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839 Westwood Dr. Ballwin, Mo

This is the house that my parents purchased in 1962. It was a new Mayer Rascher Mayer home in Claymont out off of Clayton Road in Ballwin, Mo. This happens to be the Algonquin model and has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a 3 car garage. It also had a full basement. It was a great home then and still looks great today. The subdivision is currently in wonderful condition and I could easily be content living there today.

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When we moved into this house I thought we moved to the boonies. It was pretty far out for our previous home in Olivette and people back then would commonly ask "where is Ballwin".

We were one of the early families to move into the Claymont subdision and where we lived would come to be known a year later as "old Claymont". The subdivision became quite popular as many homes were built there. It was a cool place to live. We had a Bath & Tennis Club in the middle of the development and I was able to make a lot of friends swimming & playing tennis there in the summertime. Behind the Bath & Tennis there was a good-sized pond to play all year round. During the winter the pond would freeze over & we'd skate & play hockey there.

It amazes me how large the trees have grown. I remember the pine tree on the left side of the house when it was about 7 feet tall. Today it must be about 50 foot tall and is simply huge. I knew this yard very well at one time as I cut the grass here & pulled many weeds.

By the time this house was purchased my sister, JoAnn was gone & my brother, Jack had left to join the Air Force. As a result, I became somewhat of an only child. It was interesting tho as my sister Mary & Brother-in-law Lou Kirn bought the same model house just down the street. My niece, Karen & nephews Mark & Kevin grew up there. In a way they became kind of like my younger siblings.

When I revisit my old house on Westwood I am captivated by the sight of it and the memories of my past. I had many friends in the area that I grew up with and so many wonderful experiences there.

Hula Hooping

My wife, Jackie gave this hula hoop to me on Father's Day as a gift. I suppose having two cocker spanials qualifies me as a dad. Sure, I can handle that!

When Jackie gave the hula hoop to me I thanked her and told her that I have been waiting 50 yrs. for this gift since about 1958 was the last time that I had used a hula hoop. The truth is...I used to love the hula hoop back then and played with it all the time.

Anyway, we sit out on our backyard patio each morning & evening and on this particular evening I photographed Jackie as she was really getting into it. One evening I started counting the revolutions she would make with the hoop. She went to 500. On this occasion I counted to 1000.
Each day is truly an experience with Jackie and I never know what she will do next!

Me & my Honey at 9,000 ft.

 Here's a self-portrait of Jackie & myself in the mountains 30-40 miles west of our Las Vegas home. This photo was taken on June 1, 2009. As you can see it was a little on the cool side and that is a good thing especially when the temperatures rise in the Las Vegas valley.

Cava, Nikki, & Jackie

 On May31, 2009 we took the RV up to Lee Canyon in the Spring Mountains just west of where we live in Las Vegas. The elevation is 9,000 ft. and it a great place to get away & cool off. The pups love traveling in the RV & love spending time in the forest.

Hans & Lydia Boeckman and Jackie

 Hans & Lydia are two of my all time favorite people and they live in Wildwood, Mo in west St. Louis county. On this occaision we had breakfast in the Clarkson Valley bottoms in early May, 2009. Jackie & I were in town for my nephew, Kevin Kirn's funeral.

It's always a thrill to spend time with Hans & Lydia as there are two of the kindest and most generous people that I have ever known. The time we share always seems to fly by as all of us try to catch up on the latest happening in one another's lives.

I have known Hans since I was about 5 years old as he was my sister JoAnn's boyfriend. Hans moved to St. Louis from Hanover, Germany in the early to mid 1950s. At an early age he was a very talented house painter who was very accomplished in specialty type painting and decorating.  For example, Hans would paint a scene from a postcard on a client's dining room wall or perhaps he would give a ceiling a special treatment by painting a precise swirling pattern that included paint and sand. 

Hans was an extremely powerful influnce on me as a young boy and still is to this day. He is now 75 years old.

Lydia is from southern Germany and is truly gracious. During the times we have a chance to visit Lydia always has something special for Jackie & myself. Many times she will offer to prepare breakfast for us and it will always include a specialty. It might be a stolen from Germany  or maybe a shortcake with fresh stawberries. 

Me & my Aunt Dolly

 This photo with my aunt was taken in early May, 2009. She is 84 years old now and in good health and lives on her own. Dolly has 5 children that live in St. Louis, many grandchildren, and many great grandchildren.

