Are you Feeling Very Olympic?

Our Mansfield Thiots

Friday night, the Mansfield Thiot’s stopped by for a fun evening. Dick brought home Taco Bueno in celebration of Harpers first time to visit our home. It was soooooo fun to have all of them here, but especially little Miss Harper. After dinner we played some croquet and a little tennis followed the croquet game. We’ve got some sweet skills in this family and if they ever open up croquet Olympic event, I think we will have some sweet contenders. Brooklyn and Addison have both been practicing writing their names this week and they gave us a live demonstration. They’ve both got LONG names and it’s not easy that many letters. I’m happy to report that they are doing great. I loved watching them practice.

Our Lovers Lane Granges

Thursday morning Jake’s parents flew in for a week of nice warm weather in Dallas. We’ve been over a 100 each day so they can really enjoy what Texas summers feel like. They must be having a really good time as we have hardly heard from them. Tatia and Penny and I had a fun morning on Wednesday getting ready for their arrival. Thanks for letting me come to the pre-game party Tatia! Enjoy your company.

Our Carmichael Thiots

Charlie, Kenzie, Keelie and Callum took a bike ride down to the American River to get into the Olympic spirit.  Callum practiced tossing rocks into the river and Keelie even road her own bike there and only crashed one time.  Way to Go! Charlie tried calling me several times this week and we finally got to visit on Thursday evening. He has one of his young men he home teaches being ordained to the Aaronic priesthood today and wanted to give him his Priesthood Line of Authority card. Dick was only too happy to get that together for him and I’m hoping he was able to have it printed and present it to that sweet young man after he ordains him today. I had a fun visit with Miss Keelie on the phone on Saturday and she told me how she might be ready for the Olympics is swimming soon as she has completed more swim lessons and is awesome at the back stroke now. Way to go Keelie!

Our LA Thiots

Pierce and Stacy have been feeling very Olympic as Pierce has spent the last several months working on the Gatorade account for the Olympics. What an exciting few weeks this will be to see all his work come to fruition. Stacy’s been a big help getting my family photos cropped and ready to be framed. I’m hoping the mail man will deliver them this week. Yahoo1 Thanks a bunch you two!

Our Provo Thiots

Early Saturday morning my phone rang and it was Skyler on the other end. It was sure fun to talk to him and catch up with the Provo Thiot’s Olympic activities for the week. He and Kara enjoyed the opening ceremony and then had watched the Ping Pong competition. Sky said he was invited by the restaurant who he designed their Winning T-shirt design to come for an extra fun Crawfish Boil this week. Kara already had plans to help a co worker with her wedding planning so Sky took an old missionary buddy who was from Louisiana and they LOVED the cheddar grits and crawfish. Oh my, I can almost smell the goodness. Sky told me that there is a Giant Trampoline recreation center that opened in Orem/Provo and they are giving free entrance to BYU students. They were invited to play some very Olympic dodge ball on the tramps and had a great time. Sky is going to be one of Christ’s disciples in the next New Testament movies that they start filming tomorrow. He LOVES doing it and has made some fun new friends too.

We Empty Nesters

The Project that Dick has been working on in Salt Lake went “Live” this past week and so far all is well. Dick said it feels good to have things working even if it took a few extra weeks to tweak everything to their liking. He’ll have at least one more trip in August or September to get things just right. Dick has worked hard this week and loves it when he gets home in time to watch the last few innings of the Ranger’s playing ball. It doesn’t matter who they are playing, he enjoys watching especially when the Rangers finish with the winning score. Go Rangers!

I had a fun thing happen on Friday at the temple. We had a couple on the schedule who spoke Marshallese. They were from Ebeye, which is a little island not too far from Kwajalein where I lived for a few years as a little girl. When I saw the sweet sister, I had an instant love for her. She reminded me of our dear friend Lickean who was also from Ebeye. I was so wishing I would have had some language skills to talk to her, but instead a hug was all I could do. It was a very tender, sweet experience to have her and her sweet husband in our temple.

