Nola and I go to the Garner Homestead with Grandma Bishop

Mom (Adrienne) and I at the original Alfred and Fanny (Caldwell) Garner settlement near Hillspring, Alberta.

Nola and I arranged with Grandma Bishop to go out to her first memories in and around the Hillspring area. Mom lived there until she was about 7 years old. She remembered so much of her time there. She reminisced with us and she shared wonderful and amazing stories all day long. Here are a few of the things that we shared to make this such a magical and memorable day.  Mom is in her mid 80's and sharp as can be.  She hadn't been to some of these places for 80 years or so and took us right to the spot.  I was thouroughly impressed with her kindness, strength of charachter and the wonderful humor we shared all day long.

This is the land that Art Garner (our Grandpa) purchased in the 1920's.  The river is the Waterton River just downstream from the Waterton Dam.  Mom remembers fishing with her brother Eldon near this spot. They fished off the rocks upstream from this spot you can just barely see the rocks in this picture.  Eldon said, "Adrienne, stop talking, the fish can hear you." 

So many memories came flooding back into Mom's mind as we wandered through the area.  She talked about riding to school on the back of Eldon's horse, with her sisters Thora, and Reva riding a different horse.  The school is 4-5 miles from their farm so it took some time to get there by horseback.  Mom remembered Eldon riding the horse into a small lake on the way home from school and catching young ducks and geese for supper, all from the back of his horse with mom 5-7 years old on the back. 

When we arrived at the original Art Garner farm site, we saw a John Deere combine heading out to the field. We stopped at the house and knocked, no answer.  So we chased the combine down in the field.  When the combine stopped, I hopped out and chatted with the man.  I introduced myself as Art Garner's grandson, he said "Oh I remember Art Garner." I asked if he would come meet and visit with Art's daughter Adrienne, he said, "Sure."  So he introduced himself as Floyd Smith, Floyd has been farming this land since the early 1950's.  Floyd mentioned that he had sold the 'River Bottom' land to his daughter and son inlaw.  Then said let's go visit Lori (Floyd's daughter).  So we went for a short drive to the river bottom and toured around and then stopped at the 'Merrill' residence to visit with Floyd's daughter. 

 

We were delighted to find Lori Merrill, Austin's former piano teacher, and a friend of our family. Unbeknownst to all of us Lori and Grandma grew up on the same farm doing much of the same things.  This was a beautiful and unexpected reunion....
 

This is the Waterton River where our Mother and Lori have shared so many early life experiences 35-40 years apart. 

This is the Belley River near Hillspring Alberta. The land in the back ground to the right is where Alfred and Alice Garner (my Great Grandpa and Great Grandma) came up from Utah and settled in.  The other side of the river is the Reservation.  Mom told us the story of her grandma "Alice" who heard some one at the front door of their cabin and went to see who it was, there stood an Indian woman with a sick baby.  The Indian woman used sign language to tell 'great grandma' that her baby was sick and needed help, she then gave the baby to 'gg Alice' and walked off, coming back about a year later to pick up her child. 

We had a fabulous day.  Stories of the old days, visiting and enjoying eachothers company.... Thank you for sharing the day with us.
We Love you Mom, Grandma, and Great Grandma!

Family Vacation in Sooke BC... and area.

We (Nola, Carter, and I) head out to Vancouver Island via Motorcycles, taking the south route, into the USA and the ferry from Anacortes Washington to Vancouver Island.  We had a rainy and cold start. (There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad equipment) Our equipment held up well, so we push on. 

How bad can it be? Right Carter! We are on holliday, riding our motorcycles out to the ocean. Where is the downside?

Fuel time, both body and bikes.... then 'Away we go'.... To infinity and BEYOND....

We have a 'Saskwatch' scare in the campground.... This might be a scary place.

Beach Time = Play Time. Very fun...

I think the Georgia Girl is chilly.... "Buck up there little Camper"

Who get's it?  Ya just never know.... Never count any of these guys out.

A little brotherly love.... This one goes to Carter, I think.... but ya never know.

Ready, Set, ...... Watch out...... Let the games begin.

Friendly little guy.... This bird takes 'mooching' to a whole new level.

There is Fungus amoungus... Get it?

This bird was brazen.... Amazing....

Rain Forrests are wonderful....

Thinking...................................>>>>>>>>>

How high?  About 50 feet or so... Go Austin.

Exploring the beach for us flatlanders is 'Way Kulh".... Hunter is diggin' it.

Rain Forrest and the Beach....... Ahhhhhhh.... Nice...........

This is a wooden walk way to and from the beach.... Kewl or what?

