Christmas 1996 - Grandpa Louie

Grandpa Louie died in early 1997 so the Christmas of 1996 was his last. I have fond memories of holidays with both him and Grandma Alice in Two Harbors and spending time in the bakery they owned together.

Christmas 1997 - Ericka As a Reindeer

Dale and I went to visit Dale's parents, Brenda & Irv, along with their friends, Kelly and his daughter Ericka, in Grand Junction, Colorado for Thanksgiving of 1997. Ericka was very excited to see us and wanted to show us something she had designed and made herself. She had a slight jump on the Christmas season and dressed up as an adorable little reindeer. Notice the hooves that are rubber banded to her hands and feet. Too cute...

Christmas 1997 - The Ultra Lounge: Christmas Cocktails Part 2

Part 2 of Christmas Cocktails from the Ultra Lounge series was released the year after Part 1 and it's just as kitschy. Favorites of mine include The Merriest by June Christy and Christmas Island by Bob Atcher & the Dinning Sisters.

Christmas 1997 - Ornament

I found this robot ornament while doing Christmas shopping in 1997. I liked the retro look.

Christmas 1997 - First Christmas In the New House

Dale and I purchased our first house in 1997. We moved in in late October so we made it in time for the upcoming Christmas season. The photo here shows Dale shoveling the front steps after a November snow (probably the first of 1997).

Christmas 1997 - My Friend Noel

My good friend Noel (How appro-

priate consid-

ering this is a Christmas blog, huh?! She pronounces it 'Nole'.) and I have been friends for just a couple years shy of two decades. We have a lot in common, as most friends do, not the least of which is a big affinity for Christmas. We love decorating for the holiday and start peeling our eyes for tchotchkes and ornaments sometime in November. Pictured is a Christmas card she sent to Dale and me in 1997. I've noticed over the past 5 years or so that people seem to be sending fewer Christmas cards through the mail. I'm sure it has something to do with the cost. Noel now sends hers electronically

which I've been doing more of as well.

Remembering Sophie

Sophie

November 1999 - May 19, 2011

Dale and I moved into our house in November of 1997. Sophie came to us in February of 2000. She was with us for 11 of the 14 Christmases that we've celebrated in this house. She will be greatly missed. The above picture is not actually Sophie. It is taken from a Christmas card I sent out a just a couple years after Sophie came into our lives. I thought it was appropriate since the dog in the picture looks almost exactly like her.