Derek: Okay, I have a question: We gave the kids a Flintstones vitamin yesterday and I had a repressed childhood memory that I wanted to check with you all (if this is legit or not). Did we have a "vitamin dispenser" in our home (in my memory, it's like a creepy red clown) that dispensed Flintstones vitamins? Or did my psyche invent that?
Mom/Margie: I couldn't remember until you mentioned the clown. That does seem vaguely familiar. I don't know why a little clown would be creepy though, meant to be fun!
Chris: (shared an image)
Derek: Oh my goodness! That's it!
Chris: Yes, pretty creepy. Probably downstairs at Mom's house. Ha ha.
Mom: I recognize it. I don't think we still have it Chris!
Shane: I have fond memories/nightmares of that vitamin clown.
Derek: The 1980s were not kind to the brand image of clowns.
Jen: I remember it. Chris beat me to Google. The little pink fluoride tablets tasted better than the vitamins...
Wendy: I definitely remember the clown dispenser! At one point we had these huge brown vitamins that were so nasty. I used to just pretend to take them and then dispose of them later. Sorry Mom! I did take the fluorides though.
Even though Chris had already found the image, I did my own Google search. I found a couple more pictures, showing the little "lift" that brought the vitamin up within reach, the hat on top. I was hoping for a little history on the piece (as I found about the Kool-Aid Mugs) but all I could find were some used sale listings. So, here's a few facts about Flintstones vitamins ...
Flintstones vitamins hit the scene in 1968. The popular animated TV show "The Flintstones," aired from 1960 to 1966.
The vitamins are shaped like the characters from the animated Flintstones show; Fred, Wilma, Pebbles, Barney, Betty, Bamm-Bamm, Dino, and The Great Gazoo. Betty was not included until 1995. Manufacturers said she looked too similar to Wilma. Plus, her thin waist caused her vitamin to break during production.
The jingle "We are Flintstones kids — 10 million strong and growing!" was composed by Martin O’Donnell, who went on to compose the music for the intensely popular Halo video game series.
Vitamins weren’t the only things that the modern Stone Age family hawked. One of the show’s original sponsors was Winston cigarettes: Fred and Barney were Winston men, all the way. One early cartoon featured Fred and Barney taking a “Winston break,” because “Winston tastes good, like a cigarette should.”
Growing up Westra, one of the fun activities would be to watch old home movies. Dad/Lamar got a "moving pictures" camera in 1969, and it would be brought out to record action shots for the next 10+ years, until a new VHS camcorder replaced it. The camera probably looked a little like the one pictured above (top left). It recorded onto 8mm film, little 3 inch reels. There were 43 little reels. You can see in the picture above, how Dad labeled them all, and stored them in old Planters snack cannisters. Movie film. To watch said film, it required a projector/player ... probably like the one pictured (bottom left). The reel would be added to the front wheel, and would feed past the light, and be projected onto a wall or screen, and then wind up onto the wheel in the rear. When the film was finished, the end would flap, flap, flap around until the machine was turned off and the rotation stopped. There was no sound recorded, just "moving pictures" ... but one of the things we Westra kids enjoyed was when Dad would play the film backwards. We'd laugh and laugh as our little bodies on the screen would run backwards and go UP the slide.
It was quite a bit of work to watch these film reels. Getting out the projector, getting it on the wheel, feeding it into the machine. At some point, as technology improved, Jen got the reels converted to VHS. In the box with the old film reels was the invoice. $3.50 per reel (I peeked at prices today, and it's $10-$20 per small reel). The company took all the little reels, and combined them into six larger reels, and sent those back with all the home movies now on VHS tapes (one full, one with just the little bit extra that hadn't fit onto the first tape). When VHS went out of fashion, Jen had the tape converted to digital.
The Chronicles of the Westra Family had been posted to the blog before, here it is again ...
I'm not sure how many minutes each 3" reel held, not many. Google says between 2-4 minutes. That does seem accurate, as the final compilation is almost two hours long. As certain subjects (Scott's 6th Bday, EastersCompilation, TimelessToys) have been featured in a blog post, smaller, more easily digestible, clips have been included. There will be more to come... found footage added to existing posts, and new posts featuring some of these events. Even though the video quality isn't great, it's still priceless!
Here's a TABLE OF CONTENTS as it were, based on Dad's labels (in bold) and Jen's additional notations. Glance through and see what's there, and you can use the time stamp to go directly to where you want to watch. Birthdays, Christmas and Easter seemed to be the main focus through the years
#1 December 1969
Scott's 6th Birthday (:34)
Christmas 1969 (2:18)
#2 Easter 1970
Easter (3:10)
Wendy's Birthday (3:35)
Chris's Birthday (3:39)
#3 November/Christmas 1970
Jen's Here (4:59)
Sledding in the driveway (video troubles - maybe redo?)
Scott's 7th Birthday (5:05)
Christmas (5:07)
#4 Dec 1970/Easter 1971
Jen New Year's Baby (5:14)
Misc Family/Hula Hoop
#5 Easter 1971
Easter (5:57)
Wendy's Bday (6:22)
Swimming (6:26)
Little Jen in a Recliner (7:22)
Swingset (7:36)
In the Yard (8:03)
Jen Crawl/Walk (8:09)
Bathtub (9:11)
Family
#6 November 1971 - Jenny
Jen Bday (9:55)
Sunday Dress (10:59)
Outside/Big Hole (11:10)
#7 December 1971
Scott's Bday (11:30)
Bathtime (13:00)
Christmas (13:15)
#8 January 1972 - Snow
Snow (14:11)
Sledding (14:29)
New Years (15:13)
More Sledding (15:48)
Snowman Pictures (16:06)
#9 March 1972
House/Yard (16:27)
Swing (16:59)
BigWheels (17:49)
#10 Easter 1972
Easter (18:36)
Bath (21:17)
Jen/Table (21:27)
#11 Wendy's 4th Birthday
Wendy's 4th Birthday (22:00)
Sunday Best (23:51)
#12 Aug/Oct 1972 Richland - SLC
Carving Pumpkins (25:00)
Richland Friends (25:15)
Richland House
Sandbox (26:00)
White Dress (26:35)
Hermitage House/Yard (27:00)
#13 Thanksgiving 1972
Snow (27:40)
Hermitage House/Inside(28:16)
Pictures for Christmas Card (28:45)
Grandma Norman's House (29:05)
Grandma Burgener's House (29:40)
Snow! (30:30)
#14 Scott's Birthday
Family Party (31:31)
Friend Party (32:54)
#15 #16 Christmas 1972
Christmas at Grandma Norman's House (33:47)
Christmas Morning/Dollhouses (35:55)
Grandma Burgener's House (39:25)
#17 Snow 1973 (40:05)
#18 Wendy's Bday (40:30)
