Mary "Polly" Taylor was born on October 21, 1823 in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. Her parents are Sterling Bass Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor. She was the mother of five sons and died on March 13, 1899. She is buried in the Hiatt Cemetery in Mt. Airy, North Carolina. The following story I heard from my father and have not found any corroborating evidence of its validity. But I trust him and those who told it to him. In about 1856, she was converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints by Parley P. Pratt, who was serving a mission to the eastern United States. She was the first convert in North Carolina. I don't know if her husband was also converted. After he died, her sons wanted to go west and gather with the Saints in Utah, but she was too old and feeble for a wagon trip across the country. Most of them went anyway, leaving behind Jesse Lafayette to care for their mother. He stayed and he and his family built up the church in their area of North Carolina. It is through this son that Grandpa descended. The Jesse Lafayette Hiatt family has stayed faithful to the Church through the years, many having moved west in later years, and many having stayed in North Carolina.
It's interesting that the Brintons were also Quakers. I don't have as much about Grandma's great great grandfather as I found about Grandpa's, but I have the essential facts...and a picture. John Brinton was born January 28, 1781 in Thornbury, Delaware County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Joseph Brinton and Mary Brinton. His family were Pennsylvania Quakers. This is a picture of the Brinton home in Pennsylvania, but I am not sure he ever lived in it. There were a lot of Brintons and he may or may not have been one who lived there. But it is interesting to see, anyway.
"The Brinton 1704 House is one of the oldest
and best preserved historic homes in
America, a hidden gem located in the
heart of the Brandywine Battlefield.
The Brinton family settled the frontier
of Pennsylvania, after leaving England
to avoid persecution for their Quaker
beliefs."
He married Priscilla Branson May 12, 1809 in Chester County Pennsylvania. They were the parents of at least four children, one of whom was David Brinton, Grandma's great great grandfather. John died on August 4, 1818 in Chester Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Priscilla Branson Brinton was born in September 17, 1787 in Chester township, Pennsylvania. Her parents are David Branson (1743-1807) and Elizabeth Evens (1755-1821). I'm guessing she was also a Quaker, since there is no record of John's being shunned for marrying an outsider. Priscilla died January 18, 1862 in Philadelphia. She was a pretty woman and John was a nice looking man. I actually don't remember any of Grandpa Brinton's relatives that I knew being that good looking. But they (we) obviously had a good gene pool.
We have more birthdays in February than any other month. And thankfully, each one of them are exceptionally beautiful and handsome.
Marlie turned 17 on the 4th.
Brianna turned 14 on the 4th.
Lindsay turned 11 on the 12th
Alta's birthday was also the 12th.
Brock's birthday was Valentine's Day, the 14th
Rachel and Tony's anniversary was the 26th
Syria turned 11 on the 20th.
Parker's birthday was the 22nd.
Polly turned 20 on the 26th.
Bridger turned 15 on the 26th.
Daynen's birthday was the 28th.
Hannah's birthday was the 29th (28th)
Parley turned 3 on the 29th (28th).
~OUR FEBRUARY~
Dad's little raised box garden flourished in the early part of the month, providing lettuce and spinach. This is Rachel, gathering veggies for dinner.
Early February brought the promise of spring with cheerful daffodils. It was sunny, warm and all the trees around town began to blossom.
Dad, working on my roses. He doesn't love roses, but he loves me.
This is a beautiful sunrise picture, captured by Rachel when she was on an early morning walk.
Joel asked us what was on our bucket list, and I mentioned the Northern Lights and that I probably would never see them in person. He said, "Who needs Northern Lights when you have Arizona Sunsets?" So true. We took this picture just as we left his house.
Snowy day on the 21st
February has been a month of contrasts, with warm, sunny weather at the beginning, then cold, snowy weather in the middle. By the end of the month, we were back to warm days. Mary posted this. So so true!
On the 2nd of February, the local families gathered to help in the yard and garden. What a wonderful group of people! So thoughtful and helpful. I'm glad they're ours.😃
The next day, we had Thomas and Jenn's family over for Sunday dinner.
February 4th was Brianna's birthday and they invited us over for Pigs-in-a-blanket...her choice.
On Tuesday, the 5th, Mary came over to help us clean and organize our laundry room and pantry. The washer was leaking and we had to make room for the repairman to get behind it. Too bad it takes something like that to get us to clean and organize. Notice the pantry in the first picture. Mary got it all organized too.
