A Second Witness Of Jesus Christ

Connor Submits A Post To The Cousin Connection!

hike to squaw peak

last Saturday i went on a hike to squaw peak. (the large peak right up above provo canyon)

it was a very long hike very very long. 7 miles. 31/2 miles up. 31/2 miles down.
but not that it wasn't fun i loved it. the view was amazing. see if you can see your house from here. very very beautiful

we even saw a rattle snake there ------------------>
hope you've had a good summer!

mount rushmore

Piper Submits A Post!

I made this picture out of things that I really like.

OK, starting from the top going right...I love my family...I like iPods, pretty much all Apple products, I like cartoon people, I like sparkly lip gloss, I love small puppies, (next row)

I like little kittens, I really like Taylor Swift, I like baby pandas, (next row) I love nerds candy, I REALLY REALLY love those pink shoes, I love mustaches, ( I carved one on my jack-o-lantern for Halloween,) I LOVE LOVE LOVE my sisters, (that's what that pictures is of those girls. I could only find three, but it just represents sisters) (next row) I like creativity, (those dresses are made out of food) I love Harry Potter, (this picture is really funny) and I love the 1950's! (I really like the fashion of the 50's! (:

--

Piper

Your Great Great Grandfather!

4 Oct 1985~31 Mar 1995

This is your great great grandfather! He is Grandma Gloria's father and your Grampa's Grampa! We want you to know that many wonderful people are a part of our family that are not living anymore. They are your ancestors. You are their posterity. Grandma Gloria gave your Grampa this picture not long ago. He already has one framed and sitting on his desk in our library.

Old pictures sometime make a person look a little funny because of all the different styles of clothing through the years? For his day this was a very fancy picture in his very best clothes. I think he looks very handsome, don't you? Aunt Missy, really loves the stockings. Me, I think the pinky ring is a nice touch. I am not sure about the hairdo, but love that we can have this glimpse of what young, Italian men were like in the early 1900s. Can you just imagine your Grampas dressed like this. That would be funny, wouldn't it? Grampa and I already look at our old pictures and the styles we wore and giggle. This picture of your great great grandfather Andrew is nearly 100 years old. There are some people that can figure out how old a picture is just by what the person is wearing.

Since this is how we remember him it is
great to see he was once young and fancy too!

Andrew left the "old country" as he called Italy, and sailed for America and better opportunities when he was 18 years old. Can you imagine leaving your country at 18 and not knowing when you would see your family again? Some people that left never did see their parents again. He was only 6 years older than you, Piper, Spencer and Connor! I think he was very brave, don't you?

He came into New York but settled in Montclair, New Jersey the first few years and worked in the grocery business as a fruitier with some brothers and cousins. (Cousins were very important to people back then, just like now.) A fruitier is a person that sells fruit and vegetables. Grampa Andrew always loved fruit and vegetables, he had about the best garden in the whole wide world when he was an older man.

He married your great great grandmother, Marguerite Franchini, on February 24, 1924 in New York City, NY. She was also Italian and from the same Province in Italy. She was born in San Colombano, Genoa, Italy. They had one daughter, Gloria Marie born in Monleone, Italy in 1926. She is your great grandmother and you are so lucky you know her personally. I did not even get to know 3 of my 4 grandparents and not a single one of my great grandparents. I am glad your Grampa shared his grandparents with me.

Even though I didn't know my ancestors that died before I was born, I still love them because I have been doing my genealogy and finding out more about them every day. The Prophet Joseph Smith wanted us to do this work and so does President Monson. Elder Bednar talked about even young people doing their genealogy in our General Conference just a few weeks ago. The Young Men and Women of the church are to get started helping in this great work. Piper and Spencer, you may have heard about this already! When you are ready to help with this just let us know. It's easy to find things about them online. It would be a fun family project, we could all work on it together!