Sandpile (41:38)
Family Reunion/Tortoise (42:00)
#19 Summer/Sept 1973
Chris's Bday (44:20)
Four Siblings (46:10)
#20 Nov/Dec 1973
Snow (46:40)
Jen's Bday (47:25)
#21 Xmas 1973/Easter 1974
Decorating the Tree/"Pool Table" (48:27)
Scott's Bday (49:15)
Christmas Morning (49:43)
Easter (51:27)
Christmas 1974 (52:47)
#22 Wendy's Bday (54:23)
Cleveland (55:35)
Hermitage Backyard/Swings/Swimming (1:00:09)
#23 Yellowstone. Mammoth.Jackson
#24 Yellowstone. Chris Bday 1974
Family Party (grandparents/cousins) Chris's Birthday? (1:01:07)
#25 Jenny Bday. Scott Bday 1974
Another Family Party, Jen's Bday? 1:01:40
Jen's Birthday Party (1:02:18)
Scott's Bday Party (1:03:35)
#26 Scott Bday/Wendy Bday/GhostTowns
Wendy Bday (1:04:45)
Truck and Camper (1:05:41)
Water/Camp (1:05:57)
Waterfalls (1:07:37)
#27Chris and Margie's Birthdays1975
Hermitage Backyard (1:07:45)
Chris's Birthday Party
Halloween (1:09:47)
Margie's Bday (1:10:17)
#28 Christmas 1975/Easter 1976
Christmas (1:10:42)
Lorrie's Birthday (1:12)
Golf Clubs (1:12:35)
Piano (1:12:58)
Easter (1:13:23)
#29 Wendy Bday
Wendy's Birthday/Family Party (1:13:41)
Baby Shane (1:14:34)
Skateboarding/Biking in the Circle (1:15:30)
Shane's Blessing Day (1:15:52)
Grandma Norman's House w/Burgeners (1:16:43)
#30 Chris and Margie's Birthdays
Kids Outside (1:17:41)
Baby Shane (1:18:19)
Margie's Bday (1:19)
Swingset (1:19:25)
#31 Jen'sBday/Christmas 1976
Jen's 6th Bday (1:19:32)
Scott Changing Baby Shane (1:20:43)
Scott's Bday (1:21:47)
Santa (1:22:08)
Grandma Norman's House (1:22:31)
Red Dresses (1:24)
#32 Christmas 1976
Christmas Morning (1:24:14)
Big Henry/Toto
Gingerbread House (1:25:27)
Baby Shane and Big Henry
Red Dresses Again
#33 Christmas 1976
Cousins Over (1:27:39)
Flash of Bath (on original - removed for YouTube)
New Year's Baby Shane (1:28:02)
#34 Easter 1977
Basement/Chin Up Bar (1:28:07)
Grandparents Over (1:28:44)
Shane Walking (1:29:15)
Easter (1:29:58)
#35 Wendy Bday/Summer 1977
Wendy Bday (1:30:57)
Little Shane (1:31:31)
Shane's Bday
Summer Outside (1:33:32)
Lots of Neighbors, Tina the Dog
#36 Jenny Bday 1977
Jen's 7th Birthday (1:35:25)
Family Party - Grandparents and Cousins
#37 Scott's Bday 1977
Scott's Birthday (1:36:20)
#38 Christmas 1977
Christmas at Grandma Normans (1:38:44)
Westra Home (1:40:22)
Outside/ZimZam(1:41:58)
Cousins House (1:42:05)
#40 Christmas 1978 (oops, out of order)
Christmas Morning (1:42:14) seems to repeat here
Christmas Morning (1:44:26)
#39 Summer 1978, Shane'sBday
Jen/Wendy & Shane (1:45:08)
Bathtime (1:45:14)
Wendy and Jen - Baton Twirling (1:46:17)
Parade (1:47:10)
Birthday Cake (1:47:27) - Chris blows out the candles ...
Easter (1:47:47)
Shane's Bday(1:47:56)
(Lots of flowers/bouquet in background, Kellie's passing)
Oh the memories. As old artifacts are uncovered in the Westra home, often a picture is taken and exchanged over email ... most of the Westra kids remembered these mugs. No one was so sentimentally attached that they wanted to keep them forever, but they are deserving of a blog post before they find a new home ... via a thrift shop, or maybe there are some selling on Ebay and other auction sites (although these aren't in the most pristine condition having been used and loved over the years).
Doing a reverse image search, several of these mugs popped up on the internet ... selling on auction sites, and with a few informational posts. Seriously, check out these articles for more images, videos and background.
A quick recap ... the mugs were introduced along with a sugar-free drink mix, Pillsbury's attempt to compete with Kool-Aid. The crazy, animated faces were meant to appeal to kids, and they each had their fun names. There was even a little book written about the characters; Freckle Face Strawberry, Jolly Ollie Orange,
Loud Mouth Punch, With It Watermelon, Goofy Grape, Lefty Lemon, Choo
Choo Cherry, Rudy Tutti Frutti, and Rah Rah Root Beer. Two of the original iterations Injun Orange and Chinese Cherry were deemed not politically correct and were updated/replaced.
I don't know that we ever had the pitcher, but I do remember more of the mugs than the three that surfaced during the move in 2022.
Check out the Timeless Toys post for more memories of other plastic Westra Classics ;)
When the box of old records was discovered ... I think I was most anxious to check out the "Animals" music again. Little Red Caboose was probably the song most remembered by the Westra Siblings as a whole, and Music Machine was a favorite, that I'd been lucky enough to find digitally. But "Animals" ... I'd done searches on YouTube and other music sites, general Google searches - and just hadn't been able to find any results. "Animals" is just too general a term.
So when the records resurfaced, it was fun to look over the booklet with illustrations and lyrics. When I received a record player, it was one I definitely wanted to listen to. There was one little problem ...
... the record had been dropped at some point, and the outer edge was broken in one part. This really only affected the first song, and I was able to listen to the rest. So next I was debating on how to share here on the blog. Make a video? Attempt to convert the record to digital (my record player has a USB input and seems to indicate this was a possibility). Looking at the cover in hand however, I saw the "and other things" and tried a Google search one more time, including the full phrase and there it was!
A full recording on YouTube, including the first song on each side -unlike my broken album. Easy to share here (and an MP3 copy has been saved to Dropbox, as I never know if external links will stick around). I found I remembered almost all of these songs, more so even than Music Machine. Like Music Machine, all the songs are about a quality we should strive for. Faithfulness, Diligence, Contentment, Perseverance, Loyalty, Self-Value, Thriftiness, Generosity, Boldness, Cheerfulness. Like Music Machine, the record case is actually a little booklet, with several pages featuring illustrations and lyrics. Here, there is a quote (scripture), a "story" and a "living lesson". While not LDS per se ... each song and story could be a family home evening lesson! The tunes are so cute and catchy, I found myself singing along and remembering the words some 35+ years later. When I was over to the folks, I sang several of the songs. Mom and Dad didn't remember them as much as me, but as I started singing ... they both said "I remember that one!"
I'm a Galapagos. I'm a Galapagos. I am a G-A-L-A-P-A G-olopagus.
And though I sound like some disease, I'm a tortoise if you please,
least that's what they call my mama and my papa-gus.
So here's the full album on Youtube, with timestamps for each song.
