Cleve & Kathleen Christmas

Last but not least, here's a few pics of our small family gathering after Christmas in Peoria. Arriving from Indianapolis where they had no snow, the 2 older grandboys were excited about sledding down our long and steep back yard hill. etc. The 3rd boy (Cooper) was more interested in the refrigerator contents than in presents or sledding. The wall-picture was a gift from Aaron & Crystal to us (study it over!). We've enjoyed all of your great Christmas pictures. Happy New Year to all !!!!!!!!!
Cleve & Kathleen

Old(er) Family Pics

Y'all better get ready, because I had a GOOD time scanning in old pictures at Mom and Dad's house last week, and you know I'll be posting them. And there were tons more to still be looked at, but enough was enough for one trip. So how are these for starters?

Well, obviously I wasn't too good at getting pictures straight on the scanner!

These were Polaroids, so not the best quality to begin with. But those are a pair of dashing young men, don't you think?

READY TO GO

Well, we're not really ready to go south but we're getting ready in earnest now. I'm going to make my list as soon as I finish typing this. I have one quilt to finish marking for the quilters. We're having a couple friends over for pizza tomorrow night to celebrate - going to go to B'ton and pick up a pizza from Papa Murphy's to eat. Have to do a couple more loads of laundry and begin packing. That's just the short list. The real list will be a couple pages long probably.

Jerry is finishing installing the new sump pump. He has to volunteer tomorrow then go to the dentist. I'm wondering if I should he insist on doing his own packing - I've always done it. How about a vote as to whether he should do it or I should do it. Do other men do their own packing?

Pics from the Knobloch Christmas

These are a few of my favorite pics. Amber and Mara hiding out with their loot. Joe ready to weed-wack. Nate trying his best to get his outfit on. And last but not least, the prize-winning strangest gift of 2009 - Dave's IDOT road find...a box of men's "imitation" cologne, found in a ditch where it had fallen from a Dollar General truck involved in an accident. All the boys are picking their favorite scent. Now there's a classy gift!

The Knobs

A couple more pictures. Adrian got a couple of books by an author that we took a class from last summer. She seemed happy with the gift! It was a great day!

This year, I got a massage table and supplies for Christmas! I set it up in Heather's old room. We are having so much fun giving and getting massages. I love it!

Our Christmas

We had a wonderful Chrismas. However, it was a little different. We went over to Larry's instead of them coming here. After church it was sleeting but we took off for Bloomington.
We made it OK. We had a delicious meal and of course the traditional Heavenly Hash.
We had lots of presents to open around their huge Christmas Tree. About 4 o'clock it started snowing and a little sleet. It just wouldn't quit so Larry drove us home about 7 o'clock. Thomas followed us and took Larry back to Bloomington. We were glad to be home. This morning it was snowing when we got up and it has snowed about all day (at least 5 inches). So we are staying home on my birthday. I will even have to cook supper. One of our cars is buried in snow on the street. Keith went out to try to put it on the drive and it wouldn't start! Hope the city doesn't give us a ticket. We are both doing fine. I am trying to get more strength in my legs by doing exercises they gave from going to physical therapy. Larry moved my computer from the basement to the den. It is good to hear about everyone's Christmas.

MORE CHRISTENSENS

I think between the two postings I have at least one picture of everyone. I think Grandpa took the picture of Kelsie by the tree - I love it. I love all of them!! Hope to see some of your Christmas also.

A CHRISTENSEN CHRISTMAS

Waiting patiently for the opening of presents. It was wonderful day.

Merry Christmas and some Old Pictures Also

The Bailes are having our usual disjointed Christmas. Mike has to work today (he will get to Alabama by Sunday for our Christmas here), Andrew has to stay in SC because he is in a wedding tomorrow (who plans a wedding for December 26?!!), and Mary Lee and I came on over to Alabama today. However, our power went out right as I was going to Andrew's bedroom to tell him he needed to go ahead and bake the sweet rolls he was making for Christmas breakfast. (Along with a "frittata" recipe he got off of Food Network - he is turning into a budding chef.) So Andrew and I drove into our school to bake the rolls in the daycare kitchen. Unfortunately, I did not properly un-set the alarm. So the head of maintenance got a phone call from the security system and had to make a trip in to see who was breaking in the complex. Did I ever feel bad about that!

-

Anyway, Mary Lee and I are here now, and I have found a lot of old Christmas pictures from years past. (And get ready - I'll probably be looking through old photo albums tomorrow to see if I can find more.)

