A surprise package arrived in the mail yesterday from my dad. Enclosed was a CD full of photos from my childhood - baby pictures, birthday parties, family vacations, beach photos. While most are far too embarrassing to share, I thought I'd post a few.
Grandma's beach cabin, where the kids and I went this summer.
Then:
that's me on the left with my grandpa and my aunt Chris? Mom? Help?
in the sand
In the drainage ditch. Those little houses? All replaced by far larger ones.
My brother walking the beach
Now:
Disneyland then:
And I'm sorry, but how cool is that terrycloth outfit? I think it's the one outfit in the bunch that didn't make me cringe.
Disneyland now (okay, 18 months ago):
No Minnie Mouse photo that year. She would only let the princesses get near her. Maybe when we go on Spring Break this year. Oh, and I highly recommend the Princess Dinner for a little girl birthday. It's still talked about.
Old friends that I haven't seen in years
Me on the left with Liesl, Lisa, Tracy and Kasey - a birthday slumber party. Kasey ended up working for me 9 years ago at an insurance brokerage. Totally random. I've exchanged emails with Lisa and should really see her the next time I'm home. Liesl ended up a slutty rocker chick in high school, which was sweet justice since her mother thought we were going to corrupt her and she was the only one who went that way. Don't know what happened to Tracy.
Old friends that are still friends
me, my friend Matt, and our mutual aunt Lois (my dad's sister and his mom's sister-in-law)
Vacation on Uncle Pervin's farm in Wanamingo, MN. 
Unfortunately, long gone. How I wish I could take my kids there, in
spite of the fact that what I remember most is being really homesick
and laying in the barn loft wishing I could just fly home. We were on the colossal American road trip in our VW bus and I think I'd had enough. But the farm was great. There were sheep. I'd appreciate it much more now.
Victorious moments
My dad on Mt. Hood, I believe. Love the look of pride. And the jacket - that's a sweet jacket.
Dad, thanks so much for this treasure you sent our way and for all the time that went into putting it together. You brought tears to my eyes.
What a wonderful gift! I love old pictures, and I'm glad someone else (my mom) is in charge of old photos, for I'd probably burn the pics from my early teens to early twenties. I love the picture of your dad on Mt. Hood. George and I went up there YEARS ago, in July, and it was snowing! Thank you for sharing your memories.
Posted by: molly | December 30, 2007 at 09:48 AM
What a lovely, thoughtful gift - a gift of love, time, memories. A great way to ease out the year and slip into the next year. I really like looking at your juxtapositions between then and now, can see so many similarities in all the faces.
Have a lovely New year celebration!
Posted by: Ellie | December 30, 2007 at 02:51 PM
Ahh the terrycloth tops/shorts!!! My father wouldn't let me out of the house with mine on!! hehe..
Great gift of all those pictures!! What a cutie! :)
Posted by: Zonda | December 30, 2007 at 03:21 PM
that is just about the best gift ever.
Posted by: erin | December 30, 2007 at 08:22 PM
What incredible pictures and memories!
Love the 'then' and 'now'. I think I'll make that a resolution... to get my pictures in order.
Love the fabulous perm by the way! ;)
Posted by: Jade | December 30, 2007 at 08:42 PM
Wow!! Fantastic treasures! You knocked it out of the park, Dad!!!
Happy New Year to you, sweet lady. Here's to making lots of new memories!
Posted by: Stefani | December 31, 2007 at 01:57 PM
That is a seriously excellent gift! Go dad! Happy New Year cyber buddy.
Posted by: Jude | December 31, 2007 at 05:38 PM
Funny, that Tracy looks a little bit like me. But it's not. But wouldn't that be interesting?
Posted by: Tracy | January 03, 2008 at 06:18 AM