Buon Compleanno Anziano Jefferies

My 64th birthday was Sunday.  Brother and Sister Rossi invited us for Sunday dinner.  Their daughter, Erica Raveau, also has a December 29 birthday.  We ate delicious pasta, beef stew and cake.

 A little left over Christmas cheer.

After doing all the cooking and serving, Brother Rossi took a well-deserved nap.

Then on Monday, December 30, Erica and I celebrated our birthday with a family home evening.  We invited a few friends and Sorella Jefferies made tacos, Mexican rice, enchiladas and funeral potatoes.  We played a couple of games and had birthday cake.  I guess when you turn 64 it takes a couple of days to have a birthday party.

Sorella Andromidas visiting with Erica and her friends.

Sorella Jameson visiting with more friends of Erica.

Alberto and Brother Rossi.

Everyone loved the food prepared by Sorella Jefferies.

Gloria, Agnese and Sorella Jefferies enjoying chips.

This game resulted in Laura hitting me over the head with a bottle.

I found out that Erica's friend, Jenifer, also has a December 29 birthday.  I'm older than the two of them put together.  Until I saw this photo, I didn't realize that they were copying the way I was sitting.

Laura made this cake.  Kind of scary looking.

Lots of dessert.

At the end of the party, only the kids had energy to dance.

Christmas Day 2013

The Sisters came to our apartment on Christmas morning to unwrap their gifts and to prepare food for lunch at Laura's.  We enjoyed a delicious meal with Laura and Alberto and other guests and then in the evening we visited the Rossi's.  It was a wonderful Christmas Day.

 Christmas morning with our "family," Sorelle Andromidas and Jameson.

 Sorella Jameson making rolls for lunch.

 Sofia and Sorella Jameson.

 Sorella Andromidas with me and Sorella Jefferies.

 Laura serving up delicious pasta rolls filled with ham, spinach and cheese.  

 Alberto carving the Beef Wellington.

Sorella Jameson with Agnese, Regina and her son, Joshua.

 Sitting at the dessert table.  Nothing we could do but try a little bit of everything.

 Then on to the Rossi's.  Here we are with Xavier and Erica.

 Ariele, Adriana and Fiorenzo Rossi.

 How sweet, brother and sister giving each other a Christmas hug.

 Brother ans Sister Rossi are the best.

The Sorelle sang a couple of songs and Celeste gave Sorella Jefferies, who she calls "Mimi,"  a big hug.  The family gave us gifts, we had a prayer together and we called it a day.  It was a Christmas Day we will never forget.

A Christmas Eve Birthday

We celebrated Francesco's first birthday on December 24.

  

 Francesco with his parents, Paolo and Maria Jose.

 The birthday cake was quite exciting.

 Francesco with his aunt and uncle, Daniela and Stefano.

 Sorella Jefferies danced with Celeste.

Celeste is about the cutest little Italian girl in all of Italy.

Live Nativity in Forli'

Saturday, the community of Forli' put on the annual live Nativity.

 Agnese in her costume.  She was in the group accompanying one of the wise men.

 Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus in the manger.

The final scene with an angel, shepherd and  the wise men.

 Anziano Jefferies watching over the sheep.

 Sorella Jefferies, one of the shining lights in the piazza.

Gingerbread Houses

Sorella Jefferies has now introduced her famous gingerbread houses in Italy.  They aren't really gingerbread, they are graham cracker houses but the activity day primary kids loved making them.

 Sorelle Andromidas and Jameson were there for the first part of the activity and gave a spiritual message about the light of Christ.

 Chiara, Michael and Valentino start decorating their houses.

 Valentino and Ruth get serious with their roof work while Erica looks on.

Their completed houses.

Merry Christmas 2013

We want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas.  As we reflect upon the birth of our Savior, our thoughts turn to His life, example and atonement.  May His peace be with you now and forever.

All our love, Elder and Sister Jefferies

Branch Christmas Party 2013

We had our Forli' Branch Christmas Party Saturday evening.  The program included members playing the parts of Isaiah, Samuel the Lamanite, Elizabeth, Angel, Shepherd, Simeon, a Wiseman, Joseph, and Mary with Baby Jesus, each explaining their perspective of the birth of Christ. We sang carols and the children decorated the Christmas tree.  The Sister missionaries gave a message about keeping Christ in Christmas.  We then had a pot luck dinner.  We had about 40 in attendance.

 Sorella Jameson leads us in singing Away in a Manger.

 The Priesthood brethren sang Silent Night in four languages.

 Elodie helped decorate the tree.

 Michael and Valentino also helped.

While their parents ate dinner, I got to be Grandpa with Francesco and Celeste.