We are back from our amazing experience in Nauvoo!!! If you ever want to have your family experience what ZION is like, participate in the Nauvoo pageant. It will bring your family closer, have amazing spiritual experiences, meet great people and have a missionary experience. We were able to particpate for a week. We were in charge of "hoops and graces" for the pre-show pioneer games and then we were in the last song "The Spirit of God". The kids had a great time. Kara met 2 other girls here same age and same looks. We called them the triplets. Karlee found a good friend also, her family was next to our games at the pre-show. Krislee was able to play in the pre-show band with her fiddle. They were the most popular spot because they provided the music for the dancing. She had a great experience! Chris and I really enjoyed talking to people and showing their families how to have fun. Our family got around 20 missionary referrals!!! For the whole week we were there the total referrals for the cast was almost 2100 referrals!!! It felt great tp be part of such a great missionary effort. This is an experience that we will always remember and be forever grateful.

Ok,

Since it has been 2 months since I updated here is a fast look at those days.

Chris retired from the Air National Guard after 20 years of service ( 22 if you count the time he was on his mission!). It feels so good to have no more drills! We had a surprise party for him at Mom's to celebrate. Karlee and Kara loved the first day of school. I had a van loaded to go to Girls camp and Krislee and I had a great time! Hope that quickly gets everyone up to date!

Krislee & Elder Wigginton

We love to hear Krislee play her fiddle, and it has been fun to have Elder Wigginton here to accompany her. They have only played a few songs together, but sound really good together. I love "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" It is our favorite one to hear them play.

This one is a fiddle tune called "Mississippi Sawyer"

Brio's Spring Event

Saturday, May 2, was Brio's Spring Event. Karlee was able to perform a solo and did a great job. Papa was able to come and see for the first time in 2 years. It was a hot day, but we were able to eat A LOT of Bop's ice cream. Karlee was also awarded 3rd place in 4th grade leadership. Way to go Karlee!!!!!!!

Our Busy Week!!

We had a really busy week following Krislee's recital. Friday night we went to Relay for Life where Karlee was able to walk with the cancer survivors. Saturday we packed up the family (plus the Brandon Elders) and went to the Stake Center and the Jackson zoo to participate in the North America South East area service day. The kids and I pulled weeds and mulched in the zoo while Chris and the Elders cut down trees, brush, and poison ivy around the lake at the zoo. It was a fun day and we had a great picnic with the Elders and the Flemings! Tuesday Carter and I headed to the zoo again to meet Kara for her field trip (and to check up on our work) The zoo still looked great and we loved seeing the animals.

Krislee's recital

Krislee had her violin recital Thursday April 23, 2009. I was able to accompany her on the piano. I think we did pretty well together.

She also played the fiddle tune "Liberty". She did really well on that one. Now we need someone to learn how to play the guitar.

Karlee is honored

Today Karlee was invited to attend the Rankin County School Board meeting where she was honored for being a member of "BRIO" her show choir. She is so excited about the certificate she received. YEAH Karlee, way to go!!!

About 3 weeks ago I was watching Ethan and Aidan Shields. Elizabeth and I were enjoying some quiet time in the kitchen when we thought we had better check on the boys. I looked out the window and saw Carter and Ethan each with a wing of the same chicken walking around in circles on the trampoline. As I looked closer I saw that they had all 10 chickens huddled in a corner on the trampoline. It was too fun to be mad at them. All the chickens survived and we are still getting eggs.

I finally did it!! I have started a blog. Let's see if it gets any further than this!!!