Who am I?

This morning Lynn and I went to get our SC driver's licenses and to get new car tags. A lot of red tape was involved--shall I admit it that we couldn't find our birth certificates or marriage license? Guess we need to do more unpacking. Between McLean and Peoria counties we finally got all necessary documentation and everything was go. Then the fellow handling the documents discovered that the name on the birth certificate was Marian Hemmer. In all these years on the rare occasions when we needed a birth certificate, neither of us realized the name error. So who am I?

John Michael at Philips Arena

Molly sent me this picture Christmas night. I keep trying to get her to post on the blog but have been unsuccessful thus far. :-) But I thought you would enjoy seeing this picture of John Michael playing basketball at halftime at Philips Arena, where the Atlanta Hawks play their games. Apparently different schools are allowed to scrimmage at halftime during the games, and JM's school played this night several weeks ago. Go JM!
(he's the center right young man in the dark red uniform.)

A GLIMPSE OF CHRISTENSEN'S CHRISTMAS

We were fortunate to spend Christmas day at Jason's house. Janice was a "busy bee" all day making sure that everyone was well fed and cared for. We had a full buffet available with many choices of food such as meatballs, cheese balls/crackers, mini-weiner wraps, dips, Italian beef sandwiches, cookies, candies, cupcakes and the traditional Heavenly Hash.

Here are a few pictures - sorry everyone isn't included in a picture, but you'll get the general idea as to how the gift-opening went and I'm sure you all had the same type of chaos at your get-togethers. I love it!!

Drake with his nautical wall clock with door to hang keys.

Grace opens her present.

Miles's turn. (Janice's brother-in-law beside Jason)

Owen posing with new hat.

Nathan was first to open - we always do youngest to oldest.

I'd love to share more pictures, but it's taken me an hour to get this posted, and I have many things to do today. Happy New Year to All!

Speaking of Heavenly Hash

I am supposed to bring a dessert to Brandon's family Christmas tomorrow night and was thinking of trying heavenly hash! I haven't had it for years and thought this would be a good opportunity. I looked through the K family cookbook but didn't see the recipe so I was going to ask for it. But after reading Rhoda's post maybe it's more complicated than what I'm up for! I'll wait to see if Aunt Alice has any encouragement...and the recipe of course!

Klopfensteins in SC

Rhoda here logged in under Dad's account:

The K's in SC had a big day yesterday that began with the disappointing news that the roads were too bad for the Medlens to make the trip. We missed them tremendously yesterday and look forward to seeing Joey and Mary this afternoon for a short visit. We will miss seeing the girls this year for Christmas!

After church we all got together at Mom and Dad's new house for a wonderful turkey and ham meal. We all made it in the dining room with a card table added.































After Dad's comments earlier about missing heavenly hash, Molly, Mom and I all worked together to make it. (In my defense, I didn't know he liked it and would have gladly made it through the years as I missed having it.) Aunt Alice gave some phone and e-mail guidance on making it right, and we tried to follow Dad's direction that there must be plenty of whipped cream! It appears we've turned on the next generation to heavenly hash as well.













On Saturday night a snow started to fall and by 9:00 or so the boys were outside building snowmen. They had to use most of the snow in the front yard, but I think they did a pretty good job. The snow was very wet and packed very hard (I'll attest to that after being hit with a line drive by Jeffrey!), and today despite the sun the snowmen are still quite well formed in the front yard.

RDK family Christmas at Gloria's 12/26

Christmas wasn't over yet today by a long shot. Gloria hosted the Ralph K. family Christmas at her Normal home with a huge spread of food, a bird and dog show, a unique gift idea for Great Grandma, and finally a surprise visitor for the kids. Gloria had 7 diaper's hanging from a clothesline for each of the 7 families to deposit some cash for Grandma's Christmas gift -- representing the minimum of 20,000 diapers she'd calculated that Grandma has changed. Over 30 family members went home happy, full of good food, and well entertained. David and Linda's Dan was also present with his fiance, Tammi, and is pictured here.

WHITE CHRISTMAS!

