The Family 1989

I have several pictures over the years of the entire family together. I will post this one first since it is the one that shows all of us after the latest addition of Hannah. It was taken in the spring or summer of 89. Sher, Barc and the girls had come back to Illinois to visit us. Bill and Ann had come over, too, so it was a great get-together. Baby Hannah just turned 21 the end of January. (Click to enlarge)

More of the Old Ads

Three more old ads that would never see the light of day anymore. Things have certainly changed and keep changing.

And of course we must be on our toes and always be gorgeous or no one will love us anymore.

And here is the secret to weight control - according to this ad. Just a little added memory - after the second world war started, Lucky Strike changed the color of the background of the pack to white. It had a new slogan - something like "Lucky Strike Green has gone to war". All the tobacco companies sent lots and lots of cigarettes to the fellows in service. Why they changed color, I don't know. Hope you enjoy these funky old ads.

The Kids in Ft. Madison, Iowa

Two pictures with the only connection being that they were taken while we lived in Ft. Madison. This first one was most definitely taken at Christmas time, since I normally didn't have little dabs of cotton snow and glitzy window pane separations in the front window. Our little neighbor girls, Melinda and Jan, must have each found a new bike under their tree from Santa. Sherry is looking so cute in her plaid dress and saddle shoes and is holding a pretty little doll that she must have found from Santa. In fact, I think it must be the little Betsy McCall that is still around someplace. It was so darling and had some very cute clothes. Bill is all smiles as he has pulled his pistols out of the holster. Looks like they are tied around his leg, too. Cowboys need guns if they are going to fight Indians. Cops and Robbers was another game kids played - probably pretty tame in comparison to some of the video games nowadays.

I am not sure where we were going or if we were just down to the depot to pick up Dad. This might have been taken the time we took the train to Chicago with another family and visited the museums. It's a cute shot of the kids and a nice picture of the depot in Ft. M. (Click to enlarge)

William Barnes & Family

In with the pictures from Ray's side of the family, I found this portrait of the William Barnes family. I do not know whether or not they were related to either side of Ray's family. They very well could have been. However, I thought it was a neat old picture and kept it. Aside from the "Wm. Barnes & family" written on the back, there was also written "Miss Mamie Barnes, Brimfield, Ills" and "Laura Barnes, city". Possibly those were two of the daughters in the back row. I love the patterned dress worn by the mother and what about that moustache on Dad? The photographer was from Farmington, Illinois, and I don't think that is far from Brimfield. Anyway, it's a neat very old photo. Hope you enjoy it. (Click to enlarge)

This Time They're Not Smiling

Going through the old albums is, of course, a trip down memory lane. Sometimes you just glance at the photos and really not take them in completely. Thus it was with this picture and the one below. It looks as if it were a lovely summer day in Ft. Madison, Iowa - most likely Sunday before or after church. Mom and Dad probably decided it was time to take some pictures of the family. Dad's turn first - and here is Ray with Sherry on one side and Bill on the other. Sherry looks glum and Bill has a very serious look on his face, also. Scroll down and see..........

that it's Mom's turn to have her picture taken with her two little kids. Thrilled to be posing? They most definitely are not. Sherry has about the same pouty expression and Bill is out and out and crying. Mom? Smiling through it all. I have no idea what was making them so very unhappy. Quite a contrast to the picture in the previous post. I think these are such fun - that's how family life is. (Click to enlarge)

Easter of 1956

Many Easter Blessings to you. Here are some pictures of an Easter back in Chillicothe, Illinois, in 1956. Sherry was almost five and Billy was 2 1/2.

I think this is one of the cutest pictures of our little kids - such wonderful smiles - more than smiles, I think, maybe almost giggles.

These pictures came from one of them together but I used it for calendars I made one year for Christmas for them and for each of the granddaughters. I have the copy of the scan but don't know where the picture is right now. Since they are so cute, I am just putting them side by side. Goodness, they were so dressed up - how about Sherry's hat and her little straw purse. Bill looks cute in his little short pants suit and bow tie. A sweet Piece of the Past. (Click to enlarge)

Nelle, Del, Lam & Ham

and Trixie, Uncle Ham and Aunt Del's much loved dog. Brother and sister Nelle and Ham are on each end and their spouses are in the center. Don't know the fellow shielding his eyes to check everything out nor who belongs to the three shadows in the foreground. One, of course, is the photographer. By the time this was taken, both couples were living in California. As always, Aunt Nelle had documented the folks in the photo on the front of it. Wish more people would identify the subjects of pictures - including yours truly! (Click to enlarge)