Derek in Concert

 Derek and Blake performing at the Tahitian Noni

Wendy and Jen were very involved in music throughout high school and college ... but it was Derek who ended up playing at a couple of concerts. After finding several pictures in Dropbox, I reached out to Derek and asked if he'd share his memories ...

When I was at BYU, music was a big part of my life. My high-school friend and college roommate Blake Stillman and I had a little band and played lots of small gigs in Provo (a couple restaurants, Velour, the Tahitian Noni building, etc.) I had recorded a little album of guitar, piano and vocal music (I actually released it online under the name Three Three Three (our apartment number at BYU). You can find it here. :) I didn't use my name when I published these since I'm sort of embarrassed about college-age songs.

https://music.amazon.com/artists/B08NSR1R5F/three-three-three

 

In 2005, I was working at Zions Bank  (I had a huge crush on Danielle but we weren't dating - just working together). I had recorded a little demo CD and had sent it to some of the locals (Jon Schmidt, Peter Breinholt, Ryan Shupe, etc.) I heard back from several of them which I now realize was super nice of them to consider me. Peter and Ryan both pulled me on stage to sing with them in different shows. Jon Schmidt was starting to get really popular and I was thrilled when he called me and asked if I could open for his Thanksgiving Point show (which was his biggest show at the time.) He asked if I could do five songs. Blake and I practiced hard and were ready to do three originals and two covers. I printed and hung posters at the bank and in our apartment complex and secretly really hoped that Danielle would come.

Our student ward at BYU bought so many tickets that I think Jon Schmidt was really pleased with his choice of opener when he saw the crowd we brought with us. Blake's parents and my parents came to support which was meaningful since I can't remember Mom coming to much of my stuff growing up (Dad always came to my soccer games and tennis matches, but it was special that Mom made it!) That night was SO cold! It was in September 10, 2005 and it was absolutely frigid. Blake's Dad brought some hand-warmers and Blake and I needed them so much so our fingers didn't freeze (he played piano and drums and I played guitar). It was a full-house with hundreds of people there. It's fun because when I've posted about this on FB, people I know now, but didn't know then will say "Oh my gosh! I was there! I totally remember you singing!"

Danielle and her friend did come to the concert. :) When they got there and parked, I was already playing and she said "oh no! He's already on stage, I can hear him!" They ended up following the sound and were able to get into the show without paying somehow. Haha. I've teased her that my concert was the only thing she has ever stolen! When I got off the stage and Jon Schmidt started playing, Danielle came up and gave me a hug and told me good job. We started dating six months later!

I still play music, but I don't sing anymore. I was never a good singer and I always knew that, but since I wrote the songs, I had to sing them! Now, I just do piano albums. I've released 4 and I'm working on the 5th now. Our girls like to listen to "Daddy Music" at bedtime on their Alexa, so I've tried to record all my piano music as slow, lullaby style music.

Derek's Piano covers will need to be another blog post with the "music" label, but here is a little peek. Such creative covers (and I mean the visual, although the piano pieces are too) and love how he incorporates their piano into each one!

Derek's Instagram handle IS @DRockandRoll (https://www.instagram.com/drockandroll/) which is appropriate for this music part of his life!

Back to September 10, 2005 ... Mom's had mentioned the concert in one of her emails:

"We've only been to one concert in our life---Peter Breinholt (sp?) at the Sandy Amphitheater with Derek back in his dating days before Danielle. Oh, and I guess the Jon Schmidt one at Thanksgiving Point when Derek and his friend Blake, opened for him, when he just started dating Danielle. It was Sept. and we about froze to death."

Ah, musical memories ... and cold fingers! 

Easter 2005

Easter was March 27 in 2005. A little chilly. The Blackham boys had jackets and Cooper had a slightly moist and muddy bum (he was a scooter, not a crawler ... Taylee is walking!) Not as many flowers in the photos ... but four cars are caught on camera. Who was driving what in 2005? The little white ears made it atop Adria's head, and the classic pink basket was in use.

Quite a few grandkids this year! 

Missing the Jensen's in St. George.

2004 Christmas Letter

The original 2004 PDF is available in Dropbox.

Father's Day 2004

 June 2004 in the Westra backyard ... some of the siblings gathered for Father's Day. The usual ladder golf and ball tossing. Pop beads were a hit. Who knew the older kids would enjoy them so much?

Grandpa showed off his juggling skills...

... and then he and Keaton flipped out a bit (see Keaton do it again years later Aug2018)
Also check out the Easter2004, where such Keaton/Grandpa flips were caught on video).

Then there was some picking of raspberries and cherries ...

Video and more pictures below!
(It's a little Blackham heavy ... but that happens when I man the camera)

Easter 2004 ... Etc

Time for the annual Easter egg hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Westra's house! Callahan seems to be in his Sunday best, so I'm thinking the party was on Sunday this year (April 11). Just Scott's and Jen's families in attendance. The little handmade ears made cute baby bunnies of both Cooper and Taylee.  Uncle Shane was a big help to Callahan, lifting him to reach the high eggs (that Uncle Shane probably put there in the first place). Shane and Alicia don't have little ones of their own yet, so they are always helping out with the nieces and nephews ... but some notes in a few of the eggs indicated that would be changing. Adria was on her way! Easter announcement!

