Dear Grandparents,
Merry Christmas! I am very blessed this Christmas to be celebrating with both my daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren and of course my husband Ed. We're taking a short break for naps before gathering once more for Christmas dinner. This rest interval has given me time to stop and reflect on Christmas past and present and remember you and the traditions you passed down to us. I've included some photographs of Christmases past as well as today.

Christmas in La Habra, CA 1957
We always had 'rain' or tinsel on the tree, a Pacific Northwest tradition.

Ron and Jill with Hoo Hoo and Poppy
Christmas 1963 Hacienda Heights, CA

We usually celebrated holidays with Aunt Helen, Uncle Jim, Ron and Jill. In 1963, the Cone family moved to Willingboro, New Jersey and ended that tradition for several years. We were missing them!

First Christmas in the Kelly's house, Chula Vista, CA 1979
Trude sent a taped tour of Amsterdam

Ed and I were so excited to have everyone come to our home for Christmas.  The unshown story....
A snake crawled into a transformer on the street, sacrificed his life and put us all in darkness. We had to cook Christmas dinner on the BBQ.

We moved into our house on Romar Drive in Annapolis in the summer of 1988

There was a wonderful antique fireplace surround that came with the house. It was the perfect place for hanging stockings. I really tried to convince Ed we should take it with us when we sold the house.

Mom made Christmas dresses for Amanda and Colby
Charlotte 1987

Mom sewed beautifully and we all miss having our own private seamstress. I've saved these dresses and hope that Cassidy may be able to wear them starting next year.

Christmas in Charleston, SC 1991 - Dad's last Christmas

Ed  was deployed and my whole family came to make it easier for the kids.

We moved to Charleston, SC in June of 1990. Ed assumed command of USS Thorn DD-988 and was deployed during Christmas 1991. Ed's brother Bob had been killed in an auto accident the Christmas before and we were trying very hard to have a special Christmas for Amanda and Colby.

Christmas with Peg and Hugh in Roswell, NM 1994

Christmas with Grandmom in Charlotte 2002

At an "American Christmas" at the Hotel Del Coronado
Rein was called up to the stage and just beamed! 

Peg and Hugh by the Hotel Del Coronado Christmas Tree
2005

Chris, Colby, Ed and Amanda building snowman
Christmas 2006 in Spokane
Chris' first white Christmas

Steamed pudding is Grandmother Hoo Hoo's traditional recipe.

Making struffoli for Dad Christmas 2013
Montego Cove house Willis, Texas

Ed's stepfather, Carmen Della Penna's mother always made struffoli and Italian Christmas cookies for him. This was our first attempt at recreating her recipe. We are still working on perfecting it.

Lots of fun Christmas memories and many that include Grandparents.

Love,
Cecily