Gramma's Stockings

Each year my mom would have her fireplace mantle FILLED with stockings at Christmas, lining up like proud soldiers.   Gramma was proud of all her grandchildren and her children and their spouses!   Each time a new baby would arrive there would be a new stocking, usually a new one for the youngest who was not a baby anymore, and then the babies would get the teddy bear stockings....but really no one can remember whose is whose anymore!   All we remember is that they were filled with love and that Gramma was proud to have so many.   When we were going through Gramma's things that were left to us, we asked, "Do you want your stockings?"  But everyone already had their own for their own homes, so these are the ones that were at Gramma's house.  What do we do with these?  Well, John and Lizzie, would you like some for your little family?  Hmm?  It's fun to have traditions and recollections! 

Here are the stockings that Gramma purchased.   I still have some of the small felt ones I made for my mom and dad and brothers when we were "just the five of us Mooses".  

Fingerprints from 1990

Oh, may God bless the dear Bible Study teacher who helped our little one make this precious keepsake how may years ago now????   Well, it would be 21 years ago, and we have enjoyed hanging this ornament on our tree each year.   Now this little one is a mommy--hmmm, I wonder if this little one might make Emma and Ian's handprints into ornaments this year?   Hmmm?