Mostert Family Blog

Our missionaries: Kristian and Kylie are home

2012-01-14T12:09:00.000-06:00

The first of our grandchildren to serve missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Kristian and Kylie Mostert have both successfully completed their missions and returned to their new home in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. Kristian, speaking Spanish and English, served for two years in the Las Vegas, NV Mission. He spent time in both Nevada and Kingman, Arizona. For several months he served as one of the Assistants for the Mission President. Kylie spent time in both New Mexico and Arizona as she served for 18 months in the Tucson, AZ Mission. She was called as an English speaking missionary, but had to learn some Spanish due to the large number of Spanish speakers in her mission. Kristian has resumed his schooling at Brigham Young University, along with his brother and sister: Karson and Kelsey. Kylie plans on returning to BYU later this year.

Their grandmother and I were most pleased with their desire to serve missions, as we had done in Finland in the late 1950s. Their father Kari, now a Colonel in the US Air Force, also served a Spanish speaking mission in the San Bernardino, CA Mission in the early 1980s.

How about that...three generations of Mostert Missionaries.

Tepa died Dec. 9, 2010

2012-01-14T11:57:00.000-06:00

I don't know why I am just getting around to it, but I need to let those who follow this blog know that my wife of over 51 years Tepa (Terttu Tuulikki Aunola) died in a Champaign, IL nursing home the afternoon of December 9th 2011. She was 75 years old. She had several strokes that affected her life style. She suffered greatly from Osteo-Arthritis as well as Diabetes and other diseases. Just two weeks after we celebrated with all of our family members our 50th Wedding Anniversary in August 2010, Tepa suffered two strokes from which she never really recovered. After rehabilitation for two months, she was able to come home and I, with paid and other help, was able to care for her until Fall of 2011. Following several falls, she was confined to a hospital bed which we set up in the middle of our living room. Then in September she was hospitalized with bladder infection. Infection later traveled throughout her body, especially to her bottom, heels and lower legs. When taken back to the hospital for the infections they did all they could and we transferred her to the Heartland Medical Center in Champaign, which is where she was her last two months. Although not too lucid, I was able to understand her most of the time. But finally she got to the point where she rarely opened her eyes and did not eat much. At her request we did not put her on medical life support and she passed quietly in her bed. We held a Memorial Service for her on Dec. 27 and the next day I and sons Kari and Timo with Kari's two oldest sons: Kristian and Karson dedicated her and my graves near my mother's in the South Lineville, MO Cemetery and along with several of my cousins from the area of Mercer, MO scattered her ashes. A lovely gravestone is being engraved and will placed there in Spring 2012. The Cemetery contains Cox and Duncan family members graves dating back for over 170 years. I miss her.

A Happy 50th Anniversary Andre and Tepa Mostert and Family August 2010

2010-12-16T22:11:00.002-06:00

Andre and Tepa (Terttu Tuulikki Aunola) Mostert were married on April 30, 1960 in the London LDS Temple. Tepa was working in Hove, England at the time. Andre was a private in the US Army.
We had met when each of us was serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tepa's native Finland. Andre's family was living in Provo, Utah at that time.

In August 2010, our entire family joined us in celebrating our 50th Wedding Anniversary in Champaign, Illinois. Oldest grandchildren Kylie and Kristian Mostert are present as pictures as they are currently serving as missionaries for the LDS Church. Kylie in the Tucson, AZ Mission and Kristian in the Las Vegas NV Mission (Spanish speaking). Our youngest grandchild Zachary Allan Waltersdorf, held on his mother Sherry's lap, was born earlier this year in March.

We held our Reunion in August as school and other problems kept family from coming to Champaign in April. We had several fun getherings at the Mostert family home and pool, ate a delicious meal at Biaggi's Italian Restaurant, and held an Open House for friends at the LDS Church on Windsor Road in Champaign.

We all had a wonderful time.

