The Williamson's Christmas Eve Party of 2003. Several Pictures paired with Unreliable Memories.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

The Family Christmas Eve Party. December 24, 2003

Hello All,
     What do I love most about this time of year? Is it the holiday itself or the two weeks I have off from school?  I'll answer my own question, It is definitely the two weeks I have away from school. Mind you, I have a great group of sixth graders, but by December we're all in need of time away from each other.
      In today's digital family gathering we're going back in time with the help of the Ghost of Christmas Past to Christmas Eve 2003. We find ourselves in Pleasant Grove, Utah - more precisely, we are in the Belnap living room.  The room is full of people talking at once. Nobody is listening to anything anyone is saying. It is the trademark of a Williamson family gathering. We feel instantly at home.    

     Ten year old Brock Bodily walked by holding young Amara Belnap, the family's newest arrival. Brock was growing into his two front teeth.  Amara was perfectly satisfied with the attention given to all new arrivals but secretly feared being dropped. She sensed quivering in young Brock's stringy muscles.

     It was Grandma Luella Williamson's turn to pay homage to young Amara.  Tiernan Belnap, a former recipient of everyone's attention until Amara's birth, moved in for the photo.  If a bit of respect for a former child star wasn't given freely, she took it.
     Grandma Luella looked a bit tipsy. Was it the camera's shutter capturing her in mid blink, or perhaps the tablespoon or two or three of NyQuil taken to get her through most family gatherings? Her holiday colds were as predictable as the winter snow.

     Kevin Williamson had the honors of holding Amara next.  No one asked if he wanted to hold Amara. She was just thrust into his arms.  His look is one of concern, fear, and mistrust.

     Kevin was meticulous about his appearance. The hours spent grooming for the family party could be for naught if Amara erupted over his jacket and shirt. The sweat forming on his forehead gave his true feelings away.

 

     Ashley DelGrosso quickly assessed the situation, saw Kevin's predicament, and came to her uncle's rescue.  Besides, she held the next number to hold, kiss, and cuddle the new arrival.

     Amara was still indifferent, but comfortable with her role as Iuvenes Regina.  She seemed to sense that one day her subjects would abandon her for the next new arrival. But until that day, she would enjoy the family's doting homage.

     It was nearly Amara's bedtime. She made one last round around the room before retiring to her chamber.  Kim is concentrating. 

Tiernan and Tait found the black olives.  

     Williamsons have an addiction to black olives.  Just the sound and smell of a can being opened draws us like a pack of hyenas to fresh kill on the African Serengeti.  Rarely do the olives make it to the serving dish. They are inhaled in transit from the kitchen counter to the table.    

     Brock and Caden (Lisa's eldest) prepare to be annoying.  In their defense, they sat nicely for longer than anyone expected.

     Grandma Luella is photographed with those not grazing at the buffet.  Getting Williamsons away from food, especially free food at an all you can eat holiday buffet, requires something more pressing than "please come sit and have your picture taken with Grandma".   Thankfully, Ashley, Autumn, Jilane, and Afton put their plates down out of respect to their matriarch and responded to my invitation.  

     This photograph, taken by a team of nature photographers from the National Geographic Society, shows the Williamson family grazing at the local watering hole and holiday feast, completely unaware of anything around them.  There is one exception.  Look closely at Lisa's face.

     Lisa was disgusted by what she saw. The grunting, growling, snorting, gulping, spilling, drooling, smacking,  sloshing, and choking was almost more than she could stomach.

     Lisa's aura darkens during these moods. Mysteriously, the camera caught the sinister halo emanating and pulsing behind her.

     Forest (Kim's eldest) was the opening act for the evening's entertainment leading up to Santa's arrival. Forest is an excellent breakdancer.  His has some awesome moves, when done on a hard surface. Sadly, Forest suffered second degree carpet burns a quarter of the way through the performance and had to surrender the floor to the 'opening of the box' game.  

Kevin did a bit of filming at the end of the 'opening of the box' game.

Just then we heard a knock at the door followed by a robust "Ho Ho Ho."
"Who could it be?" an anonymous mother exclaimed.  "Could it be Santa?"
The house groaned as the weight of a couple dozen well fed Williamson's shifted from the far side of the room to the front door.  

Abrea DelGrosso asked Santa for a remote controlled buffalo and a fly swatter.

Draker (Lisa's second) asked Santa for a Unicorn that pooped rainbows.

"I don't understand what you're saying," Santa replied.
"OK, I want to be Batman," Draker responded impatiently.  Santa was still confused.
"How about a nice fire engine?"
"Stupid Santa," Draker muttered as he scooted down and found his way to the buffet in search for a dozen or so black olives.

