More Christmas Pictures of my Family coming in. Love this picture - How exciting! 4 Genrations

Baby Amelia Lynn Elizabeth Swett with mom Rikki Mack, Grandma Bobbie Mack & Great Grandma Bev Holweg Merry Christmas to all!

I am so excited that Christmas is almost here, (in 2 more days), Here are some more new Christmas pictures of my family



My Youngest Son Earl and his Beautiful Family, Rikki and Baby Amelia

Earl Swett & Ernie Henderson Jr. Earl is holding Nephew Ethan Henderson and Ernie Jr. is holding Cousin Amelia Lynn Elizabeth Swett

Eleaner Elizebeth Bacon Swett

Eleaner Elizabeth Bacon Swett

Recently my Daughter Nancy discovered this Photo in a book she was given a while ago.  The Book was a collection of Opra songs and had belonged to her Grandmother Elenor,  Ray and I had kept it for the longest time and did not realize the picture was there.  She posted the picture on face book to share with her brothers and sisters.  this is her comment: "My grandmother Eleaner B Swett, found it in the pages of a book that was given to me that was hers, bonus is that she signed the book so that's how we know it's her! —It was a gift! My father adored his mom-she died when he was 7-he had possession of this photo the whole time and didn't even know it cause it was between the pages of her book of Opera Music, amazing find." with Elizabeth Carston and Paul Henry.  I totally agree with her,  what a find.  I did not know this photo even exsisted until Nancy called me to ask who the photo was of.  I am so glad she discovered it so I could share it here in my family blog for us all to see.  I belive I will post it to ancestry.com also.  I just posted here picture on ancestry and it led me to her mother and father.  she was just 9 months old during the 1920 census in New Jersey.  Amazing!

This was The book that belonged to my Husband's Mother

 

according to the bookplate she signed she spelled her Name Eleaner instead of Eleanor as we had believed. 

Christmas Pictures 2013

I love this time of year when my family gathers thier children together and makes christmas pictures.  They are the highlight of my Christmas Season.  Last year I took all of the photos and Scrapbooked them.  This year I plan to do the same and also to share them here on my Family Blog.  I hope you will come back often to see the updates. 

My Newest Photos are of my Son Earl with his beautiful family Rikki and Baby Amelia. 

Here is Earl with His my Grandson Ernie Jr and little Ethan and Baby Amelia. 






The 1st of the Christmas Photos Here is my grandaughter Cindy (Henderson) Weber with her handsome husband Carl and lovley daughters Aaliyah & Alexys



The 2nd Christmas Photos is of my newest Grandchild Amelia Lynn Elizabeth Swett.  Taken yesterday as she visited Santa for the 1st Time.  Amelia was born the day after Thanksgiving to my son Earl and Fiance Rikki. 

Baby Amelia seem so small in this Giant Chair with Santa 

 

Another picture just came in.  My great grandaughter Rose Marie Schurr was taken by her Mommy, My granddaughter, Breanna Blucher brought her to See Santa too this year. .

I just visited my Grandaughter Susan's facebook page and was able to capture this photo of my Great Grandkids Brianna, Nathan, Nathalie & Mason Bowes visiting Santa over the weekend. What a wonderful family Susan and her husband James have.

 

 

 

More Photos - Here is my new great grandson Emmet born this October on his 1st visit with Santa and Mrs Claus and Mom & Dad too - what a nice family picture

Update 2015 - Christmas Time is almost here.

Here again it is December 11th, and again I'm not ready for Christmas. A lot has happened in these 2 years. I now live in East Tennessee and my daughter Nancy has married Thomas and moved to Georgia with Zuri who is now a sophomore.  My youngest son Earl has married Rikki and their little daughter Amelia just turned w 12 days ago. There have also been new additions to the family making it larger than ever.

(Today is December 11th 2013 - It is hard to belive that Christmas is almost here. Just 2 week away and I am not ready. I have made my list of family like I do every year using a sheet of paper folded in half, then half again then into quarters then in to eights so I have 4 folded boxed across and down. In each box I write the name of my child by order of birth, Raymond, Ann, Nancy, Michael, then skip down 2 boxes and write the other's Marie, Paul, Earl & Elizabeth. Beside Each name i put thier Spouse or fiance'. Then I list each childs children/spouse and thier children by order of birth. I have been doing this for years and for me it works out well because it folds down to a small square that can be carried with me while shopping or preparing for christmas. This is how I keep track of my large and wonderful family.  Then I look at birthdates for the kids - grands & greats and mark them down.) Hope I didn't leave anyone out.