Tepa Recovering from Strokes

2010-11-04T17:05:00.000-05:00

August 26th Tepa suffered two strokes and was hospitalized at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana for five days then transferred to the Champaign-Urbana Regional Rehab Center in Savoy, about two miles from our home. Except for a three day period when she returned to the hospital for a check-up on a urinary tract infection, she spent 8 weeks at the Rehab Center receiving physical, vocational and speech therapy. The strokes caused more cognitive problems than physical ones as were caused when she had a stroke five years ago. It took her some time before she really knew what had happened and where she was and why she was there. There are still some residual effects from that earlier stroke.

I was able to bring her home October 16th when they decided she was doing well enough that I could take care of her with some occasional help. We have physical therapists come in twice a week and a nurse once a week, while a vocational therapist came in once and said Tepa needed to be able to walk better before she could really help her much. Tepa has a hard time walking, she mostly moves around in her wheel chair.
I have to help her get dressed, in and out of bed, to a portable pot in her bedroom.She has replaced her old recliner with a new Queen Anne Recliner from Macy's. That's where she is sitting right now.

We have rearranged our furniture so our living/dining room has furniture around the outside with a large open space in the middle. As usually I do all the cleaning, shopping and cooking.

I am doing fine, as my lymphoma cancer has been in remission almost a year now. I still need to visit the restroom about once every two or three hours.

We love hearing from our family and friends, especially from our two oldest granchildren Kylie and Kristian Mostert (Kari and Gina's oldest) who are currently serving missions for our LDS faith. in New Mexico and Nevada.

Wonderful Reunion and 50th Anniversary Open House

2010-08-20T22:07:00.000-05:00

I'll try and get pictures on here as soon as I can.

We had a fun time around the pool grilling hotdogs and hamburgers Tuesday Aug. 3rd. Everyone was here except Sherry, Troy and little Zach. They got to their hotel late. Wednesday we all met at 10 am at the Illini Studio for picture taking. My did the men look handsome in their white shirts and ties and the women in their Sunday best. In the afternoon we all sat around a long table in a reserved room at one of our favorite Italian restaurants,,,Biaggi's. Tremendous buffett with so much food that they sent enough home with us for several days meals. After a rest period...we changed clothes and went swimming in the Mostert pool, shared some of the day's feast and had a fun Family Home Evening Talent Show and all. I would never have believed that Kelsey could stuff 10 marshmellows in her mouth...or that I could remember MOST of the words to "If I Were A Rich Man." Thursday some of the guys went golding, some of the ladies went shopping and Tepa and I rested up. I picked up the 50 long stem red roses that Tepa wanted. We quickly set up the Multi-Purpose Room at our Church for the evening's Open House. A delightful time was had by all. Many of our old friends from all over (Peoria, Rockford, Mahomet and C-U) made their way to Champaign and honored us by their presence. We had asked in the invitations for no presents as we are trying to unload not add stuff.
Most of the family left on Friday. Mikas went early to catch a flight to Detroit then home to San Diego. Timo and Kari drove to the Indianapolis Airport. Gina and her three plus Mika's Federico took off driving for South Carolina and Sherry drove home to Wisconsin. Erik and family stayed in C-U through Sunday. Monday they drove up and saw Chicago. Stayed overnight and flew home to Utah on Tuesday. And now once again Tepa and I are home alone. We love having everyone here, but it is nice to relax. Thank you all for making it a truly memorable 50th.

I'll get information as to the pictures as soon as I can.

Saw my Oncologist on Monday August 9th. He said I'm doing great and don't need to see him again until February. My Dermatologist said the same thing.
Every six months is just fine with me.