I've bolded my favorites *Ü*
00:00 Animals & Other Things 01:29 Cock-A-Doodle-Doo 03:56 It's So Great To Be A Beaver 06:30Penguins 08:53 Gorilla Walk 11:04 The Waggin' Of A Tail 13:22 Itty-Bitty Flea 14:13 I Love Animals 15:41I'm a Galapagos17:55 The Nutty Factory 19:49 Livin' That Givin' Way21:51 The King of the Jungle 24:56 Howdy-Do Kangaroo 26:54 I Love Animals (Reprise)
https://youtu.be/plhF4WHruWE
... and I took pictures of the booklet to showcase and share. I noticed that the complete lyrics aren't included (but just ask me, I probably know them!) All the songs aren't printed up either. The second "intro" song (first song on the second side) "I love animals, you love animals, we all love animals too. From chipa-munks, squirrels to each hip-pip-o-otamus, monkeys to the kangaroos" and a short final song on the first side "Itty-Bitty-Flea" (I always got a kick out of this one!)
It was April 2015 when Scott discovered a box of records. Probably the most memorable for all Westra kids is the Chip and Dale song "Little Red Caboose" but Music Machine is a close second, especially for Wendy and Jen. Alas, the record itself was NOT in the "box of childhood". Many years ago, the record was left too close to a heating vent on cold winter day. It warped. I remember being SO sad about it! But unlike the "Little Red Caboose" song, which I have been unable to find anywhere online, I was able to locate Music Machine out on the Interwebs. MP3s of all the songs are now in the family dropbox (in the Media/Music/Video folder. Remember Westra grandkids, we have a general login for you if you want to check out Dropbox! Contact Grandma, Chris or Jen for the login and password) and the entire album is online as well (here).
In all honesty, I don't remember ALL the songs from this album. On side one: Land Called Love, The Music Machine, Whistle Song, Smile, The String Song, Patience, Gentleness. Side two: Faith, Joy, Peace, Goodness, Love, Self-control, Kindness, Reprise.
It may be obvious from the song titles, this came from a Christian group, teaching "Fruit of the Spirit". It's a little reminiscent of the Young Women's Values (there are songs for all of them too! That would need to be another post). The main premise (as this is a story, not just random songs) is that in Agapeland, there is a ...
Music machine, music machine
Like no other gadget that you've ever seen.
Whatever you want to sing about,
Put something in and a song comes out ...
The album cover was more than just a cover. It was a little 10-page booklet with illustrations and lyrics. The "Music Machine" song (shown above) was one that we would sing over and over again. It's a melody I remember 40+ years later!
One of the other favorite songs was about Herbert the Snail, about PATIENCE ... I sang a little of this song to Landon and he said "so that's where that came from?" (Cooper and Colton didn't seem to have any recollection of my singing it to them though, I'll have to ask the other boys). The audio is fun, and Herbert's father's voice is SO low and slow!
The other favorite was about self-control ... it's the only way to go!
... as mentioned, there is a YouTube of all the audio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqWVr_U6EfE
Music Machine is at 4:00
Patience is at 13:00
Self-Control is at 29:00
There's even an animated episode with some of the songs (Herbert is in there, at 10:00 minutes in) This looks familiar to me, although I don't have a memory of watching it (would it have been on a VHS tape we had?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_D67IOdqR0
Here's a few final snapshots of the booklet in full ...
Now ... who remembers the record "Animals"???
Similar idea, songs about virtues, with an animal theme ...
Jen still sings several songs from that album!
Can't find anything online ... but we do have the record (it is chipped on the edge though).
Thinking back on days of childhood play, there were so many toys that stand out in my memory. I was able to find images of a few. Some are still available in updated formats, others may be found on ebay at inflated prices for vintage items. Mom and Dad have hung on to some of the family favorites that stand the test of time. I know I picked up a few sentimental toys at the thrift store over the years (then as kids have grown and we've purged, they've gone back to thrift store for the next sentimental person to find).
Can you remember the little tune the Fisher-Price clock would play when you wound up the back? Or the "ding" when the little car reached the top of the elevator and slid down the ramp? Making ooey-gooey creepy crawly bugs, racing cars down the orange hot wheels tracks and trying to memorize the code on Merlin ... The colored blocks (pictured above) that had a little figure inside, matching the letter on the outside, and the many different ways those blocks could be clicked together.
I remember the big horse ... I'm still surprised I don't remember anyone's fingers getting caught in the springs. Lots of Big Wheels over the years. The Fun Fountain (clown water toy) in the summer (Derek had a memory, and here's an old commercial featuring it!) Big Henry and Little Henry (Jen's stuffed doggies) and Wendy's Toto. The "musical marble" tower. The stacking rings. The homemade play rug with a full city for us to drive our cars around on, and the dollhouses (which became "smurf" houses when smurfs were all the rage ... you can see them in old Westra film reels, here's a link to it, starting at Christmas 1972, where you get a good glimpse of them, as well as a bike and big wheel). There was a big box of Lincoln Logs at Grandma Burgener's house, and Grandma Norman had a box of toys too. Grandma and Grandpa Westra have a huge toy cupboard! Pop beads and bristle blocks and lots of balls. Ping Pong, a mini-pool table and lots of legos.
Big Wheel, and a glimpse of one of the homemade dollhouses in Christmas 1972. The Simon game, SO MANY stuffed animals! And SPOOLS! They work as blocks, or as bubble blowers with Grandma Norman.
Memories from Mom/Margie ...
We still have the toybox, sans the lid. Remember colored Simon, where you had to repeat the sequence? We still have the orange hot wheels tracks, that the grandkids have loved through the years. I remember every kid in the neighborhood would come over asking to play with our big wheel in Richland. The big wheel on the front would wear through fairly quickly with use. So it got to the point that I didn't like to let all the neighbor kids in Richland use it----especially when they weren't even playing with our kids! They would just ring the bell and ask to use the Big Wheel. No one else seemed to own one in the neighborhood and we had to keep replacing ours over and over. I don't remember that you could just replace the large wheel, and had to buy the whole thing.I remember the day when I was far pregnant with Jeni and so tired and laying down for a rest, when the doorbell rang. A big truck driver, visibly shaken, told me, "I just came this close to killing your son!" Chris, age 4, had been zooming down our little bit steep driveway and into the street on his big wheel, and the truck had almost hit him! Scary! And guilt for a mom not watching their little kids every minute of every day. I wish we had good photos of your 2 dollhouses---one 2-storied with the open side and the other a top open view. I think they were made by my dad or by LaMar or one by each. Big Henry and little Henry dogs----brings to mind the cute picture we have when you guys buried little Derek in stuffed animals and it is hard to find his little face amongst all the toys. I remember you all as toddlers, pulling the "chatter phone" and the sound it would make, as the eyes rolled and you would "call" Daddy at work. And you as toddlers would push the "popcorn popper" pictured next to the "chatter phone."
Just as kids today wouldn't know how to use a rotary phone ... the little FisherPrice pull-toy rotary phone has been replaced by toy "cell" phones with lots of buttons and noises.
What toys do you think stand the test of time?
What toys will your kids look back on as a sentimental favorite?