Yes, for the first time in many years, we have a White Christmas! It's so beautiful! I had to share this unusual event. We already have about 3 inches and it's still snowing! What a beautiful sight to wake up to. Idyllic - white Christmas, fire in the fireplace, and opening gifts with a loving family. Thank you Father. Merry Christmas to all. Love, Mary

ADDRESS CHANGE

About 10 years ago our address was changed from RR1 Box 191A to 414 WEST 7TH STREET. Until now, the post office has continued to deliver our mail with either address on the envelope. However, several Christmas cards came through this year with stickers on them reminding us to give everyone our correct address. I have a feeling they will not deliver to the RR address in the future. I emailed a couple people privately, but have gotten several cards with the incorrect address so decided to let everyone know. Would you all check your address books and make sure the have our correct address listed. Thanks so much.

We're looking forward to a great day with all our family at Jason and Janice's house tomorrow. We hope you all have a Wonderful and Blessed Christmas with your families as you celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

We love you all.
Ada and Jerry

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I Got Dibs

So I got dibs on one of the clocks. I saw the one at Mom's and it is really nice. Kind of a design feat, too, Jerry, with the removeable face and battery pack. Well done. I have just the right spot to display it.

Ugly

On Saturday, we had a fun family adventure right here at home. Brandon suggested, since the pond was frozen over, that we go out and ice skate/let the kids play on the ice. Naturally I was reluctant, being the worried mother that I am, and all too able to picture someone falling through the thin ice! But Brandon assured me (after revealing that he had already been out there and cut several holes) that it was 5 inches thick and very safe. UGH!! Why does he take such chances without telling me?? Well, I know it's because if he told me I'd never let him do it. Anyway, we bundled up and set out, and it turned out to be a memorable time!


Brandon had fun skating while the kids and I slid around in our boots. Jesse could barely stay standing it was so slick! But the most excitement was when we were scouting around and saw what looked like a turtle under the ice. Brandon cut a hole in the ice and scooped him out....sure enough, a huge, nasty snapping turtle! I thought for sure he'd be dead. He was alive, just moving very slow. What a neat science lesson for the kids! We later researched and found out snapping turtles can hibernate underwater for up to 3 months. Amazing! Another awesome example of God's handiwork! We named him Ugly, and watched him for awhile without getting too close.

CLOCK PROJECT

Here are a couple pictures of the clocks that Carol and Ann were referring to in the previous post. Jerry and I were able to get a board from my father's elevator and make several clocks from the wood. Jerry actually gets credit for cutting, staining, polishing and all other work on the clocks. We had a professional put the engraving on the front plaque. These clocks were made in memory of my father, EJK and the grain business he owned and operated for many years in Gridley.

This is a picture of a completed clock.

This is a picture of several clocks beside the unfinished board from the elevator.

We got the idea for doing this after the reunion last summer when many of us toured the elevator. At that time Jerry noticed a board leaning against one wall. This board had a large hook-lock hanging on it and we assume it was the original lock for closing the large sliding door on the east side of the elevator. He later went and asked John McKey if we could have that board. We also learned at that time that the elevator is expected to be razed in the next year or two.

Last Saturday, when several of us were at Perry's house for their annual Christmas dinner, we gave one of these clocks to Perry & Alice. We also mailed one to Lynn - so all my siblings have one. We have three more clocks and are willing to give them any grandchild who would appreciate it. I guess we will go on a first-come-first-served basis, so if you want one, please let us know. You can contact me here, or email me at adachristensen@yahoo.com.

Klopfenstein Family Christmas Dinner

There were 19 of us for the usual turkey dinner and wonderful heavenly hash dessert. Jerry and Ada surprised us with special gifts for Alice, Perry and Catherine. (Gloria will take it to her.) Jerry used a beam from the old grain elevator and made clocks. They are beautiful! Alice gave the women her wonderful potholders and dish cloths. Uncle Lynn called and talked to Ada and she told him he could also open his gift which she had previously sent. We were grateful for the time to be with family. Love, Carol

Adrian's dream

My oldest, Adrian has set her sites on being an author. She's in the mist of writing a novel and is committed to making her dreams come true. She's started a blog to journal her writing adventure and to help keep herself motivated. Check it out, pray for her and encourage her in her adventure.