Summer is here in Champaign

2010-06-03T13:29:00.000-05:00

This is a memorable year for Andre and Tepa Mostert. January we both turned 74. In March our 13th grandchild (and Sherry's first baby) Zachary Allan Waltersdorf was born in Wisconsin. Welcome Zach!
April 30th was our "Official" 50th Wedding Anniversary. We are planning a Mostert 50th Wedding Anniversary Reunion and Open House the first week in August, 2010. The Open House will be at the LDS Church here in Champaign from 7 to 9 pm on Thursday August 5th. Looks like all of our family members, except Kylie and Kristian, will be here. Kristian is an LDS missionary in the Las Vegas, NV Mission, while Kylie will be at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, preparing to serve in the Tucson, AZ Mission. She will be speaking mostly English, while Kristian is speaking mostly Spanish. As we can't travel we are delighted that the family is coming here.

My oncologist says I am still in remission from my Lymphoma Cancer and only need to see him every three or four months. My next visit will be the Monday after our Family Reunion. Outside of gaining weight, I am doing great. I lost 110 pounds, but have gained back 60 pounds This may be good, as my doctor declared me in remission last December, when he heard that I was gaining weight. Apparently you can't have lymphoma cancer and gain weight at the same time.

Tepa continues to suffer greatly from her many illnesses, especially osteoarthritis. She is also having some problems seeing because of cataracts and glaucoma. Her eye doctor says she can't have any operations for those because she also has Macular Degeneration. Her left eye is especially bad.

We still read the scriptures daily: Tepa in English and I in Finnish, which helps both of us speak our adopted languages better.

HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!

Rainy, cold, miserable January

2010-01-21T21:16:00.000-06:00

We had terribly cold weather (even down to below zero) much of January, but for the past week the temperature has moderated to 20 - 36 degrees, unfortunately, the weather has been very moist, either raining or just very humid. And the wind makes it seem even colder than it is. I about froze yesterday as I pumped my gas as Sam's Club. The heavy snow we had two weeks ago keeps hanging around, although it is not nearly as deep as it was. I'll let you know if it gets any better.

I have been asked to be on our Troop 222 Boy Scout Committee. We had a meeting for parents last night, to introduce them to the new Committee, its chairman (Bill Evans) as well as our new Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters. We have about as many adults as youth involved with Scouting. I think there are 16 boys, but only one over 16 years of age. So it is a fairly young troop.

Our next get-together will be an Eagle Court of Honor for our one older scout. He has turned 18, but earned his Eagle before his birthday. I sat on his Board of Review. He was well prepared. His Eagle project was to build an outdoor classroom at Homer Lake Park. With the young men he supervised, he created benches and a teaching space. The park people were very happy.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2009-12-08T11:10:00.002-06:00

Time to get the Christmas letters ready and sent. Now if only I can find my address book.

I wish you all a Merry C hristmas and a Happy New Year.

Compressing pictures

2009-10-29T18:28:00.002-05:00

I don't know about you but I often hgave a need to make my pictures smaller. I had a friend recommend to me a program called Advanced JPEG Compressor from a company called
WinSoftMagic.com it really works.

Mostert Family Blog

2009-10-09T20:57:00.000-05:00

It looks like winter is just around the corner in Champaign. September was warm and pleasant until late in the month and ever since the weather has turned cold and rainy and now the weatherman is saying we may get snow as soon as Sunday Oct. 11th. I was able to add the chemicals needed to close the pool this morning (Friday the 9th). I need to clean out a few leaves and then lower the depth of the water to below the outflow. Then I have to take our big pool cover out of the attic of the cabana and cover the pool. It is a tough job, but I have been able to do it before.