     The family watched The Peanuts Christmas Special while they waited for Tait to finish his entire wish list. He had it edited into chapters and broken down into electrical and nonelectrical sections.

     Aidia (Lisa's youngest) asked Santa for a jar of pickles, a live penguin, and a dancing polar bear.  She also wanted him to change her Barbie's hair from ginger to blonde.

     Averie DelGrosso asked Santa for peace on Earth, a gumball machine filled with avocados, and a box of Stove Top dressing.

     Brock was too taken by Santa's eyes to ask for anything. "He looks like Chaz," he replied when asked why he just sat there staring at Santa.

     Caden was just about to plead his case on the question of whether or not he was a good boy for the whole year when he heard a sound from under Santa, followed by the smell of something distinctly non-Christmas.   

    Autumn waited patiently for the air to clear before taking her spot on Santa's knee and presenting her letter in person.

"What would you like for Christmas young man," Santa asked Brayden Bodily.  Brayden thought long and hard before replying.
"I have one wish Santa. I don't want to crack under pressure any more on the basketball court. I need to prove to my uncle that I'm the real deal!"
A tear came to Santa's eye. "I'm sorry Brayden, there are some things even out of my power to grant."

Jilane Williamson Bodily was photographed kissing Santa Claus.
"Mommy's Kissing Santa Clause," exclaimed young Brooklyn as Santa recoiled at the horror of it all.

Kim, Lisa, and Kevin were photographed waiting their turns on Santa's lap.  

Shortly thereafter the party wound down. Everyone's sugar highs crashed and drowsiness set in. 

It was time to call it a night.  

And so ended the memorable Christmas Eve party of 2003.  

Simply,

Victor 

The Unofficial Wedding Snapshots: Kim Williamson and JD DelGrosso. 1978.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,
Today I'm posting the snapshots taken at Kim and JD DelGrosso's wedding in 1978.  I missed the event. I was working as an LDS missionary in England at the time.

Dad (Charles) leading his eldest daughter down the aisle.  Kim was, and still is, the family's flower child.  She has never lost her free spirit and love of nature.

The ceremony. The gentleman in white officiated. You'll notice the official photographer, so rest at ease. The grainy snapshots posted here are not the official wedding photos.   

The event was sealed by a kiss.  Annette and Lisa Williamson are in this photo. Grandma Mattson is on the far right in blue.  

Annette intently examining her oldest sister

L to R: Jon, Kevin, Charles, JD, Kim, Luella, Janice, Jilane.  The kids L to R: Brandon, Forest, Annette, and Lisa.

JD and Kim with Kim's grandparents. Grandma Mattson (Luella's mother) on the left then Grandma Elda and Grandpa Leissman. (Charles' mother and step-dad).

Luella Williamson, JD, Kim, and Charles Williamson.  Grandpa Liessman is on the couch.

Kim and JD with both sets of parents.

JD's parents.

JD's family.

Officiator, Best Man, and bridesmaids.

JD's family.

The Toast.

Aunt Annette and Nephew Forest dancing at the reception.

JD's grandpa holding Annette and Lisa.

Kim and JD.

 Annette hogging the show.

 And finally, the last shot on the roll of film. Janice in the car. The blue tape vinyl repair above Janice's head is typical Williamson!  It was the South Dakota Hillbilly's comin to town fer the wedding.

Simply,
Victor

Christmas Memories from the Late 1970's. Rapid City. Kim and her Boys. Jon's Curly Head of Hair and Ukrainian Lisa.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,

I was in England from 1977 to 1979 serving an LDS mission. I missed those two Christmases.  Thankfully, Mom sent a few pictures to take the edge off the homesicknesses.  In today's digital family album I give those pictures back, plus one I took from the Christmas of 1976. 

 

     Christmas Eve 1976 at 2214 38th Street, Rapid City, South Dakota.  I'm behind the camera of course then comes from left to right, Luella (Mom), Grandma Mattson (Mom's mom), Janice, Grandpa Leissman (Dad's stepdad), Jilane, Jon, Lisa, Grandma Leissman (Dad's mom), and finally Charles (Dad) with 9 month old Annette on his lap. Absent from the picture are Kim and Kevin. Kim was married; and Kevin, most likely hogging the one and only furnace vent in the living room to the right of the TV.  The tree looked pretty good when compared to the Charlie Brown trees we normally had delivered by the Boy Scouts (their Christmas time fund raiser).  And yes, who can forget the Santa Claus overlooking the happy event from his perch atop the tree.  That Santa was as much a part of the family as any of us. It topped our tree as far back as I can remember - and looked the part when inspected up close.  

     Christmas was the happiest time in the Williamson house. The presents were modest by today's standards.  I believe we each had a $50 limit in the late 1970's.  We spent many a long, dark winter's evening leading up to Christmas examining the store catalogs page by page looking for the best gift or gifts we could squeeze out of Santa's limit.  