This is going to be a good week with the Olympic Games on TV. My mom is thrilled to have them on as she enjoys it so much. Have a great week ya’ll and I hope you are all feeling very Olympic! SLY Robynn

Meet William Kelsey Rice

William Kelsey Rice (1822-1913)

By FHS EditorPublished 04/1/2007Rice FamilyLife Sketch

William Kelsey Rice was born in Manchester, Ontario County, New York on October 27, 1822, to Ira and Minerva Saxton Rice. He was the fifth child and his mother died when he was just a baby in his second year. One year later his father married Sarah Ann Harrington and she became the mother who raised him. The Rice family lived about the same distance from the Hill Cumorah on one side as the Smith family lived on the other side. When William Kelsey was three years old, the Angel Moroni visited Joseph Smith. It is unthinkable that the Rices did not know the Smiths, for everyone in that neighborhood knew about Joseph Smith’s vision in the grove of trees near their home in Palmyra. By the time the Book of Mormon was published, the Rices had moved and were living in Michigan, first at Northville and later at Ypsilanti in Washtenaw County.

William Kelsey was approximately eighteen years of age when he, along with his father, stepmother and others of the family, was converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and accepted Joseph Smith as a prophet, and leader. The family then moved to Nauvoo, Illinois. He and his brother, Asaph, and father, Ira, were among those who volunteered to make the first start of the Western exodus. Father Ira Rice owned good horses and wagons, which allowed them to help move the Lorenzo Snow and Orson Pratt families to Winter Quarters.

There must have been time for courting because the record states that on October 6, 1845, William Kelsey married Lucy Witter Geer at the home of Joseph Young in Nauvoo. In 1846, this young couple joined the westward move, setting up temporary camp at Council Bluffs, Iowa. Because Ira and his sons had good teams, they were able to help other families move out of Nauvoo. Ira, Asaph and William Kelsey went back to Nauvoo in late summer to recover more provisions from their vacated home. Before they were able to return, William Kelsey’s first child, Ellen, was born September 13, 1846. The Rice family had planned to join the first company leaving for the West, but because of the trip back to Nauvoo, they were assigned to the second company, which left Winter Quarters on June 21, 1847. They were in Captain Hunter’s 100, C.C. Rich’s 50, and Shurtliff’s 10 and arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on September 29, 1847. They spent the winter in the “Old Fort”, where William Kelsey, Jr. was born.

In the spring of 1849, William Kelsey moved his little family to a log cabin he had built in Farmington. Together they worked to raise everything they could to supply the family’s needs and to share with neighbors, who found a welcome place to stay and were often in need.

William Kelsey was among those called to settle Indian troubles in Parowan, Iron County, Utah. He saved a little Indian boy of six and a girl of three, who were about to be killed. His wife, Lucy, raised the two with her own family. At the time of the Johnston’s Army episode, the family was moved south until all danger subsided. William Kelsey then joined the company led by Captain Lot Smith. He had great faith in the power of the Priesthood and had occasion to rebuke Satan and disease on behalf of others.

William Kelsey Rice, one of the first pioneers in Farmington, Utah, crossed the plains to be with those of his faith. Though his father, Ira, and his brother, Asaph, left to help colonize southern Utah and southwestern Nevada, William established his families in the valleys of the Rocky Mountains. Perhaps there was wisdom in his choice. He became a stalwart community leader and was often consulted when there was a bridge or similar community project to be built. In case of any town emergency, such as a fire, he was always among the first to respond. He was a member of the first choir organized and was in the first town band. In April and October, his yard was always filled with wagons and horses of people going to or coming from the Church Conferences in Salt Lake City.

On June 17, 1855, he married his second wife, Ann Victoria Rose. He took up a homestead south of Farmington, part of which he gave to the town of Farmington for a cemetery. He built Ann Victoria a house on this homestead and she bore him twelve children. The youngest, May, was only three weeks old when her mother, Ann Victoria, died in May 1877. Uncle Leonard’s wife, Aunt Lib (not to be confused with Aunt Libby Bybee) took May and raised her as her own.

