Digging Through Pictures

I have spent the better part of the morning searching for a picture I know I have, but for the life of me cannot find. I've dug through two boxes of pictures and searched several photo albums. No luck. I know it's there somewhere. What mom does not take a picture of her firstborn on the first day of kindergarten? I know I did. I can practically see the boy's shirt, his backpack, and the exact location I made him stand to snap the pic. Good grief. These things are important, you know. I've got to have that picture to go along with his first day of his senior year picture. I think I have discovered my new obsession for the rest of the week. That and a new resolution to get some scrapbooking done. Anyway, through my archaeological dig in the cedar chest, I did uncover a few treasures. I'd say they're worth passing on.

This one features Laura Ingalls Wilder on the left and my daughter on the right. She (my girl) is standing in the same location Laura is at her home in Mansfield, Missouri. Behind her is a spring and through information I found detailing Laura's pic, I was able to position my girl in the same spot (I do things like that). The dress, apron, and bonnet (off the back of her neck) was made by my grandma. She had quite a few dresses like that, all still saved, waiting to someday be made into a quilt. One story my girl likes to tell is that before I would take her to Laura's house, she had to read all her books. I'm thinking this is around the third grade (she'll correct me if I'm wrong).

And if you're a Laura Ingalls fan, I highly recommend this biography that was recommended to me many years ago. Don't trust the show, people. Read the book.

Here's one of my boys when they were little baking... something. Today their specialties include muffins, grilled cheese, ramen noodles, and easy mac via the microwave.

Hey, how's this for random?
See kids... I'm an equal opportunity humiliator.
Me, in the fifth grade.

This one is my grandma doing one of the many things she loved best. Along with going to church, fishing, gardening, and sewing, she loved to work outside. We still joke about how it was smart not to let her walk outside with a lighter in her hand. Her solution to clearing away anything was to set it on fire. One of our favorite memories is my husband following her around with a garden hose as she used a rake and burning leaves to "help" him clean away some brush on our ten acres. She is pictured here with our oldest.

So I didn't find the picture I was looking for, but I did find a few good memories.
Now I've got to go clean up the mess I made and in the process, keep looking.

I will find that picture.