Hello Friends and Family, |
1977 - Florida Christmas, Part 1 |
Link to this year's index by clicking here. |
In 1977, my family got together to celebrate Christmas in much the way we had over the years before we kids started leaving home — me first. Here we see the Cathell homestead located in Lauderhill, a separate small city next to the larger Fort Lauderdale (yep, "Where the Boys Are"). The traditional Christmas decorations were up, including electric candles in each window — at my mom's directive. |
Inside the front window, stood our traditional Christmas tree filled to the brim with ornaments — many handmade, sharing space with the store-bought variety. And, of course, there were loads of wrapped gifts under the tree. |
Here Mom was pulling small gifts from her stocking — obviously, Dad was observing closely since he was the Santa who filled it. |
Now here is a real cutie — Lauren, just a little over a year old. She was so overwhelmed by everything she was seeing — last Christmas she was too young to enjoy it. |
By the way, she is all grown up (although not in this photo) and has three children of her own, all older now than she was when I took these photos. She and her family all still live in South Florida. |
Here is Lauren and her mom (Janie, my middle sister). It looks like Lauren was playing with an ornament and probably passing it back and forth with her mom. |
Ah, when one is so little and the world is so big — so much to explore. And Christmas brings so much more to investigate. |
Now in her PJs, Lauren continued exploring — now checking out those little toys hanging on the branches of the tree. Kids are so accepting — I doubt that she was wondering why the tree was inside the house — just accepting and enjoying this new experience. |
Next up was a new toy of some sort — it looks like it talked — with multiple pages to entertain her young mind. |
Here we see Lauren practicing her horse-riding skills. It looks like such fun — just for a few minutes, wouldn't it be wonderful to be that age again and return to those simpler, enjoyable times. |
Even during the winter, the weather in South Florida invites us outside. So many other new things to explore at Grandma's house. |
Last for today is Lauren standing on her daddy's lap. Danny is one proud papa — and now back to 2021, one proud grandpa. |
To be continued... |
Life is good. |
Aloha, B. David |
P. S., All photos and text © B. David Cathell Photography, Inc. — www.bdavidcathell.com |