Sending Our Best Wishes for Christmas Your Way!

This mailbox is in our backyard and is a repository for gardening tools. I think thoughts of green, growing things should bring a little warmth to the long nights, no?

TerMaat Christmas 1957

In the picture below, I love how Mom is all prim and proper in an apron, oblivious to how bizarre her son posed in a rainslicker with gun is going to look fifty years from now. It sure is more interesting than our other standard Christmas poses of cute kids in 'jammies! So take this as a tip for your photos this year: try to get your kids to look as ridiculous as possible for the benefit of future generations!

Christmas in Ann Arbor II

Speaking of pipsqueaks that won't sit still for their Christmas portaits... Actually I think capturing the wigglies on camera like this is rather brilliant.

Grace and Friend

Mom doesn't recognize her travelling companion here, probably a fellow orchestra member.

Backyard Adventure

Perhaps Chris remembers this location, probably Tiffin. He looks like he is surveying the neighborhood in hopes of a big adventure.

Christmas in Ann Arbor

Two different Christmases here, one at Marshall Court and the other at 1228. One with fidgety pipsqueaks and one without. Be sure to click on the picture above to see Gracie's bird.

Pete TerMaat: Hambone

Max did a little dance for us last time he visited which reminded me of this picture of his Daddy being a goofball. These photos were taken in Hattie's backyard in Sheboygan-- apparently they had a bit of a flood that year. (And no it's not your eyes. It was a crappy camera with a shaky operator.)

Chris makes a Snowman

Not sure how Chris' snowfriend got to be bigger than he is.

State of the Art

Previously, I featured a photo of Dad at work. Now here is Mom's workplace, the junior high computer room filled with state-of-the-art Apple IIe-s. For you technology nostalgia buffs, did you know that there is an entire website dedicated to the history of the Apple IIe? Nursing aides at the Kinnick Home and other random people about town still remember Mom as The Computer Lady. She made her mark as a technowizard for her time alright. Too bad we have no picture of her swapping cables or something.

Robert Haan with Baby Chris

Sunflowers

For those who are tired of winter already and want to look to greener times ahead, here is a 1992 photo of our farmer and his healthy crop of sunflowers.

Brad and Gracie in a Jolly Mood

This picture was taken on our back porch, so obviously not in the winter, but don't they look like a couple of Christmas elves?