We had a great time. The whole Bishop Crew was there including Dylan and Shawn.  How good is that? We just had some fun.... Tony & Amy Halverson came out and we spent some quality time together telling stories and laughing till it hurt. Then out to the Dock to do some crabbing, we got enough crab to feed us all a lovely feast.... Hmmmmmmmmm .... Then from Sooke to Toffino.... it wasn't too far but it took some time to get there. Toffino was rainy, drizzly and cool.  Just the way Toffino is supposed to be. Family hollidays are magical.  Thanks every one for making this time so great.  We love you all. (Even you Tony) Mom/Dad/Grama/Grampa...

Reunion in Stirling Alberta.

This is a few pictures of the 'Crazy Sisters' in action.  They are filling bags of popcorn for the "Free Movie" night going on ....

Keep away from the popcorn... nothing to see here.... move allong folks.

This is 'a' typical... beware of a gaggle of women on a mutual mission....

"Danger Will Robinson, Danger!!!!!!" 

{That is a 'Lost in Space' quote}

There was lots of action at the Reunion, Food, an Auction, Food, Movie Night, Food, Visiting, Food, and more Visiting.....accompanied with Food. This was the Navratil Girls (aka 'Crazy Sisters) turn to make this one happen.  In my oppinion, and yes I am biased, the 'Crazy Sisters', did a wonderful job with the organization of the Hancock Reunion.... It is indeed an honor to be included in the Celia May Hancock/Navratil crew, yep I'm one of them.  " A word to the wise, keep your distance from the 'Crazy Sisters' when they are on a mission.... I'm just sayin'.....

July 2009 Birthday time ....

Some summer foilage....

Hunter's Birthday.... the big #5...

This is Marshall, he's 2.

Birthdays...... Baloons & Big Smiles.... They go together.

This is a Birthday Bike... Hunter is concerned with big boy, hand brakes.  Brad (the owner of the bike store) takes a turn helping Hunter to get over his phobia.... This was funny.  Fifteen minutes later after Grandma worked out the kinks, Hunter was an old pro at big boy hand brakes....

Don't ask?

Austin and Carter off to go visit Tony Robbins in 'California'....

Nola and I did a little ride about and came upon this canola field just south and a little west of Calgary....

Sunday afternoons in Fish Creek Park.... Always a good time.

These are good times. We enjoy hanging out with the family, going down to the creek, skipping rocks, venturing into the 'jungly.... jungle, chucking a frisbee, flying a kite or two, skateboarding to the 7ev.... fer slurpees.... you know the drill.... good times.  Life is full and full of goodness.  A big thanks to the entire family.   Love 'Dad' / 'Grampa'

Summer Fun with the Bishop's

Summer is back, it's time for summer type adventures... and summer fun in the sun.  We have Birthdays in July, a Family Reunion (Hancock {Nola's mothers family}).... in early August ....... and a family vacation is planned for Vancouver Island in Mid August. So we've got some plans.... Next Post will be some July fun.

We are doing great... It's just been me not posting and letting y'all know what's up with us.... I'm just  lazy...It is a challenge, mostly it's a challenge for Nola, cuz I kinda like 'lazy', it works for me.

Check back soon and I'll have posted some updates.  Mark 'out'

We're Back..... lot's more to come...

Hey.... We're still here and doing Great.... Christmas has come and gone and all of a sudden so has Easter.... Oooops. Here's some of what we have been up to.

First it was Christmas.... Christmas Conerts are a must. Hunter had a great time entertaining every one there. This was a treat, so fresh and so absolutly genuine!
Then there is the decoration part of Christmas. Nola is a master at getting us all in the Christmas swing of things with her attention to detail. "Thanks for all you do sweetheart!" We Love it, we may moan a little and roll our eyes at each other while you aren't looking ... but what is Christmas without a little traditional eye rolling? Ya gotta do it! Nola has collected numerous Nativities here are a few...

I think this one (above) is Nola's favorite.
This one is my favorite. Nola made all the figures when she was in grade 9.
This one is made from Olive Tree Wood from Jerusalem....

Sammy Snow Flake even came out to decorate this year
We have lived in this home for 12 Christmas's now. Each year on Christmas morning we go visit George and the Hills (2 wonderful neighbours) in our pyjamas, usually new pj's that Nola has arranged for us as our "Christmas Jammies" .... Again Tradition... This is a really fun one.
Christmas was GREAT! Soooooo wonderful to be with family,

eat, play, hang out, eat turkey sandwiches....

fly indoor helecopters, how cool is that?

On the 27th Dad's birthday we traveled to Lethbridge to visit and to Celebrate,

Kori had us all laughing a lot. Kori is a Grandma.... this is Kennedy's little girl "Presley" Aren't they Beautiful......

Great Grandma is continuously gracious and giving to her children, grand children, and great grand children. Mom: "You continue to be a wonderful roll model for all of us!" Thank You.

Dad: "Your love for your bride and tenderness that you show to all is legendary." Thank You!
Hunter here showing Great Grandpa some cool christmas stuff.