Aunt Kay shows her disdain for being filmed, while Uncle Bob tries to settle her down.

If I'm not mistaken, my father got his Bell + Howell camera in the summer of 1969, so this was the first Christmas he filmed.  As you'll see, he was still trying to figure out the camera technique . . . you might want to take a Dramamine before watching this one!  The first few seconds of this one were taken at Thyme Court, but the majority of it was shot at Grandma and Grandpa's house on McDonald Road.

Kevin can barely contain his excitement . . . Christmas is finally here!

Christmas 1970 at Grandma and Grandpa Bratcher's house on McDonald Road.  Suzanne and Steven, my cousins and the children of Tommy and Mary Lee Bratcher, make their debut.  Look closely and you'll see my mom, pregnant with my brother Chris, who would be born in March 1971.

Uncle Tommy opens a gift.

Christmas 1971 at McDonald Road.  Chris Bratcher, who was born in March, makes his debut as an infant.

Vickie Bratcher looks stylish in her turtleneck and plaid vest, while her son Kevin looks on.

Christmas 1972 at McDonald Road.

Grandma Bratcher and her father, my Great Grandfather Kebbell, open presents.

Christmas 1973 on McDonald Road.

Cousin David is overcome with emotion as the wrapping paper starts to fly.

Christmas 1974 at McDonald Road. 

My cousin Jill makes her debut here.

I wave at the camera, while Aunt Mary Lee awaits the handing out of presents.

Christmas 1975 at McDonald Road.  I found a second part to this year's Christmas, which I have now added at the end of this video.  It shows Grandpa Bratcher. 

This year was the first for my cousin Kristin.

It was also the last Christmas for my Great Grandfather Kebbell.  He passed in October 1976.

Aunt Kay helps her baby daughter, Jill, open a present, while something under the tree catches Grandpa Bratcher's eye.

This was Grandpa Bratcher's last Christmas on this earth.  It also was the last time we had Christmas at McDonald Road.

My cousin Kristin ponders a gift.

Grandpa Bratcher passed away in November 1977, so we had Christmas at our house on Thyme Court.  I think this was the last time the Bratchers got together for Christmas.  Even if it wasn't the last time, it was, I'm pretty sure, the last time the event was captured on 8mm film.