Didn't Make the Cut

Because we had the great family picture from my sister's wedding in April, I almost considered not having our annual pictures done by our photographer/former babysitter. But, as I was on the computer the other day, some of the old pictures popped up and I just knew we had to do it. And, of course, I am so glad we did. It is a tradition. And, I just love our photographer. 

The following are just  few of the about 60 pictures that didn't make the cut for this year's Christmas card.

I just love them . . . .

Wedding Day

They wedding day was extra special for us because my nephew Billy, the groom, was a part of our wedding 15 years ago.  Who would have thought our children would be a part of his?  I am so glad they were!

Little flower girl getting her hair done up all pretty!

The groom, my oldest nephew, asked Boop to come to the house and get dressed with him and his brothers.  It was so cute.  Boop and the big guys all getting dressed up in their tuxes.  A photographer was there as well.  Can't wait to see those pictures.

Then EG was asked to go to the bride's parents house and get dressed with all 13 bridesmaids and the bride.  It was all so sweet.  This bridesmaid helped me out with EG's big beautiful bow in the back of her dress.  Unfortunately I don't remember her name.  Four of the bridesmaids were EG's PA cousins.

The little guys had some spare time at the church before the wedding began.   They did so great keeping themselves amused.

Aren't they adorable?????

Some family.  Including my grandniece.  Not sure that can be possible.  She was also a flower girl but spent most of her time in the arms of adoring family.

There were many cousins around to keep the littles occupied while waiting.

So darn handsome!!!

Pretty girls.

Cousins all dressed up.

Aunt Reenie giving Boop last minute wedding instructions.

Cousins.  Groom in the back.  Best men in the front.

My babies!

The beautiful bride and the handsome groom.

EG kneeling to pray.  She sat through the wedding and a full mass.  Aunt Reenie was totally prepared with crayons and coloring books.  She colored the whole time and did great!!

Following the big girls.

After the wedding.

Eight of the 18 cousins.

EG still coloring at the reception.  Although, after that I think she danced the rest of the night.

Probably my favorite picture.  His hands in his pocket looking so grown up.  We had such a great time that night.  Dancing and visiting and laughing with family.  I think a great time was had by all . . . 

Rehearsal and Dinner

I don't know why I only took these pictures of the night of the rehearsal and dinner.  The church was so beautiful and the dinner at my sister-in-laws was wonderful.  And fun.  The kids, of course, had a blast.  Running around in the cold Pennsylvania night air with no shoes or jacket on.  Only my kids!

I thought we looked so handsome!  We don't dress up near enough!

I loved hubby and Boop.  The each had on khaki pants and a dark plaid button-up shirt.  My men.  So handsome!

Let's not forget the pretty girls.  And there were a bunch of them!

The flower girl and ring bearer.  They both were bribed to be on their very best behavior at the rehearsal and the wedding.  No arguing.  No sticking out your tongue etc.  EG was bribed with a pack of gum.  Boop was bribed with 22 rifle.  (Of course, daddy was looking for an excuse to get it anyway!)  

Waiting at the lake house, after the rehearsal dinner, for someone with a key to let us in.  One tired little girl.  Actually a bunch of tired kids.  But, they all did so well . . . 

The Coal Mines

Just minutes from my sister-in-law's house was a coal mine tour.  Having never been in a coal mine before we thought it would be a great field trip.

The guide was great and gave us so much information.  I will try to remember some of it!  ;)  I will tell you this though, it makes you appreciate the job you have.  What a tough, hard life that must have been working in the mines.  Dirty, dark, dangerous.

This was a working mine up until the late 1960s I want to say.

The tunnel into the mines.  It was a pretty steep slope and we went down backwards.  The car was moved up and down by a cable run through like a wheel house of sorts.

The kids waiting for the tour.

I think the sign said this piece of coal would heat a house for a year.

Aren't they cute?

Our coal car.  Kinda crazy and a little unnerving knowing we were going down beneath the earth.  Very much like the caverns at our local state park.

Cold and wet.  I think the average temperature is around 56 degrees.

A board showing the tunnels and areas where the dug.

Some of the "newer" equipment they used to mine coal.

They would use a bird in a cage to detect poisonous air.  If the bird died the miners needed to evacuate that portion of the mine.

Many boys went to work in the mines by the age of 5.  Depending on their age, they had certain jobs.  This boy was a little older and his job was to lead the donkey that pulled the coal cart.

Some mines you could stand up in while you worked.  There were many that you spent all day on your back or stomach and mined for coal.  Sometimes this way was preferred because it was safer.  The tunnel was narrower and so therefore stronger.

Can you find the shovel?

This boy's job was to run between two sets of doors and open and close them when he heard the coal cars coming.

This is a tube that is an escape route of sorts.  In an emergency you would be pulled up out of it.

It is a long way from the top.  I just couldn't imagine working in those conditions 12 hours a day.  But, at the time, it was good work.  It was what you did to survive.  Our guide is a current coal miner and he says the conditions really haven't changed much, in technology or safety.  The demand for coal is not near as great as it was back in the day.  

It was a great trip for us.  I told Boop for many days after our tour, that if he complained about his chores at home, I was going to send him to Aunt Reenie's and he could go work in the coal mines.  ;)  I don't think he thought it was so funny . . .