Catching Up... and Looking Back

Clara & Janie in the Box

I know, I am a little behind on posts, but I really wanted to share these fun photos from the holidays:

Growing up my family made a lot of fun (and sometimes quirky) traditions. These traditions have meant a lot to me and so we have tried to find ways to carry them on in our own family. One of my favorite traditions is "The Box." On my first Christmas, being right around Janie's age and unable to sit up on my own for a photo, my mom and grandmother placed me in a wrapped box for a photo. Okay, that is cute! But is not where it ended... I had my picture taken in this box each year until I was at least 16 years old and it turned into a joke. For Clara's first Christmas, I decided to make her a box of her own. Then last year, Grandma Wanda gave us THE box filled with fun ornaments for Clara's own tree, but we still took photos in both boxes. This year, to keep with TRADITION, we also took photos in both boxes.

Miss Janie - 2010

Erin's first Christmas - 1979

Erin's Second Christmas - 1980


Erin's 3rd Christmas - 1981

Clara in her box for her 3rd Christmas


Another silly tradition we have started is putting the girls in outfits that I wore as a child. It is wonderful that my mom (and Auntie Pat) saved these pieces for so long. This year, each girl got to wear a Christmas outfit that I had worn. Janie got the Santa PJ's from my first Christmas (Clara wore them on her first Christmas too) and Clara wore a special dress Grandma Wanda made and I wore when I was four. Fortunately, since we FINALLY got a new scanner, I drug out those photos too.

Janie Baby


Baby Erin with my Mommy & Daddy on my first Christmas.

Mommy & Janie

Ryan (left) and Matthew (right) even had their own pairs of the same Santa Pj's. Little Janie looks a lot like her uncles at this age! And in this photo I see a lot of Clara in me, especially through the eyes.

Daddy with his girls

Erin & Santa - 1983

Clara in "the box" wearing Mommy's dress