Your Grampa Andrew was the sweetest man and I enjoying thinking of him as my Grampa too. He liked it also because he didn't have any granddaughters until me! He was a gentle man in every sense of the word. He adored his grandsons and was a good father and husband. He would literally give you the shirt off his back. He was humble and so kind. He treated me so well, always making sure I was comfortable and happy. One time I remember I was not feeling well while at their house. He insisted I lie down on the couch while he brought me a blanket and some herb tea. For Grampa a little herbal tea fixed everything.

He loved people and he cared for others all the time. He was a grocery store owner here in California when I met him. The entire neighborhood loved him. He had a big wooden barrel of penny candy and he always gave a piece to the children in the neighborhood when they came to his store. We still have that barrel, it is the waste paper basket in our guest room. Some people think of things they receive for their family of previous generations as heirlooms. We have a barrel! This is not the usual kind of heirloom people have, but to us it is one!

The customers knew him as Andy, we knew him as Grampa Andrew, but his real name was Antonio. When he left Tasso, Italy and came to America, his name was changed to Andrew. We found this typed on the back of his naturalization papers. He has a great-grandson, Uncle Chris, who carries his name and his great great-grandson, (that would be you, Rossie) does too. Both of their middle names are Andrew. Both of them have brought honor to Andrew's fine name. It is a nice tradition to name a baby after a beloved ancestor.

Uncle Chris when he was a baby
with his Great Grampa Andrew.

This photo was taken in Tasso, Italy in December of 2010, and is what remains of the old homestead where your great great grandfather was born! It was built by either his father, Giovanni or his Grandfather Guiseppi Ferrera, we are not sure. But the house was in the family for generations and then fell into disrepair another few years and it will be gone forever. The American version of the name Giovanni is John and the American version of Guiseppi is Joseph. If Grampa Andrew had kept his Italian name he might have been called Grampa Anthony or Grampa Tony here in America. I am glad he is Grampa Andrew, aren't you?

Grandpa Andrew painted everything this color of green that you see on the doors to the house in the picture above. This is where he lived when he was your age. Years later Grampa would mix the paint himself to get just this color. We have called it "Grampa Green" since before your parents were even born."

When we went to Italy it was a shock to see where he got the idea! Every time he painted that color on something it reminded him of home and family he left behind and it make him feel a little closer to the Old Country. Families are important to almost everyone, that is for sure.

I will put more about your ancestors in this blog from time to time. Grampa and I know how much Grampa Andrew would have loved each one of you. He would be very pleased with how you are living your lives. You would have been crazy about him too. Someday we will all meet again and be one big happy family forever. Jesus gave us this most precious gift through his atonement. I hope you will remember to thank Him for this in your prayers tonight.

Here is a neat link to a video that our friend sent me for you. His name is Brother Ehat and he is helping all of us find our ancestors. You'll be very grateful one day for the help he has given our family. If you do not have access to YouTube please ask Mom or Dad to help you view this.

http://tinyurl.com/3d9vanm

Love, Gramma and Grampa

Hazie has a Birthday Today! She's 4!

"It's My Birthday, Gramma!"
"Happy Birthday, Hazie!"
"Thanks!"
Please note her beautiful birthday hat!

If you have been around Hazel anytime since our family reunion in June, all you have to do is insert your name where I have put Gramma in the above caption and you have 'been there.'

Happy Birthday from all of us, Hazel!

Auntie Laura planned a big family birthday party at the reunion and in Hazie's mind it has been her birthday ever since. There is a calendar on the wall in their kitchen near where Hazie sits at their bar for various meals. I thing every time I have seen her since the reunion and she is sitting in her chair, she'd look up and she'd remember that her birthday is September 24 and we'd go through the whole scenario again. So to say that Hazie is excited today would be an understatement! This girl loves a birthday, especially hers!

She wore the paper birthday hat
for two days, even to bed!