Wow! what a large and growing family.  I am truly Blessed!) check out My Family

 Raymond Swett Jr. 
Jessica/Brian Moore
  Brian Jr 10 -13., Emily 7-8, Vinnie5-6
Elizabeth
  Kyeigh, Cameron
Justina/Jared Mead Married ()
Christopher 

Ann/Ernie Henderson (Died 4/1/2015)
Ernie Jr./Abby Henderson
   Ethan - toddler, Preston
Susan/James Bowes
   Brianna, Nathan, Nathalie, Mason
Cindy/Carl Weber
   Alexys - 3-4, Aaliyah - 2013
Michelle
Tommy
Philip teen
Sarah teen
Julie teen

Nancy/Thomas McLaughlin-Walter
Zuri 

Michael/Kirsten Swett
Sara 
Alan 
Ashley 
Heather teen
Nickholas 10 - 11

Haily teen


Marie/Brian Newell
Johnny
  James - toddler
Caroline/Nels Barbeneckt
  William- 3-4, Hugh 2015
Breanna
  Rose Marie 3 - , Caylee 2, baby boy due soon
George - 9

Jan/Tyler
  Cylus  3 his dad is Aaron  (divorced)- toddler, Isahia 2014
Bobbie/Josh Mills
  Emmet -  2
Lisa/Javiar Gonzalez (married Nov 2014)
Cayden 11/2015

Paul/Shannon
  Ruthie Jo, Echo, Nichole (Shannon's daughter)

Earl/Rikki
  Amelia - 11/29/2013

Elizabeth/Derek

I've had an Amazing Summer This Year!

I am sitting here at my computer and thinking about the amazing summer I had this year 2013. 


My granddaughter Zuri, Rose & Sindee
& me



The Moore Family, my Granddaughter Jessica with her husband
 Brian, Brian Jr., Emily and Vinnie

It started out late June when I took a road trip with my youngest daughter Elizabeth & Granddaughter Zuri to NY to see my brothers Eddie & Bobby and to attend my Niece Kim's Wedding.  I got to see both of my Brothers & spend time with them even tho my brother Bobby was busy with wedding plans for his daughter Kimberly.  The wedding was so Beautiful and visiting with my relatives was so fun.  My granddaughter Zuri got to spend time with her Aunt Rose and her Brother and cousins too. 
I got to visit my friend Rose and my granddaughter Jessica and her family.  Elizabeth went down to NYC and spent time with her cousins& I was able to see my old homestead & my High School AHHS in Elmsford NY, go to a NY Deli in White Plains with Elizabeth and see my Brother in Law, Chris Swett and his Wife Wanda, my Nieces, Tammy, Robin, Stacy & the Bride Kimberly and Nephews, Eddie, Robert, Chris & the Groom Vinnie and their families.

Elizabeth, Zuri and I returned home just in time for the 4th of July and we had a wonderful day enjoying a barbeque at my daughter Nancy's house.   And this was only the beginning of the summer. 

The Bride and Groom Being Silly behind
my brother Eddie and I


The Brides Family - Brothers, Christopher & Robert,
Parents, Robert & Patricia Hess
Below: Helen Hess, Robert Hess Jr, Diane Swett,
Edward Hess Sr., Robert Hess Sr., Patricia Hess &
Christopher Hess.

My visit to my home town of Elmford NY

On my Road Trip to NY I was able to visit my hometown of Elmsford NY.  I drove down the Saw Mill Parkway and got off just before Taxter Road where I grew up.  My daughter Elizabeth was with me and I got to reminisce about my childhood growing up on Taxter Road.  There were a lot of memories here, most I did have a chance to tell her.  The property was very overgrown with trees, brush & debris, the home had long since burnt down as did the garage.  The driveway was over grown with grass and debris and almost unrecognizable to me except for a partial mailbox strapped to a tree alongside the entrance.  I was able to park in the remains of the driveway now littered with broken glass & twigs.  I took pictures of the areas I remember, the well and wading pool that my dad had fashioned,  the creek were my brothers and I played and caught crayfish in the Garden area and the large rocks that I had spent many a summer day laying upon reading or gazing at the clouds.  So many memories encompassing my growing up years from age 5 or 6 - my early 20's.  After that I drove downtown and was able to find my High School, still in use I remember those hallways well, my eight grade English class, Art class thru my high school years and the memories of my graduation class standing on those center steps for our final photo.  Now a Jr. High School rested alongside of the old building... 

