Doug and Diane at Potato Lake, about 1963 - sweet little people!
Fun in the nice, clear lake water...Doug, Diane and little Dave
Party at Jan Barnes' - left to right: Sue Barnes, Doug Hansen, Diane Hansen, Kevin Barnes, and Todd Barnes (about 1965 or 66)
Here's an earlier photo of Sue Barnes and Diane...don't you just love their frilly dresses?
The Hansen Kids...Dave, Doug and Diane (about 1968 or 69)
Diane, Dave and Doug on the porch on West 7th St. (about 1967)
Doug and Diane (with hand-knit blue sweaters made by Mom) - Easter, about 1964
Diane on a lawnchair in Wilma's back yard - about 1964
She was such a cutie!
Diane with Merry and Merrel's Pepi - about 1964
The Hansen Family - Vern, Carol, Dave, Diane and Doug, 1966
As you can see, my life had quite suddenly expanded. I was a very busy woman with three little kids. I can remember how worried I got each time there was a threat of tornadoes in our area. I took my responsibility for protecting these three young lives very seriously. I think the term 'worry wart' was made especially for me. (Interestingly enough, once my kids were all grown and had left home, I lost my fear of storms....but still make sure I have my portable hard drive with all my photos on it, and the documents for the older ladies for whom I was power of attorney, all safely in my purse, which went to the basement with me, along with a flashlight, some shoes and the dog on his leash! Any other adult in the house was on their own!)
Vern graduated from college, and we found and put in an offer on a cute little two-bedroom house on West 7th Street in Cedar Falls. All three of my oldest children were born at nearby Sartori Hospital. I could look out of my window in the maternity ward when little David was born, and see our house just southwest of the hospital. It was a really busy time, and I didn't find myself bored ever!
Here's our little house on 7th Street. Looks like this photo was developed in July of 1966. Wilma with Doug and Diane.
This is a photo of Doug with my dad, Wayne. It was taken in front of their house on Mound Avenue in Cedar Rapids. Doug was about 2 years old in this photo...before Diane and David were born. My dad was working for my brother-in-law, Jack Brown, at the time. He helped at the food warehouse Jack owned, and Daddy found out that Doug liked canned chocolate malts. So, if I recall correctly, he brought home a whole case of those chilled malts, and had one on hand for Doug every time we visited.
The house on 7th Street was in need of a new paint job, and we had to do that before we could get the loan approved. So, we put on a new coat of paint, and moved in. We had some very nice neighbors on 7th Street. Morning coffees were common among the younger women who had children, and I made some good friends living there. I also made friends with a gal across the street who enjoyed sunbathing and chatting with me...lots of warm hours talking about world problems, and enjoying the sun. The Burmans had something in common with us...they also loved northern Minnesota, and went up to Gull Lake for a couple of weeks every summer. Later, Karol and Karen Burman were babysitters for my kids...it was so great to have a nice family across the street, and babysitters to boot!
The Hansen Kids - dressed for Sunday (Doug never did like this crocheted vest I made for him, but he was not one to argue... I also made Diane's jumper)
Nice suit, Dave!
This photo was taken at Potato Lake. Looking at the bell-bottom pants on Diane and Doug, I would guess this was taken in the early 1970's...the kids loved to play a 'fantasy' game with their stuffed toys. They had names for each animal, and had invented a story about these animals living in 'Bear River City, Utah.' I think my three older kids had a pretty good time together, in spite of the little sibling 'issues' they endured. The two boys enjoyed teasing Diane, but I think it may have made her a more self-sufficient person...she had to put up with that, and still enjoyed playing with her brothers. The cabin behind them belonged to Aunt Rachel and Uncle Herbert. They had painted the cabin a pink color and Rachel had made new trim panels for decorations. Our place up there was pretty special, and lots of fun.
Left to right - Doug, Diane and Dave Hansen, with Susan Brookner, me, and Wilma on the right. I think we were all going to church that morning...in Park Rapids.
Diane loved purple (still does!), so I painted the walls in her bedroom with a pale lavender color, and the woodwork purple. Notice the 'folk-art flower' painted on her purple dresser. I was always finding old furniture to refinish for use in our house (think I got that tendency from my mom, Wilma!) Diane has a toy stuffed piggy on the bed with her in this photo. I remember a time when she wanted a baby pig in the worst way. That didn't happen, but she and Dave still are animal-lovers...Diane and Jerry have four Yorkies, and Dave and Carol have four cats. I am pretty sure that fondness for animals came directly from me...
To be continued....
No comments:
Post a Comment