Greetings: I am trying to update this from Kay's computers and they are fighting me. So we will see how well it works tonight.

We left for Nebraska on Friday, December 26th arriving here around 3 p.m. Roger and Gerald took the boys out hunting till dark. They killed 3 pheasants. Mother and I both were a little exhausted as Roger only stopped twice.

Saturday morning Melissa came by with the little ones and visited with Great Grandma B. (i.e. GG B) Nathan and Kim showed up around 1 p.m. and enjoyed playing games with GG B. All the boys were hunting. For dinner, Jerry & Karen, Melissa & Joe, Lil Joe and Meghann, Malinda & Greg and Addison & Cadein making 19 for dinner. Playing games, taking photos and everyone enjoying the evening. After Christmas gathering as this was the only time Nathan could make it over and everyone wanted to see him and Kim. As most of you know they are planning to get married this July in Wisconsin. The boys got 4 more pheasants and one rabbit.

Sunday Kay and I went to church as mom was still recouping from the trip and all the visiting. The boys went hunting. Guess God thought it was okay they take a day off. Gerald has been going with them and is a great help as he drops them off at one end of the field and drives to the other end to pick them up.

After church Gerald's uncle Harold & Mildred Hilkemann came by for lunch. The boys came in for lunch with 5 pheasants and 1 rabbit. After lunch they went back out to hunt some more but the Aunt and Uncle stayed to visit and play games with Kay & Gerald. I took the boys, Austin and Clayton out sled riding for about 45 minutes here close to the house. Then they all went back hunting. Came back in for dinner with 2 more pheasants and another rabbit. (Roger wants to make Hasenphas (sp) some kind of German rabbit dish). We had just finished dinner and Delbert & Joyce Stevens stopped by.

Monday, Missy came by and took me to Norfolk to do some after Christmas shopping. Karen kept the kiddos while we shopped. Found a few things I wanted. Kay and mother visited and played games. Gerald took his uncle to the doctor in Norfolk so the boys were on their own as Greg was sick and Joe had to work. Guess what there was no one at the other end of the field to pick them up. I think Austin said he had to walk one and a half miles back to the truck so he could drive back to pickup Grandpa. Clayton said that was enough and decided to stay home with us. Go figure. These boys have walked more than they probably have in their entire life.

This evening Jake and Amanda came by and had dinner with us. Roger had made duck. Everyone enjoyed the meal. I have pictures to share with you but have been having trouble with Kay's lap top so will add them after I get home.

Christmas in Nebraska

Our last visitor was Jonathan. Mom was so tired she had just gone to bed so he sat and talked with her till she fell asleep. Which is where I should be as we are planning to leave at 6 a.m. Opal is watching TV waiting for Connie and Jarett to show up. They will drop off the boys and take her home.

We are taking Austin and Clayton to Nebraska. Plan to stay till New Years. We do hope all of you had a safe and happy holiday. Ours was very pleasant this year. This is our 12th Christmas together ............... blended families and grown kids.......... what can I say .........

Last Saturday when Glen and Elke were here Roger had to run off as he had made plans to go and see and old hunting buddy. Everett was 83 and use to take him hunting as a child. We got the call this evening and Everett died this afternoon. Our prayers are with his family.

PS: Steve when Ed and Ruth were here yesterday...... Ed was telling Roger that you had said that he should receive his SAINT HOOD. That he was a saint. Well actually I think you are right. For the most part he is. He did good I received a full chair massage machine. Mom got chocolates. So both girls are happy.

Besides the Theilmann bunch in and out JD & Edie brought Jason, Bridgett and Jaden out for a visit and Alex and Rachel came too. It was so much fun playing with Jaden and visiting with the others. He is quiet a big boy. He brought his favorite Christmas present to show us how it worked.





Jayden entertained the grandparents with his new toy. You put the nerf missle on the stick and he would jump and land on the launch pad and the missle would go flying. He did it over and over again.

We had left over pheasant from Christmas Eve and everyone enjoyed some of it.




Jayden and Grandma B getting reacquainted. Doesn't she look great in her new blouse sent from Michelle and Angel and kiddos. Santa brought her the new necklace.

Jayden brought her cookies he had helped make and decorate. She has enough cookies and chocolate to last awhile.

Christmas Day with both moms. Irene 89 and Opal one month shy of 91.

Mother really enjoyed her holiday this year. Phone calls and drop in helped to make it festive for her.

Opal spends Christmas Eve with David and then comes to our house Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve

Mylie stopped by to give Grandma B a DVD they had created. It's awesome. The girls are playing their violins and then singing. Great photos of Dylan and all three singing a song. Great job De. Thanks.






Look Santa here is a helper for you. Even with a tooth missing he's a big help.









Grandpa and our little elf Christopher.

