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 1970 - The Manger Scene

1970 is the first year that the whole manger scene appears in a photograph. The Mary, Joseph and Jesus figures, along with an angel appear in a photo from 1968. Mom made all the figures and Dad built the wooden form to house them. The manger scene is now in the possesion of Pete's family.

Christmas 1973 - Joe and Sam

Christmas 1974 - Joe and Sam and the Manger Scene

Setting up the manger scene was a sure sign that Christmas was well on the way.

Christmas 1980 - Pete

Christmas 1983 - Mom and Dad

All those years ago.

Christmas 1992 - Dad

Here Dad is sitting by the manger scene that he and Mom made together. Dad built the manger and Mom made the figures. Mom started making the figures in the mid-1960s shortly before I was born.