Genetics

Being haunted by unspeakably bad childhood photos, you would think I would have more compassion for my own children. I promised myself if I ever had kids I would never dress them up like Anne Geddes geraniums or humiliate them in any photographic fashion.

I would take an equal number of photos of each child and I would always treat them with the utmost dignity. Alas, I have not kept my promise. I think, however, it is a genetic anomaly that was passed down by our mother.

Case in Point : Sister Number One

The hat. The gloves. The patent leather shoes. Notice the matching purse.



In my estimation, this is a fine photo. (Trudy might beg to differ.) Especially when compared to the sorry snapshots of a fourth-born:



Of the seventeen pictures that were actually taken of me during my youth, nine of them could qualify as a mild form of kiddie porn.




Katie noticed it too as you can see in the caption she created on the Christmas calendar that she made. Strangely, none of Sister Number Two's horrible photos ended up in the calendar. At least none of the horrible childhood photos.

Adolesence is another story. This smashing shot, taken in 1987, really highlights our keen Schnell fashion sense.

And once again, Trudy looks lovely in her best formal attire. It's a little known fact that our gorgeous Sister Number One had the potential to become America's Next Top Runway Model. Hence, her credo "Happiness is a fashion show."

The 70's weren't always cruel. Here's one where we all look pretty good:

And here's one in the 60s with our Mulberry Tree growing Great Grandmother (and of course Trudy, the star of all albums):

Here we are in the 90s.

I think this was when the potographer asked if this was a "Four-Generation Photo."




I just like it because I've never had such curly hair before or since. Something about this California climate is very bad for fine hair.

I'll wrap this post up with a mother-daughter moment.

Here's me in front of Grandma Lou's with my snowman.

Here's Is in the same spot with her snowman. (Not as much snow that day though.)

Sister Two: You mentioned the "Happiness is being in a style show letter". I found it.