It was April 28, 2015 when Scott wrote an email (which is pretty momentous in and of itself), he included a picture with the note "Guess what I found? A whole box of childhood!" And sure enough, it was! Oh the memories music can create! "Little Red Caboose" is probably the most remembered song for the Westra siblings (at least for the older four kids). I remember we would take the square case and use it for a "wheel" as we "chug, chug, chugged" around the front room. Even in today's tech-savvy world, I'd been unable to find a copy of the Chip 'n Dale version of the song we loved.
So ... take the train back to childhood. Chug, chug chug!
(click HERE for video)
When I finished up the "Red Pig" post, Wendy let me know about another photo of Baby Scottie on the red pig. In fact, in this photo, you could actually tell the pig was red! It was in color. The other, more familiar photo, was black&white.
Over the years, I think we'd seen many of these black&white pictures. In photo albums, and then when Wendy created the wonderful book for Mom and Dad's 50th anniversary, she took all those old negatives and had them converted to digital files. Those pictures were now easily accessible in Dropbox, and in the printed book. There was the occasional color picture in the earlier years, but they were few and far between. It wasn't until just recently, when Chris took Dad's slides, and got them converted to digital, that more of these color pictures have surfaced. There are quite a few pictures that are obviously taken at the same time (moments apart) to the more familiar b&w shots.
I've asked Dad, and I've done some Googling ... and I THINK, that there must have been different film types. If you were taking pictures for slides, or taking them for prints/negatives, you'd load different film into your camera. I guess it's possible that perhaps it was in the processing that the end result occurred, but I don't think so, I think you had to plan from the start. I don't know if the same camera could work with different types of film, and even if it did, you'd have to stick with one or the other until the film roll was completed. I asked Dad if he remembered having two different cameras, and stopping and taking a photo with one (to get a slide shot) and then the other (to get a print/negative.) He doesn't remember that, but admitted to having two cameras ... and he said that they both likely have an unfinished roll of film in them!
When Chris went to get the slides processed, he and Dad thought they were mostly mission memories (and there are a lot of those), but we were all happily surprised to find quite a few early photos of the family as well. Some color-recreations of familiar photos, but lots of new pictures as well. All in color!
We are pretty spoiled today, being able to see the picture immediately after taking it, not having to buy film, and then wait and pay to get it developed. Then, there was often just one copy of a photo/slide/negative, and if it was lost, it was gone. Now it is easy to take, store and share pictures. Video too ... looking back through my own video history, I recall the big VHS recorder, then the switch to a smaller camcorder with mini-tapes. Then as digital cameras were introduced, I was able to take a picture or a video using the same device ... although I still had my separate video camera as well. Now video saves to a drive and it's easy to copy, share and play with. And you can take both pictures and video on your phone!
Before the VHS even though, were film reels. I don't know exactly what that type of video camera looked like, I can't recall being filmed with it, but I DO remember when Dad would set up the reels and project the moving pictures onto the wall. No sound, just images. We'd laugh when Dad would stop and reverse it, and suddenly we were going back up the slide instead of down!
Sometime in the past, we had the old reels converted ... to VHS. Now that VHS is obsolete (Mom and Dad still have a VCR though, just FYI), time to convert them again. Skipping DVD, straight to digital. The quality isn't great. There's the original conversion, and then I'm not sure of the condition of the tape that was sent it. There was some obvious issues, but still, it's fun to get a little peek at the Westra Siblings way back in the day, IRL ... I'll be grabbing portions and pieces to go with specific blog posts in the future, but if you wanted to look at the entire tape (it's two hours ... covering 1969-1984) it's on youtube/below, and in GoogleDrive (where you could download a copy if desired).
This little piggy ... the first photo is of baby Scottie, first of the Westra siblings, sitting on the red pig. You can't even tell it's red in the black and white picture. In the second picture, the last of the Westra siblings, little Derek. I don't think the parents (or who knows, maybe this was Jen taking the picture) were trying to capture the EXACT pose ... but it is almost identical, even to the arm placement of Scott and Derek! Except for the EYES. What happened to the piggy's eyes? They were just stickers, and it had been 19+ years ...
But that wasn't the end of sitting on the red pig ...
Chris's four boys (Cayson wasn't here yet) in 2005 (top row)
Then another "piggie" photo shoot in 2011 with multiple cousins. So Camden has TWO pictures on the pig. Conner was the biggest grandkid, Ani closest to the age of Scott and Derek in the original pictures. I think Corin wins for the best pose, followed closely by Adria.
Found Photos! A couple more grandkid sits
... now it's a three-way tie with Camden's two-time sit with both Adria and Rella too!
What happened to the red pig? Well in 2011, it would have been 48 years old! Beyond losing paper eyeballs, thin plastic (it was a bank if I remember correctly ... hollow) gets brittle over time. It finally broke. Hopefully NOT while being sat on, although I guess that is a very good possibility! Poor piggy. You will always be remembered.
As for Mother's Day 2020, Chris wanted to put together a collection of memories, from each of the Westra siblings about Dad ...
here they are in the order received:
From Wendy~
I am grateful that I could grow up with the priesthood in my home and that I could receive Father’s blessings from my dad through the years! It was clear that both Mom and Dad had strong testimonies of the gospel and I learned so much from both of them! Recently Rick recorded a podcast (an audio interview) of Mom and Dad and I loved learning new things I hadn’t heard before and received advice and “words of wisdom!”
Dad helped me to gain a love of sports -- basketball, softball, soccer, tennis, and hiking! We would often play basketball in our driveway, or play catch or soccer in our yard or at the park. When I was a teenager (or young adult) Dad and I joined the Stake tennis tournament playing doubles as a Daddy-Daughter team. We actually did pretty well!!
Dad challenged the grand-kids to tennis matches, telling them that they could win $100.00 if they beat him in a tennis match. One such match was with our son, Jase, when he was staying with Mom and Dad while going to a Math camp at the University of Utah. Dad went into Cardiac Arrest and was rushed to the hospital. It was touch and go there for a while and so scary for all of us! There were many tender mercies during this time and we were SO grateful that Dad pulled through!! How fitting that he was released from the hospital on Father’s Day (five years ago) and that we could all join together that night to celebrate Dad and also the miracle of his recovery!
Dad always had lots of little songs and sayings. I remember Dad singing to us and later to our children…. “Pretty baby, pretty baby, how I love my pretty baby, how I love my pretty girl, pretty baby, pretty baby…” (I sung that to my babies too!) Whenever we passed by a sewer grate Dad would say, There are “Heffalumps and Woozles down there!”
I remember Dad chanting, “Rootie toot toot, rootie toot toot, we’re the boys from the Institute. We don’t smoke and we don’t chew and we don’t go with girls who do!!” Later on I heard this saying from President Hinckley in a General Conference talk but I had already heard it long before that from my Dad!! I also remember the little Dutch Christmas song, “SinterKlass Kapoentje” that he often sang to all of us!
I look a lot like my dad and we are similar in temperament. Both Mom and Dad helped me to gain a testimony and love of the gospel. Other LOVES I received from my dad are: Love of naps! I also gained a love of sports, the outdoors, singing, journal writing, and more recently family history!! I am so grateful for Dad and for the legacy he has given to us! Thank you Dad, I love you! (Wendy also wrote a list of memories for Dad in 2003).