On the back wall of the football field the class of 2013 had written "Lucky 13! - Class of 2013 - Making our own Luck!"  It was nice to see my old alma mater so vibrant! You Go Class of 2013!

 

 

Alexander Hamilton High School - The Girls Entrance, Boys Entrance and middle Entrance -

 I Love the Saying that graces the beautiful Architectural center, "KNOWLEDGE IS THAT INDEED THAT WHICH NEXT TO VIRTUE TRULY AND ESSENSIALLY RAISES ONE MAN ABOVE ANOTHER"

 

After leaving the school area we drove down the long hill that I used to walk up back into town then drove to White Plains NY were Elizabeth and I stopped to eat at Tommy's Deli Café on Broadway.  I did not recognize any of the streets at all on my way there...I felt lost.  Thank goodness for my GPS. I dropped Elizabeth off at the train station were she caught a train into NYC & I filled up my gas tank and headed back to Putnam Valley to my Brothers house.  I did enjoy the drive back and was almost drawn to get off the parkway  in Pleasantville NY to see the Reader's Digest building where I had once worked and Hawthorne NY to see where my Grandparents had lived. 

My recent trip to NY brought back Memories of my growing up years

The past few weeks have flown by so fast.  I took a Road Trip back to NY to visit my Brother's Eddie and Bobby.  While there I took my daughter Elizabeth to Elmsford NY to see the place I grew up in.  It was very overgrown with trees, bushes and debris.  I reminisced a lot drawing from my memory images from the past of how it looked "back then". 

The remnants of an old mailbox for The Taxter Road Property.



The old water well was down here along with a stone wading pool built my Dad Edward G Hess Sr.,  Beyond the rocks there flowed a small stream that my brothers and I used to catch crayfish in.

 In this photo you can see the overgrown driveway leading to the house upon the hill.  Eddie, Bobby and I used to sleigh ride down this driveway all the way to the street in the winter time.  to the Left the tree with the fallen limb resting on it stood on the right back corner of our garage.  we used to climb it back then and sit on the roof of the garage gazing up at the clouds in the sky as they floated by.  The debris covers up the portion of the driveway leading to our house.  you can view more about my vacation this June 3013 here.

I'm a Great Grandmother Again!

Yesterday I got great News.  My granddaughter Cindy had a baby girl, little Aaliyah Page.  I bet her little sister Alexys  is so excited.

Aaliyah Paige born May 13th at 1:28 pm 8.3 lbs 21 inches 5-15-13 — with Mom Cindy

For The Working Mother There’s No Such Thing As One Right Path!

For The Working Mother There’s No Such Thing As One Right Path! 

Written by Diane E (Hess) Swett 4/8/2013 for Parade Magazine "Tell us how you or women in your lives have managed families and careers."

I am a retired Registered Nurse and a Mother of 8 Children. Work for me was an emotional need for me. I realized after my 1st child I needed the adult conversation afforded by working. It kept me sane. I loved my Children and Husband and my Part Time salary helped to augment our finances. It wasn't until 1974 after working as a Keypunch Operator. A very Boring Job. That I realized I needed something more challenging. by then my oldest son was 13 with 5 sisters and brothers of various ages. All along I arranged my work schedule to fit the family needs but now I felt that I wanted something more. A Career. I decided to go back to school - to learn Nursing. I was in my 30's by then. I wanted a career that would be looked on in the banking community as adding to my family's financial contribution, before my part time work was not even considered, but as a teacher or a nurse it would be. We wanted to buy a home and I saw this as a way to get there, I went to school full time for the 1st 1 1/2 years completing 3 semesters. I had six children at this time and many days I would take them to campus with me, provide them with a picnic lunch and sit them outside the classroom window where I could watch them play. I would take my oldest boy into the Labs when I had to dissect a pig and he learned alongside me about the workings of the heart. Of course I could not do this without my husband’s full support. We bought a home right next to a Community College that happened to have a good Nursing program and I threw myself in my studies. I juggled work, school, children and Home for the next year & a half and graduated in the top 4 of my class. My husband & I cried together that night after graduation! It was an accomplishment we both made. Then as my career took off it meant juggling more, kids, home, work, my husband & I did it together. It has afforded us a better combined income, bettered our life and shown our children what true commitment meant. We even had 2 more children after I graduated and now here I am at 70, thankful for my full and crazy life, my family and the benefits of a good pension my career provided. Along the Way I had come across some great barriers to being a women, many times I was told - I was a women and men needed jobs more, I was overweight and would not make a pretty nurse for the Dr.’s, and fought against the prejudice of certain jobs being only for men.