 Ah ... Kemery used one of the classic Westra baskets!

... and just to finish up, some flower photos this from this spring season. 

...and more of the house and yard.

The top pictures are from April/Easter. Look close in the top/right. See eggs hanging from trees. April Easters are so pretty and green! The pictures on the bottom row are from May/Mother'sDay (different clothes on Gray and the boys). Jen couldn't find these photos in her files, in fact Jen is caught on camera holding the camcorder (so the photos are actually from Grandpa's camera). Here's a peek at the live-action stuff Jen caught on camera ...

Keaton would get Grandpa going for more flips on Father's Day!

2003 Christmas Letter

For a closer look, click on the image and/or check out the PDF in Dropbox.

Memories of Dad for his 66th Birthday

I wrote Dad a list of memories I had of him through the years as a gift for his 66th birthday! 

Happy 66^th Birthday Dad  -  May 28, 2003

I remember when…

You were always in the Bishopric when we were growing up.  I remember you sitting up in the front during Sacrament meeting. You would always look at me and give me a wink!

You taught me how to ride a bike.  I remember riding my little blue two-wheeler with you running in back of me holding the seat.  I didn’t even know that you had let go until I turned around and you were far behind me!!

You baptizing me.  It must have been a Stake Baptism because I remember a whole row of kids dressed in white – each sitting next to their father.  I wanted to be really good after that and not do anything wrong!!

You came with us on a Youth Activity where we hiked the Uintahs.  It was a very long hike with those giant back-packs with our sleeping bags on top.  It rained everyday and we sat in rows by the fire with those big rain ponchos on.

We would go sleigh-riding at Murray Park and Mountain Dell.  One time I rode on your back and you really hurt yourself.

Playing basketball out on our driveway and playing catch with our softball mitts.

Looking for jelly beans hidden in all sorts of odd places at Easter.  Some of them were hidden so well we wouldn’t find them until months later!!

Finishing up our basement with Grandpa with the beautiful rock fireplace.

The big huge compost pile in our back yard and the beautiful rock fountain you made!

The drinking fountain in our back yard.

Pulling things up and down over our deck by a rope when we had outdoor dinners in our backyard.

Doing things with our club-group.  I remember camping and having different dinners and parties.

You taking naps in the sunbeam!

Playing tennis when you would hit the ball waaaaayyyy up high in the sky and we would try to return them.

You and I joined the Stake tennis tournament playing doubles as a Daddy-Daughter team and I think we did pretty well!!

You said we should become professional tennis players instead of running track and cross country – something about better pay!

You 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 have sung this to my babies too!)

You would always sing silly songs and I would always ask you if they were really real songs or whether you were just making them up!

When we were in the car together you would grab my knee and say, “whoops!  I thought that was the gear shift!”

Shooting flies with rubber bands!

Something to the effect of if you shot rubber bands at us then Mom told you that you wouldn’t get your treat!

Making peanut butter and butter graham cracker sandwiches!

Daddy-Daughter dates all the way through Primary to Sorority!

Going camping and fishing.

Receiving Father’s blessings when we were sick or before school started.  I received wonderful Father’s blessings before I went on my mission and before I got married.  What a wonderful blessing it was growing up with the priesthood in our home!!!

Driving with you to work when you couldn’t take the bus for some reason. It was nice to get that time to talk.

You broke your wrist roller-blading!

I was stressing out over marriage decisions and you said that in your day you never did all this stuff liking going to the temple and praying and praying and praying and everything else – you just chose your woman and got married! 

When we interviewed you on video tape.  Your testimony and words of wisdom really meant a lot to me and still do.

Passing a sewer grate and saying that there were “Heffalumps and Woozles” down there!”  My kids say that every time they pass one!

When watching TV we had to hurry and do our work during the commercials.  I remember you turning off the TV during Disney and us kids all started crying and throwing a fit (I’m sure it wasn’t the only time)!

Having to work on Saturdays cleaning the house and doing other chores.

Our star job chart and scripture reading chart.  If we read scriptures everyday we got a scripture treat at the end of the week.

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!!  I heard this phrase from President Hinckley in a General Conference talk but I had already heard it long before that from you!!

I was the first one to graduate from the same University as you! (Forget BYU! J)

You have always loved to work in the yard – often to Mom’s chagrin!

Janika wrote this about you in her history last year: “My Grandpa Westra likes to collect snails and we help him.  He has a whole bag full of snails in their shells.  He has brown hair and he likes to take naps all the time.  I like to collect snails and feed the fishes with him!”

Thanks for everything Dad, hope you have a Happy Birthday – I love you!!  Wendy