Our footballer Mikael

2009-09-20T22:35:00.000-05:00

Mostert Family Blog

2009-09-18T14:37:00.000-05:00

Mostert Family Blog
September 15
Warm September
After a rather chilly July and August, September has been surprisingly warm. Each day's high has been near or at 80 degrees.I've been able to swim every day (except Sundays). The water is cooling off, but still not bad. Actually it is quite invigorating.I try to swim 100 yards each day. Makes up for my not walking as much as I used to. I get most of my walking during mowing the lawn or grocery shopping. I figure I get a real workout when I shop at Sam's Club.Tepa has not been able to get out for several weeks now. No church, no shopping, no doctor appointments. Her arthritis reallybothers her, especially like today where we are anticipating a rain storm. She has always been able to sense a change in the weather.I've been skyping Mika and Kari recently. Mika is working in California for a company called Energy Innovations located in Pasadena.Kari is attending a year of advanced training (on his way to become a Colonel) in Washington, D.,C. Gina was able to go visit him from their home in Columbia, South Carolina, over the long Labor Day weekend. Kristian is at home preparing to go on an LDS mission to Las Vegas, Nevada in October, via Provo, Utah where he will spend several weeks learning more Spanish at the Missionary Training Center.We are very proud of our family's first third generation missionary

Current Andre

2009-09-15T18:57:00.001-05:00

It has been a cold summer

2009-08-04T18:40:00.002-05:00

Greetings from Mostert's Mini-Mansion on the Prairie.

We'll see if August is warmer, but we just had one of the coldest Julys on record for our part of Illinois. Plays havoc with using the swimming pool. We had a terrific thunder and lightning show during the night with lots of rain. I had to go out today and pick up the pool sun cover and its roller as the wind had blown it several feet and turned it over.

Here's a brand new picture of me...WITH HAIR!

It's Swimming, Summer Time. I FEEL GOOD!

2009-06-10T21:46:00.003-05:00

I feel terrific! Last Sunday I was able to sit through the entire three hour church block of meetings in our Champaign Ward. First time I have attended a church meeting in 7 months. Hooray!

The diarrhea which has kept me out of meetings has almost totally disappeared. It is wonderful not having to make a bathroom run every hour or even half hour as happened most of the 7 months I was receiving chemo-therapy. I am still weak, but that's to be expected when you lose one third of your body weight, including most muscles. I am down around 200 pounds for the first time in 20 years.

Went swimming this afternoon. really felt good in 80 degree weather. Looking to do that every week day weather permitting. It was been a wet and cold Spring so, although I got the pool ready early, I have only been swimming 4 or 5 times. Usually I try to go twice a day once it is warm enough. Great exercise. I usually try to swim 100 yards, different strokes, each time I am in the pool.

Tepa sat in the shade watching me swim. Tomorrow after her doctor's appointment we will try to get her in the water, if it is warm enough. I suspect it may not be. We'll see.

Had a wonderful talk with my sister today. She said it has been cool in Arizona, only in the 90s. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

2009-05-02T00:27:00.001-05:00

Andre & Lymphoma

2009-01-27T21:18:00.003-06:00

It has been a hectic Fall and Winter here at the Mostert's Mini-Mansion on the Prairie.

On November 14th, I (Andre) became very sick and Blaine Edlefsen, our LDS neighbor, rushed me to the Carle Hospital Emergency Room where they took most of the day to decide that I had a full blockage of my bowels and needed a tube jammed down my left nostril to drain out bile, etc, from my stomach. Later, following a CAT Scan, they were able to determine that I had a large growth down in my abdomen. A sampling was taken which showed it was Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. At first no one wanted to cut, they just wanted to go in and try to extract the growth, but ultimately it was found that the sampling had ruptured some segments of the bowels and so surgery was required.

The lump, described as everything from a grapefruit to a cantaloupe to a small football was removed by an outstanding surgeon camed Olliphant who looks more like a football offensive lineman, but has the greatest touch.

They learned about the rupture from a PET Scan I was given. Avoid those if you can, they are painful, but it may have saved my life. Several segments of bowel were removed along with the football and a lot of nasty, stinking stuff..

I came home on Thanksgiving Day and have been home since. There have been dozens of trips to the Carle Wound Center, where they have worked at closing a fist sized hole in my lower abdomen. Almost healed.

Early in January I started Chemo-therapy, which runs for 3 days every three weeks. There are preliminary labs and medicines the day before, the main day of Chemo and then a followup shot of something the third day. Two sessions down and four more to go.

