Swine Flu

Rendezvous at Old Nauvoo featuring Elder and Sister Dickson

It's pretty bad that Uncle Lynn and Aunt Sharon have been here since December and I still had not seen them in Rendezvous until last night. Wow! They did a great job. It's been a while since I have seen Rendezvous and it has changed quite a bit. I really enjoyed it. Geniel and Netta seemed to enjoy it too. I think it was cool that both Geniel and Netta ran into people here that they knew from the past.
The show was awesome and I can't wait for you all to come see them perform this summer. By then they will be in "Sunset by the Mississippi" too. Fun Fun Fun

Site Seeing with Geniel McDonald

My friend Geniel McDonald came from Mt Pleasant, Utah, where I use to live, for a visit. She brought her Mother-in-law Netta McDonald as a Christmas Present to visit Nauvoo. While she was here they had the Battlet of Pea Ridge reenactment. Netta didn't want to go so Geniel, Lacey and I went. It was a lot of fun.



While we were there we ran into a few celebredies. First Mike and Mary Day of Hamilton, Illinois. They were in our ward before it was divided. Now they are in the Nauvoo 3rd ward. They are the recient winnwers of the Hamilton Biggest Loser contest. You will have to check out their blog and see how amazing they did.

We met Abraham Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd Lincoln


Then we ran into Sarah Huston and her kids Savannah and Spencer. They participate in the reenactment every year along with their extended family. It was really a lot of fun to see them.


Ha ha ha just like the good old days!

Battle of Pea Ridge reenactment in Keokuk, Iowa

Yesterday we went to Keokuk to see the reenactment of the battle of Pea Ridge. Even though Keokuk is so close, about 20 minutes from Nauvoo, and where I do most of my grocery shopping. I had never gone to this event before. They do it every year and it is a pretty big event. I had to come home after it was over and read more about it so I could post this blog. They have about 1,000 re-enactors. The battle actually took place in Arkansas but the winning general, General Curtis, was a native of Keokuk. The battle basicly made it so the Union could control Missouri. It was one of the few battles where the Confederates outnumbered the Union army. The reenactment happens at this time every year and I plan to go next year and learn more. They have a Civil War encampment where spectators can talk with the re-enactors who will respond in character. There is a military ball for all of the re-enactors with period food, costumes and music. I've seen some of those ball gowns and they are really neat. Today, there's a Civil War church service and memorial in the Keokuk National Cemetery, one of the original 12 national cemeteries, the first one west of the Mississippi River and the only one in Iowa. See I did my homework. It was a really fun even. It sprinkled rain on us a little but not enough to ruin anything. The cannons were loud and spread all over the park. It was cool. It really felt like you were in a battle zone. (check out Mary Day's Blog to see some of the amazing ball gowns)












I got a few video's but I missed most of the fun cannon shots. My camera does no justice for the event. I thought you might still enjoy a little peek. :)

Trip to St Louis

On Wednesday I had to drive Sage to Lambert Airport in St Louis. Our good friend Kathy Nelson paid for her airfare to fly out to Salt Lake City, Utah and help her daughter Jessie drive home from school. It will be a quick trip but Sage is excited because the trip makes it possible for her to see her fiancee one more time before the wedding in July.
Well, I didn't want to have to drive home alone so I invited some of my friends to go with me. It was really funny because we didn't do anything there we just drove there and back. We stopped at Sam's Club and then went out to eat at Subway. We really had a lot of fun visiting and laughing.

No Melissa didn't drive the whole way! It's just that nobody took pictures when I was driving. lol

Lori was the one who came up with the idea to all go together and I am so glad she did. I was so tired from the temple shut down I know I would have really suffered trying to stay awake and then going to work right when I got home.


Kim and I got really silly in the back seat. We have been working together at night at the temple and were both feeling pretty exhausted. This is when delirium set in and we just acted like idiots


Well, I acted like an idiot. Now when I look at these pictures I realize how unflattering idiocy can be. lol

Quincy Art Center 35th Annual Student Art Competition

A while back I posted a picture Amber did of herself in her digital photography class. She really has fun doing it and a month or so ago her teacher had her submit it to a local art competition. Well she won first place. A couple days ago she received a letter that her photograph was accepted into the "Quincy Art Center 35th Annual Student Art Competition". It will be on display April 18 - May 16 for anyone who might want to attend. I guess it is really amazing to get accepted. She didn't win but I think she is really feeling great about her talent. I posted a few other works that are on display there. http://www.quincyartcenter.org/



"Fading Away" by Amber Steen