William Kelsey lived a long life in Farmington. In his last five years he moved to Centerville, where he died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Olive Duncan, who cared for him tenderly in his last days. He was 91 years of age when he died on July 6, 1913, and was buried in the Farmington Cemetery on July 10th. A beautiful funeral service crowned his life with numerable tributes. A later generation was reminded of a life well spent in generous deeds during a time of privation and hard work. All present were reminded that there laid a man who had lived when the gospel was restored and the first Prophet in this dispensation gave his life a martyr for the truths he had proclaimed. They were reminded, too, that William Kelsey helped to get out the logs and saw the lumber for the first meetinghouse, schoolhouse, courthouse, and mill in Farmington. They were told that he had taken part in the Echo Canyon War and had been charged with the cattle seized by Captain Lot Smith from the approaching Johnston’s Army. When the Mormons evacuated Salt Lake Valley, he was one of the guards left behind with orders to burn the homes of the Saints if the army proved hostile.

William Kelsey Rice was given a tribute in words reminiscent of mutual pioneer adventures and the faith and integrity of all the pioneers, of whom he was deemed prominent.

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Ann Victoria Rose (1839-1878)

Lucy Witter Geer (1824-1899)

Hello Dear Family,
It's Pioneer Day today and I wanted to introduce you to a dear pioneer who happens to be my Great Great Great Grandfather; and is also my Great Great Grandfather; William Kelsey Rice.  Both my Father and my Mother claim his as a Great Grandfather a generation apart.  He had two wifes, Lucy Witter Geer who my Dad's family comes from, and Ann Victoria Rose, who my Mother's side of the family comes from.  I thought on this special day, you might enjoy reading his life sketch. 
SLY
Mom/Robynn

Happy Pioneer Week

Our Mansfield Thiots

You Don’t have to push a Handcart, Leave your family dear, or walk a thousand miles or more to be a Pioneer. You do have to have great courage, faith to conquer fear, and work with might for a cause that’s right to Be A Pioneer. This coming Tuesday is July 24th. This is the day that we historically celebrate the coming of the Mormon Pioneers to Salt Lake City. Growing up in Salt Lake, this was a very big to do, living in Texas, you have to make it a little something to do. Brooklyn and Addison came on Friday to work with Ricky and he dropped them off to play with me for the day. As you can imagine, I was smiling big all day long. When we swam in the pool in the afternoon, I was telling them about pioneers and tried to teach them to sing the song that started off the top of this paragraph. I love that song and I love thinking and singing about Pioneers. Thanks for coming over girls!

Our Lovers Lane Granges

Tatia and Jake’s ward had a PIE-on-eer activity on Saturday where everyone was invited to bake a pie and bring it to share for dessert. Tatia made one of her world famous apple pies and the good news was, they had some left over and brought it over Saturday night to share with us. Oh my goodness, it tasted like a little bit of heaven. Thanks Tatia! Tatia and Penny have had a stay at home week. Penny has had a virus which presented itself in a polka dot pattern on her feet, hands and many other inconvient places. She has been a trooper but has not felt her best. Tatia was so glad that the rash is going away and that she can leave the house. We never appreciate good health until something crazy like this happens. I’m glad you are looking and feeling better Penny.

Our Carmichael Thiots

Charlie sent two instagram photos yesterday afternoon. They were both of Keelie who was going Rock Climbing. Yes, you read that correctly. Keelie is four years old and loves rock climbing. I was scared right to pieces until I saw she was harnessed in safely and that smile on her face spoke volumes. Keelie not only looks like her daddy, but she loves the same scary things that Charlie loves to do too. I’m sure when Callum is a bit older, he too will be harnessed in and will be rock climbing too. What a fun family you Carmichael Thiot’s are. Thanks so much for sending the photos. I loved them! Hang on tight Keelie!

