K is for Knott's Berry Farm

I have a ton of photos from Knott's Berry Farm. Almost all of them are family and they tend to group themselves into themes. For example, my children.

and most recently, my husband, my youngest son and my grandson. 

Or...

We can go to the famous carved statues of saloon girls and cowboys. Besides being well known, they statues have their own history. If you're interested, you can check it out at Cabazon Dinasaurs.  

Mrs. Fallon, my mom's boss, and my mom, 1948

1953, my brother, my dad, my grandma, and me

1954, my cousin Paul Curtindale, my cousin, Jerry Curtindale, my brother and I

1954, My cousin Annette, and my Aunt Ruth Edmonds

In 2011, at age 11, my grandson had to be forced to sit next to the Saloon girls. He was simply too cool then to be seen with them. 

One of my favorite family photos, although my mom, Aunt Anne and Cousin Billy are missing. Taken in 1960, it is my Uncle Howard, my Grandpa William, my Grandma Mellie and my Dad in the front and assorted kids in the covered wagon.

Knott's Berry Farm is still our go to place when family comes to visit. It has changed and has lost a little bit of its charm but it is and always will be home to me. 

C is for Christine Edmonds

Christine Edmonds died much too young.

Ella Christine Edmonds was born on July 29, 1930, the middle child of my Aunt Ruth and Uncle Marcus. This is where I share I am always surprised when I see her name because she was never called Ella. Both girls went by middle name and her brother by initials only. Duh, my aunt never went by her first name either so now it makes sense.

The little one is Annette, the older one Christine, both of them holding my mom's hands. The photo was taken in about 1936, somewhere in Texas, probably Wichita Falls. 

 As children, we spent a lot of time in Texas with my Aunt Ruth. Uncle Marcus passed away when we were young and Aunt Ruth went back to school to become a nurse to support her children.

Christine and Martin Wilson. Donna Ruth, David and I. 

Christine grew up and married Martin Wilson in 1948. They had three children although only the youngest was not born when this picture was taken in March of 1953. This in on their farm in Sweeny, Texas. We got in so much trouble after this picture was taken when we discovered the down pillows in the shed. Pillow fights are fun until your parents find you covered in feathers and all the pillows destroyed.

Christine Wilson died on March 11, 1978 after a sudden illness. We were all shocked and saddened by her early death. She was very involved in her community and the lives of her children. She might be gone (and it has been a while) but she has lived on in my memory and was never forgotten.