The Nolden Family

We had a great Ward (church) Pioneer Party the other night out behind the chapel. Below are some of the highlights.

FYI for those of you that don’t know…our church, and the whole state of Utah, celebrate “The 24th of July” every year…which is the day the LDS pioneers, led at that time by the prophet Brigham Young, entered the Salt Lake Valley back in 1847 (so the celebration in Salt Lake City is called “The Days of 47″) and he announced “This is the Place” that the Saints would settle after they were driven by force from their homes back in Illinois, Missouri and Ohio.

For more info on the Trek of the Pioneers:

(**I didn’t get my camera out until it was almost over, so I missed a lot of the water fights, kids games, and most of the awesome stick pulling contest where Elder Hunter beat everyone with ease**)

Above: Here is Mikayla and Ashley making an attempt at stick pulling. This is a game they used to play a lot in the days of Joseph Smith (early to mid 1800′s). I have never seen my camera do this before…but look at Mikayla’s shirt. The shirt was completely red…but for some reason the front part of the shirt was changed to brown (the color of Ashley’s shirt)…hmmm…

Above: Everyone getting ready for the “Dress Like a Pioneer” race. They had to throw on a Pioneer Garb and then race around a cone and come back and tag the next person….guys against girls…. That’s Ula in the apron…she is our “Activity Chairperson” and put on a great party.

Above: Elder Mundt getting his (female) pioneer garb on..

Above: Elder Mundt ready to run… (he’s a greenie from Vegas!)

Above: Ashley was the first on the girls side to get dressed and run…she was in competition with Elder Mundt.

Above: Elder Hunter, Elder Brewer, Patrick, Sam and Sister Humphries…

Above: Donovan

Above: Poor Elder Hunter…Ashley has him “roped.”

Above: Luckily he’s a good sport. Above: Mikayla and Liz.

Above: Elders Brewer, Hunter & Mundt.

Above: Some AWESOME MISSIONARIES!!

Above: We finally got some SISTER missionaries in Conyers (no offense Elders)….and they are AMAZING too…Sister Shaw & Sister Humphries. We were sooooo bummed that Sis. Shaw only got to be with us for 6 weeks!

Above: This was the start of a “Shaving Competition.” The girls got to shave the guys. The “shavers” were just wooden sticks…but the shaving cream was real.

Above: The guys took it pretty well. That’s Liz shaving Elder Kilpelainen.

Above: Elder Brewer…he’s a funny guy!

Above: Ashley shaved Elder Mundt.

Above: Another shaving “victim.” Sam…one of my Cub Scouts.

Above: Bro. Joyner…who got ahold of you???

Above: One of our favorite Bucks – - Lydia!

Above: Mikayla got to shave Ivy. Can you see the fear in his eyes???

Above: Elder Hunter…channeling Brigham Young!

Above: It’s only fair…

Above: Megan and Sister Shaw spent a good part of the party working on one of Megan’s perpetual crossword puzzles…

Above: This was a really cute dog there with Charlie. We had fun playing with him.

Above: VIDEO ALERT!!

We love Elder Hunter. Here he is messing around with PJ. We were all waiting for him to “take him down,” but he was being too nice .

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Check out the latest posting on the Church’s Youtube page. It is about Modern Pioneers. I really liked it.

MODERN DAY PIONEERS