9 minutes ago · Edited · Like  4/8/2013 for Parade Magazine – Connie Schultz

Tell us how you or women in your lives have managed families and careers.

My Mom's Family The Cuccia's

The Cuccia Family

Top Row: Ann DeCarlo, Collins Cuccia, Francis Hess, Jack Cuccia, Rose Nuccio, Charles Cuccia & Jessie Bryd
bottom row: Sal Cuccia, Beatrice & Frank Cuccia & Kate Cheiffio
 

 

Beatrice (Delise) and Frank Salvatore Cuccia

 

Wow at long last I have a picture of my Mom with her brothers and sisters, all 9 of them and my Grandma and Grandpa.  I am so delighted to have these pictures I could just cry from sheer excitement!  Now, you ask why so exciting and when did you get them.  My Mother Francis Katherine (Cuccia) Hess passed away in 1964 after a short illness with lung problems so my recollection of her family is very sketcy.  we lost contact with them after mom's passing and moved on with our lives.  So when I wanted to start searching for them I had the wrong info and could not find them.  I thought she had 12 siblings but as you see she only had 8 and I thought my grandfather's name was Charlie, but it wasn't.  I became frustrated with the search.  Then the impossible happened.  My brother Eddie in NY was at a car dealership one day last week and overheard a salesman on the phone spelling his last name.  C-U-CC-I-A!..Ed's ears perked up and after the salesman was off the phone he went over to him.  Hi Cousin - did you say your name was Cuccia, we might be related!  and indeed we were.  Frank, the salesperson turned out to be a second cousin...WOW!  he gave Eddie his father's phone # and address; whom Eddie called and indeed the father was our Cousin Frank (Salvatorie) Cuccia from Hawthorne NY whom we had played with as children.  Frank remembered Eddie and Me, even asked about me by name.  I was blown away when my brother related the story to me when I happened to call him on Thursday (3/7/13) and encouraged me to give Frank a call.  So I did - no answer- so I waited.  Frank called back Friday morning but I was at the Dr's, he was going golfing in the afternoon so I waited till Saturday morning to call.  We chatted for over an hour.  he emailed me the above pictures and even a picture of himself (with sunglasses on) He also sent me a picture of my cousin Helen Ann DeCarlo with her phone and address.  Helen Ann is the daughter of my Aunt Ann who died from breast cancer in her early 30's.  Wow! talk about a family connection.  I called Helen Ann and we spoke for almost 2 hrs on the phone.  She and her sister Gloria also lost touch with the family after her mom's death.  I forwarded franks email to her and while we were talking she had a framed picture of her mom and dad that she was going to scan and send to me.  She opened up the frame carefully and Behold! 2 other pictures were behind it - one of her mom and dad and the family picture, the same one I had just e-mailed to her.... Wow!  (sorry about all the wow's but I am too excited to think of a different word.) 

My Little Great Grandson is 5 months Old!

Was on Face book today and was delighted to see my little great grandson Ethan Nathaniel Henderson is 5 months old today.  Boy he sure looks like his Daddy Ernie Jr. Thanks Mommy Abby for posting his cute picture.

Me at 70

Me (Dianna Elizabeth Hess Swett) at age 70, sitting at my Birthday Party last August with my Son Paul. 

My kids gave me a surprise Birthday party last August when I turned 70.  Oh! boy was I surprised.  My Friends sprayed me with this silly string and all the grand & great grand kids danced around me in glee.   I had a lovely time.  My youngest daughter handed me a mug full of delicious Sangria and decorated me with the a banner and pins and floral stuff...it was so fun.  I could not stop laughing all the while.  They had a great cookout at my son Earl's place.  the little ones took advantage of the pool - almost to the point of drowning...Thankfully my daughter Nancy dived in clothing and all and saved the day.  It was a fun and exciting day that will live in infamy! lol

I love this Picture of Me as a Baby and Me at 18 - I think I'd like to look 18 forever :)


Here is a picture of my husband and I at our Son Paul's Wedding June 9th 2007 - A very happy time. 