Then the next day, while we were at a morningTemple session, all the girls came over and organized and cleaned our garage so we could find a place to put a soft water tank. Wow! What a huge job that was. We were so surprised, when we drove in after the session, to see a clean garage.
The 7th was the first day of Walmart's pickup service, and Mary took full advantage of it, getting a huge order. Dad and I followed her down there to watch this momentous occasion. Everything went well and I think she is sold on this service.
The next day, the former presidency attended a Temple session together and topped off the evening with dinner at El Charro. It was so good to be with them again. We really haven't seen each other since we were released. It was so nice to catch up.
Saturday the 9th was Jared's little league basketball game. He's a good little player and still young enough that he wasn't at all embarrassed to have us bring him a stuffed animal. 🐨
That night was the community youth play, Mary Poppins, in which Lindsay was a townsperson and a chimney sweep and Brianna was a mean nanny. They both were so good and cute and Brianna actually acted mean! Of course, Alex had to get in the picture.
The next day, we had Mary and Tyson's family to dinner.
That night was the Arizona Devotional by Presidents Nelson and Oaks. It was so good. I especially enjoyed the talks by their wives...both of them 2nd wives. Joel was in charge of the set up for the devotional, so he purchased a pulpit, comfy chairs, set up the podium, mikes and even all the chairs on the floor for the youth. He didn't receive one ounce of credit, and as his mom, I wanted him to, but he said he didn't do it for credit, just blessings, I guess. Esther and Shad's family, as well as Joel's were also able to go. Jeremy's family was out of town. The rest of us watched it from our churches.
On the 12th, Lindsay turned 11, and we were invited to dinner at her house. She had chicken parmesan.
On Valentine's Day, Dad received flannel pajamas. He doesn't necessarily sleep in them, but he likes to lounge around in them. He is always so cold and his flimsy cotton pjs weren't keeping him warm enough any more. I got the best end of the deal, though. I got flowers and chocolate-covered strawberries. The DAR was selling them, so Dad bought some for the local girls too. He tried to get them for the other girls, but wasn't able to arrange it. We'll have to start earlier next year.
On the 16th, Esther and her "babies" came. Of course, they wanted to see and play with Rachel's puppies.
Esther spent the night at Rachel's, then we sat around and visited most of the next afternoon. I loved Carson's expression in the picture with the aunts. It's as if he's saying, "Girls are so high maintenance!" All the kids enjoyed playing with the puppies.
We had lunch at El Charro with as many kids as could come, and then that night we had juice spaghetti, prepared by the master spaghetti chef. Kirtlyn and Brianna decided they'd rather have Taco Bell.
The next day, we had Rebecca and Scott to dinner. They had an empty nest that day, so it was just the four of us.
On Monday, Kirtlyn and I went ministering. I am so blessed that she is my companion and is so willing to go along with anything I suggest. And she has some pretty good suggestions herself. We went to El Charro with two of our ladies, Arva Shiflett and Debbie McHugh, who were having birthdays. We also visited Janae Lines and took her some magnet stories for her "Come Follow Me" lessons.
The 19th was the day of the "super moon." It was supposedly the closest super moon to the earth in years. I couldn't get a very good picture of it, even though we drove around trying to get a better view, but I saw, on line, a picture someone took in New Zealand. Wow! Super!
On the 22nd, we went to Gilbert to spend a few days.
We had been having a wonderful, snowy day the day before, so we were treated to beautiful pictures all the way down. The top picture is of Picket Post Mountain in Superior and the Temple in front of snowy Mt. Graham.
It was fun to see Superstition all covered with snow.
We brought pizza to eat with Esther and Shad's family that evening. Dad wanted to treat them as a thank you to Shad for all the work he has been doing on the Ruth and Rudge trust stuff.
On Sunday, we attended church with Esther and Shad. It was their ward conference, and Shad spoke as the Bishop of the ward. There was a special number by the choir, in which Esther, Shad and Marlie sang, and for which Harrison accompanied. The song was beautiful, but I have to say, I was most impressed by the amazing piano accompaniment by Harrison. He's so so good.
We ate dinner that day with Joel and Stephanie, Levi, Crew, Stetson, Lindsay, and Junie.
