After school fun in Mississippi

Eliza had pre-school two days I was there.  This is the first day's project.

Early on, it was clear to me that no one has been
able to convince Nathan that he is only 2. 

Bradley, the stunt man!

SJ on Nathan's bike.  (He is not aware of this picture.)

This photo captures Nathan's exuberance for life.   It didn't

take long for the cool temperature and humidity to make cowards of us all.

Nathan and I took Bethany and SJ to the bus station
 in Mobile while the other kids were at school. 

This is the big mural inside the bus station.  SJ and Nathan

Their departure time was delayed twice.  We figured it was due to

 torrential rain. When it finally came it was sad to see them load up. :o(

One last smile and wave before heading back to Atlanta.

Sarah-Jane's Birthday in Mississippi (2/24/15)

I flew out to Biloxi, Mississippi early on February 21st by way 

of Denver and New Orleans,  and was there until February 28th.

Utah didn't have snow, but Denver did!

Bethany drove to New Orleans in the Shirley's van with SJ,
 Nathan and Eliza to pick me up and take me back to Biloxi.
Only one of my bags made it, but it was the one with my clothes!

This is  Karrie's home .  It was good for me to see 

what a lovely home, and good area she lives in. 

My first full day there was SJ's 3rd birthday!  Although all
the birthday things I brought from Utah were in my lost bag and had not
yet arrived, we did some quick shopping and went to work.

This is the decoration Sarah-Jane loved the most. 

This is her birthday dinner and birthday guests. 

This was her "birthday cake."

She made her wish on three of the little cupcakes.
 Little did any of us know, the candles were trick 

candles that re-lit themselves again and again.

(Handy for making more wishes!!!) 

We  had an treasure hunt game with prizes 

and colored Easter eggs.  Can you tell?

Then we watched an episode of "Daniel
Tiger" because that was Sarah-Jane's choice.

While cleaning up from the party, Karrie's dishwasher had a question.....
"Why did you put too much soap in me? "
We got the message loud and clear and it didn't happen again.

Sterling Hal Shuler Funeral

Uncle Sterling Hal Shuler passed away peacefully at home on 

February 18, 2015.  His funeral was February 22nd.  He was 

buried next to Aunt Carolyn in the Salem Cemetery.

These are the grandsons who were the pall bearers. 

 Uncle Hal served in the Navy and was honored with a military gun salute and taps.

The weather got a bit nasty during the first part of the gathering at the cemetery.

 Charlotte, Uncle Richard and Charlie.

After the dedication of the grave, a sunspot broke

through and we were able to visit for a few minutes.

Wendy, Uncle Richard, Aunt Beth, Nancy and Sarah

Main group: Dad, Aubrey, Matt, Kristin, Brad and Issac.

Dad and Camille

The R.S. provided a nice luncheon following
so we could continue visiting where it was warm.

Andrea's mission call opening party.

FEBRUARY 13th- also Friday the thirteenth and Valentine's Eve!

 Dad gets his new I-pad warmed up. 

 Andrea's room mates arrive!  Stacy Galvez,
Andrea, Kelsey Gentry, and Miyamoto Wilson.

 The same crew with Heather Sahagun VT and Jono Duncan.

 Andrea and Matt Evans

 THE CALL!!!

 Let the opening begin!

Through the miracle of modern technology, our whole family 

was able to participate either by google hang-out or by phone. Loved it!

 D&C 38:32!!!  The winner was Jessica Faye Mitchell! Andrea's mission also 

included parts of Kentucky, so Eliza Marie Shirley was also a winner! 

We had treats following the opening.  Then Andrea and her roommates

shared one last "groupie."  Katie is the resident photo bomber?

                     Tyler and Spencer Curtis                                      Dallin and Spencer Curtis

                 Kaleb and Spencer                               Camille Jones,  Andrea and Dawn Noelle

The next day was Valentines Day!! 

Sarah designed this Valentine for me this year. 

 Cincinnati, Ohio....get ready!

 Sister Andrea Kenison reports at the Provo MTC on ...
April 1st! (And that is no joke!)

Moving Day

When Andrea was thinking about a mission, selling her apartment contract 

was discussed. The semester was well underway, so that was a concern. As an 

act of faith, she decided to put it on the market and if it sold, she would consider

 it a witness that her plan was right.  She casually mentioned that she needed to sell her 

contract at Church the day she first talked to her bishop.  In two days, it had sold!

The new girl moved in on February 11th and Andrea moved out on February 13th.  

She left her room shining like the top of the Chrysler Building. 

 Dad and I went up between bus runs to help her move.  She had her

 mission call in hand before we arrived.  The Provo Office postal 

workers pulled the call when it arrived and she picked it up in person.

 She moved with the Wilkins.  They let her use their spare bedroom.  We 

made a quick stop at the DI between her apartment and their house.  

Here she sorted what she wanted in Orem and what she wanted sent to Levan.

We took time to have pizza, blueberries and raspberries when 

we got done. :)  Then Dad and I hurried back to Nephi so I could 

drive the bus.  He went on to Levan and unloaded the van.  

It was a quick turn-around so we could be back 

at Katie's for the real mission call opening at 6:00 p.m.