     Taking the presents out of the calculation, I would say having our grandmas together was the second best thing about the holiday.  Only a blizzard closing the roads out of North Dakota would stop Grandma and Grandpa Leissman from coming.  Grandma Mattson lived in Rapid City. We got to see her all the time, but having them together was the best! 

     Grandma Mattson was fun to tease.  She took it well and gave it right back.  Grandma Leissman, on the other hand, lit the room with her stories.  A prompt from one of us was all it took to get her going. Sure, we all knew the stories from multiple tellings over the years. It wasn't the story, it was the telling of the story that lit up the room. We'd listen as she'd start the story and take great delight when she'd pause to laugh long and hard as she relived the event in her mind.  Sometimes the laughing was so hard, Grandma had to quickly make a dash for the bathroom.  

     Christmas was the best time of the year for us. Dad wasn't much of a fan of the holiday. Large family gatherings unnerved him, but he'd soldier through without too much complaining (except when we'd all leave him alone in the living room with Grandpa Leissman and retreat to the safety of the kitchen.  Saying Grandpa Leissman was long winded was an understatement).  

Christmas 1977.  Kim was by herself, a single mother of two and only twenty years old.  Forest is on the left and Brandon is on her lap.  You see what I meant about our Charlie Brown Christmas Trees?

This was one of the two Christmases I missed.  Forest was three and Brandon was two.  You gotta love Brandon's little boots!  What a chubby little guy when compared to that adorable, yet scrawny Forest :)

 Christmas 1977. Ice skating was the event of the day.  Look at Jon's curly hair!  Jon had a perm at the time.  Not sure why a 14 year old boy would subject himself to that, but that's what he did. Twelve year old Jilane is with him.  

The siblings taking a breather.  Janice, Lisa, Jilane, and Shirley Temple Jon.

And finally, to top off tonight's album, a snapshot taken in our LDS meeting house's gym on Canyon Lake Drive.  Lisa is standing next to the ADHD boy in the red shirt.  She's looking all Ukrainian with the skirt and scarf.  The only other people I recognize in this photo are Dan Weyland standing next to the woman with the long strands of limp spaghetti drooped over her head, and the Nally girl next to the pink dressed Swiss Miss.  Lisa will have to fill us in on this photo.

Simply,

Victor   

  

A Bold Fashion Statement. My First Car. A Trip to North Dakota. and John and Don's Birthday.

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,
Today's digital reunion takes us back to our life in Rapid City, South Dakota in the mid 1970's.  I must warn you that what you're about to see may be upsetting to those with sensitive fashion tastes.  I also feel compelled to warn epileptics that the following photo contains visual stimulus which may induce a seizure.  Proceed at your own risk.     

     Did I not warn you?  That sports jacket is embarrassingly checkered, strangely colored, and matched with a tie only someone like me would ever think went together.  Funnily enough, I still have that jacket hanging in my living room closet.  I'll be happy to rent it out to anyone attending a 1970's fancy dress party.  Its a one of a kind so be prepared to pay a hefty premium. 
     Take a moment and stop staring at my jacket long enough to see what Cary Gillies is wearing.  I'll give you the jacket and pants.  They work.  The white tie and biologically patterned shirt go together but fashionably date the photo just as blatantly as my jacket.
     I had a thick forest of hair back then and let it grow as was the fashion.  The glasses are the best my budget would allow.  I was making $3.25 an hour in those days at our friendly neighborhood McDonalds, just enough to keep me in gas, insurance, clothes, school, and the occasional movie, with just enough left over for my mission and college saving account. Designer glasses were a luxury.    
     To our credit, we are seen above home teaching Sister Aish.  We were pretty good home teachers considering we were both priests at the time. We visited Sister Aish nearly every Sunday afternoon between Sunday School and Sacrament Meeting. In those days, Sunday School ended at Noon and Sacrament Meeting started around 4 or 5 P.M.  
     Sister Aish was a wonderful person with a head full of memories from the early 1900's and up.  Her husband was the stock broker to first floated Piggly Wiggly's stock.  She remembered the stock market crash of 1929.  Her husband lost everything.  Several of their acquaintances were left destitute.  Some committed suicide.   
     Sister Aish passed away while I was on my mission.  I think of her from time to time even today.  

