FEBRUARY 2017

   As I worked on the newsletter for this month, I scrolled through the pictures on my phone. That's an easy way to review the past month and find anything you would like to share with us.  Thanks to everyone that sent something.


Earl Ward:  Here's a picture of my hair donation. For the last 15 years I have been growing out my hair for locks of love and wigs for kids. I have donated 3 times-first time was 12 inches, 2nd time was 16 inches. This will be my last time 2-21 inch braids, to wigs for kids. If you don't know, they take the hair and make wigs for cancer patients. I don't think I will be able to do it again, the hair has to be at least 12 inches long and no grey. It took me 4.5 years to get the last donation. Looking at my beard, I'm afraid if I go another 4 years there might be a little gray. I guess it's going to stay short. My excuse for growing it out is gone. I guess I have to get a new hobby, I hope the next one is just as exciting. LOL

                                   
     

                      (The new look-pretty handsome!)

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Rachel (Haugen) Gladue:  
Above is RJ's cake for the Boy Scouts' Cake Auction.
He and I made the cake together. Everything is edible. The flames are melted life savers. The rocks are almond bark and oreos, some graham crackers, and some with cocoa.
RJ's comments: "I had fun making the cake and basically, 
I think everyone would like it." 


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Shelly Tang:  This is a picture of my grandson Jaxon at Frostival, a winter Festival held in our area that celebrates winter.  I thought the igloo out of milk bottles was very creative.  Jaxon is Brandon's son.

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Allison (Breker) Buske: Emily and I were lucky to fly to Baltimore, MD, to visit Mark/Daddy on my last week of maternity leave. Emily is 3 months old and was a great traveler! As this was her first flight, she was given her "wings".

We did many fun things, but going to Fort McHenry was on the top of the list. Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star Spangled Banner" while a "prisoner" on a British ship as he watched the battle at this fort. 

Francis Scott Key went out to the British ship and was held captive until the battle was over as he would have had valuable information to bring back about the ships if he was let go. I was SHOCKED that they just let him go so I asked and they said "chivalry was not dead" back then. He would have gotten meals and a bed and treated like a guest. So the next morning he woke up and saw the flag was still standing and knew Americans won the war. The British did hit American ammunition and America would have probably lost if it wasn't raining and therefore didn't blow up! 

The flag was 30' x 42' and hand sewn by two women in six weeks! (See picture of size below). They still fly that size of flag at the fort on perfect condition days! 

It was very interesting and I hope you enjoyed the little history lesson. 😀

Also side note: Under Armour was started in Baltimore by a guy in his grandma's basement. (The headquarters are in Baltimore). Marlene LOVES Under Armour 😂   

    (From Marlene: No, I think they are taking 

over the world one shirt at a time.) 

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Marlene:  Two years ago I shared a picture of my aunt Pauline, Mom's sister, when she turned 100.  January 19 she became 102 years old!  She is living in a nursing home in Mayville, ND.  The home held a birthday party for her, including a two piece musical group.  It was a very nice party with about 15 of us cousins attending.  
     She is shown with her only child, Frank, a son who had seven children. Now those children are having many, many children, so from this small family of two, Pauline ended up with a large family!

     She has been an amazing woman and the smartest one I've ever met. She is believed to be the first female business manager in ND and has been featured in our "Area Women" Magazine.

     She and her sister Mary share this beautiful white hair. 

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Joan Bakken:
      
              
Brooklyn Boyce was the star in the Christmas pageant.         
She is Ken and Joan's granddaughter and the daughter of Stefanie & Justin Boyce.  












Reagan Bogdala's first Christmas!  She is Ken and Joan's granddaughter and the daughter of Rian and Bill Bogdala.

                     

                        Reagan Bogdala's 1st birthday. 

 




 

          Bakken Siblings:  Bruce, Dave, Joan, and Keith





Spouses:  Kathy (Dave) Bakken, Ken (Joan) Boyce, 
Laurie (Keith) Bakken, Carolyn (Bruce) Bakken

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          St. Pete Beach, FL


                                      



Marlene:  Our daughter, Jenna, her children, Ethan (12), and Skylar (4), our granddaughter, Samantha (13), and I took a trip to St. Pete Beach, FL, in January.  We had a great time  despite the cold temperatures.  One morning it was only 39 degrees.  St. Pete Beach had its three days of winter while we there. Ethan and Sam snorkeled indoors in a 33,500 gallon tank. We did spend some time on the beach and in the water. We also enjoyed a bonfire and s'mores.


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Birthdays: (*) indicates a deceased family member
Feb. 1 Taylor Niblett [son of Donald Niblett, grandson of James Raymond Niblett, great grandson of Jim & Beth Niblett] Happy 23rd!

Feb. 2  Nicole Tang [daughter of Kris Tang] Happy 18th!

Feb. 2  Groundhog's Day    6 more weeks of winter?
Feb. 4  Max Brazeau [husband of Donna (Niblett)] Happy 73rd!
Feb. 6 Ella Wells [daughter of Denise (Schneider) and Chris Wells, granddaughter of Larry & Terry Schneider] Happy 2nd!
Feb. 7 Christopher Wells [husband of Denise (Schneider) Wells, son-in-law of Larry & Terry Schneider] Happy 40th!

Feb. 10  James Niblett   This is the 71st anniversary of Jim's birth.
Feb. 14    Happy Valentine's Day to our loved ones!
Feb. 19  Rebecca (Niblett) Sly [daughter of Jim* & Beth Niblett] Happy 41st!

Feb. 20  Harriet Olson* This is the 96th anniversary of Aunt Harriet's birth

Feb. 20  Lily Niblett [daughter of Taylor Niblett and Kori Downard, granddaughter of Donald Niblett, great

granddaughter of Jim* & Bethel Niblett]  Happy 1st!

Feb. 21   Josh Wilson [son of Marlene (Haugen) and Monty Wilson] Happy 45th!
Feb. 25  Zach Fotzler [husb of Jennifer (Walker), son-in-law of Earl & Beth Ward] Happy 34th!
Feb. 26  Ryker Fotzler [son of Jenni and Zak, grandson of Earl & Beth]  Happy 3rd!
Feb. 26 Mark Matlock [husband of Jessica (Shoemaker)], son-in-law of Susie (Ward) Peterson] Happy 45th!
Feb. 27  Sarah Walker [daughter of Earl & Beth Ward] Happy 35th! 

Feb. 28 Ashley Walker [daughter of Earl & Beth Ward] Happy 31st! Wedding Anniversaries: Feb. 26  Carl & Mary Niblett, Happy 44th! Feb. 26  Mark & Jessica (Shoemaker) Matlock [daughter of Susie (Ward) Peterson Feb. 28  KC & Alison Boehlein [stepdaughter of Bruce Bakken]  Happy 15th! Expectant Parents: Tony and Laura (Breker) Wolf are expecting a baby in May.  This baby will join Kaylee, 5, Elijah, 3, and Julia, 2. Laura is Mina and John's daughter. Kayla (Tang) and Leif Johnson are expecting a baby this summer. Kayla is Jason & Vicki's daughter.