Family...

If you know me, and if you're reading this you likely do, then you know that when I find a new hobby or task I become TOTALLY obsessed with it. Scrapbooking for a while, photography for a brief stint, a few other random crafty things here & there. Well now, aside from my obsession with Norm I have been obsessed with researching my family and John's.

I have tracked John's Meme's family (his mother's mother) back about 5-6 generations. I've tracked his Noni's side back pretty far too (father's mother). His Nono's side is a little tougher, as there were some name changes, but I'm getting it. I want to learn as much as I can.

As for my side of the family, it's a little tougher. Ma Walsh's family, (my Dad's mother) I just started asking about yesterday. Dad didn't know too much, only my great grandparents names (which i knew), their kids, and their kids' kids. I knew most of that.

To the point(s) of the post, Nicole. Jeepers!! I spent yesterday with my Mom at Nana's house. Since she is my last surviving grandparent, I feel this incredible need to get as much information out of her as I can. We spent 3 hours going through old pictures. HUNDREDS of them. Her wedding album, pictures of her growing up, pictures of her mother's childhood. I couldn't believe how much information she has tucked away in that brain of hers. She amazed me. I mean, she was sitting across t he room from me, a solid 8 feet away, and she while looking at her yearbook she would say "Hey, see that girl second from the right, top row?? She and I didn't get along, but she ended up marrying so&so and they have # kids now and they live over by New Pond!" Seriously, Nana?!?! You are unbelievable. My own mother impressed me. Her memory is usually not too great, but she remembered so much of her childhood, and listening to them laugh about old times, and funny stories was just what I needed. Such a fun day. And as much as I love Lucas with all my heart, I was glad I chose to leave him with John for the day. I needed some adult time, to just relax.

Nana also mentioned that she has TONS of slides and 35MM negatives lying around that I am welcome to. So for Christmas, I REALLY want to save up and buy this negative scanner. I also want to borrow or puchase a good photo scanner. Nana let me borrow a bunch of pictures and I NEED to make copies. I want prints of Nana & Papa's wedding with Grandma & Grandpa Bunney (Nana's maiden name was Bunney!) and Grandma & Grandpa Aitken (Papa's parents). Also I adore Nana's engagement photo and high school photo. She was so beautiful! I have really attractive grandparents, I must say! I really want prints of as many family members as possible. I want to make a scrapbook of a family tree for Lucas and I want to hang prints in my dining room or living room or hallway or all of the above!

I realize these projects will take years, but they are so worth it to me and it's a great way to combine a bunch of my little hobbies into a greater purpose, I think. I love the research, it's like a wild goose chase. I love getting results, and I even love hitting a wall or a dead end because it forces me to think outside the box and get creative which is not a strong suit for me!

Here's to getting to know as much as possible about the family I grew up in, and the family I've married into . For better or worse, every family has a story and I can't wait to see mine unfold from both past and future!