Gianna Turns Eight

Yesterday was my eldest grandchild's eighth birthday, a fact I find hard to believe. At the family party, she showed off her American Girl Bitty Baby, all dressed up for the holidays in the dress she herself wore on her first Christmas.

Here we see her today with the doll, and in 2002, in the tender loving hands of Santa, wearing that wonderful dress. And if you blow up the image enough and look into Santa's eyes, you will see a proud Poppa in the red suit, holding Baby Gianna.

One of many great memories for me.

This Christmas

As a special favor, Santa Claus came by our home yesterday on his way back from meeting children at the mall. He was again checking that list twice or even for a third time and asking Gianna and Joey what they want this Christmas. He even knew that Gianna wants the Bitty Baby Twins, and he heard Joey say the magic words "Choo-Choo" and "trucks."
It was a great visit and one we will remember always.

Still Finding Out

Two more nuggets from the 50s, another with my brother Cliff. And one with me wearing a tie with a vest, which my friends and former students will recognize as one of the staples of my wardrobe ever since.
The wispy-bearded Santa in the vest-wearing photo was the guest of honor at a lodge meeting that my dear Grandma Mezner took me to. She was a member of the Slovene National Benefit Society and loved to sing at their events. Especially the Christmas party!
More look-backs in the next post.

Still Making a List

Yes, Santa is still making that list much as he has for so many years. Here are some souvenir shots from the late 1940s -- yes, sixty winters ago -- with me telling Santa what was on my list. For the life of me, I cannot remember what WAS on the list, and I have decided that the list itself, the hope that so often comes true on Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning, is really the list we all have.
I certainly seemed to be paying close attention to that wonderful beard and mustache in the second photo, didn't I?
More Christmas memories in the next post.