Merry Christmas to all the EJKs, and I have really enjoyed all of the interesting Christmas posts!!!

Call me "Bird Lady"

Merry Christmas! I'm over at Mom & Dad's for Christmas Day. I've been wanting to tell the following silly (but true) story for awhile. It reminds me of all the funny animal stories that Shelley has.

A couple of weeks ago, I needed to drop something off at my parent's house. It was dark, cold and raining. Mom said she'd leave the door unlocked so I could get in out of the rain quickly. I pulled into the driveway and ran onto the porch. To let them know I was there, I rang the doorbell as I flew into the front door which had a huge Christmas wreath on the outside. All of a sudden, I realized a small bird was directly under my head, flapping its wings in my face with all its might. I screamed bloody murder at the top of my lungs over and over. In the meantime, my parents heard my desperate screams and came running up from the basement. I must have tried to move further into the hall to get away from this creature that was still flapping away, but my shoes were wet from the rain and one step onto the ceramic tile sent me falling to the floor (flat on my back) with one big thud. By this time, my parents were at the top of the stairs and saw me laying on the floor, still screaming, the door wide open. They thought I had been shot or attacked on the front porch. My mom was standing over me, screaming "What happened? What happened?" After a few moments, I started laughing uncontrollably. The bird must have flown out the open door and luckily didn't fly into the house. We think the bird must have been in the wreath and became startled when I burst onto the scene. Mom & Dad helped me up, rug burns and all. The whole event took all of 15 seconds, but seemed to last forever. I was a little sore the next day from the fall, but I still had a good laugh at this unusual occurance!

Merry Christmas to All

...and to all a good night's sleep.

Christmas Morning in Hotlanta

I will say it's nice for Mark's kids to be older as the wake up time agreed on this morning was 8:30. I told Molly we should go get them up at 8:00 since Jeffrey had to make a pretty big compromise from 6:45 to 8:30! I was up at 7:30 and waited about as impatiently as the kids. Finally about 8:20 I called her and told her it was time to get up!!!

It's fun to watch the kids open gifts--they get alot to know they are blessed but not everything they wanted to know there are some limits.

A few are sleeping again and in a little while we do a Christmas morning tradition and head to Waffle House. Usually we go on our way out of town to AL, but Mark and I and some of the kids will drive over today with Molly and the rest of the kids coming tomorrow.

Our big Christmas will be at Mary's on Sunday.

I miss going to church on Christmas morning.

Christmas Morning at the Knob's

Well, it's Christmas morning. We got home yesterday from the Knob Christmas about 5:30 pm. We both needed naps, so I took one and woke up in 20 minutes. Dave took one and woke up about 9:30. So I was ticked. Then I got up at 2 am, went back to the bedroom at 7 am and he's still sleeping...ticked me off again. (How, oh how, can he sleep so long!) So I left, accidentally slammed the door (truly, as I had just oiled it with WD-40) and then he gets up...ticked at me. He's out walking now, a sure sign that he is, in fact, ticked. Guess I'll make him a good breakfast for when he gets back and maybe we can get off to a better start on Christmas Day.

Looking forward to church, then party with the kids. Unfortunately, Jake's can't make it this year...first year we're not all together. We'll miss them! Merry Christmas to all!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

It is 4:35 am and we've just finished our breakfast of bacon and eggs. I'll try to keep the story short. Yesterday about 4 pm our water alarm went off by the sump pump. Apparently the water was so intense outside that the pressure blew the pipes apart and water was shooting all over. Jerry managed to put it together but it wouldn't stay. We were both soaked. After much consternation he managed to plug up the pipe, hook up another pipe to a rubber hose and rerouted the water out to the back yard. I'm not sure if I helped or if I got in the way, but anyway "we" fixed it -- for a couple hours, when it sprung another leak, but he fixed that fairly easily. No more problems. . .

We weren't sleeping well last night, Jerry got up and was playing at the computer, I was reading in bed. We turned the light back off about 3 and tried to go to sleep. Shortly after that the power went out. I woke Jerry and said "the electricity is off, are we in trouble?" and he said "yes", jumped out of bed and went downstairs. Of course, the pump wasn't running, water was just at the top of the hole, but not running over.

So I made breakfast, and now he's down there "fiddling" with it - says the pump wasn't shutting off so he's putting the backup pump in.

Merry Christmas everyone. We're looking forward to the family getting here about 2 pm - hope we're awake!

What is one of your family traditions?

