Beyond Jennifer and Jason: Visiting my Grams

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Visiting my Grams

Last week I had the opportunity to go to California to see my Grandma. I have so many memories of her and grandpa and their house. It was great to go back especially because not much changes there. At least as far as her house goes. IT is all so familiar and welcoming.

This is her living room/music room. She’s been a music teacher ever since I can remember. I wish she lived close enough that she could be Em’s piano teacher. She’s so good on the piano, but she loves all kinds of music and knows how to play MANY instruments. The black piano is one she has had forever in my mind. It’s been shipped back and forth from Africa when they lived there when my Mom was a child and has been with her through thick and thin. I remember polishing it when I was young and we lived near her or whenever we visited. I always wished I could have a piano like that and play as well as Grandma does. The white one is a new toy of hers that can record and even play on it’s own (think high tech player piano). It’s really cool. This table has been here forever too…see what I mean by things staying the same?Thankfully Grams was feeling well enough to play the piano for us to sing (us meaning everyone but me because I’m not a solo singer)Grams with all the singers in the family.

Grams playing a piano solo for us. This was big because when she first got home from the hospital she couldn’t focus long enough to play the piano. I love to listen to her play. I have many memories of her doing musical things. She accompanied me at the State Solo competition while I played Bassoon. She taught me how to play The spinning song while she was visiting us in Illinois when I was in 6th or 7th grade. Last time she visited in Utah she taught the same song to Emily too. I was so happy to be able to hear her play again on this visit.

This is a picture of two of my aunts. They are the best. Lynn (left) we get to see fairly often since she lived in UT too, and Debbie is the best at making you feel like you are important and understood.

I was so happy that those who live in California near Grandma could take time to come over for a dinner one night while we were there.

Visiting Getting ready for the concert. Grandma was so happy to hear Jim and Carolyn sing that she had them do two different “concerts” while we were there. They did this one with the family and then another one for a friend of Grandma’s that came over too. Everyone was impressed with their talent. Here’s a shot of everyone. Me with GramsThis one is with my gorgeous cousins Katie and Theresa. Katie’s on the right and she was so awesome to let us use her house like a hotel while we were there. We hardly saw her at all because by the time we got there to crash into bed she was long asleep and by the time we got up in the morning she was long gone to work. She’s awesome and hopefully we didn’t make her crazy with our crazy schedule. Theresa had just returned from a trip to Italy with her boyfriend and his family and while she was there he proposed so she had just gotten engaged too! It was awesome to hear all about it and all about where they went in Italy. It was so fun to chat with her and talk weddings. I know there’s a better picture on Carolyn’s camera, but I haven’t gotten it yet. when I do I’ll post that one instead. IT’s probably the one you can see being taken in this one.

The wii bowling tournament we had on Friday. Grams loves her wii bowling. Actually, she loves real bowling, but hasn’t been able to do it for awhile now. I remember watching her play on her bowling league when we lived there. My mom humored me while we were there and we drove by the house we lived in when we lived in California. Then we drove past the school I went to for Kindergarten and part of First grade. It was crazy the memories I had while driving past the park full of big trees that I walked past when we walked to school. Then I remembered my Kinder. teacher Ms. Joseph. She was the sweetest best teacher I remember ever having. I don’t remember my 1st grade teachers name, but I do remember that she was really old and REALLY mean. I bet I was relieved when we moved so I didn’t have to be in her class anymore. Me with my MomWith Dad.