From Scott ~
I am grateful for the example my dad set for me. Dad and I are very different from the personality profile perspective. I am Type A, flaming Red, ears glowing with passion and emotion whereas dad is the peacemaker, calming color code white person.
I appreciate him giving me advice. It came very infrequently which made it so much more potent. Some of that advice came at critical junctures in my life and changed the direction on my progression – always for the better.
I am grateful that he was able to ordain me to the priesthood and be an example of the proper use of its power.
I am grateful that he didn’t correct me even when I was obviously wrong and he knew clearly knew it. He just let me keep saying the same stupid thing until I figured it out myself.
I enjoyed being with him fishing, hiking, camping and working in the house and yard. I am grateful that I learned how to install and repair sprinkler systems, fix walls, repair plumbing and electrical, plant a garden and a hundred other things that have been useful in my life.
I love his passion for family history and I am grateful for the legacy of my ancestors.
I remember the terror of finding out mom was going fishing with grandma and grandpa and knowing that we would have to live on graham crackers with butter and peanut butter in between them or maybe toast if we were lucky until she got back.
Dad was not an exemplary mechanic. I remember learning how to check a cars oil in 10th grade auto shop and coming home to check our cars oil. With horror, I discovered the dipstick for the Impala station wagon barely registered any oil and what was there looked and felt like tar. My exasperation only grew when I checked the 1977 Honda Civic and the dipstick registered no oil at all. When I (with great despair) ask my dad why he had not changed the oil, he replied: “Why would I want to change the oil?’
I remember him killing a rattlesnake when we were hiking on the Grandeur peak trail. I understand now that that wasn’t the best course of action but I thought he was a hero for protecting the world from a great threat.
I remember dad being made the Scout Transportation Coordination when I turned 12, by virtue of him purchasing a station wagon. His first experience was taking about nine scouts to the Bear Lake camp. On the way, one of the boys suggested we stop at a firework stand in Evanston. My dad failed to see any problem with this and we left a few minutes later with enough fire power to take over a small country. When we arrived at the camp, the leaders were stopping every car and checking for fireworks. They asked my dad if he had any fireworks and since my dad had personally made no purchases, he looked the 16-year old straight in the eye and said: “Absolutely not.” We then proceeded to terrorize the camp, dropping smoke bombs and M80s into latrines and firing bottle rockets over the camp. My dad (the only adult leader for several days) knew nothing of this as he brought his fishing gear and was gone before sunrise and didn’t return until late after dark.
I admire his frugality. Even with more money than he could spend in his life, he wears two button-down shirts, one purchased from a store in Richland Washington that went out of business in 1970 and another that I handed down to him 23 years ago when it was too old for me to wear any more. I know that the lives of his children and grandchildren have been and will be greatly blessed by the lifetime of saving, canning, drying fruit, couponing, refunding and scrimping both our parents did since they were married.
I am grateful for all he did to support his family and to raise them in the gospel. There is no question that our parents fully fulfilled their sacred obligation and duty to teach us truth and light and provide us with all we needed to govern ourselves. They should be proud of their tireless efforts.
There are so many LaMar-isms that I find myself remembering, or thinking, or even saying as a Dad myself. Here are a few:
Calling all kids George and Henry (irrespective of gender) :)
Calling all kids Mr. Jones (also irrespective of gender)
Whenever seeing a hole or grate or sewer, saying "there are Heffelumps and Woozels down there!" T
elling all male kids/grandkids that girls were "nothing but trouble," and telling the girls the same about boys :)
Saying "Good morning!" when Dad got home from work
Dad singing "Oh What a Beautiful Morning!" or "On Moonlight Bay"
Dad using Dutch words exclusively for "green beans" "shoes" and other things
Dad teaching us all the "sinterklaas kapoentje" song at Christmas, and what it meant
If a kid is doing anything remotely dangerous: "you'll break your bones Mr. Jones!"
If a kid has in fact hurt some body part "it's okay - you've got another one!
Dad was always soft-spoken. I don't remember him ever raising his voice or yelling (I wish my kids could say the same for their Dad). He was not over-corrective and let his kids figure things out. I remember once being bored as a 13-year-old kid during Summer break and pulling out an old golf-caddy (a three-wheeled device that held your golf-bag). I asked Dad "can I get an old lawn-mower motor and make that thing into a go-cart?" Dad certainly knew that I entirely lacked all the skills to do such a thing, but said, "Sure." I think he was genuinely entertained at what I might do. When I was 16, I asked Mom and Dad if I could get a motorcycle. I remember being VERY surprised that they were somewhat supportive. Dad helped me look in the classified ads in the newspaper for motorcycles in my price range ($650). We found one (I remember it was on Wayne's World Drive in Draper) and Dad drove me out there to see it. I had never ridden a motorcycle with a clutch before, but I managed to test-drive the bike without killing myself (although it was really scary). Dad wisely told me to sleep on the decision and we could come back the next night to buy it. The next day, I was so excited to get it, but in my excitement, I pulled the car out of the driveway without checking my blindspot and hit Shane's Mazda 626. I was very upset, but Dad wasn't, and said "these things happen." The cost to fix it was $650, so my motorcycle never made it home. I remember Dad letting me learn in my own way.
Dad was my soccer and tennis coach growing up. He taught us all to kick with the side of our foot for control, and to pass the ball in triangles. As I got older and played competitive and High-School soccer and tennis, Dad would come to my games and matches. He even drove clear out to Davis High and other further away schools and watched. I remember him pacing back and forth and licking his lips nervously (which I only remember him doing when watching his kids play sports). He was invested in my athletics. I recall one time really wanting this Adidas soccer jumpsuit and telling him "Dad! I NEED it!" I recall him explaining to me the difference between wants and needs. I've thought about that conversation hundreds of times since then.
I remember being bored as a kid in the Summertime, and Dad was out working in the yard. I would say "Hey Dad, want to play tennis?" Almost every time, Dad would say "I'm working on this or that so I can't right now." Somehow, Mom was always watching, and I would see her come out and talk to Dad. A few minutes later Dad would come find me and say, "Want to go play tennis?" Haha. :) Not sure what Mom would say to Dad, but I'm guessing that it was some combination of "this is your last kid and you're missing key father/son moments!" and other "Cats in the Cradle" lyrics. But I always appreciated Dad's willingness to listen to Mom and to do what she asked. I see that now with Mom's generous financial offers and incentives, and other things that I'm sure she's talking Dad into. I like that he thinks about it, and supports his wife's desires.
I am so grateful for things that Dad taught me. How to respect women. How to find answers to my own questions. How to fish. How to work hard. How to be loyal to a calling or an assignment even when it wasn't convenient or even wanted. How to love the outdoors, and love hiking and tennis and soccer. One lesson that I think we've all mentioned is how to live within our means. Mom and Dad were very frugal, and taught us how to take care of money. Dad epitomized the "waste not, want not" mentality of his generation, and I wish my generation were better at this.