On Monday, Dad spent the day at the office, doing whatever it is he does, then we ate lunch with Joel and Stephanie and Levi at Sweet Tomato (?) Jeremy already had lunch plans, but we got to visit with him in the office, and Esther had sick kids.
Tuesday was Polly's and Bridger's birthdays so we made a brief connection with Bridger, taking him his card. Most of his family was sick, so we just gave him his card and left. Rebecca and Scott and DeWitt all came to the house to celebrate Polly's birthday, and they included us in the celebration. Twenty years old...hard to believe.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE FAMILY
~NATHAN AND SHAUNA~
Some of Josh's Omaha pictures. I love the big porches!
Family picture time for the Palmer and Bethany Jeppesen family.
Going for a ride with Mommy
Oh those eyes! Shades of Home Alone; Jovie climbed up on the counter to reach the microwave, and dressed accordingly; and Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day steaks
And we thought we had snow!
Our first leaping. Hannah turned 23 on the 29th (28th actually). She will have her 6th birthday next year.
~JOEL AND STEPHANIE~
Levi's new business...ski packages to Austria, including a stay in an elegant chalet.
Field trip to Tempe Bridge
President Nelson's and President Oaks' devotional. All Joel's stuff made it possible. See Joel in the background of the bottom picture that we copied from Church News.
The family at the devotional before it started.
Valentine Baby Junie
Their Pine house in the snow.
Their newly renovated kitchen and bedroom.
Life revolves around Junie. These are from Sunday dinner at Joel & Steph's house.
The "funnest" toy in the house! and enjoying a spring day at Cooley Station
Levi's new car.
~DANIEL AND CONNIE~
Aila enjoying the Colorado snowy winters; with her mom; and her dad
Theo "helping mom;" loving reading together; and enjoying the penguins at the St. Louis zoo
Rosie is growing and loving life
Our Nebraska and Colorado Biggses probably laugh right out loud when we talk about our snow😂 ...I'm sure Dallin, Allison, Devynne and Docker do too.
Raymond, Syrina, Alonzo enjoying snow fun.
Shannyn with some school friends
Emma with some school friends.
Emma and her basketball team
Brock's birthday is Valentine's Day
Emma hurt her arm skiing. Not broken, thankfully, but still pretty painful.
Besides Brock in St. Louis, they had three more February birthdays: Alta, Syrina and Parker, each with his/her very own amazing Connie Cake.
I think that may be a Gila Monster? A reptile of some sort, anyway.
~REBECCA AND SCOTT~
Parley's igloo
Dallin and Sara finally went to a Syracuse Orange game...and Parley dressed himself. Good for him
Lillian and Kelin
Harvey loves the snow.
Lovely Lucy (Her hairdo is so appropriate for the teepee in the back)😉
Valentine's Day
Harvey doesn't like being on the potty train.
Parley's faux birthday. He's one of our leaplings, so he doesn't get a real birthday until next year when he is 4 and has his first real birthday! It looks as if he had a good time anyway. 🍨
Polly's birthday breakfast at Lydia
One of her gifts was tickets to a spring training game with the Cubs and Diamondbacks.
~JEREMY AND ERIKA~
Florida Disney world vacation
Drayton, Reygan's boyfriend went with them.
Happy anniversary Daynen and Jori. Notice Reygan's photo bomb face.
Erika's been doing some major redecorating and refinishing. Amazing results.
At an herbalist-type nursery, I think
`
Muse concert with the family. They also saw Harrison and Bridger.
Daynen and Jori celebrated his birthday on February 28th.
~RACHEL AND TONY~
Isabel and her cowboy boyfriend, Logan Sherwood.
He's trying to teach her how to rope. Notice that he's covering his ears!😁
I think Luke got pretty good at it.
Isabel's audition for Gila Valley Idol. She made it. The finals are March 29.
Following in his dad's (and mom's) footsteps. They are all weightlifters...including Rylie.
They had 8 puppies! they were able to sell them all, I think...with Marlie's help, anyway.
Helping Grandpa trim our tree.
This is Brynlie's drawing. She's pretty good, isn't she?
Superbowl feast
Meeting with a couple who wanted a puppy. I think they took 2.
Valentine's Day
With Sarah at the Institute.
Brynlie making bread.
~ESTHER AND SHAD~
Marlie turned 17 on the 4th. Her friends and family all helped her celebrate
Harrison and Bridger made a birthday sign.
