The Pictures of Christmas Past and Present

This time of year comes around and I become Clark Griswold, sitting in his attic looking at old movies on movie reels.  Except that I'm not sitting in my attic...on the door.  And I'm not looking at moving pictures.  I'm looking through photographs.

Here are the ones I'm "ooohhhhhing" and "aaahhhhhing" over this Christmas season...

Matthew

(8 months old)

December 2008 

 Carrie (9 years old), William (7 years old), and Joshua (4 months old)

after the children's Christmas program at church.

December 2005

 Carrie and William

after the children's program at church.

Maybe 2004?

I love this one.  Carrie hurt her toe and William is sympathizing.

And here are Carrie (18 years old), William (16 years old), Josh (9 years old), and Matthew (6 years old) just a few weeks ago up at Dad's house.

And Charlie.  She just celebrated her fourth birthday this summer.

Time does fly.  Looking at pictures reminds me to enjoy every single minute.  And to take plenty of pictures so that I can remember all the ages and stages and fun times that we have already enjoyed.

I'm looking forward to a brand new year.  I always do.  It's so much fun to put up the new calendar and see a fresh year spread out in front of me.  Brand new!  And yet traditions will make this coming year all very familiar.  I am thankful for that.