St. Thomas Alive

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!

Moapa Valley Performing Arts Council: Nelson Family Band

Last night Dustin and his family performed as apart of the Moapa Valley Performing Arts Council. It was an amazing night!
Not only did Dustin and his mom, dad and sisters play various instruments, but aunts, uncles, cousin, children and grandma joined in as well!!
I married into quite a talented family!

Jill, Dustin, Gaye, Jack and Kristi

My Cowboys

The performance showcased the evolution of music throughout the family. It began with Gaye's great grandma teaching piano and playing in the dance bands. almost 100 years ago. So the first few numbers were dance songs! Kristi's in-law, Bevin and Kathy Dalley, along with Gary and Kay Batchelor danced on stage!

Bevin and Kathy can really move!

Singing is also a big part of the family's heritage. Uncle Bruce, Gaye, Aunt Susan, Jill and Grandma Connie singing A Lad and A Lass.

Gaye and Jill during Jill's amazing violin solo

Gaye playing the harpsichord she got during her mission in Dallas, Texas

This is a video of the Eight Hand Duet played by Gaye, Aunt Susan, Aunt Judy and Grandma Connie. All those piano lessons have truly paid off!

During a set change, Jack and Gaye honored Dr. Moses. Dr. Moses has been a strong supporter of the Nelson Family band over the years and helped form the Performing Arts Council. When the Nelson family was young and Dustin was around the age of 6, he didn't want to play at one of their shows (reminds anyone of Mark??) and Dr. Moses bribed him with a Silver Dollar. As a thank you for all his support and love, Jack presented him with the same Silver Dollar from long ago!

Jill played two songs that she wrote.

Such a talented, beautiful, strong, amazing woman!

I think she should sell this one to Taylor Swift!

Then the boys jumped back on stage for the Bluegrass songs!

Jack is such a showman :)

Gaye and Grandma Connie Whitney

Jill and Kristi fiddlin' away!

Jack and Dustin

Then the kids joined the fun!

They did so good! Not one of them ran off the stage crying. Watch the video for a laugh or two. They are quite the entertainers!!

To end the show, the whole family joined in to sing the song Country Roads. It was beautiful!

Well everyone except this guy! Jackson found someone's soda and decided he needed a break from singing!

Dr. Moses still gives Dustin a dollar at every performance he attends.

He even gave Mark the Silver Dollar -- as to maintain tradition I guess!
Allie posing by her violin.

I'm so proud of my kids. I love them so much. Maybe next year Luke can join the fun.
But many thanks to Justin and Missy for staying home and watching him!

The kids and their adoring fans -- Aunt Marie and

Papa Stan and Grandma Lana!

It was a great evening. I'm so proud of my family, the did such a great job!!

The best way to spread Christmas cheer...

is singing loud for all to hear!

Last week, before the stomach flu took over my house, we went to St. George to play tunes for Grandpa Bill and the old folks.

After, we went to the temple to see the lights and nativity. It was freezing!

It was still early after we visited the temple, so we decided to head over to Tuacahn to watch the live nativity and see Santa.
The kids loved this train!

It was sooooooo cold! I repeat, so COLD!
But the kids and all were good sports and we had a great time.