Things I don't share with Dad? His body type, his hair, and his love of digging. ;)
From Jeni~
Others have mentioned some of the “Dad-isms” … not sure if I’d seen mentioned how he calls parmesan cheese “parameciam” cheese, and butterflies “flutterbyes” and would often say “I just ate a bar of soap”. We WERE seriously considering using “Jones” and a middle name for one of the kids so that Dad would actually be correct when he called that particular child xxxxxx Jones (we didn’t end up doing that, but joked about it!)
I remember him taking me “stream fishing” up the mountains. It was a tiny little stream, not even a foot wide, not fast-moving at all. There were fish in there? I recall expressing my doubts “Dad, there’s no way there are fish in here LOOK A FISH!” and I think we proceed to catch it (or try to) with our bare hands.
I remember going up the canyons to help gather rocks for all the various projects, from the fireplace/planter downstairs, to the little pond and stairs in the backyard, the trail around the side of the house and all over the flowerbeds. Once we stuck closer to home (the old orchard) and tried to get a big piece of concrete (used for the base of one of said projects). Hitting it with a sledgehammer, disturbing a wasps nest and everyone except me got stung multiple times.
Playing tennis, while he likely WAS taking it easy on me, it didn’t feel like it. He’d come up and play the net and run me back and forth. It was exhausting! I had to learn to lob the ball to the back of the court in defense. I remember once when he came to watch me play soccer, he seemed a little shocked that his “little girl” was so mean out there on the field.
Dad was always working outside. I remember him cutting “snakes” along the edge of the grass to clean it up. He was supportive of me planting pumpkins and replanting the “chickens and hens” in little pots, and then I’d sell both there by the side of the road. I remember him putting us in the wheelbarrow and running us around the yard.
I did NOT appreciate him tricking me into turning on the freeway when I was learning how to drive.
The talk of building an underground racquetball court … we did get a cave! The little unique things added to the homes … in the Hermitage house, the “high bed” and the food storage underneath it (accessed from the food room) and the extra closet behind Wendy’s closet. In the Havenhill house ... the high bed again, and the little door storing toilet paper in the bathroom.
Hiding jellybeans in the little lava holes of the black fireplace at Easter … and also up inside the fireplace on the little ledge there.
Always giving Mom and hello/goodbye kiss.
Asking him for the date when a couple of our ancestors came to Utah (school assignment for Colton), and him coming back with a complete list of ALL the ancestors and writeups of their experiences. I told Colton he should see if he could get extra credit because it was so above and beyond what had been asked (and it's on the blog and in Dropbox if any of the other grandkids need that info!)
After we'd gotten married and moved away, we'd get Christmas "gifts" of random stuff we'd left behind.
Sleeping in a sunbeam … my cats, and Grandpa.
I think Keaton gets the juggling gene from Grandpa.
From Chris ~
I remember when I did the Heber Triathlon when I was only 15 or so. I wasn’t even allowed to register, but I did it anyway. Dad took me up there for the race. It was an incredible time commitment - one mile swim in Deer Creek, 112 mile bike ride, and then a half marathon! It took me ten hours and he just stayed there all day, helping me with the transitions.Thanks!
I remember one time in college when I called home and had a long conversation (with Mom, of course). Dad never has long phone conversations. However, just before hanging up, as Mom said goodbye - I heard Dad say goodbye also, and I knew that he had been listening the whole time.
Dad taught me how to do rock work (just much later in life - but I’m catching up). I also love all types of yard work as he does. I’ve also enjoyed delving into family history lately and he has taught me a lot of that also. Spending much of my time with yard work and family history suits me just fine.
I’m glad he taught me how to treat a woman with respect, and Kim appreciates that also!
My kids comment that I’m starting to look like Dad as I work around the yard with my hat and long sleeved button down shirt for sun protection. I’m the only child so far who has been able (so far) to follow his Grandpa example. Dad will tend lots of grandkids, but they will be involved in the projects he is doing (for the most part).
That’s what I do with Integrity - sure I’ll read a bunch of books and dance with her, but much of the time I’m simply involving her in the yard projects I’m doing anyway (and she loves it). And yes, I call her Integrity Jones. And she says, “Nooo”.
From Shane ~
These are all great! With me going last (my fault), I have fewer unique things to add, but I'll add a "plus 1" to a few things as well.
I remember Dad being so dedicated to his calling. All growing up, he was in the Bishopric, which I only realized later how big of a commitment that was.
Dad was (is) an excellent singer, a trait that I didn't inherit at all. I loved how he would sing the hymns, usually switching between tenor and bass parts on each verse.
Dad was willing to try new things, even rollerblading. Which he did fine until the day he fell and broke his wrist. I remember when that happened (picnic up the canyon), he still hadn't eaten dinner yet...so he wanted to eat first, then go to the doctor/hospital to get his wrist fixed. He ended up getting external pins in his arm, with this big metal thing that was very inconvenient. So with his right arm out of commission, he couldn't shift the stick-shift very well, so when driving places I would shift for him. He would put the clutch in and say "shift!" and then I'd put it into the correct gear (I was not even near driving age yet).
Even with Dad's right arm not working, he'd play tennis. He'd play all left-handed, and still beat me easily.
Because Dad was in the bishopric, and he liked hiking, camping, and fishing, it seemed like he was the dedicated bishopric member for ALL hikes and campouts. Dad would take me along well before I was a Boy Scout, and I loved it. I've been passionate about hiking and camping ever since.
Dad was so calm and patient -- even when I crashed the car into the garage, he handled it in a very kind and understanding manner.
Dad taught me sports -- how to drop-kick a soccer ball sky-high, how to do an under-the-leg layup in basketball (a great shot when playing "Horse"), and how to throw and catch a baseball.
Frugality. Dad taught me how to hammer nails back into shape and re-use them, how to fix hoses and extension cords, and do all sorts of home improvement projects. Besides just being frugal, he taught me how to be grateful for what I had.
Dad always treated Mom so well, and would be so supportive of what Mom wanted. I remember being so shocked at some of the arguments/fights my friend's parents had, because I had never really witnessed that before.
I loved making creations out of random things in the "Dingwidgets" and "Doogoogalies" boxes.
Dad was both quiet and non-controversial, and so discussing "the birds and the bees" was not his thing. But I think Mom made him agree that he would have "the talk" with me. So on the day that the elementary school had the maturation program, during the drive to the school, Dad said to me "So...you've raised hamsters. You know how all that stuff works?". I replied, "Yep". He simply said "Okay, good."
Funny sayings:
"Peas, cheese, and chocolate pudding"
"Hello, toast!" when the toast pops up (we say this in our family now)
"Faster than a terd of hurdles"
(While moving the limbs of a baby), "Exercises, exercises!"
Calling everybody "George" or "Henry", or <fill in the blank> Jones. Once I went out with a girl named Jessica Jones, and he said "I don't know much about her, but I love her name!"
We love you Dad! Have a super Father’s Day!
Now DAD and GRANDPA can be completely different ...
We'll have to get some memories from the grandkids! I asked Keaton what Grandpa Memories he had and he said "Tennis, PingPong, swimming with a hat on and tossing tennis balls, the pond and the cave in the backyard, sleeping in a sunbeam" ...
