Christmas Eve 2012

Dad made this manger scene for me way back around 1971 or so.  It's made of twigs which were varnished after the bark was stripped off.  I haven't put it up for a number of years but decided to this year. The top picture was taken this year.  The bottom picture was taken in 1971.  It shows me in my room at the house on Stevens with a small tree that was cut down up at Baba and Grandpa's cabin with the manger scene next to it on the dresser.

Christmas 1971 - Joe's Tree

Here I pose with my tree in my bedroom. This is before the freeway sound barrier was built so you can actually see across 35W if you look out the window. The curtains in my room were made by Mom. I remember looking out these windows on Christmas Eve when I was about 9 years old. I saw a red light in the sky and, even though I was starting to doubt, I wanted so badly to believe that red light was Rudolph's nose.

Christmas 1971 - Joe with the Cousins

Joe with Aunt Alice Mae, Uncle Jack and cousins Debbie, Diane and Danny at Grandma and Grandpa's house in Two Harbors.

Christmas 1971 - Grandpa Lou and Grandma Alice

Grandpa Lou and Grandma Alice at their house for Christmas 1971 in Two Harbors. Grandpa is drinking Grain Belt beer and smoking Pall Malls. Their chiguagua Tiny is on Grandpa's lap.