I have been blessed by wonderful support from Tepa and all of our family members. Sherry, Mika, Kari and Gina have all spent time with us helping us muddle through. Gina was here for two weeks driving from and to South Carolina by herself. What a nurse she would have made. Mika has come over from Ann Arbour, MI several times. Sherry came down from Wisconsin and Kari came here a couple of times as he visited his Air Force Headquarters in Dayton, Ohio.

Our Champaign First Ward members have brought us evening meals, kept the house cleaned, and shopped for food for our table throughout thsi long period. We love all of them.

I am doing very well...according to all my doctors. I had my head shaved as the chemo was causing hair to fall out all over the place. So check out my "Bald" look. Tepa is about the same. Her Degenerative Arthritis continues to give her a great deal of pain making it difficult to be up and about. She rarely leaves the house now. I, fortunately, can now do the shopping and meal prepartion when it is not brought in.

Somehow Tepa had a birthday which turned her one year older than me, but on January 29th I caught up and now we are both 73 together.

Uncle Andy/Dad Mostert

Mostert/Wiltbank Family Reunion BIG Success

2008-06-28T13:05:00.004-05:00

June 23-26, 2008, some 60 members of the extended Mostert/Wiltbank family gathered at Camp Nauvoo in Nauvoo, Illinois for their first joint family reunion since Dad Mostert's 80th birthday celebration in Orem in 1986.

With Trudy Mostert Wiltbank heading up the Wiltbanks and Andre Mostert Jr. the Mosterts, there was fun and activities for everyone. Many learned some new things about their ancestors as we divided into several groups themed around our ancestors who had links with old Nauvoo. We were able to do baptisms for the dead, initiatory work and endowments for many dead people. Brad Smith, who has received his mission call to West Virginia, received his initial endowments during our session on Wednesday.

Many young people had a chance to plow through mud and a part of the Mississippi river while pulling and pushing handcarts as one of the activities. There was plenty of mud, as the partially flooded Nauvoo welcomed two severe thunderstorms with a good deal of rain late Tuesday and late Wednesday evenings.

It was warm, with the temperature rising to a humid 94 degrees on Wednesday.

Thousands of pictures were taken, except by Timo Mostert who somehow lost his camera on the first day. Some of my pictures are linked to this page. A vast amount of talent was displayed during a lengthy talent show featuring young and old.

The food we brought and bought was plentiful and delicious. Especially the fudge from Nauvoo's own Fudge Factory.

I hope other members of our families will add their comments to this blog.

The Karis spent a week in Champaign prior to the Reunion, then headed south back to their South Carolina home. Mika and family, Timo and dad came back to Champaign for a bried visit with mom, who had to stay home due to health reasons. Thanks to all of you for the time in Champaign as well as in Nauvoo. We both loved seeing you. Erik was ill and so he, Mindy and family couldn't come. Troy had a heavy work load so he and Sherry had to stay in Wisconsin. Our next big Mostert Reunion is scheduled for some time in 2010 as we celebrate our 50th Wedding Anniversary. Hope to see you all here in Champaign then. Date to be determined. We were married on April 30, 1960 in england, but are open to suggestions for the best date for our celebration.

Changes at Mostert's Mini Mansion on the Prairie

2008-05-23T11:23:00.002-05:00

Lots of activity in and around the Illinois Mostert home in Champaign. New mattress came and has been broken in a couple of times..aaaah firm ... we can sleep again. The old mattress and box spring has been picked up and is now helping a friend's son sleep better. The heavy sofa bed in the cabana has been carted away by Salvation Army workers, along with lots of other things from our garage. Tepa has been out there moving things from here to there once again. New futon replacement for the sofa bed has come, the frame bolted together and this morning I hope to get the mattress out of its box and on the frame and all the cardboard boxes out front for Monday's garbage pick up.

