September 18 - Seventh child, Olga Marie was born. It was a Saturday and the next morning Joe, who was four years old, had fun stopping people going to mass to tell them he had a baby sister!

During the 30s life rolled on smoothly, with the folks looking forward to the children coming home for the week-ends and the holidays. Oh, the holidays! They really bring back memories!

Decoration Day was the first big summer holiday. The parade route was right past our house and everyone stopped while taps played at St. Pat’s Cemetery. Our lawn was a very good vantage point and we all made the most of it.

Fourth of July brought a different kind of celebration. We bought ice, brought the ice cream freezer down and everyone pitched in as we made a couple gallons of ice cream! This was a treat as far back as I can remember. Since we never owned an ice box and didn’t buy a refrigerator until the late thirties, ice cream was really special. But it was mostly the whole family participating, with everyone taking a turn at the crank, and that anticipation of the first cold ice-creamy taste that I remember best!

And then Christmas! It seems there were always children. By the time Vi and I were out of that category, Norma and Kathryn came along, followed by all the grandchildren. When we were small, the tree was always kept as a suprise for the little ones. The sliding, wooden doors into the front room would be closed early the day before Christmas until Santa had a chance to bring and decorate the tree. Then we would have to go to the Post Office for the mail (no deliveries then) and sure enough, when we got back, Santa had just left!