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Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas Past

I don't have many Christmas photos of my sons growing up. Most of the time I was a single mom and money for film and developing just wasn't there. It's sad now that I don't have lots of photos to reminisce over but that's just how it is. The very first picture I even have of my sons at Christmas is this one taken in 1967, the year their dad and I separated. Mike was nearly 5, Mark 3 1/2 and Jeff had just turned 1.


This was a year later. Tonka trucks in abundance that year.

1974 with cousins Kristen, Debbie & Kathy, my sister's daughters


Mom went into debt big time in 1974! It was the first year I felt I could splurge a little.
December 1974 dressed for a cousin's wedding

1975 Flagstaff, AZ. All our ornaments were in Iowa so we made our own.
That's a crocheted afghan being blocked leaning against the wall.

Not sure if this is 1980 or 1981.

Then the boys started leaving for the Army and our Christmases together have been few and far between since as we've all lived in different states and sometimes different countries.

The next time we were all together was 1992
Mike, Jeff
Mary, Mark
The only Christmas we were able to have my three and their step-brother together for Christmas before we lost Jean-Richard in 1995.
Tom and I with our sons--a very special Christmas
1997


2003 with spouses
2003
2007

Tom and I and our "boys"
2007 with spouses
2007
Quilts from Mom


And that my friends is how quickly 45 years can go by. I wish we could all be together each and every year, but have to be content to be together in our hearts.




5 comments:

Elly D said...

Hello Mary, How I've enjoyed your pictures... you must have started your family really young!! :-D What memories these pictures must be to you. Yes the 45 years have gone by in a blink of an eye.
I have a epal in Iowa. We've been writing for nearly 6 years now...most days.
I love your latest DJ blocks. Beautiful fabrics. You are getting on with them really fast. I'm stuck in the doldrums at the moment with my DJ.. maybe after Thursday I'll pick back up.
Have a lovely Christmas. Elly

Unknown said...

Those are great family pictures. I love the older ones too.

I hope you have a Merry Christmas!

Mary L. said...

Elly..yep..I was a child bride!

Chris..I just talked to youngest son in your city and they aren't liking your weather either!

Merry Christmas to you both.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

Mary wonderful looking family - even if you don't have a lot of family photos the ones you do have are special I'm sure. Have a Merry Christmas.
Karen
http://karensquilting.com/blog/

Geta Grama said...

Wonderful family, sweet memories !
I enjoyed your pictures.