You can find the blog here: http://adrianknobloch.blogspot.com/

EDK

Family Photo from 1968

I was scanning pictures for Perry's autobiography and this one is so good, I just had to share. Carol

AMAZING

No pictures today, but I just wanted to let the family know how amazing Casey and his crew are!! When I got up at 7:06 this morning, Jerry had already left for Bloomington. I looked out the front window and saw the snow at the end of the driveway piled as high as our mailbox. Sidewalk and porch was also scooped clean!

Those guys must've been up all night! I didn't hear them at all so was surprised to see that it was all done. Great job guys!!

SNOW-DAY ACTIVITIES

For those of you who don't live around here, we've had a big blizzard going on since about 9 am. Church was cancelled - which is kinda exciting like school being called off. But, on the other hand, we missed hearing a sermon and seeing our friends, and just didn't quite know what to do with our time. Jerry suggested making cookies. We turned on a Christmas cd and got out the baking stuff!

This picture is looking through the screen on our deck where

you can almost see an evergreen in the back yard, but we have not seen

our neighbors' homes back there all day.

Jerry made sugar cookie dough, rolled it out, cut it,
frosted the cookies and ate a few. Yummy!

I made some marshmallow white-chocolate peppermint lollipops

similar to some I saw in boxes of four for $7.95 at Crate & Barrel in Chicago.

Pretty sweet, but good one at a time!

We have a ham baking in the oven, the Bears are getting clobbered, hope to get some presents wrapped tonight, and might make another batch of cookies. I'm having the quilting ladies in for lunch on Wednesday and Jerry's volunteer friends on Thursday. The cookies will be desert. The lunch will be Pepperidge Farm pastry puff shells with chicken pot pie filling - not sure of side dish yet.

SO what did you do with your Sunday at home?

O Christmas Tree. . .

What's your funniest, sweetest, most touching, or otherwise best Christmas tree story from over the years?

New Pic.

Thought you might enjoy seeing the latest picture of Andrew's quartet. They took this picture last weekend during the big snow in North Carolina. (We can't get pics like that down here very often, like you midwesterners can.) I am riding with them to Chattanooga, leaving at 10:00 tonight, for a service tomorrow. Probably shouldn't have agreed to do so, what with the busyness of this time of year, but I did, so let's get going. And just so you know, yes, Andrew and the piano player are trying to stand a little closer to each other without looking too obvious. :-)

WINTER GET-AWAY

Me in front of a horsie ride at WinterFest at Navy Pier.

Jerry with Mr. Lego man.
Nativity scene at Daily Plaza. If you really close, you
might see a fourth "wise" man.
Us in front of the tree at the Palmer House.

Jerry from the top viewing area of the giant tree at Macy's.

We spent a couple days in Chicago - traveling by train from Pontiac. We strolled State Street and Michigan Avenue, did a lot browsing but little buying. Went to a musical performance "Million Dollar Quartet" at the Apollo Theatre - good old rock-n-roll/country music from the 60's. Had a great dinner at the Atwood. We spent a couple hours at Navy Pier's WinterFest designed for young children. However, while I noticed there were many young parents there with young children and also groups from a variety of schools, there were many other old couples like us! Worst thing we did was splurge on fudge and toffee from a shop at Navy Pier. It was a great outing, but good to be back in our own home and our quiet life. We were VERY tired and slept VERY well last night!!

Stunned

Heard a sad statement today at lunch. Someone I work with had the house their son was renting from them gutted by fire last week. As the firefighters were confirming the fire had been put completely out, they stumbled across marijuana plants, a meth lab and some illegal weapons. The son was arrested and is in jail without bond. The man was asked today if he was upset with his son for his actions. The response: "I'm not upset with my son. He's my boy. I'm upset that he was caught and that everybody is making an issue of it. The firefighters had no right to dig for that stuff."