Grandpa and our two kids we have at home waiting on the grandkids to arrive.

Everyday is a learning experience with this machine. Hit the wrong key and it post it anyway.

Just wanted to say hello and share a little of our Christmas Eve with you. We had a delightful day. Roger spent most of the day in the kitchen as he was preparing pheasant for our dinner. Most of the kids had to work so it was late evening before they could arrive.

Ruth and Ed Southard stopped by with a gift for mom. Chocolates and Lotions .... great combination.

Connie, Jarett, Austin and Clayton arrived around 7 p.m. We enjoyed a feast. The pheasant was excellent. Roger had baked it like Kay does in BBQ sauce. Chris and his family arrived shortly after that.

Christmas Eve 2008

Guess what I should have rotated this before I uploaded. This is Christopher. Roger's youngest grandson who was 8 years old Sunday. They had just been at Monkey Joes which is a play area for kiddos and he was exhausted. And I trying to capture his lost tooth photo.




Four generations and look is acting goofy. Great grandma is one month shy of 90, Grandpa is 63, Dad is 37 and Little man is 8. What a bunch.

Again can you tell the resemblence? Christopher loves Star Wars and transformers. How the kids can figure out how to tear these things apart is beyond me.

72 years between the two but who is counting? We are........ counting our blessings for every day and every birthday.

Wake up Christopher............

Saturday December 20, Glen & Elke stoppped by on their way to see Nedra and the family. JD & Edie came out and had lunch with us.






Mother enjoyed her Christmas gifts from Glen & Elke. She's like a little girl when it comes to gifts and candy.

Looks like someone had a pretty good day. :)



Steve is taking the photos so he is never in them. This is Roger and behind the whatever is Dan a friend of Steve's.







Roger is holding a funny looking duck.......... again it's Dan behind the war paint






Does this look like work to you? Don't think so. Dan, Tom & Roger after a good hunt.

Roger and Tom left on Friday the 12 to go to Oklahoma to hunt ducks. We have attached some of their findings for you. Looks to me like the ducks are much FATTER in Oklahoma than they are in Missouri.

Our newest collection are Doorways around the world. Last year it was a doorway of Germany. How appropriate with my kiddos in Germany.



This is the top of mother's hutch with a few items.








My nativity set that I made in ceramic class over a decade ago.








Our collections of Mary's angels. I think this is the 21 year for them.

My downfall is I have too many collections...... Winnie the Pooh, Angels, Santas, oh well





This is a good as it gets this year. We do have the village up in the patio room. My girls wont' make it home this year and we plan to leave shortly after Christmas to go to Ne.

Winter is a few days away but the temperature here feels like the dead of winter. I have worked all day to keep the fires going.......... even burned my arm on the door but the wind keeps the house chilled.

Due to the ice most everything was cancelled today. Mom and I just stayed in doors. With the wind I think they said it was a -1. Burrrrrrrrrrrr... more snow tonight. However, I managed to get to the mail box but it was dangerous. Our driveway has enough of a slope and tennis shoes do not grip the ice.

Roger is in Ft. Cobb, Ok and he said it was very cold there. Hope he has enough clothes.

Malinda's hubby Greg turned 30 today. When the third generation is over thirty we all must be getting us there huh? HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREG..... WE'LL celebrate with you in about 10 days. Charley will be one on the 18th of December. Mary's hubby, Mark is 55 on the 20th, Christopher, Roger's youngest grandson will be 8 on the 21st and Allie's Roger is 56 on the 22. Last but not least Aunt Marie will be 91 on December 31st.

Looking at the calendar I seem we missed Amanda's 32 and Grace 11 on the 6th. Don was 47 on the 9th and Cammerin was 6 on the 11th. Happy Belated Birthday to all.

These were taken Firday afternoon when we all gathered at Oak Lawn after Aunt Lorene's memeorial service. Once again there were several shots we should have taken but didn't. From mom's family...... the ones that were able to make it were Gerald & Kay, Bill, JD & Edie, Anne (me) Sarah, Steve and Pam, and Mark and Mary.

This is Ed and Ruth Southard sitting with mom at lunch.


This is Aunt Geneva Coats, Irene Beltz and George Beltz. At first glance I think George looks more and more like my dad, Leroy.







Goerge and Irene visiting.

Aunt Viola Beltz and Irene visiting. Two sister-in-laws even tho Aunt Vi claims to be another one of her kids.

This is Irene with Ashley at the Christmas Brunch December 11, 2008. Ashley will not longer be helper after the first of the year.