So her mommy bought her the cute fabric hat with the fancy cupcake you see in the first photo of this post! Speaking of cupcakes...When I talked to Jen yesterday she said that she 'accidentally' invited 40 people to Hazie's birthday party this afternoon! She was exhausted after making 120 cupcakes and getting ready for the party!

Fortunately she had Piper helping her!
Aren't the cupcakes beautiful?

Personally, I think Jen and her girls should open a special order bakery for fancy birthday cupcakes. They have always enjoyed making fancy cakes! Everyone gets in on the act. Even Lowell bakes cakes, Cheese Cake is his specialty! And he even does a fantastic, operatic rendition of the Muffin Man with his amazing voice! Yep, they are all about cake over there at their house!

Cutie Pie Baker, Miss Hazie!

This is one of my favorite "Blast From the Past" photos of Hazie baking. How funny this post is turning into a hat post! But more than that it is celebration of the life of our littlest angel.

Her Angel wings!

She is pretty cute with no hat too, don't you think?

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A virtual cake I found for her!
Cut and paste, my favorite kind of baking!

She only had a little bit of hospital time
this year so that has been great!
Her fancy hair accessories even went there!

And then the exciting first day of school!
Pink shoes and hair bows!

It is a big beautiful world for Hazie Jo!

And off she goes to take full advantage
of that life and all the love in it!

I guess she could not stay a baby forever!
Happy Birthday to our Growing Up Beautiful Girl!

If you'd like to wish our little Sweetheart
a Happy Birthday, please leave a message
in the comment section and
we'll make sure she gets it!

A Very Happy Birthday, Hazie Girl!

Love, Kisses and Hugs
from your Gramma and Grampa
that love you with all of our hearts!
You bless our lives every single day!

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Aynslee, It's Your Day!

Happy Birthday Aynslee!

Ayns is NINE years old today! She is growing up so fast and has become quite the young lady this past year. It is amazing to watch our little ones just blossom into these incredible people that are having a positive impact on our world. I love it when you see young people that contribute to making the world a better place to be. Anyslee is one of them and we are so proud of her.

W all had such a fun time together this summer
at our family reunion and here is Aynslee
with her Great-Grandma Gloria.

Anyslee and her Dad had an overnight camping trip with the other Daddies and Daughters of their ward. Grampa was invited to join them while we were in Utah this summer. Anyslee has a special love for her Grampa and she really enjoying being with both of them. They went out to dinner at a Chinese restaurant that Aynslee chose and then they drove to the camp and settled in with the group for the night. They got up very early and hiked in the dark to a hot springs area where they enjoyed a nice warm dip in the springs and all before the rest of the world was awake!

Grampa had fun taking pictures of
Chris and his favorite girl!


Hungry, Christoper?

Enjoying the sunshine on her shoulders!

Anyslee is one of the few of our grandchildren that likes having her picture taken. That is so nice because she is relaxed and the photos clearly show what she really looks like. Chris took this one of her at Sundance. Beautiful isn't she? And even more important and lovely is her sweet heart.

Ayns at school with her friends.

Out in front of their house! Looks like she might
be going to school with that fancy bag she is toting!

~Blast From The Past ~
Aynslee picking out a pumpkin when she was little!
You've come a long way, Baby!

Aynslee took ice skating lessons last season.

Grampa and I got to watch her skate a few times and she is really very good. She just looks like a natural out there on the ice. In fact, she is having her friends birthday party at the ice rink this week.

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We hope your birthday, the party and
your new year is just fantastic, Aynslee!

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Well here is a Happy Birthday Cake I found for you, Anyslee, and I cannot believe it has your name on it. Perfect! Enjoy your real birthday treats, presents and special dinner that you got to choose yourself. Mom says it is fried rice, fresh fruit and brownies made by Connor with ice cream! Great choices, Ayns! Wish we could share this special day with you!

All our love and best wishes!
Gramma and Grampa!

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO and one to grow on XO

Giddy-Up!

