Annie at 23 - Then and Now (Happy Birthday!)

Happy Birthday, Annie!  Wow!  Twenty-three years old!

Birthday blogs have become a tradition in our family, and I have been racking my brain to come up with a theme that hasn't been done before.  I try to make each birthday blog special because I consider them a gift to my children every year.

This has been an eventful year for Annie.  As I was looking back through the photos taken this year,  I was reminded of those taken in years past.  I've taken A LOT of photos over the years.  I may not have a great memory for some things,  but I can pretty much remember most of the pictures I've taken of my kids.  For this post,  I had to do some digging, but I was able to find what I was looking for!

So here's Annie - then and now.

THEN we had a black cat named Molly. ⬆

NOW Annie has two black cats named Wells and Charles. ⬇

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THEN Annie and Kerry had matching long-sleeve white shirts. ⬆

NOW they have matching sleeveless white shirts. ⬇

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THEN we rode bikes on our street. ⬆

NOW we rode bikes in France. ⬇

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THEN she made friends with the swan at our local duck pond. ⬆

NOW she made friends with the swans in Kensington Park in London. ⬇

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THEN her dad played the part of the prince. ⬆

NOW there's someone else in the picture. ⬇

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THEN Annie was proud to catch a tiny fish. ⬆

NOW Annie was proud to catch a BIG fish. ⬇

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THEN Annie posed with Mrs. BIgge after her concerts. ⬆

NOW Annie's students pose with her after their concerts. ⬇

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THEN Annie wore white sequins for her first dance recital. ⬆

NOW Annie wore white sequins for her senior recital. ⬇

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THEN they posed for Easter in front of our front door. ⬆

NOW they posed for Christmas in front of our front door. ⬇

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THEN we took a boat ride on Lake George. ⬆

NOW we took a boat ride on the Seine in Paris. ⬇

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THEN she played in the band in Middle School. ⬆

NOW she directs the Middle School band. ⬇

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THEN they posed for a picture with their dad. ⬆

NOW they posed for a picture with their dad.  ⬇

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THEN we coordinated our outfits. ⬆

NOW we coordinated our sunglasses. ⬇

Time has gone by.  Annie has grown up.  

So many things have changed.

But in many ways, they remain the same.

May you have the happiest of birthdays!

Christmastimes

We had a WHITE Christmas this year 

at our house!

We also had 2 dogs & 4 cats,

 many laughs, 

great gift-giving,

lots of food,

and much love for each other.

Our 3rd annual cookie decorating contest results:

1st place:  Annie (Elf) by one vote 

2nd place:  Kerry (egg)

3rd place:  Adam (grill)