I grew up on the farm next to my Grandma and Grandpa in Reedley, California.  On Christmas Eve, we’d gather with our cousins at Grandma’s house and have a dinner and gift exchange.  Grandma always baked Stolen, Springerle cookies, and Pfeffernusse.  We’d have a turkey dinner and stick olives on our fingers during the prayers, then the brave would eat raisin or mince pie.  The rest of us had pumpkin or apple.

It was a happy time for the cousins.  After dinner, we’d play with old games our parents once played with:  dominoes, Lincoln Logs, Tinker Toys, buttons, marbles, or the old pinball game.  When we got older, we learned fun card games and played cards in the kitchen while the parents visited in the living room.  What happy memories!

Pictured above, left to right:
Paul and Ann, Ruth and Mark, and Donna with Elsa and Rudolf Laemmlen.