These two pictures are ultimate "Dad" shots. I'm sorry I don't have anything comparable for Brian and Lisa. Maybe Will has one in his collection. The picture of Becca and Jess is from 1962. The other is date unknown.
These two pictures were taken in Muskegon. The top one, date unknown, the bottom is from 1965 (I just like the cool jacket).
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.
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. 
I'm trying to remember some of the life we shared on Marshall Court and I have a few questions to ask you.
1. What animals did you have in the basement room menagerie? I remember an extravagant guinea pig double decker cage that you or Dad made out of wood. Did it have as many as 30 guinea pigs on it before a dog came in and slaughtered them? Did that episode put an end to the whole animal collection?
Seems to me there was a wounded squirrel that bit you. A couple of white rats. A nest of wild mice that Dad found in the coal bin and turned over to you. Any wounded birds? Snakes? Lizards? Were the rabbits your thing before they were turned over to me?
2. At what point did the basement room become your bedroom? Surely you did not share the space with all those critters. Was there ever any heat in that basement room? I remember you had to walk through the basement hallway past a cellar which at one time had homemade wine and/or homemade root beer except that most root beer bottles exploded their caps. Maybe there were home canned tomatoes and other veggies on the shelves there too. Next to the cellar room there was the remains of a once functional toilet room with a charming pull chain "water closet". Then there was a large laundry room with a workbench for Dad along the inside wall that you had to walk through to get to the door to your room or the outside door.
I'm running out of sittin' time with my legs for now. I could go on about your tin or lead soldiers you bombed with clothespins in the sandbox. Or wondering if there is any photo record of the several years of fireworks displays you put on from the narrow ledge by Kaufman's house...
February 11, 1941
A Pet
My mother and father bought a dog when I was in my mothers tummy. In other words I was not born yet. I think they got it for my brother, Bradley. Maybe they got the dog for brother and me. But I don't know.
The dogs name was Bluppy. He looked like a collie but I do not rmember what my mother called her. I think she called a half collie and half Police dog. She had dark blue eyes and was bery good looking for a dog like this one.
Some times when I was little I could ride on her back. It was fun when I did. Then my father took a picture of me and Bluppy. Daddy took the film to the place where you get the picture in white and black when it come out. He was all - was waiting to see if the pictur of me and Bluppy would come out alright. It did come out alright and Daddy has it in his Album. It is one of y favorite pictures.
Every day Bradley would buy some Red Heart dog food to feed to Bluppy. Bluppy liked it and jumped for joy when he saw it. I di not remember what else we fed him.
When it was warm Bluppy had a place by the side of the house, when it was cold he was in the house.
But that was so many years ago that I can not rmeber half of the story. A long time ago we had to give Bluppy away to some else Because my sister is sensitized to dogs hair. I am very sorry Bluppy had to leave me.
the end
by Gracie Stevens.
Some very old Christmas pictures from the Stevens album.
Bradley checks his stocking.
Ooh! Train set!
Lucky for Brad, he now has little sister Grace to share in the merriment, though its still looking like more siblings are required to make the celebration more exciting. Stay tuned...