I've got a doctor's appointment this afternoon to see if my planar fasciitis is doing any better. Still pains me in the heel when I get up from bed or from sitting for an extended period, but I can live with it. Does cause me to do less walking.

However, our Nutri-System regime is going well and the loss of some pounds over the next couple of months can't hurt I suspect. I don't know about Tepa, but I have been losing about a pound a day with the system. Food is not as bad as it was back in 1988/89 when Nutri-System helped me lose 80 pounds. I am hoping for a hundred pound loss this time. Who knows maybe there will be pictures down the line.

Should be in the pool soon, we finally are expecting some 80 degree days, although at noon today it is just 51.

Fixing the sewer

2008-05-14T23:20:00.001-05:00

What a rough time we've had the past few weeks. The back bathroom toilet kept wanting to overflow when I flushed it. I tried everything...plunging, snakes, various kinds of drain cleaner, nothing worked. I finally gave up and called a plumber. He checked some things, ran his snake through the drain and went into the crawl space. Then said "I can't help you, call a sewer cleaner." He gave me a name, which I called. They came and cleaned some of the mess which had bubbled up in our front yard through the clean out. Ran their power snake into it and said. You've got mud in the sewer some feet into the yard. Call an excavator. Which I did. On a Wednesday morning at 7 am I hear a backhoe in our yard. The excavator, his brother, and his brother-in-law were hard at work. The boss was an artist with the backhoe and had a trough down to the broken tile within a half hour. They finished off with shovels and soon all the old tile was laying alongside the trough and a new PVC four inch pipe was installed, with a new clean out with a cap that screws on and off. He had to reach with the back hoe way under one of the bushes to get to the four inch cast iron main line from the house, but somehow he did it and the bush is going strong. He checked down the line with a probe and said he thought their still might be more roots coming into the tiles, so for an extra $125 dollars, they dugout another 10 feet, replace more old tile. Aafter a wait for the city inspector, they closed it off and were gone...by 10:30 am. Boss man called the sewer company and suggested they come and run their power snake through the line out to the street. Which they did..finding one more bit of roots, which they eliminated.

Now every thing works perfectly and we have used Pres. Bush's incentive money to improve the economy just as he wanted us to do. And we have the pictures to prove where the money went.

Terrible Winter, Wonderful Spring

2008-05-01T22:29:00.004-05:00

This was one of the worst winters we have suffered through since moving to Illinois back in 1967. 7 or 8 truly heavy snowfalls, which is a lot for East Central Illinois. Almost made us buy a snow blower. Except by the time we made up our minds to buy one: they were all gone. We'll see what we do in the Fall. We had enough moisture to help every drought-ridden state of the union and still have enough for us. Of course most of that moisture, as river water, has flowed down our many streams to the Mississippi and on to the Gulf of Mexico. Naturally, with all that snow and rain, Tepa did not get out a lot; except for one multi-week period where she was taking physical therapy for her back and legs and knees. Her arthritis and other problems are now at the point where she cannot put on her own pants, socks or shoes, and especially not a bra. Fortunately, I can still do that for her, along with cook meals, shop, clean house, do the laundry and whatever else she needs done. She drives whenever we travel around town. If we have to go anywhere on an interstate, that's my turn to drive. Because of my poor sight in my left eye, she doesn't trust my driving (in town) ;) Which I find hilarious, since she doesn't have a lot of problems riding with me if we have to go out of town, at a much higher rate of speed. Which of course happens less and less often.

Spring has been an entirely different matter. The early flowers were. The weather has had several extremely warm periods. So much so that I was able to pull the cover off the pool early in April for the very first time. Water is still too cold for swimming, but it is clear and mostly clean and I am sorely tempted each time I finish mowing the yard. My next pool project is to hook our new suncover on to the roller and see if its use really works and heats the pool? I hope so. We have had problems with our back toilet not working. Plumber came to day. Ran his snake and slid down into the crawl space under the house and came up saying "I can't help you. You need the Schoonover Sewer people. They can ream out the big sewer line and take care of that flood of stuff in your front yard." Great guy. Didn't charge us anything. Smart move. If we ever need a plumber we know who to call: Reliable Plumbing. I contacted Schoonover and they are to come fix it (we hope) in the morning.

