Yesterday we spent the day at St. Thomas celebrating our ancestors with our family, friends, neighbors and valley at
St. Thomas Alive! It was a great day that showcased the best about
what St. Thomas was and is.
Grandma Connie Whitney getting ready to play the opening song on the pump organ.
Grandpa Don Whitney gave the opening prayer and President Messer opened the celebration.
Actors from the valley put on plays about some of the people from St. Thomas. My Aunt Ruth Chadburn was one of them! They based the play from
this reflection written by Ruth.
Pioneer Allie wearing Grandma Gaye Nelson's bonnet.
Grandma Connie, Allie and cousin Missy Whipple.
There were many other acts and plays put on throughout the day, including singing and cowboy poetry. The kids were so excited to see Grandma Gaye acting in one of them!
The fighting scene in the play One For the Muddy was one of my kids' favorites!
Dustin and his mom, Gaye with Luke in the pack.
Dustin, Kristi, Jack and Gaye doing what they do best!!
In the afternoon, the youth of the valley joined in the party. They participated in a two day hand cart trek and hiked 15 miles! My brother Justin and his wife Missy and my cousin Shelbie and her husband Micah Leatham were Ma and Pa's and had "families" consisting of the youth. Don't they look great!! I should've dressed up too! ;)
My dad, Stan and his favorite boys!
Dustin enjoying a play with Allie.
I thought this was adorable! It was hot and sunny and my Grandpa Glen gave Grandma Shirley his hat to wear. I love these two so much!!
Grandpa Glen Hardy with Luke --- Mark pulling faces for me
Here Dustin is accepting a commendation award from Senator Heller, on be half of
Partners in Conservation, along with the National Park Service and the Logandale Stake, all who helped make the St. Thomas Alive celebration happen.
Allie and cousin Elise Dalley, cute pioneer girls!
Lunch break!
Allie trying to keep out of the sun -- Missy Whipple and Allie braiding the May Pole!
A view of the crowds of people walking down main street.
Grandma Shirley and Aunt Carol Eide at our Chadburn family display. The wind kept blowing our frames over.. but the big one in the middle is the home the Chadburns (Grandma Shirley's grandparents) lived in St. Thomas.
Aunt Susan Whipple was amazing. She did so much to prepare for St. Thomas Alive and helped to make it all happen. Here she is with the bell from the old school (all the plays and acts were held on the foundation of the St. Thomas School House) that her grandmother used to ring as a teacher there in St. Thomas. And on the right she is pictured playing the pump organ for the closing song.
We are so blessed to have such rich pioneer heritage!
A view of the many, many handcart pulling out of St. Thomas with Lake Mead in the background.
Thank you to everyone who helped make yesterday's event special and one to be remembered!! We had such a great time and can't wait for the 100th Anniversary of the Stake to come in April!