I was stunned with this response. I think I now understand why the son did what he did, no boundaries or consequences from his father. I am thankful for the values of my family and the fact that we were held accountable for our actions growing up. We knew that even though mom and dad, grandpa and grandma or others loved us, they would be disappointed in us for our sinful actions and there would be accountability. I wish that would have been enough to stop me from doing some of the things I did, but when I did there were consequences.

Thank you to my family for this heritage that I strive to pass on to my children.

EDK

one month old

It's hard to believe Kobe is a month old already. He is starting to smile and squeal. He's a lot of fun.

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MEMORIES

Nathan and Heater were here overnight. We just finished playing several games of Chinese Checkers. We just let Nathan play as he wished, and Heat was really trying to learn the game and doing well when Angela came to get them.

It was fun and reminded of the many hours Gloria, Cleve and I played Chinese Checkers. I'd like to challenge the two of you to a game or two just for old-times sake. Or anyone else who thinks they can beat me. :) !!

Saturday, Dec. 4

Dave got home a couple of hours ago from plowing snow all night. It's beautiful looking out the window and I'm sure kids are out all over town playing in the snow...nice it came on a Saturday.

So Dave's in bed, I've been lounging around, but hope to get moving soon, just cleaning up and sorting out, and maybe wrapping a few Christmas presents. Tonight I'm going to Hailee's madrigal dinner...Jake and Malissa's oldest daughter...at Olympia high school. Judging from the other events I've been to at her school, I'm looking forward to a fun evening.

Ada...I can see, too, if I have the right glasses in the right place at the right time. I wear bifocals when I'm out of the house, but I use my $1 reading glasses from the Dollar Tree for the computer, the mail, reading, etc.
Therefore...




With this many glasses, it's amazing that sometimes I can't find a pair just where I need them. They've all migrated to the kitchen, or the coffee table, or in a purse, or a coat pocket...but this morning these were all on my desk. Dave yells about my care of them, as in here, face down on the desk, but seriously, I don't worry about it too much.

Hope you all have a nice week-end.

Good days

Have had some busy, good days. We picked up Mary and Joey at Mark's on Wednesday after Joey's business meeting in Atlanta. They were tired--twenty four hours of travel and for Joey immediately a lengthy meeting. They were introduced to our new home and were pleased. The next day we went shopping and Joey did tasks around the house. Mary helped decorate the tree (it isn't really a Charlie Brown tree, even though some think it is!) Yes, a real tree is preferable, but for us they are too much bother and too much work. Ann and Mike came over to eat supper (or dinner--take your pick) and it was enjoyable. Then today Jaimie met Mary and Joey at Mark's again and the three headed for Alabama while Lynn and I headed for South Carolina. We look forward to seeing them again and all our family on the 26th for our Christmas celebration.

Tonight we had the delightful experience of seeing Oakwood school's annual play "Anne of Green Gables". The play lasted nearly 2 1/2 hours, a tremendous effort for the leading characters. Anne stole the show not only because of the length of her parts but also for her acting ability. We were glad we went.

WINTER'S HERE

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. We've both been working for two days putting up the tree, decorating the mantle, tables, etc. I will have to make a trip to Bloomington to get a couple new items to replace some rather ragged items. We weren't going to do so much decorating, but once I get started, I just don't know where to stop. Jerry did the tree while I was at the eye-doctor and he did a great job. (And the eye-dr said I can still see, so that's good news!)

This morning I'm going to substitute at my old job in Meadows. I will be going with them on the bus to Dave's in Fairbury. My fridge and cupboards are already overflowing, so I don't plan on buying much but will enjoy seeing everyone and eating lunch with them in the deli.

I still have a little Christmas shopping to do, a quilt to put together for Sunrise Manor, and some house cleaning/organizing to do. We're looking forward to Perry's Christmas dinner. We'll be going to Jason's house on Christmas day and are excited about that. THEN get New Years Day over with and we'll be heading to Florida!! I should say "Lord Willing" to all of these plans.