We are looking forward to having a mini family reunion here in Champaign in June/July, along with the big Mostert-Wiltbank Reunion in Nauvoo. June 23-25. My sister Trudy Wiltbank had nine children, 40 some grandchildren and who knows how many great-grandchildren. While her husband Jim was alive they started having a family reunion every three years. This will be their first in Nauvoo. Since we were (relatively) close to Nauvoo, they invited our Mostert side of the family to join them at the Community of Christ camp on the south side of Nauvoo. Looks like Timo from Utah, the Kari's from South Carolina and the Mika's from Michigan definitely will spend some time in Nauvoo and here in Champaign. Not sure about the Erik's from Utah or Sherry and Troy from Wisconsin. We hope they can make it, but as Tepa says it is more important that they all come to Champaign in 2 years when we have our 50th Anniversary Family Reunion. At the moment Tepa is saying she is not going to Nauvoo. We'll SEE! Stay tuned for the resolution of this exciting saga. And have a great summer.

It's our Birthday month.

2008-01-18T12:05:00.000-06:00

Post Christmas and New Year greetings to all of you. Hope you had a joyous holiday season.

We did.

And now with January comes a bunch of Mostert birthdays. My mother, Dora Eleanor Cox Mostert, would have been 98 on January 5th (yes she was six months older than L.D.S. President Gordon B. Hinckley). Tepa's 72nd birthday was on the 13th, Kylie's 19th on the 16th. Kirsten will be 12 on the 28th. And I catch up with Tepa on the 29th.

How did you like the Bear hunter's picture? I liked it so muich I gave Troy a Bearhug.

Dad Mostert

The Coming of Christmas

2007-12-18T16:11:00.001-06:00

Champaign already has the look of Christmas. During the past weekend we had over a half foot of snow and it is now sunny and the snow sparkles and crunches as you walk on it. For the first time today we have had some snow melt as it finally rose above freezing. We've been in the tens or low 20s since last Friday.

Your mother has not set a foot outside the house. Today she was supposed to go to the eye doctor, but she had a bad night (which means WE had a bad night) and I suspect she was still hesitant of falling on the ice and snow. I have an appointment tomorrow morning to have my eyes checked. A year ago my optometrist told me I have small cataracts on each eye and said if you feel your sight is getting worse check back. I don't know if it really is worse but I thought I would check back anyway. I'll let you know what he thinks.

Mika and his family will be driving to Kari's home in South Carolina later this week. Timo will fly in from Utah and they will have a half of the family reunion. We are so happy for them.
Tepa and I are delighted to spend a quiet time here in Champaign. I do hope you remember that telephome calls can go both ways.

Erik and Mindy and the kids will join with the Edward's family for Christmas. I believe Sherry and Troy will spend some time with his mom and dad and family.

SO MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL...HAVE FUN AND REMEMBER THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.

Love from Mom and Dad

More Visiting Mosterts

2007-08-16T15:21:00.000-05:00

Well it has been a busy summer for the Illinois Mosterts. Mika, Itzel, Mikael, Itza and Federico drove down from Michigan last Sunday (August 12th). After a relaxed week of movies, swimming in our pool, and even nine holes of golf for Mika and Andre, Mika and tribe headed back to Ann Arbor today (August 16th) while Tepa and I recuperated during a rainy Thursday.

Mika said they came via the south Chicago route, but will go home via Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.as he saw a lot of slow traffic on the eastbound lanes when they came Sunday and figured he would run into construction if he tried the Chicago route.

I've included a few pictures of their visit.

