Christmas Cards
I grew up in a family that took a family picture and then used it in our Christmas cards. We did this every year. It was Spaulding-Family tradition. I think it may have had something to do with being missionaries as well. People back in the States wanted to know that we were still alive and well in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. We also did a family newsletter chock full of pictures and juicy tidbits of us kids- like: Ellie started wearing a bra this year, Luke has his first native girlfriend, Jesse finally stopped peeing his pants etc. (Ha, just kidding about the juicy news part. God forbid missionaries mention that kind of stuff!) One of the first Spaulding-Family photos. Taken at our village house. I don't know who the lady in the background is. So back to the family picture. My brothers and I dreaded it every year. We'd complain, we'd procrastinate on getting dressed, we'd make faces, but it always happened. My dear parents put up with us all for the sake of that ...