Our LA Thiots

My Uncle Buddy sent me 4 photos in honor of Pioneer day. He is our Birks Family Geneologist and has been so kind to share his discoveries with me this week. One of the photos was a picture of the young and handsome William Kelsey Rice. I wonder if you will agree that he reminds me of my Pierce. I’m not sure if it’s his beard or his eyes, but something is similar and it made me smile when I saw the picture. The other photos I have of William Kelsey Rice, he is OLD and it was really fun to see a younger picture. Thanks Uncle Buddy and congratulations on your new baby girl who was born last Sunday. So glad she is doing well along with her darling Mommy.

Our Provo Thiots

Five O’clock in the morning is on of my favorite hours of the day. This week it has become a favorite for Skyler too. The filming began for the New Testament Movie he is working on and he has had to drive to the set in Salem Utah to be dressed up and made up to look like a character who walked the streets of Jerusalem during the days of Jesus’ ministry. Oh my goodness, when he sent me a photo of himself, it was remarkable how truly New Testimentish he looks. I can hardly wait until the movies come out and I can share them with all of you. He said I can NOT post the photo yet but maybe soon. Kara entered a PIE-on-eerish Baking contest this week. I haven’t heard the results but I can tell you, she is a great cook and I feel sorry for anybody else who entered the contest. Good Luck Kara!

We Empty Nesters

This week has gone by so quickly. Dick is back in the saddle at work and I thought maybe he should wear a name tag on his shirt when he returned on Monday so every one would know who he was. He said it was not necessary and he is back in the swing of things. He presented his portion of the training for Wood badge at the meeting on Saturday and got some good tips on some changes he could make to make it more interesting. He even asked for my help. Can’t wait to help.

I took a trip to IKEA this week to pick up some picture frames to put a family picture of each of my kids to hang up in my bedroom. Stacy is going to help me crop them and get them printed and I can hardly wait to get those and have them hanging on my wall. I bought picture hanging hooks and now need to just get brave and figure out where to hang them. Wish me luck! I hope your week has been good and that you are looking forward to a week of Pioneer Memories too. SLY Robynn

Happy 126th Birthday Grandpa Birks

July 19, 1886 Orval Edwin Birks was born to Edwin Wheeldon Birks and the beautiful Rosetta Ann Rice in the lovely town of Farmington, Utah.  Yes that is where the amusement park Lagoon is located, but it was not there when Grandpa was born there.  Above is a lovely photo of Grandpa on the left and Grandma on the right with many of their grandchildren surrounding them.  We were all in town for Grandpa's birthday and the famous Snake River Stanpede Rodeo which always falls the same week as his birthday in Nampa, Idaho. I remember attending the Bucceroo Breakfast and we LOVED the Rodeo Queen Parade.  I LOVED how those gals could wave, and then the Rodeo.  There was always someone famous who attended and I loved the year Fess Parker was there.  He played Daniel Boone in the TV series from 1964-1970. I thought he was about as great as they came.  Well, if you can find yourself in this photo, please leave a comment.  Grandpa and Grandma sure have a lot of cute grandchildren.

Front row - Gail, Chris Henry, Cindy, Lani, Brenda
2nd row - Grandpa, Chris, David, Jeffrey, Rick, Jerry, Grandma
3rd row - Lance, Rex, Julaine, Robynn, Sandy, Janet, Kathy, Jalina, Bonnie, Laurie, Donna, Wanda, Eddy
4th row - Gary, Randy, Mike

Back Home Again

Our Mansfield Thiots

This has been kind of a crummy week for our Mansfield Thiot’s. Becky woke up Monday morning feeling crummy and by Tuesday was feeling really bad. She went to the doctor on Wednesday and was diagnosed with Strep Throat. I didn’t even know strep throat was possible to get in the summer time. Thankfully, the doctor gave her some good medicine and she is feeling better. Harper wasn’t feeling very well either and Brooklyn went to the doctor on Friday with an ear infection. So Addison took care of everybody while Ricky made a quick trip to Houston. We stopped by on Saturday night for a visit and I’m glad to report everyone is feeling better. Hurray, Hurray!

