Holy Cow! I made it all the way back to the beginning! If you’ve read every entry in my Memories of Christmas series, bless your heart! I’ve been thrilled to see so many of you “play along” and even share your own memories with me in the comments and/or on your own blogs and layouts. I really feel that taking this trip down the memory lane of my past holidays has brought new meaning and appreciation for the season into my life. I hope it has done the same for you!
Ok, on to the final report…
I think this photo was taken in 1972? We still lived in California, but I know we went to Pocatello, Idaho for Christmas. It’s strange how there are some years that I just don’t have pictures for.
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1971 – This was the year I decided I hated Santa. My Mom journaled about it:
When it was time to take Katie for her first visit to Santa, we happened to be living in the same area of California where I grew up in San Mateo, California. I was excited to take her to the same place I had seen Santa. My mom and dad were down for a visit at Thanksgiving. My mom and I went to the Hillsdale Mall to shop, and decided to let Katie visit with Santa. It was not to be. As we approached Santa and started to put her on his lap, she became hysterical. We tried to coax her, but she was sobbing. In between sobs, she was saying "I don't want to see Santa - NOT EVER!!
And she never did again!
So funny! This is me in my parent’s apartment in California.
We also made the long drive up to celebrate Christmas in Pocatello, Idaho.
and here’s the obligatory Christmas morning mess photo. That’s my cousin in the background. He was 2 years younger than me.
I love my expression of joy in pushing around the doll in the stroller. I’m holding a Raggedy Ann doll which is interesting since I got one as a gift the year before. Was this the same one? Or did I get another Raggedy Ann doll? Questions to ask my Mom. My Grandpa is in the background.
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1970- I spent Christmas at my Grandma’s house. Both sets of Grandparents lived in Pocatello, Idaho and we drove there each year for Christmas. I was about 21 months old for this Christmas. I look very hip in my groovy orange and brown outfit. lol!
We also had a family friend that we saw each year at Christmas. Their daughter Julie was the same age as me. She’s wearing the cute Santa top and I’m in the little red dress.
I got a Raggedy Ann doll for Christmas. Don’t you love my Grandma’s funky lamp, tinsel covered tree, and groovy couch?
Looks like I got a See-and-Say. Don’t you think every kid should have one of these?
I’m on a banana!
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1969 was my very first Christmas. Obviously, I can’t remember a thing about it so I borrowed some journaling from my Mom. Thanks Mom!
Katie's first Christmas was spent in Pocatello, Idaho. She was nine months old. We spent all of our holidays there as well as other monthly trips. My mother was very insistent on that. I would bet that Katie is holding her ear because she was probably getting an ear infection. Every time we made a trip there, she got sick.
She got tons of toys. One toy she received (not from me) was a jack-in-the box. As we turned the handle, she anxiously looked on. When the clown popped up, she let out a scream. It took a long time to quiet her down. The toy went back to the store the next day. To this day, she hates clowns!
True story. I hate clowns and I don’t like jack-in-the-boxes either. I have never bought one for my own kids.
It’s also special to me that I have journaling from my baby book in my Mom’s own handwriting about this Christmas.
Thanks for traveling the memory lane road with me as I’ve documented all of the Christmases of my life!
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Want to play along? Do you have information about the holidays when you were a baby? If you are lucky enough to still have your parents around, ask them to write down as many details as they can. Older siblings can also be a great resource.