Mom goes to speech therapy twice a week. Fran Tucker is the coordinator for the Aphasia Conversation connection at Barens-Jewish Exentded Care. She recruits students from the various universities to help her each sememster. If you would every want to make a donation in memory of someone they are welcomed. Make all donation to Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation and designate it is to go for "After Stroke Back to Living fund (#6239). If you want the family to be notified of your donation please include their name and address. Mail to Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation 1001 Highlands Plaza Drive West,Suite 140 Mail Stop 84-84-100 St. Louis, MO 63110


Look who is in town. he even showed up for the party. Gladys Smith is far left. Very delightful lady. Just turned 70 this years. Highly educated, many accomplishments and was struck down with a stroke. In September we attended her daughter's pin on ceremony of making Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy.

You decided. Looks to me like she is trying to convince Santa that she has been a good girl this year. Look at that mischievious smile.

One thing for sure she has worked very hard this year to regain all the stroke took away from her. Here we are 16 months down the road and it's amazing how well she is doing.

In our spare time when we are not running off to swim or speech therapy mom and I have been working on puzzles. These are just a few of the ones we did this fall.

This one JD and Edie gave her for her birthday. Very nostalgic with Elvis and all. Interesting puzzle as it was cut very different than most puzles.

This was a beautiful country secene.

Cory and Amanda came in with the kiddos for Thanksgiving. On Wednesday evening mom and I went over to Deidrea and Doug's home to visit with Cory's family. We had a wonderful visit. Charley will be one year old on the 18th of December and he had not met Great Grandma B.

Grandma Beltz with her great grandson Charley named after her son Charley who went to heaven in November 2004.

He is a dandy boy.

Our yard looks so naked once we remove the banana trees and canis. Now you can stand at the back door and see what Kenny (our neighbor) is watching on his big screen tv.

It's an annual ritual getting the 10 to 15 feet trees dug up as they can not survive the cold weather.





Steve and Pam came up to do some Christmas shopping and see mom. They were over on November 22. I had told Steve my snake story and he shared it with some of his co-workers. Guess what? It was a Boa Constrictor and they sell for $140 in the Pet store. Swears I could have sold it to anybody for at least $50.

I let him know I was not thinking about making any money. My only concern was how it got in....... were there any others....... belive me I do not walk downstairs now with out scoping out the area first.


They also celebrated Christmas with mother as everyone is busy and we weren't having her Christmas the first weekend.

Okay any of you who know me very well.... know that I am deathly afraid of snakes. Would you believe November 12, late Wednesday nite before I was to leave for Oklahoma.... I'm completing my rounds down stairs to make sure things are in order as I will be gone a few days and Roger was in Kansas hunting ducks. I'm walking toward the freezer and I see what looks like a shoe lace on the floor. Needless to say when I got closer guess what I found.
This was straight out of the book of the three stooges First I ran and got the shovel from the fire place but was unable to cut the snake in half. It's 11:30 p.m. who am I going to call. If I scream I will scare mother. I'm in the basement with no phone anyway...... fianlly I reach a box and since I had been holding the shovel on him for so long he was partically stunned and I scooped him in the box. Ran upstairs to get the camera so I could find out later what kind of snake it was and be on the look out for it's mom or siblings. Then it was back downstairs to throw him in the fire. Blacken snake............. go figure.

Thursday afternoon after speech and a doctor's appointment I dropped mom off at JD & Edie's and headed for Springfield. MO. Spent the evening with Pam, Miranda and Skyler and Chloe before going on to Ok the next morning. This was the sunset as I was flying down I44.





We got a room at the Holiday Express not too far from where Angel lives. It had a indoor pool with the boys throughly enjoyed. We only had the weekend but made the most of it.









Brandon was 7 on November 15th and we celebrated it at none other than Chuck E Cheese. The boys had a blast. They all are very good with the computer games etc. I even got to play Deal or No Deal.

We spent three hours there, eating pizza and playing games. Then it was back to the hotel and in the pool again.

Exhausting? you bet. Hard to keep up with three active boys.

In reflection it's amazing how much you forget when you are having fun with the little ones. After we got home I was so disappointed that neither Michelle or I remembered to get a four generation picture of the children and mom. One just gets so caught up with playing with them, preparing lunch or nap time... cleaning up or laundry or taking Alex to school............ da..da.da





We did manage to get a few with me and the munchkins just before we left Friday morning. Alex had gone to the pumpkin patch with his school so we wanted to show of his pumpkin.







Shealyn did very well taking pictures with Grandma. Aidan on the other hand .......... he's a boy sometimes too much hugging and smooching........







We did get a couple of photos with Great Grandma Irene with Shealyn Irene







Linda brought Aunt Marie over to Michelle's house on Tuesday afternoon. We had a wonderful visit and Marie was able to see all of Michelle's munchkins...... in between naps and school. On Thursday Michelle took us over to Marie's home. Both girls were so glad to see each other. I think Marie said she had lived there 13 years and I know it was mom's first visit. But hopefully not her last. With the kids in DC we plan to go again.