I decided to post a little picture of my family this week. I spend quite a bit of time on family history and sometimes fear I do not preserve enough history of my own. On the other hand, we are in a world where identity theft is rampant and an issue. So I always delay posts to give enough separation in time, but also changes in circumstances.
Friday the kids wanted to go for a walk. Of all places, they wanted to walk to the school. We hoofed it down and played for over an hour and then worked our way back home. This is headed east on 27th Street, just east of Park Avenue in Burley. Sweet children.
Hiram was tired of his RipStik and James had lost his shoes and socks by this point. Aliza and Lillie were ahead of me. I looked back and thought to capture the moment. Temperature about 70. Sun setting. Everything is finally budding and greening. Spring is finally here.
James and Lillian Ross reading a book, April 2021
This is an evening shot. Bathed, getting ready for bed, Lillie was reading James a book. We won the kid lottery in that we have all great kids and they love to spend time with books. My 5 year old is reading the 4 year old a book. Despite all the fire in this little girl, and defiance, she is especially sweet as well. This photo captures some of their personality.
Working through a number of photos and other documents, I stumbled upon these photos I took of two cards that were glued into a scrap book my Grandma Ross had made. The first is a letter from my Grandma, Gladys Maxine Donaldson Ross, to my Grandpa, Milo James Ross. The handwriting is clearly my Grandma’s and it is as sweet as she ever was as I knew her.
There are so many things I want to read between the lines. But we will never know.
Grandma was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 30 August 1930 in Ogden, Weber, Utah. She was only weeks before she would turn 9. I don’t know when the letter above was written. I would imagine it was within a year or so of their attending the Ogden Utah Temple to do the temple Sealing.
Grandpa was baptized into the Church on 2 July 1939 in Ogden. He had turned 18 earlier that year. I recall Grandpa indicating that he did not have permission to get baptized so he had to wait until he was 18.
Grandpa and Grandma both received their washing, anointing, clothing, endowment, and sealing on 2 July 1976. Judy, their daughter, received the same ordinances at the same time, except she was sealed to her parents rather than to a spouse. I couldn’t help but notice that Grandpa’s baptism and confirmation are the same date as the other ordinances in the temple. Was that intentional or just coincidence?
Same day they were sealed, Caroline dated this card to her parents.
A few years later, Grandpa was sealed to his parents on 8 February 1980 in Ogden Temple. That, too, was the date Grandpa performed the temple ordinances on behalf of his father. Two days before, he had performed the ordinances for his brother Paul. After his parents were sealed, then Grandpa was sealed to them along with his brothers Paul and Earnest. Another special date in the Ogden Temple (Ethel’s ordinances were completed in 1978). The 2 July date did not carry over, so perhaps it was more coincidental above.
Milo, Judy, and Gladys Ross at Ogden Utah Temple
Caroline received her own blessings in the Ogden Temple and was sealed to her parents 25 October 1991 in Ogden. Years later, Grandma was sealed to her parents on 3 September 1998 in the Ogden Temple.
Grandpa and Grandma both worked as temple workers in the Ogden Temple too. They became pillars in the House of the Lord.
Milo Ross’ photo in the Ogden Temple Photo Album
The sealing of Grandma to her parents is curious to me. Dad and I received our own temple ordinances on 1 September 1998 in the Logan Temple. Two days later my Grandma was sealed to her parents, we were not present. Not that we needed to be, it was likely a personal private occasion with just Grandpa and Grandma present.
Dad was sealed to his parents 4 February 1999, Grandpa’s 78th birthday. I am certain he appreciated the birthday present.
Old Main at Utah State Agricultural College (now USU) shortly after completion of the west tower
I have previously written of my family’s link to the construction of Old Main through Fred Nuffer and Carl Schaub. Amanda and I also met at Utah State, just south of Old Main on Darwin Avenue. We also married at the iconic Logan Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The photo particularly struck me as how out in the boonies it was located. I remember stories of the college being placed upon the bench away from Logan. I guess from downtown it would have been quite a distance in an arid desert. Not so today! In my mind’s eye I can see the apartments, amphitheater, houses, and church that would be located in the photo from the same location today.
The line of trees is interesting to me. This location is likely in someone’s front yard, or even their house, now. Here is another photo of Old Main before the west completion in 1902.
Old Main at Utah State Agricultural College (USU now), Logan, Utah, about 1900. The iconic front and tower were built in 1909.
Just a couple of more photos from the trip home to Idaho. 11 May 2019.
After traveling all the way from Disneyland to Sequoia National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, and Yosemite National Park. After Sequoia and Kings we spent a night in the ghetto of Fresno, California. We made our way through Yosemite and through little towns like Red Apple, Big Meadow, arriving to spend the night at Carson City, Nevada. The next morning was the trek to home stopping in Winnemucca and Elko.
Paul Ross at Nevada State Capitol in Carson City, Nevada
Elko County Courthouse, Nevada
I enjoyed the stop in Elko. I have driven through Elko but don’t recall getting off the interstate. This is the building where my parents were married 1 May 1980.
I don’t remember all the details, but we ended up planning a trip to Disneyland in 2019. I will break the trip into days and share the photos with a couple of comments. Hope you enjoy. These are only the photos I took with my phone. Amanda took many of her own as well. This is our first day, 6 May 2019. We went earlier in the year so we helped avoid some of the crowds. Aliza’s Disability Access Card was a nice perk.
Amanda and Hiram Ross on the Dumbo the Flying Elephant Ride
Hiram and Aliza Ross with Tigger at Disneyland
Hiram and Aliza Ross with Eeyore outside The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride.
Aliza and Hiram Ross with Winnie the Pooh
Hiram Ross outside Jolly Holiday at Disneyland
Aliza Ross in jail at ToontownHiram Ross breaking out of jail at Toontown. Aliza crashed the photo.