Our Lovers Lane Granges

About 2 weeks ago, Dick discovered that he was going to have to be in Salt Lake for business over July 4th. He invited me to come along with him so I wouldn’t have to be home alone over the 4th. I quickly called Tatia to see if she would let me take Miss Penny with me since she could come along for free and I was almost certain that Becky would say NO for me taking Miss Harper along. Tatia said sure on one condition, that she got to come too. Dick had enough miles and before we knew it, we left for Salt Lake on July 1st. We spent 12 days there and sure loved being there. Penny got to meet some of Tatia’s college roommates and loved getting better acquainted with Gigi and Papa and Auntie Lani. She loved playing with my sister Laurie’s darling granddaughters and got to meet our newest little grand niece Miss Kelsi Cline. She was born last Monday and is a little doll. Thanks for going with Tatia and Penny.

Our Carmichael Thiots

Mackenzie’s family had a family reunion in Salt Lake the weekend of July 6-8th. Charlie, Mackenzie, Keelie and Callum drove up to Salt Lake for the Reunion and we got to see them for a few minutes here and there. It was so great to see Keelie and Callum and of course their parents too. Keelie and I got to make a quick run to Walmart for some groceries and I loved that time alone with her a LOT. We got to the check out stand and she looked at the gum and candy bars and said, “Grammy, should we get gum or candy bars today?” That gal is going to be a fabulous salesman one day. She knows how to close a deal in fine time. They left early Sunday morning and made is safely back home and back to work for Charlie. I’m so glad our trips overlapped if only briefly.

Our LA Thiots

While in Heber City last Saturday, while driving down from Miss Hailey’s six year old birthday party, we passed the famous old train, The Heber Creeper. Pierce had had his 3 year old birthday party aboard the Heber Creeper and when I saw it, I just had to call Pierce and reflect on that fun day. I loved it. What a beautiful part of this world Heber City is. I was sorry we were stuffed with birthday cake and couldn’t stop at the little Ice Cream store that made the cutest ice cream cones and always put little tiny plastic animals on top of them. Maybe next time. Friday night when I talked with Pierce again when I saw a little white car like his in front of us, he and Stacy were busy babysitting two little boys, a 2 and a four year old. They were having a great time getting them settled down for bedtime.

Our Provo Thiots

One of my favorite parts of my trip was getting to see Sky and Kara and meet my new grandcat Mr. Branson. I would like to say it was love at first site, but not the case. He wasn’t that thrilled to know he had a grammy. It may take some time, but I know he will grow to love me. I got to tend Miss Penny’s at Sky and Kara’s while Tatia went to the temple for the first time with her sweet sister in law Tootie. We had a fun time while Tatia was gone. We worked on a chalk board menu board craft. I can’t wait to see picture of the completed project, hint hint. We went to Sam’s club and had some wedding pictures printed to go in their picture frames. That was almost as fun as being at the wedding six months ago. I loved getting to spend some time with them. Thanks for your kind hospitality Provo Thiots

We Empty Nesters

Dick worked about 90 hours the time I was there with him but we did get to squeeze in some time together. He has maybe one or two more trips to Salt Lake in the next couple of months. Hopefully things will go smoothly and he can complete the project. Much like people, computers don’t always react like you think they will and work quite like you had hoped. One of the bonus parts of our trip was getting to see the newsest baptized members of our ward in their new home in Heber City. I think they are going to love it there. It was great to see them getting all settled in.

We had a fun Baby Sprinkling for my darling niece Cierra last weekend and Jamie's wife Emily was there along with many fun family members.  I asked her if it were possible for her to have her baby a little early so I could meet her before I left to go home on Thursday.  The next morning the phone rang annouceing the arrival of little miss Kelsi Cline.  We were delighted she had arrived safely and we got to go to the hosptial later that day to meet her . Welcome Kelsi!  You are just beautiful.
Thanks to my sweet parents for letting us stay with them and for hosting my kids and their kids extended family too. We had a great time in those 12 days. Sure love you lots, Robynn