Summertime, and the Mostert living is easy

2007-07-30T19:15:00.000-05:00

It's been a wonderful summer in Illinois Mostert land. During the middle of July, we had a terrific visit by Gina with Kelsey and Konnor and Kelsey's good friend from Columbia, SC Nicole. They drove from Columbia to the middle of Kentucky, stayed over night then drove here to Champaign. We got to have them here for swimming, talking, shopping and sightseeing for two days then they went on to Hannibal, MO to check up on Mark Twain, stayed overnight at Keokuk after viewing the Nauvoo, IL pageant. Then back to Nauvoo for sightseeing and over to Carthage for more on Joseph & Hyrum Smith at the Carthage jail then the long drive back on two lane roads to Champaign. Here are some of the pictures we and they took.

Sherry's Wedding

2007-05-04T13:25:00.000-05:00

What a wonderful opportunity we had March 23-25, 2007 to have an adult Mostert Family Reunion as all our sons and their wives were able to join with us in attending our daughter's wedding in Waukesha, Wisconsin. We got to become acquainted with all the Waltersdorf family as Sherry joined Troy Waltersdorf in marriage on Saturday afternoon March 24th.

On Friday was the Wedding Rehearsal, which I missed as Erik and I went to pick up my rented tuxedo and had to wait for the trousers to be shortened. Following that, all of us plus many of the Waltersdorf family as well as the groomsmen and bridesmaids (matrons) had a sit down dinner at a wonderful old German restaurant. We had a terrific time learning more about our new in-laws and sharing our lives with them.

Saturday morning we went various directions: Erik and I joined Troy, his brother Brian, his dad Keith, and Dan a groomsman pheasant hunting. Troy has two hunting dogs and my were they having fun chasing down and pointing the pheasants planted in a cornfield. Meanwhile Kari, Timo and Mika went to Milwaukee to visit the Harley-Davidson Motorcycle plant and museum. Itzel and Mindy took Tepa to have her hair done, while Gina drove to Illinois to visit a former college roommate. Sherry was busy doing whatever almost-brides do with their bridesmaids.

Saturday afternoon was the lovely wedding followed by a reception and delicious sit-down dinner at a resort hotel. There were perhaps a hundred at the wedding and several hundred at the reception and dinner, which concluded with a DJ'd dance.

Sunday, I and Tepa along with the boys and wives had a late brunch together, then as Timo, Mika and Itzel headed to their planes, the rest of us drove to Keith and Kerry Waltersdorf's lovely home in the country to enjoy Sherry and Troy opening their many presents. Then Tepa and I drove home to Champaign talking of the enjoyable time we had seeing our daughter get married and spending time with all our children. Kari and Gina left for their flight back to the Carolinas. Erik and Mindy stayed overnight and then flew out for Salt Lake Monday morning.

Sherry and Troy flew to the Yucatan area of Mexico on Tuesday for their week long honeymoon.

2006-07-03T20:00:00.000-05:00

Visiting the Cathedral valley in Chihuahua, Mexico while on Stake Fathers and Son Outing with Mika, Mikael, and federico.

Cathedral Valley Chihuahua, Mexico

2006-06-08T19:40:00.000-05:00

2006-06-08T19:39:00.000-05:00

Up the canyon. Chihuahua Stake Fathers Sons Outing May,2006.

2006-06-08T19:37:00.000-05:00

Old Catholic Missionchurch being restored in rural Chihuahua.

Gina and Kids with Tepa in Champaign Summer 2005

2006-03-31T08:47:00.000-06:00

Mika's home in Chihuahua, Mexico 2006

2006-03-31T08:43:00.000-06:00

Mika and kids (Federico, Itza and Mikael in front of the Pyramid of the Sun

2006-03-31T08:41:00.000-06:00

Tepa at Biaggi's on her 70th birthday

2006-03-31T08:38:00.000-06:00

Andre and Tepa at 70th Birthday Party

2006-03-31T08:37:00.000-06:00

Mostert Family

2005-12-28T13:16:00.000-06:00

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