Usually I bring or send roses to my aunt, however on this occasion I stopped by my old florist on Manchester and picked up a hanging basket which is pictured in the background hanging on her porch. By good fortune when Jackie & I arrived at my Aunt's house there was a hook available for the basket of flowers. Just like it was meant to be.

Aunt Dolly & Jackie

 My Aunt Dolly McCune lives in Kirkwood, Mo & Jackie & I had the opportunity to visit Dolly while we were in St. Louis for my nephew, Kevin's funeral. Fortunately, Dolly was home and answered the phone when I called & was available for us to stop by & spend time together.

It's always a pleasure for me to visit with Dolly as I have many found memories of times spent with her, my Uncle Mike, and their children. I always felt welcomed with  the McCune Family and I'll always be grateful to them for their kindness. 

Dolly continues to stay active by meeting & participating with long time lady friends at the Kirkwood YMCA a few times a week where they are involved in water aerobic classes.

Sunday Morning Breakfast at Mimi's

 For many, many Sunday morning's Jackie & I would rise early to walk our two cocker spaniels, Cava & Nikki and then drive over to Mimi's restaurant at opening time. We made it a contest among ourselves to get there early enough to get our same booth each time. Most of the mornings that we arrived it was only Jackie, myself and the staff.

As one can imagine we came to know the waiters & waitresses that served our breakfasts and they came to know us as well. After a while offering us a menu was just a formality as our server could pretty well guess what we would request. 

It's funny how Jackie & I go thru streaks like this. These days my wife serves a terrific breakfast at home on Sundays and it is really something to look forward to.  

Kevin's Burial...April 29, 2009

Everyone gathered at the Catholic cemetary on Towers Road in St. Charles, MO to attend my nephew, Kevin Kirn's burial. The weather was cloudy with a threat of rain and the temperature was near 70. The funeral mass was held at St. Joseph's Catholic church in Cottleville at 10 a.m. The funeral procession of 40 or more cars led all of us across the county to the road 1/2 mile from where Kevin had recently built a home for his family. Kevin's gravesite is easily seen from the road as it is just next to the lone tree.

Kevin's best friend Jamie said a few words about Kevin and the 10 years they have known one another after the burial service. Afterwards everyone drove to Kevin & Kathy's to gather and spend time together in honoring Kevin's life.

My great nephew Kory

Kory is very difficult to photograph much of the time as one can see. However, he has blond hair, wears glasses, and likes computer games. One has to be very quick to get a picture of his face.

Kyle, my great nephew

What a terrific smile this kid has and what a ton of fun it is to be with him. We had a ball together.

Kayla, my great niece

Here's Kayla on the hammock looking ever so wonderful.

Kevin, myself, and Lou

This shot was taken as I was about to return to Las Vegas on Saturday morning. 04.04.09.

Kevin & Kathy

Kevin & Kathy sat down to take a break...so I had to take a picture of them. I'm glad I did as its a great shot. This was taken in Old St. Charles on 2nd Street on our way to lunch. 04.04.2009

Lou & Kevin Kirn...Father & Son

It was great to have time to spend with Lou, my brother-in-law and my nephew Kevin. It's been a while since we really had a chance to share our time and it was long overdue. I have some very fond memories with these two guys.

Kevin and his Mom

Here's my sister & nephew together at Karen's house.

My sister Mary

On Thursday Kevin & I traveled together going to his clinic, the pharmacy, had lunch, and we also stopped by to visit Mary. Here's a great photo of her.

At this time mary had her first chance to view the family blog and she loved seeing all the pictures.

Kirn Family photo

Here's a wonderful family photo. From the left...Kory, Lou, Kevin, Kyle (holding the frame for a family photo that I made for them), Kathy, & Kayla.
This photo was taken as I was about to leave for my return trip to Las Vegas.
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Lunch with Kevin & Kathy

Kevin, myself, and Kathy having lunch at the Lewis and Clark restaurant on 2nd Street in Old St. Charles near the riverfront of the Missouri River. This lunch was on Friday 04.04.2009. The food was terrific and we probably ate too much, but we had a great time.

Mark & Kayla

Mark snores & Kayla communicates quietly so not to disturb her sleeping uncle.

After dinner with Mary

Mary shares her thoughts on dinner.

The M&M Girl...Kayla

Kayla Kirn, who is Kevin & Kathy's little girl demonstrates the joy of eating M&Ms. 04.04.2009

The Rumble

Kyle & Kory Kirn have some fun in their parent's bedroom on 04.04.09.

Mary had a little lamb

Here's my nephew Mark aka Rip Van Winkle, Sleeping Beauty...

