Christmas Memories!

The year we rented the place up in the mountains.  An ill-fated venture!

 

It did start out well enough though!

 

And the kids had fun.

 

And Robbie showed his mettle!!

 

You need the not so good to appreciate the really good!!

Christmas Memories!!

Often, at Christmas time, we think about taking family photos - maybe because we are all together!!

Somebody remind me to wear my glasses - Dad too!

 

When Kelly set this up, I was convinced it wouldn't work - but it certainly did!!

 

At long last Noah will not be "a Lone Ranger" and will have Taylor by his side!! The group total will be 33!

But, next year, Ara will be on a mission - and there will only be 32 - unless someone has something to tell us!!

Christmas Memories!!

Christmas celebrations with Bill and Marjorie - we miss them!!

 

We miss Karl too!

 

There are still plenty of babies though!!

 

And the gift opening on Christmas day is much sparser than in years past - but that's okay too!

The clutter is every year though!!

Christmas Memories!

The Helen Terrill Family party - a few years ago - any guesses - Drake looks pretty young here!!

 

The "pageant" was a long-running tradition!

 

The children all love Santa!

 

It was after 2007 because Doug was doing the Santa honors!

 

And Lorie was the angel!!

Those parties were fun - there are some great memories we all share!

Christmas Memories!

One of the first Christmases after we moved back to CA - I think it's 1980!

 

This is Christmas 1971 - our first "family photo!!" And you know where it was taken!

 

Grandma Helen's family party - 1989 from the looks of Noah!

 

David's a little boy - and that is Richard behind him - not sure of the year though - I don't think I was living at home - not sure why I took a photo - maybe we were visiting - but we didn't often come down at Christmas.

Billy and Bobby with the neighbor boy - maybe I was in college for this??

There is something to be said for dating photos!! 

Christmas Memories!!

Christmas 1971 found us all at the Clayton homestead - which called for a group photo!!

 

This is one of the many Messiah Sing Along performances we have attended over the years - not sure what year! They all blend after awhile.  Ara looks pretty young!

 

Eve looks young too!!

 

This is a year ago I think - because Deacon is only two now!

Oh the Christmas seasons come and go!!

Christmas Memories!!

Bonny's first Christmas - spent in SoCal - and she was indeed the apple of everyone's eye!

 

Christmas in the early 60's at the house on Emery.

 

Harry's first Christmas - and one of the few candid baby photos of him.

 

One year - 1998 I think - we rented a house in Laguna - and hired a photographer for a family photo - but Harry F. didn't make it!!

 

1970 - last time I saw my Grandpa Clayton - at least he got to meet Bonny!

Random memories - so many Christmases - so many memories!!

Christmas Memories!

Family visits - the best part of Christmas!!

 

And friends come in a close second!!

 

Clocker's Corner - still a hit after all these years - we keep thinking we won't do it - but we always do!

 

Some of the little kids think they are at the races!!

 

Perhaps a template for an emoji here??

Christmas Memories!

"Is this Christmas?" Hannah's plaintive question when we gathered to open Bonny and Bruce's wedding gifts!!

Ward Christmas party - maybe Noah didn't want to be there??

These "Christmas" pajama pants were only $2 each at Old Navy!!

Our first tree!

1968!!

Christmas memories!!

When there were 5 grandkids!!

 

A Relief Society Christmas program - some lovely friends - only 3 of them are still in the ward.  The years fly by.

 

Heading home for Christmas from BYU in 1963 - talk about years flying by!!