Mabel, My First Car

     That 1965 Rambler Station Wagon was my first car.  It was the family's car until Dad bought the 1968 Ambassador Station Wagon.  Dad gave it to me under the condition that I maintain it, pay for all repairs, gas and insurance, and take all responsibility for killing myself and anyone who may be riding with me if I ever got into an accident. 
     I called it Mabel to match its personality.  It was over ten years old when I got it. In Rambler to human years, the car was equivalent to an 80 year old person.  And that is exactly how it ran - like an 80 year old.  
     The car had no guts.  The engine was seriously on its last leg with I got the car.  I had to add a bottle of Geritol for every 15 gallons of gas just to get it started and running in the morning.  I couldn't drive to school the way everyone else in my neighbor drove to school because of the steep hill.  I drove to school the long, back way.  The route with the longer, yet more gradual incline.  Even then I had to get a running start to get up the West Junior High Hill.  I'd come down Canyon Lake Drive to the junior high road, and instead of turning left up the hill, I'd turn right, drive to the baseball fields, turn around and floor it to get a run up the hill.  If I could get to 40 miles per hour at the bottom of the hill, then I'd be cresting the hill at around 10 miles per hour (five miles per hour if I was carrying passengers).  
     Yes the car was a real pain, but Mabel was my own car and that meant freedom.  On the bright side, the back end came in handy for drive-in movies. 
     By the way, I wonder what that stick shift bike of Jon's would be worth today?

The Christensens      

     I met the Christensens when I got back from my mission in 1979.  Brother Christensen worked for LDS Social Services if I remember correctly.  Don and John were twins.  I saw them every morning in my early morning seminary class. Jennifer was their older sister. 

     This picture was taken on the twin's birthday, December 26, 1980.   

The Family Trip to North Dakota.  1973

Below are a two snapshots of the family vacation to North Dakota in 1973.  Kim and I didn't go and I don't know why.    

Janice, Kevin, Lisa, an unknown park ranger and Janice at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Kevin, Lisa with her bottle (the only way to keep her quiet), Jilane, Jon, and Janice.

I wish I had more to say about this trip, but having not gone, anything said would be pure speculation so we'll leave it at that.  

Simply,

Victor

The Williamson's of 38th Street Continues. Lisa, Annette, and Shocking Discoveries. Janice, We're On to You!

From the Fortress of Solitude
Pleasant Grove

Hello All,
In today's digital family gathering we step back once again to the late 1970's and very early 1980's to see the Williamson's of 38th Street doing their best to eke out a middle class living on a shoestring budget in Rapid City, South Dakota.  These photos are taken fresh off the photo album vine, scanned and posted as is without regard to date, time or sequence.  As I've said before, I'll leave the organization of this family history to a yet unknown family member, who at some point in the future, will take my work in this blog and organize it into a sequential chaptered read for all to enjoy. Whoever you are, I'm thanking you from the past for finishing what I started.


The Williamsons of 38th Street Continued......  1970's to Early 1980's.

     This is Lisa Williamson taking the sun in our front yard at 2214 38th Street.  Judging by the condition of the lawn, I'd say this photo was taken in the fall or spring of the late 1970's.  Come to think of it, our lawn usually looked this ill even in the middle of summer, so who knows exactly when she sat for this portrait.  The chain fastened to the tree was either attached to Frosty, our dog with matted hair, or baby Annette - to keep her from trying to informally resign from the Williamson clan by darting into the street in front of a passing car.
     

     We didn't have a lot of money in those days so Christmas was reserved for the older siblings who had the mental capacity and holiday awareness to recognize and differentiate between a 'good' and 'bad' Christmas present.  As you can see from her expression in the photo above, Baby Annette was completely clueless regarding her plight due to her young age and overall cheery demeanor.
    To what am I inferring you ask?  Notice Baby Annette is holding her Christmas present for that year.  Who else but Annette would be so happy with a salt shaker?  Bless her heart, thanks to Annette's naivety, we all had a better Christmas.
     You're a sweetheart Annette - and don't even think of guilting our aging parents into making amends this upcoming Christmas by showering you with gifts of Christmas's past.  We all had our salt shaker time just like you.  It was all part of growing up a Williamson, so live with it :)    

     This is Jon Williamson's high school graduation photo (1980).  Jon was the sibling we kept locked up in the basement most of the time he was growing up.  You'll notice his gaunt appearance and 13 inch waist reflect his care.  Ma and Pa would let him out from time to time as long as one of us took responsibility and made sure he was found and secured before day's end.

     This is Janice Williamson's official 1980 Homecoming photo with her date for the evening, Don Christiansen.  Don is in the blue suit; Janice in the blue and white.  Janice claims she spent her entire high school years dateless, a premature spinster without prospects.  The photo above disproves her claim.  In fact, I'm sure that if I do a bit more digging, I may come up with a long list of broken hearts trailing in her wake from her time at Stevens High School. Perhaps her stories of spending weekends sorting socks while her friends partied are all fabrications to illicit sympathy. Perhaps it is Janice, not Kim, who holds the record of most successful basement window escapes from our home on 38th Street. 

     Janice, we're on to you, you little minx.

Simply,

Victor