Growing up Westra, frosted graham crackers were a yummy treat. Generally made to use up some extra frosting, they were best the next day, when the frosting had softened the cracker some. How many of the Westra Siblings have introduced "frosted graham crackers" to their kids? Is this something the next generation will love, or will they think it is weird!?
Frosted graham crackers have been made (and consumed) fairly often at the Blackham home. Jen wondered how common this combination was, and posted the picture above to social media. There were quite a few comments from friends and neighbors reminiscing about the cracker combo, so it wasn't just a Westra thing.
Another cracker combo ... graham crackers and milk. Cookies and milk are mainstream, but Jen remembers her roommates looking at her oddly when she dipped graham crackers in milk.
Are graham crackers saved for smores or crusts, or do you still Westra them up?
Mother's Day 2020 - Quarantine Mother's Day. The usual visits wouldn't be happening, so Chris asked all the siblings to come up with some memories of Mom to share ...
Derek's Memories ~
My experience growing up (during my teenage years) was a little different than the rest of you siblings since I came later, and was almost like an "only child" since Shane left on his mission. So, I'll provide some memories from some of those years. :) I remember that Mom would put a "Thought for Today" on the fridge every day. My friends LOVED it. My friend Brian would always come over and hang out in the kitchen and out of the corner of his eye, he would try to quickly memorize the fridge quote. Then he'd suddenly say, "you know Margie - I've just been thinking..." then he'd repeat back the quote from memory as if he had just come up with it. I think Mom appreciated that her thoughts were being seen and internalized. :)
Mom would make homemade bread often (before Dad's celiac diagnosis brought that to a wheat-grinding halt). :) I remember coming home from school during High School (and often having a few friends with me), and Mom would bring out 2 loaves of homemade bread hot out of the oven. I recall that we wouldn't use a knife, but my buddies and I would just use our hands to break off big chunks (juggling them because they were hot and burning our hands) and we'd go through a whole loaf and a half and a stick of butter. My friends loved coming over to eat Mom's homemade bread!
Another memory I have of Mom/Derek time was watching shows together growing up. Being a "nerd" is "cool" now, but when I was a teenager, it wasn't necessarily "cool" to be into Star-Trek. :) Especially if you are watching it with your Mom! Haha! But I remember being secretly really into the new Star Treks. Mom and I watched The Next Generation, Voyager, and Deep Space Nine together. I remember doing homework in my room and Mom calling up "Derek, Star Trek is starting if you want to come watch!" I remember feeling "tool cool," but then I'd hear it start and I'd wander down and watch it with Mom. Fun fact - I recall one of my first crushes being a character called "7 of 9" on Star Trek (of course I never admitted this to Mom!). 7 of 9 was a half-human, half Borg that wore a way too-tight space suit. Fast forward many years, and there is a definite resemblance between 7 of 9 (long blonde hair, blue eyes, big lips) and Danielle. :) I must have a type. :)
I remember Mom doing her exercises to her CD's of "dance music" throughout the house. I imagine these are the same songs she exercises to in her pool now. Haha. I remember a few of these songs: "Let's Hear it For the Boy," and "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." To this day I smile every time I hear these songs on the radio, as I picture Mom dancing around the house with her arms up, pumping her jams. :)
Mom has always been a sponge of information and learning, and self-improvement. I have always been SO impressed with this. When I was in High School, she would wake me up in the mornings and I'd get ready for school, and do my morning chores (one of which was strangely to make HER bed - haha, to this day, I'm the only person I know whose chore was to make my parent's bed in the morning - but I always just assumed that was something she didn't love to do). :) While I got ready, Mom would walk on the treadmill and watch BYU devotionals. She has always loved to learn, and to be inspired and then share that information with others. Over these years I watched her assemble hundreds of these "Thought for Today" packets for missionaries, for friends and family and others - inspiring them with things that inspired her. I believe this is what led to her website (she had amassed so many resources that she started compiling them online). Her thirst for learning has never stopped. Even in her 70's, she amazingly (and surprisingly) became the family's expert in investing (even with two MBAs and a CPA/CFO). I consider myself a student of personal finance and my knowledge doesn't even approach my Mom's. I've always been inspired by her thirst for learning and her ability to learn new tricks (even at an older age). :)
Sometimes I tell people that when I was growing up, my Mom made me breakfast pretty much every day. Cocoa and Toast, Oatmeal, Spam and Eggs, Waffles, etc. This blows people's minds. I didn't know this was unusual until I went to college and learned that my Mom was the only parent on earth to spoil their kids with breakfast every day. :)
Shane's Memories ~
Riding Bikes: We would often ride bikes as a family, and Mom's bike had a little kid-carrier that Derek would sit in. I loved spending that time together as a family.
I remember going places in Grandpa's RV, and going fishing. Mom wouldn't ever bait a hook, or pull the fish to shore, but she liked doing the rest of it!
She was the "Fluoride Lady" at school. And I hated fluoride! But I guess I needed more of it, as I've had tons of cavities my whole life.
Before my mission, Mom took me to get my wisdom teeth out. After the surgery, on my way out of the office, I ran into a friend who was just coming in for his appointment. We chatted for a while, and then once we left apparently I was trying to convince Mom that I was fine to drive us home. Mom wisely insisted on driving. I have no recollection of my conversation with my friend or asking to drive home.
Once I got a "pink slip" at Woodstock (for tripping a classmate), and I was embarrassed to tell Mom and Dad. So I didn't, but I did keep the disciplinary note in that old toy metal fridge. After the school year was about up, I told her about it expecting to get into big trouble. But she just said I did the right thing by telling her, and she said that if we always do the right thing nothing else matters.
Mom would soak her feet in bucket of hot water (and I think salt). One day, she filled the bucket, put it in front of her recliner chair, and out of habit lifted up the foot rest -- spilling the bucket and all the water. She cleaned it up (which took a lot of time), filled the bucket again, sat down, and AGAIN lifted up the foot rest the second time, spilling all the water once again. I remembered that she was still pretty calm and composed in that situation, which really impressed me.
Conference talks: Mom collected hundreds of conference talks, books, and tons of other material for me to listen to on my way to and from the U. I still refer back to many of things I learned during those commutes.
Mission call: On my birthday when I turned 19, I was expecting my mission call. Really, it should have taken another week, but I thought "wouldn't it be cool if it did come on my birthday?" But I thought there was very little chance of that, figured I'd have another week to invite family and friends over for the opening. But when it went to the mailbox that day, there was the white envelope! I was very excited, but I knew that if I told Mom she'd make me open it sooner than I wanted (because I wanted more people to be around when I opened it). So I shoved it up my shirt, walked back to the house, and Mom asked "Did it come???" I shrugged and said "I guess we need to wait." Then I just went about the normal activities during the day. A while later Mom said "Darn, I was really wishing it would come today, that would have been such a good birthday present". Then I broke down and admitted that it had come, and it was hidden up in my room (I was using the east bedroom while still building my room in the basement). She got so excited and ordered me to go get it and open it right away! I protested, saying at least we should wait for Dad to get home from work, but she insisted so we called Dad on the phone and then opened my call. Mom was excited, but a bit scared of me going to Brazil.
