Monday, May 11, 2009

Stories of Grandpa Tom's life...


The first Palmyra Chapel, sans steeple now. Grandpa JD Atkin was Branch President and then Bishop there, and supervised the building project. Many of the local town resident helped, even if not members of The Church. It was dedicated Jan 15 1961 , by Pres. Davisd O. McKay. Grandpa Tom was just 8 years old, he turned 9 years 2 weeks later.


The Chapel itself now, sans podium. Grandpa Tom says there was little or no playing or irreverence in this chapel ever. Even little kids were taught to be still and not be entertained by toys.

















Right here He sat in Sunday school and stuffed matches in his sisters doll bottle until the smoked and started to light!















Sometimes he went sledding on the Hill Cumorah
Pretty Steep!

Grandpa Tom played in the grove as a boy!





















Grandpa leaving the Grove today!








He sometimes spent the night here at the Smith home with his "Bonus" grandparents.













but he thought he was in the room in which Joseph Smith had visions of Moroni . Later he learned that actually occurred in the Cabin right here in this bed!










Phelps and The Story of Grandpa Tom

Where some Atkin's started life . Erica and younger. Not where Tom was born, but still a very old hospital in Clifton Springs, NY A gorgeous building, now apartments.


Atkin Fam Home
Grandpa Atkin's garden was here...


and here


and here!





Stone pathway laid by Gpa Atkin





House of Atkin








Tracks behind the house! Did Grandpa Tom play here?



















Neighborhood football field when Tom was a boy!
Atkin side yard!

Miranda and Waynes Wonderful Wedding







Erica has great stories about the uninvited
wedding planner from hell at the rehearsal,
this may not be her, but her unhappy face
made us think of her. Ask Erica the story...

View from Reception!

Climbing onto Gramma's lap


Greeting guests




UH OH!!










Avery and Issac! Whew that Avery is hot!






Isaac and the bride dancing






Shake it girl!! Dancing with daddy!





Want Cake!


OH Yeah!




That's what I'm talkin' about!!


Gma O, M,R, Gma A and Mother of Bride



Tommy looking great! Another hottie!



Ken, his wife and baby. Good to see him again, and sorry I can not remember her name. The baby is a cute lil boy with a name that startes with a Z or an X. Help me out here ya all!





Grandma greeting little Z Orvis!



Love for Uncle Tom!




Ken and his mom!





Elaine, ??, Erica, Rhiannon, and ML






Beautiful!



Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Preview of the the trip back east. This IS great!

Today we visited historic sites for the church, and for Tom personally. Then we attended a session. The Temple is very small and intimate and beautiful! The Temple as we left this evening!
When we arrived for the session

The Sacred Grove


Grove again!
The Smith Family Cabin

Tom in the overflow of the original Palmyra Chapel. Site of the infamous near fire incident!

The Atlantic on a rainy day

Richard in his new apartment!

A pre civil war cemetery in Va


Grandma and Aunt Elaine enjoying the wedding

festivities!

The Happy Couple

This has been a great time! We have over 500 pictures of some wonderful stuff! We will post some when we can, and when we return!