I know everyone is busy, but I just wondered if anyone has time to share a treasured family tradition. Something your kids know will be done year after year. One of ours is going to get the Christmas tree, then we decorate it, then watch It's a Wonderful Life. The girls are lots of fun and we always have a great time. It's become a competition of who picks out the tree that gets chosen. Wish I had a photo handy to share of this year. Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone!

BAKING WITH GRANDDAUGHTERS

Heather, Kelsie, Heater and I had a great day making two batches each of caramels (made by Heather), peanut butter balls (made by Kelsie), chex mix and sugar cookies (made by Heater). Pretty much all I had to do was make sure they had all the supplies they needed, but even that wore me out! Jerry kept the dishes washed up. I did make some taco's for lunch. It was a great day.

MASTER Amy Hohulin

It's official!
Amy graduated from ISU with a master's degree in Speech Pathology.  Here's proof!
Congratulations Amy! We're proud of you!


Love,
Mom & Dad

More pictures

I thought you might enjoy seeing Cleve and Perry also. Oops, I should have lit the candles.

Klop Christmas @ Perry's Saturday

By popular demand, here's a few pics of the wonderful time all had at Perry's today (Sat.) with 32 planned, but unfortunately Catherine and Keith & Alice were not able to be with us. Carol, as usual, graciously and masterfully served a delicious dinner complete with turkey and all the trimmings. Others brought good components and Cleve's picked up Aunt Alice's outstanding Heavenly Hash in Morton to keep that tradition alive.
Due to the absentees, called up, on short notice, to the Big Leagues (Table One) was Jerry and Angela to replace Alice/Keith who are on the Disabled List. With Catherine on the DL as well, rookie Kelsie was then suddenly promoted from Class AAA to the Big Leagues also. Uncle Perry said "It was decided to 'give her a shot'" All were happy that Kelsie did extremely well in her Major League debut at the coveted Table One.
(some may think this not to be funny, but I think it is hilarious)

Following the dinner, the traditional Program proceeded with some impressive hand-held bell-ringing versions of Christmas carols by the grandchildren, led by Grandma Carol. Then we enjoyed a moving Christmas "presentation" by Ada & Jerry, followed by beautiful piano recitals by the Endress and Schieler children. Everyone then joined in singing "Babes in the Woods". Perry II then provided some soothing piano background music while we all visited.
The recuperating Uncle Lynn called during the meal and we all wish him a good recovery. And to everyone, a very Merry and Blessed Christmas!

Pre-Christmas Activity

I've thought about you all at Perry's today and hope you had a nice time together. I also hope someone will post some pictures for those of us who would have loved to have been there but just live too far away!

My college agers are back home for Christmas vacation. When they got to town, Andrew took Mary Lee straight to the hospital where she had outpatient surgery on a pesky ganglion cyst on her wrist that's been giving her a lot of trouble. Other than a huge splint/bandage from fingers to elbow, which she has to wear for two weeks, she is doing great.

Dad has been sick the past couple of days with a 101-102 fever, but Mom says he's much better today. That was his first setback in what has been a great recovery from his hip surgery. We plan to go over there at the end of next week.

Keep in touch over these Christmas holidays!

TAFFY PULL

We just returned from the annual taffy pull at the fellowship hall. Our Sunday School has an "Adopt-a-Friend" for children in fifth through eighth grades. Two students are paired up with an "old" couple and we have three activities through the year as a group and most of us also try to do one or two things other with their "friends". Our friends this year are Jacob Ferneau, our next door neighbor, and Colin Wettstein, Doug and Sarah's boy. We are hoping to take them to Ming's during the Christmas break as we'll be leaving after that.

While the taffy pull was fun and a little wild and crazy with all those adolescents, it could also be a little "ecklish" if one thinks about all those hands on the taffy!! Oh well - sure tasted good and we got to bring a small bag home.

Not much new around here. I plan to make some goodies tomorrow, prepare a lunch for a few ladies from Meadows on Friday, and see some of you at Perry's on Saturday. Always busy this time of year.

OLD, OLD photos...identify them??

Here are some VERY old photos found by my father, Ralph, in Aunt Mary's attic many years ago. They are each about 1" square and were found in a tiny old 2"x1.5" Rexall Orderlies Laxative tin (similar to a small aspirin tin of today) dated 1912.
There was 1 photo labeled on the back as "Elmer" and 1 labeled "Arthur". The young boy with a duplicate hat in the upper left corner is very likely Elmer because the 1 picture labeled "Elmer" (not included here) shows him in the same outfit and he looks similar. He also looks alot like E.J.'s descendents (Mark, Drake, etc.). Assuming these are of the Klopfenstein family and taken in the same year, can someone (like Uncle Lynn, Aunt Alice, Uncle Perry, etc.) try to identify them? The picture in the upper right resembles Uncle Joe, I think. I can post all 29 photos (in 2 pictures) upon request. I'd recommend clicking on the picture to enlarge to get a better image.