At the President Nelson/Oaks devotional
Marlie and her silly friends
Morp
Valentine's Day. School Valentine's boxes.
The puppies stayed at their house until their new owners picked them up.
Marlie and desert snow.
Harrison and Bridger went to the Muse concert and saw the Jeremy Biggs family.
Marlie had a guitar recital but since we weren't able to go, she played and sang to us on FaceTime. She is so so good! I was very impressed.
Harrison received his mission call on the 27th. He is called to serve a service mission for 2 years.
~THOMAS AND JENN~
Helping with the yard work
Maya helped inside.
Kirtlyn getting Valentine's treats ready for ministering visits. She found a quote to put on our treats. She was even willing to go with me to visit Doris Montierth, who is not on our list, and take her some flowers.
They were heart attacked for Valentine's Day.
After Sunday dinner...device time
Thomas and Hyrum had a campout and afterwards, came home and crashed! That is Hyrum under the table. He couldn't make it any farther.
Thomas and Jenn went out to eat at the Copper Steer with Mary and Tyson.
~MARY AND TYSON~
Tyson won tickets to a Suns game that came with a trip and a chance to meet Al McCoy and go to the locker room and the fan tunnel. They also got dinner, t-shirts and sports bags. He took Jared who absolutely loved it.
Helping in the yard and garden.
Coming home from Grandma's absolutely exhausted.
Brianna turned 14 on the 4th. She received some music for her birthday and sang one of the songs for us. She is so talented...whether she sings her own songs or someone else's.
While their mom was unloading her van after her first Walmart pickup, the boys waited in the car with me. When Dad got in, he noticed that the lights were all on in the back and on top and the overhead cover was open, among other things. I basically let them do whatever they want.
Mary Poppins
Mary went to watch Lindsay and Jared try out for the next children's theater play, and Alex insisted that he try out too. He went right up, sang Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam, with his shirt rolled up in his hands and got the part of a shark in James and the Giant Peach.
Playing with Legos
Life is great!
They went with us to the devotional. We watched it at 20th Street Chapel.
Lindsay turned 11 on the 12th of February.
Valentine cookies and heart-shaped pizzas
The day after Valentine's Day, Mary took Lindsay and Jared to shop for stuffed animals for me to give the kids when they perform. They had to dig down to the bottom of the box to find any good ones.
Brianna and Lindsay had a Girls' Day birthday celebration.
Brianna is Mary's ministering companion. She found this quote for their sisters.
Their house with snowy Mt. Graham in the background.
~MISSIONARIES~
Docker posing with the guy who inspired the Celtics logo; aquarium; Boston public library; sign on mass transit
Missionaries at Chinese New Year celebration ; huge bag of rice in Chinatown; Chinatown.
Boston snow; Chinese New Year dragons; Boston in the background; MIT
I haven't had any pictures or message from Albert this month, but I know he is doing well and is a great missionary. This picture is from last month. If I get any new ones, I'll update.
~SOMETHING TO MAKE YOU SMILE~
February is all about love.
Love is all you need...not a fancy wedding.
Parley knows. He said, "Mom I need your hug."
And Harrison sang "Happy Birthday" to Marlie with all the love and gusto in his heart.
That's what we need to do...hold hands to keep from drifting away from each other...as couples, as siblings, as cousins and friends.
And these last two pictures show times when you say to your kids, "It's a good thing I love you so much!"
Ethan decorating the furniture with his broccoli. Look how carefully he laid it out.
And Aila painting a masterpiece. I had to smile because Alta let her use her good paints, on a canvas, and then had the good sense to take a picture!
~LAST WORDS~
February is all about love...snow and love. I truly believe love is the key to happiness. Jesus told us how to be happy: Love the Lord thy God and love thy neighbor as thyself. So we need to love God, love others and love ourselves. Those three things are the heavenly formula for happiness. They are the bottom line. And I truly believe, as with other commandments, love is a choice. We can choose to love or choose not to love. Of course, there is a lot that can be added to the formula, and many people have written, preached and sung about how to be happy, but it all boils down to love.
We love you. More than we can ever say. You are constantly in our prayers...individually...especially, but not only, when you have particular needs. We love hearing from you, we love being with you, and we love that you love each other and love us. What great joy this brings to our hearts.
Have a wonderful March, keep loving and keep us posted.
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