The autographed whiffleball bat

Kyle displays the autographed model signed by his Great uncle Bob aka daddymunster.

Kevin, Karen, Kathy, and the Rabbit

Seated at the kitchen table are Kevin, Karen, and Kathy having an innocent conversation...until I walk in with the video camera.

My sister Mary...04.04.09

Here's Mary at Kevin's house where we had a bar-B-Que..

Alaska in St. Louis...Winter 1976 or 77

I was working at the time as a carpenter for Higginbotham Bros., a custom home builder. As you can see we had a heavy snowstorm in the area and as a result work was called off. It was really cold at about 10 degrees for the high and everything was frozen over. I decided to take Alaska in my 1968 Rambler American and drive to the St. Louis riverfont overlooking the Mississippi River where a few years prior I worked as a deckhand on the riverboats.
There was hardly anybody outside at the time and virtually no traffic. Alaska felt right at home in the cold weather as it was like summertime for him.
The old St. Louis Court House is in the background. On the right are towers of an old apartment building that would become the Adam's Mark Hotel. I worked there as a carpenter until its grand opening in about 1987.

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Alaska at Babler state park...Fall 1978

Alaska had great markings, a keen eye, and a big heart. I trained him when he was a pup to sit & stay by hand signals. I could indicate to him to stay and then walk 100 yards away. He would not leave his postion until I slapped my thigh, whistled to him, or called him to come. Sometimes I would make him stay and then go hide from him. He always found me.

Alaska overlooking the Meramec...1978

Alaska is pictured sitting atop the edge of the limestone bluffs. I got him when he was 6 weeks old and he was pure joy.

Alaska...

Here's a side profile of Alaska. This was taken at Castlewood state park and this location is close to where my Grandpa Froehly's old clubhouse was located.

Alaska of the Northern Lights...1976

This self-portrait pictures my Alaskan Malamute, Alaska with me. This photo was probably taken on the bluffs above the Meremec River at Castlewood state park. You can see the alertness and curiosity of Alaska as he hears the camera clicks. He was a very bright dog and quite protective of me and he was always at my side.

Jackie & Bob at Disneyland...1999

Jackie & I drove to Southern California for a real estate training program and also to spend some time enjoying the area. We decided to visit Disneyland. We went on a ton of rides and had a terrific time.

Cava & Daddy...1998

Jackie & I got Cava when he was just 6 weeks old. What a beautiful pup he was and what a character! Personality Plus! He was born in a litter of 11 and when we found him he was the last to be taken. Jackie had already picked the name for him as Cava is a type of champagne in Spain. We had planned the type of dog we would get and his color too. When we saw him for the first time we were very impressed with his amount of curiosity and his level of energy. Jackie asked me "Is this Cava?" I nodded me head in approval and said "Yes, it is." and so... Cava came home with us.

Marienda time in the desert...November 1998

Jackie's holding our new pup, Cava. Notice our lawn chairs and "Lil Smokey" BBQ grill in the background. If you enlarge the picture by clicking on the picture you will see downtown Las Vegas. The location of this picture is now called Summerlin and it is the largest master-planned community in the US. At one time this land was owned by Howard Hughes. This area is now completely covered with homes. Jackie, Cava, and myself lived in the condo back then and we would often drive up to the desert to have a little BBQ with a few beers or wine. On some occassions we would have a small bonfire as the sun set. These are some great memories for us.
We currently live in a wonderful house that is close to the mountain range on the left side of this picture.

Mom at Dusty Winds Ave.

Pictured at our previous home is Mom with my wife Jackie and our male cocker spanial, Cava. Our chocolate cocker is getting to know JoAnn.

Good Times in Sin City

It was a thrill for Mom to visit Las Vegas & her "Baby Boy" as she has called me from day one. It was a thrill for me also to see my Mom having a good time. I know Mom was also very happy to have JoAnn & Karen travel with her and for that I will always be grateful to them too. For a young girl to have grown up in St. Louis during the Great Depression it must have been amazing for my Mom to witness Las Vegas with all its glitz and glamour. Mom loved the lights, the Bellagio fountains, and all the excitement that Sin City had to offer.

Mom & her little girl

Mom & Jackay pose for a portrait.

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Mom & Jackay

Mom's holding her little girl in the living room of her house at #5 Fordyce Manor, Town & Country, Mo. I'm not sure of the time period that I took this picture. I would guess perhaps 2003.I'm quite sure she was living there by herself at the time.