrette.

Katzy’s Triffle Bowl Dessert was the perfect,

Sweet Ending to our evening.

I hope you have enjoyed time

with the people you enjoy.

Take care,

~Natalie

Happy Gotcha Day to Gracie and Mazzie ~How it Started, How it’s Going

It has been two years since we brought these kittens

 home from the Humane Society.

These sisters are best friends who do almost everything together.

They play together, sometimes getting into mischief together.

They eat together, and sometimes share the water bowl.

They nap on the bed together, often touching each other,

even if it’s just with a paw.

They also nap in their baskets.

At one time they shared, but I had to order another one

since they’ve outgrown the first one.

They’re both great helper cats.

Here, showing support in the sewing studio…

…Or here, on the work table.

Sometimes, they can be a little too much help.

Treat Time is one of their favorites.

They have learned to sit when we say Grace.

As soon as the hear “Amen” they get up and get

ready to chase those tasty little morsels.

This was their first day at home.

They discovered the joy of looking out the patio door,

enjoying the fresh spring air,

 and watching the birds and squirrels.

And this was last evening.

Still finding pleasure in being together and

doing one of their favorite things.

A Cat makes your House a Home.

Take care,

~Natalie

Sunday Blessings ~Where the Month is Going ~May Day ~Dance Recital ~Mother’s Day ~PreK Graduation ~Pizza Fridays ~Wood Shop ~Spring Cleaning

We’re halfway through May and the month has been eventful.

It started with a Fun May Day Tradition…delivering May Baskets to the neighbors.

When our doorbell rings, Gracie usually beats me to the door.

She was not disappointed with this delightful basket.

These kind neighbor boys are growing up 

and certainly are much too fast for me to catch.

I’ll miss the day when they outgrow 

this idea of fun.

We now have a tiny ballerina in our family.

This little bun certainly brought back lots of 

memories for this Dance Mom.

Her mother and her aunt both

started dancing at the age of four.

Another Family Tradition in May is to

celebrate Mother’s Day with Hubby’s Mom.

His sister has made Mother’s Day Dinner for our family

for as long as I can remember.

A surprise package arrived for me…

the perfect gift for this Crazy Cat Lady and Gigi.

Check out those creative names for the coffee.

“For the Love of Mom”, and “Mom Fuel”

Thank you!

Another celebration for our family…

A grandson’s PreK Graduation. 

He’s super excited to go to Kindergarten and

attend the same school as his big brother.

We continue our tradition of Pizza Friday, which all

started during the Pandemic.

This one is a Bacon Mushroom Cheese Burger,

With Carmelized Onions.

There’s usually a project on Hubby’s Lathe.

Since the hand turned trees are

Hubby’s best seller at the Maker’s Markets,

He took inventory to check out how many more

 he needs to create before the Fall Handmade Market.

It’s still Spring…and still Spring Cleaning Season.

Helper Cat and I have moved downstairs to tackle the Family Room,

those bedrooms, bathroom, and laundry room.

That work is another report for another time.

Take care,

~Natalie