Mom is the best! One of the things that has impressed me the most about Mom is how much she cares about us, even though we're older, married, and have families of our own. She still loves us, prays for us, and does so much to help us -- I am so amazed at how much of her daily activities are dedicated to helping her children and grandchildren.
Jen's Memories ~
Mom was CRAZY for coupons. She got a system to pick up the Sunday inserts from some neighbors who didn't want them. The neighbors would lay them out, then Shane would collect them. Then they had to be cut. And filed. "Filing coupons" was one of my jobs. I actually DID like shopping and appreciated the deals, so I think Mom connected more with me over the coupons (and rebates!) One morning I remember waking up to Mom rushing into my room and practically jumping on my bed, she was so excited and ecstatic. Skaggs Alpha Beta was going to do double coupons again! ;)
One of my favorite meals Mom would make was ... a chicken in the pressure cooker. It would be a whole chicken (I only do chicken breasts now myself) and I'd eat just it, didn't need anything else (except salt of course). My boys actually like this too! Except I don't use a pressure cooker (I'm even intimidated by the Instapot, but those old pressure cookers ... they were a little scary!)
Fruit Leather - did any other family make fruit leather? The table on the deck in back, with the wooden frames and the netting to keep the birds and bugs out. Lift up the frame and peel some off, still hot from the sun. Peaches were a milder flavor, but apricots were more plentiful. We'd experiment with jello and punch to make different flavors. Once, Mom and I even sketched out some "dream frames" ... but they never got built.
Mom didn't have time to be too involved at the schools while we were growing up, but when Derek was the last one left in elementary school, she started to go in, volunteering as "The Library Lady". Don't quote me on the name. She would tell a story to the kids to try and get them interested in a book. As I was a voracious reader, she often had me pre-read from a long list and tell her which ones I liked best (so she only had to read the best ones). She was at the school when the library was having a book sale, and they were getting rid of (gasp) the book "Sonny Elephant". This was my FAVORITE book. After I had left Woodstock, I'd get Shane and Derek to check it out so I could still read it. It is old and out of print, not something I could just buy. Mom bought it ... and it's still in my home library today.
Wendy's Memories ~
Mom was very educationally-minded and instilled within each of us a love of knowledge and learning. Going to college was completely expected. We were encouraged to do well in school and earn scholarships to help pay for our education. This is something I feel like I have passed on to my own children. When we were young, Mom and Dad had an education fund where we could contribute money for our college education and they would match it. She was also involved in our schooling and just learning in general. Mom would often correct our grammar and spelling and she would play word games with us. One game was to see how many homonyms we could come up with. We would also have spelling tests and play around with words in different ways. I still remember having to write an autobiography for a class and Mom suggested that I start it off with "On April 29, 1968 the world was graced with my presence!" I liked it and so that was the way I started my paper!
Recently I was reading in my journal about an experience that happened in July 1982 when I was 14 years old. Donaldsons hired me to weed their entire yard for $10.00. I hated weeding (then and now) but I accepted the job. It was difficult work and I soon realized that I wasn't getting paid enough for the amount of work. Mom must have felt sorry for me and came out to help. We wet down the dirt so that the weeds would come out more easily. It got really muddy in one place and when Mom stepped in it her foot sank about a foot. She was stuck and couldn't get her foot out and when she finally got it out her sandal broke! I was grateful that mom came and helped me when I was overwhelmed with a task. All of the "mud" reminded me of when we would play "muddy mess" in our sandbox. We would put on old swimming suits and dig huge holes in our giant sandbox and then fill them with water. Often we had elaborate sand castles, tunnels, and bridges. We would play in the holes of water and get all muddy and needed to take a bath when we were finished! I am grateful that mom let us explore our creativity in fun, messy ways!
I love how Mom made birthdays a big deal -- but also kept the parties simple. We often had a birthday party both with friends and with family. We had lots of combined birthday parties (and other parties) with the grandparents, cousins, and aunts and uncles. When we were young and had a "friend" party mom would give each of the kids a paper sack to color and that became the party bag for the kids to bring home. I actually continued that tradition for a lot of my children's birthday parties -- cheap and easy -- and they loved it! She would often read the children a story and we would play simple games. When we went to a friend's party we always had a birthday gift covered with taped on candy, which immediately got lots of attention by all the kids there! Mom often got birthday gifts on sale and had a whole drawer full of gifts that we could choose from when we had a birthday party to go do.
We had lots of birthday sleepovers! This is not a tradition we have continued (in this day and age we no longer feel comfortable letting our kids have sleepovers except at relatives houses) but I have fun memories from the sleepovers that Jen and I had with our friends. I also have lots of fun memories of family get-togethers. I am grateful for everything Mom has done through the years to keep our family close! Love you, Mom!
Wendy also wrote up a bunch of memories back in 2003 as well.
Chris's Memories ~
I remember Mom asking me about specifics in my life growing up. She knew what girl I was interested in, what test I was taking, and what afternoon activities I had each day. Because she knew, she could ask those specific questions about my day. I’ve tried hard to do this with my own boys, getting a schedule of their classes and knowing what book they are currently reading, for example.
I remember Mom and I sharing books, even when I was a teenager. I credit her for opening up my life to psychology and life improvement and relationship books. To this day I’m still interested in those type of books!
I remember Wonderful World of Disney on Sundays, 6:00 I think. She would be in her recliner and we would be watching from the floor around her. When a commercial break came, Mom would say, “Ok, everyone up and go brush their teeth! - hurry.” And we would have to hurry to get back before the commercials were over so we didn’t miss any of the show.
Scott's Memories ~
It has been interesting to read the responses. Mom was in different stages of parenting with all of us.
I remember mom working in the small kitchen in the first house we lived in on Ranier Street. I remember the large white appliances and I remember her taking Chris in the stroller for a walk and walking behind. I remember that I had to go to my room if I was bad or if my parents needed a break and looking under the crack below the metal bedroom door and seeing my parents walk around on the wood floor. I remember mom being so nervous when dad would have me stand on his hands up in the air or leave me hanging from the clothes line or the Catalpa tree in the front yard. The Ranier house had a window-mounted air conditioner in the front window and I loved to stand in front of the cold air and mom kept shooing me away – afraid I would freeze my brain.
I remember later after we moved into the Saint Street house than mom took up cake decorating and had all these neat things to play with – disks and tubes and heads. I remember watching the moon landing on the black and white TV while mom was ironing and having her say this was something I would always remember.
I remember going to Church as a family and that the building had green stone and a deep large window well, where I was told I would be placed if I was not reverent. I remember mom wearing wiglets and that she would style them while they sat on a Styrofoam head. I remember mom taking me to Kindergarten at Spalding Elementary and letting the teacher know he should take good care of me or he would be in trouble.
Mom was always busy with the younger kids – there were babies or young children in the house all the time I was growing up and they demanded the bulk of her attention. I figured that was fair as I had her undivided attention for the first two and a half years of my life.
I am amazed at her dedication and investment in making the lives of her kids and grandkids better. She is tireless at transferring the wisdom and knowledge to benefit her posterity. She is a great example. Always faithful.
Thanks Mom for all your continued love and support for us, and for all your grandchildren!