Home from the Hospital

Dad got home from the hospital today and is doing well. Here are a couple of photos to prove it! Thanks to all who prayed for him; he has done well so far and anticipates a good recovery as he gets more mobilization in his leg. He looks good, doesn't he?

Visit from Santa

The Klopfensteins enjoy a visit from Santa!

Keep them coming!

I'm sure the next generation must sometimes think, "Enough!" but I'm with Ann. Those were the days...really good memories...and I love to see the old pictures. Just now I'm remembering chocolate cookies with white icing, anise candy, heavenly hash dessert, all the ladies doing dishes and the kids going to the kitchen numerous times to ask when we could start opening presents, the mounds of presents to open, and then displaying them on the dining room table, everyone with their own little pile. I also remember getting into the rock salt which was for making home-made ice cream and kept in a free-standing cupboard in the second room in the basement. Behind that room was the furnace room and I always loved to sneak in there and look at the old baby buggy. In the kitchen, coming in from the dining room, there was a long closet. What were some of the things you remember she kept in that closet? Or other favorite things in the house? Looking forward to Perry and Carol hosting Christmas once again on the 19th. Hope some of you are coming!

Christmas Memories

Another old photo from Grandma's living room. Shouldn't be too hard to figure these people out. I'm assuming the dolls were gifts from Grandma K. I think she gave us new dolls every year. They smelled so good!

Cathy

Surgery is Over

Text from Mary:

He's in recovery. Doing fine. We're in the room with him, and he should be here (recovery) 45 minutes. They will stand him up 2day if possible. Released on Friday. Dr was very pleased.

Thanks for praying for Dad.

The good news is that a graduate of LCCS is the charge nurse and will be looking out for Dad's good and even best.

You're Invited...

Fot the local readers, you are invited to the Bloomington Apostolic Christian Church Choir program on this Wednesday night at 7:30 pm. Should be a wonderful evening of song service. Also tonight from 5:30 - 7:00 there is a Holiday Party at Evergreen Place where Mom lives. Music, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, and a performance by the Evergreen bell chimers. I will try to get a video of them to post. All weather-permitting, of course, as we are expecting winter weather the next couple of days.

Great Grandma K

Can you guess who the babies are?

Surgery

Tuesday morning at 7:30, December 8th, hip replacement surgery is scheduled on this ole dude. Mim and I are to report to the hospital at 5:15 AM. At this time the procedure is expected to be routine. Relief will be welcomed. The discomfort escalated significantly about 6-8 weeks ago and the inevitable soon became clear. Thoughts and prayers of the family and friends are much appreciated. Good to Go!!!

Love you all!

Christmas giving tradiitons

Speaking of Christmas, what is a Christmas tradition you do that helps remind your children that Christmas isn't just about getting gifts? We try to give a gift out of each child's "Christmas budget" to someone in need. One year we gave to missionaries; for the past few years we've given Christmas Care packs through the Voice of the Martyrs. They are packs that go to children living in areas of persecution, packs that are filled with practical items like warm clothing, toiletries, school supplies, vitamins, treats, a toy, and Christian books. This year they are giving to children in Vietnam. Here's the link: https://www1.vombooks.com/qry/qe_store.taf?_function=detail&_peid=1694&_id=A373551896&_code=C&_nc=71d3d07557f942b315a72e557ae1b192

Anyway, just sharing a very small thing (it seems like I should do so much more) and would love to hear what ideas you have.

Old Christmas Picture

Came across this old photo. Can you name all these people? I'm stumped.

Common Courtesy

On a recent Saturday morning, I was walking out of our public library, about eight steps behind a man in his late twenties and a young boy about five. As we approached the door, the man looked behind and saw me, pulled the boy slightly to the side, and then I heard him say "Let the lady go first." So I went first and thanked them. What I wished I'd said was "Thank you for making my morning, with common courtesy that in these days seems to be all too uncommon--and for training your son well."

So, have you had any recent experiences of "uncommon courtesy" or any examples of where young people appeared to have been well taught the kindnesses of polite interaction?