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O Christmas Tree           Every family Christmas Tree has "history" ...or is in the process of making one.           We bought this artifical Christmas tree when we came to Alaska in 1995 and have used it every year except last year, when we didn't put a tree up at all.           In previous years the tree was in the living room, but it is full of sewing machines and fabric these days, so there was no space. We have also set it up in the Den before, but that was inconvienent this year the way the furniture is all arranged.           This year we ditched all the mini-lights and used old fashioned "real" bulbs, and we are all delighted with it!           This year our tree is in our shared office. Presumeably that is so Marzipan won't eat it, but actually there isn't ROOM anywhere else. At any rate it helped clear out the office! (some) There is still plenty to be organized in there, and bound to be some junk we can purge, but not right now... It's CHRISTMAS!           The girls did most of the decorating, but Bill put on his 2004 Airplane ornament (Hallmark) and Billy put on the Snoopy Ornament from 1983, which is a traditional fight over who gets to do it... but when he's home, it's his job.           Oh, he had quite the time of it cutting up and being silly. At least I got one good picture of him! No, I didn't smack him upside the head... ...but maybe I should have!           The oldest ornaments on our Christmas tree belonged to Deb's mother. They aren't all as sparkly or pretty as the newer ones, but they bring back good memories of good times for us. Annie loves them and will probably be the kid who will use them on her own tree, when she puts us in the nursing home (with carpet!) [More to come, still taking photos]           Deb started collecting ornaments in 1976, after she moved into her apartment. 1976, Currier and Ives "To Commemorate Christmas" 1977, Currier and Ives "Trotting Cracks" on the Snow "The Grist Mill" (opposite side)           There is probably an ornament (or two) for each year since we have been married. Austin, Texas 1978 - First Christmas Together                 Our first Christmas together, our neighbor brought us 2 ornaments from the Phillipines. It was always funny that we never were stationed there, but could have been. 1979 Mather AFB, California Celebrated in Austin, Texas 1980 Apple Valley, California 1981 George AFB, California Celebrated in Austin, Texas 1982 Binsfeld, Germany Spangdahlem AB 1983 Binsfeld, Germany Celebrated Early in Austin, Texas 1984 Binsfeld, Germany Spangdahlem AB 1985 Homburg, Germany Ramstein AB 1986 Base Housing, Germany Ramstein, AB 1987 Base Housing, Germany Ramstein AB 1988 Adelanto, California TDY to Mather AFB 1989 Oberkail, Germany Spangdahlem AB 1990 Oberkail, Germany Spangdahlem AB 1991 Braine le Compte, Belgium Florennes AB, TLP 1992 At Bob and Darlene's House, Belgium en route to U.S. 1993 Niceville, FL Eglin AFB 1994 Bluewater Bay, FL Eglin AFB 1995 Base Housing, Alaska Eielson AFB 1996 Base Housing, Alaska Eielson AFB 1997 North Pole, Alaska Our own Home 1998 North Pole, Alaska Last Christmas with "All Kids in School" 1999 North Pole, Alaska First Christmas without our Marine 2000 North Pole, Alaska Our First Christmas with our Marine 2001 North Pole, Alaska Another Christmas without our Marine 2002 North Pole, Alaska Second Christmas with our Marine 2003 Another Christmas without our Marine North Pole, Alaska No Tree this Year 2004 North Pole, Alaska Christmas with our Marine           Notes Contact the Birch Grove: E-Mail

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