Christmas 2011 - Frosty the Snowman

The 1969 animated special Frosty the Snowman, which I haven't seen in years, was on network t.v. tonight. As a kid I remember looking forward to this being on and I loved the sappy but cute story. Back in the day, before home video, one had to watch something whenever it was on and if you missed it, you missed it because the recording of television didn't exist either. This was also my first introduction to the great Jimmy Durante.

December 1969

By December 1969 the family was settled into the new house on Stevens and getting ready for the holidays. (Top photo developed Feb. 1970 but taken in December 1969)

Christmas 1969 - Sam's First Christmas

Sam's first Christmas.

Christmas 1969 - Joe by the Tree

Christmas 1969 - Joe and Sam

Sam and I at the house on Stevens. Sam was plagued by ear, nose and throat problems and cried a lot. I didn't mind because I loved having a little brother.

Christmas 1969 - The Fisher Price House

The Fisher Price House in the 1970 J.C. Penney catalog. We also had the barn and the plane.

Christmas 1969 - One of My Favorite Presents EVER!

The Fisher Price House was one of my favorite toys. That one got a lot of good use.

Christmas 1969 - Opening Presents at Grandpa Les and Grandma Jean's House

Wow, did I ever score! I got to open presents at home and at two sets of grandparents! In the world of a kid it doesn't get much better than that...

Christmas 1969 - Opening Presents at Grandma Alice and Grandpa Lou's House Part 2

Top photo: Mom watches the kids opening presents.

Middle photo: Cousin Diane opens Tina Katrina. Next to her is her new Mrs. Beasley doll.

Bottom photo: Grandpa Louie, at left, oversees the festivities and cousin Debby, to the right, opens a present. I'm in the bottom right corner of the photo.

Christmas 1969 - Opening Presents at Grandma Alice and Grandpa Lou's House Part 1

Top photo: Aunt Alice Mae and Uncle Jack holding newborn Sam.

Middle photo: Grandpa Louie in the middle of it all.

Bottom photo: Grandma Alice helps cousin Danny with a present.

Christmas 1969 - Joe's Tree

This is the first year I remember having my own tree. I remember waking up Christmas morning and seeing this tree and then scampering downstairs with excitement ready to start the day. Our Christmas trees were obtained from Grandpa Les and Grandma Jean's land located just outside Two Harbors. We'd go there to visit the grandparents for Thanksgiving and bring back a large tree for the living room and then some smaller ones for our bedrooms. The Noah's Ark quilt on my bed was made by Mom.

Christmas 1969 - December Snow

The house on Stevens in December 1969. At this time the family had only been living in this house for a few months.