Family Stories: 1950s Christmas

Today's photos are from the mid-to-late 1950s. My grandparents lived in Anchorage, Alaska for several years when they were first married. My mother came along during their time there, so her first Christmases were spent in the snow. Talk about a white Christmas!

Joan at home in Alaska. I guess this was her snow attire.

Joan, her parakeet and some of her Christmas decorations.

Presents under the tree. I still have that high-chair.

My mother on Christmas morning.

My mother and her doll on Christmas day.

Family Stories: Meeting Santa

Among the photographic treasures I inherited this year are these photographs of my mom with Santa.

Her first Christmas. She was just over a month old:

This photo is still in its fancy mid-century photo cover.

Her family lived in Alaska until she was three. You can definitely tell which photos were taken in California (visiting her family) and which photos were taken in Alaska.

Her second Christmas. Halfway through her visit with Santa, she decided she didn't like him very much:

Her third Christmas:

This wasn't the same visit with Santa, but it was the same Christmas. She still wasn't sure about sitting on Santa's knee:

Her fourth Christmas. Looks like they went to the same department store as the previous year:

Here's one in color. Again, here's the tree from the previous year:

Love the frame for this undated Christmas photo:

I love that Joan kept these together. It's really fun to see them as a group.

On the Road: The Rose Parade

On January 1, 2011, Jonathan and I were fortunate enough to attend the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California. Throughout my childhood, my mother and grandmother had told stories about the Rose Parades that they had attended in the '60s and '70s, and I had always wanted to see the parade for myself. When Jonathan surprised me with tickets, I couldn't believe it. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

While our modern-day rose parade didn't smell like flowers (something that I found to be very disappointing), the overall experience was a magical one. We went to bed several hours before midnight on New Year's Eve (something I hadn't done since I was a little kid) and arose at 4 a.m. to make the drive from Cerritos to Pasadena. We slept in the car in the parking garage for a little while, and then walked down Colorado Boulevard to the grandstand. It was freezing -- very unlike California --  and everyone was bundled up like Eskimos. Once we were seated, I pulled out my giant camera and shot tons of photos to remember the day.

From the breathtaking backdrop (and city) to the painstakingly beautiful floats (decorated entirely with flowers, plants and seeds), a trip to the Tournament of Roses parade is something that should be on everyone's bucket list. It was the perfect way to welcome 2011. 

Learn more about the parade here. 

CYBER MONDAY SHOP SALE

In honor of Cyber Monday, Gerald and Joan is proud to announce our first shop sale! Through tomorrow, receive a 10 percent discount on any Gerald and Joan shop purchase when you enter the code THANKFUL. Visit our online shop here.

This holiday season we are so thankful for this little business that allows me to spend more time with my family, friends and favorite things. After taking off three days last week, today I'm headed to volunteer at my former employer with my mom, and on Friday, I'm headed to our hometown to help my mother-in-law and sister-in-law decorate the rehearsal dinner venue for my brother-in-law's wedding.

What job gives you that sort of flexibility? I'm so very thankful for Gerald and Joan!