I often imagine how my great grandmother must have felt in May 1910, standing at the door of her home in West Bend, Wisconsin, holding a brand new baby -- born April 28, 1910, the first of nine babies, the start of her family -- when the census enumerator came 'round. He, of course, needed to count only the people who made up the household as of April 1st. Grampa didn't count!
My great grandparents, John & Philippina ("Bena") with their family; Grandpa is standing far right.
They met at a Saturday night dance in 1931. He was an especially good waltzer!*
There are about a million photographs of my grandpa sitting in a boat, fishing in a boat, fishing from the shore, sitting on the shore. The last one, with Grandpa and my uncle and the new Buick reminds me a lot of one of me and my dad and the Continental (minus the clubs).
With my twin sisters, above, and also with me -- wearing grandma's shoes, I think, and a sailor dress (big surprise!).
There aren't too many photos of gramps alone.
He's pouring slip into a mold, above, for one of grandma's ceramics
classes.
Cleaning fish at the cottage.
Happy Birthday in heaven, Grandpa! I miss you.
*From "A Look Back," a memoir by my grandmother.
What great photos! Happy birthday to your dear sweet Grandpa.
Posted by: Leightongirl | April 28, 2010 at 09:23 AM
What a wonderful legacy he left for your family. You are so lucky to have all the photos.
Posted by: Sue J. | April 28, 2010 at 09:27 AM
You have the best family photos! Your grandfather had to be a very dear man to have such a lovely family as yours.
Posted by: margene | April 28, 2010 at 01:21 PM
I love all of these photos, Vicki. I wish we could sit down together and look at our old family photos - I have some that are so similar to yours!
Posted by: Carole | April 28, 2010 at 04:22 PM
Was your Grandpa's name Lester? So was mine!! Very sweet post.
Posted by: Jodee | April 28, 2010 at 04:29 PM
What a treasure of images. I love that your great-grandmother is smiling in the photo -- unusual for the period, although several of the others in the photo are smirking or doing the Mona Lisa thing. Also love the photo of three kids on Grandpa's back. Every family needs one of those pictures.
Posted by: kmkat | April 29, 2010 at 09:25 AM
Those are just great photos! And being a good waltzer is a wonderful skill. You could say much worse about a man!
Posted by: Lorette | April 29, 2010 at 01:03 PM
What a LOVELY post...thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Bobbi | May 03, 2010 at 10:28 AM