Christmas 1948

Hi everybody, I'm still here.  I know I've been MIA lately but you all know how it is this time of year.  I have been coloring Christmas images like crazy but have not made any of them into cards yet.  So, I thought I would share one of my most favorite photos with you.  My parents, Mary and Howard Washburn, were born in 1930.  They married October 22, 1948.  My dad was in the Army, stationed in Alaska at that time.  This is a photo of their very first Christmas together.

My parents are the cutie patooties on the right.  My dad is standing in front of the tree and my mom is standing in front of him.  That was their only Christmas without children, as the very next August my sister Janet was born.  Following her was my sister Judy, then my sister Jacque.  Following them was my oldest brother Joe, then my brother John, then my brother Jeff.  They thought they were all done having children, then four years later they got a suprise, ME.  So yes, that makes seven children all named with J's. 

Janet has four children and three grandchildren.  Judy has three children, two grandchildren, and one great grandchild.  Jacque has one child, and three grandchildren.  Joe has three children.  John has three children, and three grandchildren.  Jeff has three children, and four grandchildren.  I am 50 years old and have been married to my best friend, Michael, for 27 years.  We were never blessed with children of our own, but we do have two fur babies, Siamese cats named Buffy and Angel. 

So over their 64 years of marriage they have a lot of love spread around.  They are now 82 years old and I live right next door to them.  My brother Joe lives in a trailer on their lot.  He helps them out a whole bunch, and I do what I can to help also.  I'm so glad to be able to share this time in their lives with them.  They've been the best parents anyone could ask for.  My mom is my very best girlfriend.

Thank you Mom and Dad, I love you, and Merry Christmas.
Julie