Meanwhile, back on Watergate Lane


We tried to help Mom.  Some of us more than others.  (Sorry, Mom.)  Here we are planting a Mother's Day Garden.
We went to church.
Did Michael's imaginary friend, Michael Clinton Denton, have tea with him Christmas?
 We celebrated Christmas. That straw thing is a creche (I don't know how to spell that French word for manger scene, but that's what Mom called it.)








We looked after each other.


We played.


Don and Mary in the snow.  It reminds me of the Cowardly Lion, assuming the same position as Don in this picture, saying they'd erect a statue him in this  town and the Scarecrow saying, "Well, don't start posing for it now!"
 We had birthday parties with our friends.




We relaxed.
 We watched too much Gilligan's Island.

The big kids took care of the little kids.  Donnie cutting up Mary's food.
 We ate a lot of birthday cake.  Bill and Jerry shaking hands.  By my calculation, Dad missed over sixty of our birthday parties.  That's sixty plus times Mom had to pretend to be light-hearted.


We played some more.
We stuck together.  Donnie and Jerry shaking hands.

Comments

Kimmy Coleslaw said…
I so remember that outfit that you are wearing while builders the crèche - think that might be what you had on in our 5th grade class picture !!! The picture of Billy is beautiful - and is that Jimmy w/ the football game on the floor? My brother had the same thing. This whole blog is sooooo full of memories of the our time growing up - thank you my dear friend.
You were a huge part of my life during those days, Kim. When I think of them, you're central. Right in the middle of the family. Yes, Jimmy is on the floor with the football game. I do have a school picture with that green-striped dress! Great memory you have. By they way, do you have any of our class group pictures? Judie and I were just talking about that the other day. Billy was the cutest of all - kind and sensitive, too.
Kimmy said…
I am sure the class pictures are in the chest at mom's that I keep telling you I'm going to "steal" them all, I have to carry out this mission or goodness knows what will happen to them. Did I tell you about getting all the baby books?? Poor Kevin, don't think a thing was written in his - 6th child you know. Also, is that confirmation or 1st communion - I'll be we were both there - I still have my veil (is that what we called them)?
I believe it's Confirmation, because First Communion is done when younger. Not sure, though. Get Robin to reclaim your family pictures. I'd like to see them, too. Someone needs to and she's probably more sneaky. And, I mean that in the most complimentary way possible!
Kimmy said…
LOL - you probably have that right - but believe it or not she will not go in the house. She has only been in it I think twice since Mom has died and once was the day of the funeral. The other time when she was in town she started to hyperventilate and ended up having to go over to the Whitakers. I'm afraid I'm gonna have to figure out the next time Denny is gone and slip on into the house in the cloak of darkness so as not to start the neighbors gabbing!! Yes, I'm pretty sure it's our Confirmation too - not remembering if we were confirmed together or not, but know it was at St. Nicks and I think I still have my papers - will have to check the date.
Kimmy said…
LOL - you probably have that right - but believe it or not she will not go in the house. She has only been in it I think twice since Mom has died and once was the day of the funeral. The other time when she was in town she started to hyperventilate and ended up having to go over to the Whitakers. I'm afraid I'm gonna have to figure out the next time Denny is gone and slip on into the house in the cloak of darkness so as not to start the neighbors gabbing!! Yes, I'm pretty sure it's our Confirmation too - not remembering if we were confirmed together or not, but know it was at St. Nicks and I think I still have my papers - will have to check the date.
Micah said…
Thank you for posting all of these pictures and stories! This blog is such a treasure. And it doesn't come with a co-pay!
Micah said…
Have you seen this? It's pretty precious. Thought it went well with the family post:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFujGieAirI
To be clear, I've only watched a few seconds of it. It makes me gut-wrenchingly homesick, but only because it's so sweet! I feel that way about you!!
Micah, baby! The video is beautiful. Thanks for sharing it. That mommy needs to start sing Raffi before her precious, sensitive baby develops some serious issues. Most of all, thank you for your sweet words and loyal devotion. I love you so vey much.

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