Christmas 1970 - Joe and Sam

As far as I know, this is the first and only year that Mom sent out a holiday photo card.

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.

Christmas 1998 - Christmas Cash

Grandma Alice sent money in these Christmas card "wallets" similar to the one shown here every year. The portrait of the president on the money would appear through the oval at the bottom of the card. Only her name (and not Grandpa Louis's) is signed on this card. Grandpa died in 1997 and Grandma Alice's last Christmas was 1999, so this one is probably from 1998. I remember when I was much younger Sam and I would walk to the bank on Nicollet Avenue to deposit our money that we had received from our grandparents. One year shortly after Christmas Day I remember the bank teller told me that she was impressed how many kids were coming in to deposit what was obviously their Christmas cash.

Christmas 2002

Mom usually sends out her cards after Christmas with the idea being Christmas Day is the beginning of the season and not the end. Her 2002 card included Madonna and Child prayer cards - one for me and one for Dale.

Christmas 2004

Pictured is the Christmas card that Mom sent for Christmas 2004. She cross-stitched the flower on front of the card. Also pictured is the prayer card she included with her Christmas greeting.

The Christmas of 2004 is also notable as it was the first one for Sam and Becky's first child, Calvin.

The bible verses on the inside of Mom's card:

In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1:78-79