Happy Birthday, Annie!

Just home from the hospital. 

Notice the "bucket seat".  This was our car seat for many years.  I don't think the straps worked. We used it as a car seat because it was large enough to fit you babies in when you outgrew the infant seat.  It certainly had no safety value.  Back then, laps were as safe as anywhere else in a car.  

We had just moved to Red Creek; you were just over a year old.  The lot of you (Maureen, Cy, Clare and you) loved to go out exploring.  On one of those "adventures" you returned home looking like this. 

Uncle Pat took all of you out to chop down a tree for Christmas.  You were so excited,  snuggled in your snow suits, cozy in the wagon.  But OMG!  Is that Leo along for the ride???

I have to laugh, looking at this picture.  If the car weren't there it probably wouldn't have the same effect.   2 urchins playing on a dirt driveway - barefeet and all.   

I had the idea to organize a May Procession in our parish.  As a result of my efforts (yes, me...organizing an event pretty much all by myself) the parishioners wanted all of us to be the one's who processed and crowned Our Lady.  Dad (helped by Cy) carried the statue, followed by all you kids dressed in your "Sunday best".  Clare carried the crown and Maureen did the crowning. 

But YOU stole the show.   I think it was the hair; it was always the hair.  Dad and I have told you all about people stopping to take your picture when they would see you running in the fields (true story) and this day was no different.  We were stopped outside of the church after Mass...



HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNIE