Dustin' Off Old Photographs

First and foremost, I would like to inform you that my dear friend, Sandy Toes, featured ME today for her Favorite Blog Friday! I am SO excited about it...she made my day! Please take the time to pop over and check it out...Sandy is a very special person with a wonderful blog...I know you won't be disappointed!

Alrighty, my friend, Deborah, hosts Friday's Favorite Family Foto. Since it sounded like lots of fun, I thought I'd join in, as well!

I have always loved to look at old photographs, even when I was a young girl. It's like taking a step back in time! This photo shows my paternal grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Martin. I'm not exactly sure how old they were in this photo, but they look pretty young. My grandpa used to call Grandma his "Black Eyed Susan" (like the flower) because her eyes were very dark, and her name was Susie. I love how they were dressed and wonder where they were going all "gussied up"? My grandpa died when I was around 9 or 10 years of age, so I don't have a lot of memories of him. My grandma died when I was in my mid-20's and she was a very strong Christian woman whose family meant everything to her. Together, they had 5 sons and 3 daughters, along with lots of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, so their legacy continues!
This photo is of my mom (on the right) with her sister, Dorothy. I'd love to know whose shadow that is taking their picture. My mom grew up in Bandmill, Arkansas and times were very tough. She'd have to go with her family to work in the apple orchards of Washington state to earn money. I used to love hearing the story of her riding a train across the Snake River with her sister on the way to Washington. Can you imagine how scary that must have been to venture away from the only place she'd ever really known?
Here I am with my mom at 3 weeks of age. I cherish this picture because it captures the love we had for each other. Just look at how I'm looking staring up at her...we were tight! She was my best friend...EVER!
This picture makes me laugh! I'm in the middle and my brothers are on either side of me. My oldest brother, Mike, is standing next to me in the black shirt...acting "normal". Now, take a look at my other brother's face (Kevin). He was such a mess! He used to "surprise" Mom all the time with snakes he'd found...he could easily have been the American version of the "Crocodile Hunter"! Completely fearless and mischievous through and through! I hope you enjoyed taking a look at some of my old family photos. Hop on over to Deborah's blog and take another stroll down memory lane! Have a super weekend, everyone!!!♥


P.S. I would like to give a BIG SHOUT OUT to my sweet friend, Ruby Red Slippers ! Just a few days ago, I commented on how much I liked her new blog header. Well, she wrote me an e-mail telling me how to create my own and what to do. I designed it myself, but when "computer savvy Abby" got home from school, we read over the instructions she sent me and we had it up in no time flat! So, THANK YOU, Ruby Red Slippers from the bottom of my heart...you're a real lifesaver! :)