Christmas Cheer - Day Twenty

Another edition of retro Christmas with a dedication.

Apologies to all of you who aren't related to me and therefore not contractually obligated to think these pictures are cute. :)

Since I got a scanner for Christmas last year (thank you MaryAnn), I am a picture scanning fool.

So I thought I would share some Christmas photos from my childhood, but also since today is December 20th I thought I would share a few of my Grandpa because he would have been 92 years old today.

My Grandpa gave almost everyone a nickname and mine was Sam. I don't even know why..and when I was little, I thought his name was Sam too (I wasn't the genius I am today) so I called him Grandpa Sam.

My Grandpa always seemed to be busy with something, which I think spoke to a very strong work ethic. I really admired that about him and try to emulate this quality in my own life. Something else that I think we have in common is a love of organization, because if you had ever been in his shop you would remember drawers upon drawers of labeled goodies. Nuts, bolts, and screws of varying sizes were all tidily tucked away in their little labeled drawers. When I was little those drawers fascinated me. To this day I kind of wish I had a big cabinet with little drawers that I could fill with odds and ends.

He was really proud of his service in the Air Corps during World War II and enjoyed meeting up with his service buddies at reunions. Recently, while I was searching through Ancestry.com, I came across the details of his enlistment in 1941, I think it is cool that you can find these kinds of things online these days.

I also admired that he was a generous man, who was very social. He had his regular visits that he did every Christmas Eve and Day and sometimes I would get to go along with him. He had alot of friends.

And I believe that he had a thirst for knowledge. He liked to travel and take pictures and he had many photo albums..all nicely labeled. Sound like anyone else you might know?

There were alot of things to admire about my Grandpa, and today of all days I think of him with fondness and hope that he knew when he was alive how much I loved him.

On to more Christmas pictures.

It looks like I am trying to abscond with an ornament in this picture. Which makes perfect sense since I am still in the habit of taking ornaments off the tree. Shhhh...don't tell my Grandma.

We are having a very serious discussion.


One of my favorite Christmas presents. Everyone in the family contributed something to this dollhouse and I refuse to let poor Peggy get rid of it. Even now, it is hanging in the garage in Yuba City.

Not sure what is going on here.

And lastly a picture of both of my Grandpa's.

What a cute baby! Oh...that is me.


As a nod to my Grandpa John, who was also beloved, here is his favorite Christmas hymn.