Wednesday, February 9, 2011

A one, A two...

There was a beautiful dvd slideshow playing at my grandpa's funeral with the most incredible pictures of him in his young adult life. The man was a looker! And on his arm was my petite Grandma, always in a perfectly classic dress or overcoat. I was hoping to snag some while I was there, along with some of his artwork for the new nursery, but no luck this time. Well, no luck as far as that goes. Pretty darn lucky with what I found, though.

Grandpa had quite the accomplished career as a photographer, from pictures being published in Life magazine, Sports Illustrated, etc to working with famous celebrities. I was able to use one of his cameras for a class in college and needed his help figuring out the meter. I remember him saying that eventually you wouldn't need a meter, you would look at the light and know how it would eat away at the film. I'm not quite there :) My aunt and uncle were very sweet to haul down album after album of my grandfather's pictures for us to go through. I don't think there was any better way to spend the day then going through his books and reliving memories through them with my extended family. The thought was running through my mind this past week that I don't recall my grandpa being intrusive about his picture taking. I don't remember him 'setting up' shots, or getting in the way of our fun, or saying, "Look here! Over here! Smile, hold it...." He captured our lives in a very real way. So since I don't have some of those gorgeous pictures of him and grandma (that I'm just itching to get my hands on), I thought I would post some I found of me as a newborn.

To say I treasure these is an understatement! I love the colors and the lighting and the people. We try to get this look in photoshop after taking the shot and somehow he got it with just his Nikon and his dark room. I had only seen the picture below before, the rest were new to me. In fact, I only found these because I went searching for this one:

Photobucket

The picture is dated the 4th of July, 1983, which means this is the Barlow bash in Lewiston, Utah. And that's my sweet Grandma Furniss, passing a three-month-old me to my Grandma Barlow. I love that my mom and Grandpa Barlow (who passed away shortly thereafter) are pictured as well.


Photobucket

My parents canoodling on a Sunday afternoon :)


Photobucket

A few of my Grandma Furniss and me, how I miss that sweet lady. She was about as proper as they come and I chuckled this week thinking of her scolding Grandpa for swearing in front of us. He would undoubtably say, "Ah, hell, Carol." And that would be it :) My favorite story from the funeral (and there were some good ones!) was of the two of them watching a movie with my cousins. At one part, Grandma frowned and said, "Oh, that Hollywood kissing!" to which Grandpa replied, "Hey, don't knock it 'till you try it!"

Photobucket


And these last two of my parents, who were so missed this weekend. I'm not sure if my mom will love me posting this, but as soon as I saw it, I knew I must have it. See, my mom is a bit of a wonderwoman. I am...not. It's not that I love this picture in any sort of spiteful way, I love it because yes, my efficient, hard working, never-stopping mother was sometimes exhausted as well with the demands of a newborn. Ahh...I feel much better :)

Photobucket


Photobucket

Also, I would really like to know where this dress of hers is hiding.

Grandpa, thank you, thank you, thank you for these treasures. I miss you. I hope Heavenly Father lets you have your roller skates in heaven.

15 comments:

Tara Ann said...

What wonderful posts. Thanks for sharing his memory with us Ashley; it was touching to read. I love and miss my Grandpas; they were so funny too, maybe it is a grandpa thing. I also really like the pic of your parents "canoodling," it captures a beautiful marriage, so sweet!

melissa said...

Wow! Treasures, indeed. One of my favorite parts of the weekend was when you said, "Now THAT'S how you do a funeral!" Seriously, dude. It was perfect.

Ginnie said...

I love that Bishop Furniss had an AWESOME mustache!! I had no idea! These posts were very touching. You and Allison both honored your grandpa so well.

I'm one of Collin's friends... not some complete creeper! I think we've met a few times, but it has been a long time! You're blog is so wonderful. I love how you express so much joy in motherhood-- the ups AND the downs. You're kids have grown up so much! They are sooo cute!!

Corie said...

Those photos are simply beautiful. Your grandfather seemed like an extraordinary person, and it is obvious that he left quite the legacy. I could look at those pictures all day. What special moments he captured, and in such a real way. Now I know where you get your talent from, Ashley.

Pace Adventures said...

I see your girls when I look at those baby pictures.

The Hodsons said...

Beautiful pictures!!! I too like the one of your mom looking a little tired. It makes all mothers not feel alone in their exhausted-ness of being a Mom.

Ashley said...

Ginnie, of course I remember you! I think we've met only once, maybe twice, but I hear your name in my house quite often. The sisters adore you :) And oh yeah, Dad sported the 'stache for many a year. Lookin' good, just like I knew he would!

allyn said...

you definitely snagged some good ones, ashley. i have several of gpa and gma together that i will scan somewhere and send out to all who want them. they are beautiful.
i don't think i ever saw your mom looking tired. glad gpa captured it.

Chrissy said...

Ashley, I am sorry for your loss. These pictures are truly treasure! I don't know your family, but I feel like I spying on something truly wonderful and amazing. Something I want for my own family.

Alisa and Crowells said...

Ooh, I love posts like these! ABSOLUTE treasures is right. It is so true that here we have this computer program to recreate something so naturally captured. Lovely shots--and how they tell a story. Wow. One talented man for sure, and you've written such a fun and beautiful tribute--makes me wish I'd had the chance to meet and chat with him.

val said...

such a great post. and what a great legacy. this is so important to have documented. loved seeing the old photos. real treasures!

Tiff and Trev said...

LOVE this pictures! LOVE your mom's dress! And of course her expression. I appreciated the picture too, because your mom always seems like she has as much energy as our 4 year olds, but it's nice to know she had some moments of exhaustion in motherhood too :o). I miss you and your Mom!!

Your grandpa was very talented...those photos are amazing! What treasures!

rebecca said...

Wow! What treasures!!!! I think one of my favorites is of your mom sitting there holding you. It just captured such a real moment(like all the other pictures)!

Victoria Gilbert said...

What a sweet tribute this is. Your Grandpa sounds like a great man.. so much fun! And it seems he has passed his talent and love of photography onto you. Beautiful pictures and stories...thank you for sharing! :)

adam and erica said...

Sweet. I love looking through old photos, such good memories.