Chloe Jane rides the horse!

I love how our kids give our grandkids enrichment opportunities all the time. Recently Lowell's sister and her family moved to Utah not far from where our kids live. On Labor Day they went out to visit and have a barbeque. The girls' Uncle Gordon gave them each an opportunity to ride their horse. I thought these photos were just so colorful and fun.

Miss Julia gets a turn!

Hazie rides the horsey!
She looks rather excited about this, don't you think?
She looks so tiny up there!
Hang on to her, Daddy!

Miss Piper gives it a try!
She looks so grown up on the horse
when you see where her feet are!

Hazel fell in love with their beautiful dog.

Jen said she spent about three hours doing this!

What a great and fun family day. The girls will never forget the wonderful things their parents expose them to when they are young. Isn't it fantastic that activities don't have to be expensive or elaborate to be meaningful in our lives? The wholesome times we spend together with our families are what make up the beautiful moments of life.

It is in times just like these that passions are born, talents and interests are developed, and family bonds are deepened. We have heard that families that pray together stay together. I think it can also be said that families that play together stay together too. Each little moment like this add to the glue that creates a heart print that endures.

Happy Birthday Julia!

Julia just a year or so ago. I have loved this school
photo of her but never used it in a blog post before.
So today I thought I would!

This is another one of my favorite pictures
of her when she was younger.
She has grown up quite a bit since then!

Our sweet little Jewel had her birthday last Sunday. She is now eleven! We actually woke up at her house that morning but she wasn't there. All the family but Jen and Hazel had gone to Lowell's family reunion, where they had a wonderful time with their other grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins. Poor little Hazie was sick so Jen had to keep her home.

So we gave Julia her birthday bucks, and left a card and a cute decorated head band on the table piled up with her presents and then Barbara and I headed for home before the family returned. We were sorry to miss seeing all of them and not to have been able to wish Julia a Happy Birthday and give her a big hug and kiss.


These are not our Julia's real presents but I found them on flickr to represent the pile of hers that I forgot to take a photo of that morning. Her pile actually included an old guitar case and her Mom's guitar from when she was a girl. This really delighted Julia. She is a piano player and music lover. Julia had been a music lover since she was little. I can still see her sitting on the bench playing away at her Grandma Mary's baby grand piano when her feet barely came to the edge of the bench.

This is a cute photo of Jewels and Anyslee at our family reunion. I just love these two sweet little cousins and friends. They have so much fun together. It is wonderful they live in the same town, go to the same school and get to see each other often.

Oh, how I love and envy this sisterhood she and her siblings share. This is pure heaven to me as a girl that never had a sister of my own. I know they just take it for granted now but the day will come when they see the tremendous blessings of it. I love to take these fun kind of goofy shots of them together. Mom does too.

I think this is the most recent photo I have taken of Julia. It was while I was up in Utah, one of the four times, cannot remember which time! I love this photo because is shows her cute style and her personality. Julia is a cute, perky, happy, young lady and I love that about her. She always has a smile for you and some service to perform for you to make your life better.

She is a great helper and still gives a wonderful foot massage. She asked me to bring her one of my books on reflexology to study. She is becoming very good at it. She does all this not only to bless you but because she is looking into her future. She has a little entrepreneurial side that is always thinking about how she can create a successful business someday!

Julia is such a loving and kind girl. She is carefree and enthusiastic about so many things. I just know she will succeed in her life no matter what she takes on! I love being her grandmother and sharing her growing up years with her. So does her Grampa. Jewels is one of our bright shining stars, a constant source of joy and we love her so much.

Here she is on her first day of school
with her new pixie cut!
Hope your 6th grade year is lots of fun,
My 'Beautiful Chocolate Eyes' Girl!

I am retro-fitting this cake in here.
It is now September 9 and Julia's party is tonight.
Jen and Amanda made this awesome
five-layer raspberry cake for her!