Edward Groff Hess A Photo

Edward Groff Hess July 27th 1913 - April 16, 1996

This Morning I scanned in a photo of my Dad taken when we lived in Middletown NY by the Photographer he worked with at Playtogs Discount Store.  Dad was the Santa there for about 10 years and He enjoyed being Santa to all the Children.  He was our Santa Grandpa. 

My Family in New York 2010

This Past June 2010 I was able to visit my family in NY. I had an enjoyable visit with them and it was great hanging out with them for the 2 weeks I was there. Here we are all together. 1st row is: Brother Bobby & Brother-in-law Chris, back row is: Sister-in laws Wanda, Patty & Helen, Brother Eddie & Myself.

My Graduation from High School

Graduation Day June 25th 1960

9

Dianna Elizabeth Hess age 17
 Born: August 21st 1942

June 25th 1960

 Graduate: Diane Hess

The Program

This above picture of me  was taken in June of 1960 for my High School Year Book.  The Program was for My Graduation Eve From Alexander Hamilton High School in Elmsford, New York.  This program was found in my Fathers Box neatly folded and tucked away.  That was also the Evening I met my Husband Raymond for the 1st time.  A very Monumental Evening for me. 

Flickr Group

My Grandaughter Zuri Lee Beth Walter 1999. Such a cute picture.

Grand Pa Edward Groff Hess with my son Paul Henry at age 7

I have been doing a lot of blogging recently and want to start a flickr group for us to share our pictures.  I will let you all know how to do this (as soon a I find out) - My Children & Grand Children on Flickr.  I just love the above picture of my dad in the back yard standing by his rose bush at 19 Wawayand Ave. in Middletown NY.  Dad loved to garden and the kids loved being out side with him.

Hi all - Calling for Updates and Pictures for our Family Pages

Hi all, This is Grandma Diane - Since I turned 70 just a few months ago I have been thinking of all my blessings.  all my Children, their Children and their Children's Children.  Wow that was a mouthful.  In other words my kids, grandkids and great grandkids.  This family is growing so fast.  In Dec of 2011 2 great grand children were born, little Sophie and James, then in 2012 Rose & Ethan, were added with another baby due in 2013 I thought we really need to get everyone in on the action.  I love all my grandkids and Great Grandkids.  why they keep me company at night as I drift off to sleep.  the smile's each one so endearing yet to individual, I can see their smiles right now, Sara, Johnny, Brianna and Breanna, as little babies, Caroline picking out her wedding Dress,  little Rose and Ethan just to name a few.  I love the smiles and the poses, Echo just turned 5, Ruthie was over her Grandma's Debs and played dress up with lipstick.  Nathan with his shy smile and mischevious mind, (makes me smile to think of it) little George who loves cars, Mason and little William, Allexy's who just loves my colored pens, and my older Grand kids, Nicky who wanted to give me a hug the other day but I was sick so I couldn't - Heather with her sweet ways and Zuri who loves to hang out with me.... Alan & Tommy, Johnny who is a new Dad and is enjoying that role, (reminds me of Micheal when little Alan was Born) - that look of love in their eyes and smile...Ah Fatherhood.   Christopher who is reserved it is hard to think of them as Grown, I still see each one as a child showering me with love,  Julie and Sarah who are sweet and Philip who is a great poet. Susan who has 4 children of her own now - Breanna, Little Natholie, Mason and of course Nathan.  Brianna who is now a mom and is in love with her new role as mother.  (little Rose is so sweet.) Caroline all grown up with her son William.,Wow I am amazed at them...  I am so glad for the internet too.  I get to see my grandkids in New York and their Children and watch them grow, Brian who is so grown up, little Emily who has her mother's eyes and smile.  so reminiscent of when her mom Jessica was a child, Justina who loves to craft and seems bursing with energy and ideas...(reminds me of me as a young woman).  Beth who is so brave and so sweet.  I enjoy their pictures as they post them on facebook.  WOw.  I am so blessed that my heart is singing right now..... Oh my enough for now... I will try to update this page more often with pictures and my thoughts... Love you all.