Daymakers . . .

Reading "Undaunted" by Gerald Lund . . . and boom . . . my Great-Great-Great Grandfather (C.J) Christopher Jones Arthur is in it . . . as himself . . . he was made the bishop of Cedar City in 1877, became a Patriarch in 1893 and was the 4th Mayor of Cedar City . . . my grandmother in the picture is the lady seated with the child on her lap, Jane Condie Arthur.

The past few weeks I have been hit big time with the family history bug!

The other day I found my Great-Great-Great Grandpa Fredrickson's death certificate and was able to connect him to his parents (and a long line of ancestors already connected) and our family! The hard part will be finding all of the info from Denmark . . . it is a live and learn experience all the way and is so much fun to do! I LOVE finding more stories and info about our ancestors!!!

*Okay I had to add to this after my cousin Amy (congrats on expecting by the way!!!) commented about the above photo . . . SUU has quite a few pictures of Grandpa Arthur and of other Parry family members . . . I am going this week to see about getting copies . . . will be happy to share!

Summer is almost over . . . but we had fun!!!

Can it be that summer is almost over once again??? NOOOOO!!! We in the Liechty home are not ready to surrender to the demands of school (well I'm not . . . Toph is going year round and hasn't had the luxury of a break . . . sorry luv) and the gray, wet, cold, snowy, slippery days of winter! The little bits of stress seeping in caused me to have a craft attack today . . . as you can see . . .
We have had some great times this summer though . . . so I don't feel inclined to sit here whine but rather remember the awesome times that we have had . . .

Christensen Family Reunion:
Last weeks family reunion left me with only 1 misquito bite this year (!!!), no bears attacked us, we were thoroughly entertained by the Christensen clan and I even felt like I was 12 again when crashing through the woods at night playing "Ghosts in the Graveyard" with my awesome cousins!!! (How anyone escaped being gored by branches or running into trees is a miracle!) My faith in my mothers abilities on a 4 wheeler while climbing VERY steep, muddy, and rocky trails has shot sky high (and kudos to Erin too who followed us making things that turned my stomach in knots look easy to blaze over!)
Toph proved to be quite the clay pigeon thrower and we had fun shooting, fishing, chatting, riding horses (NOT ME!), fourwheelers, food, etc. We also talked about our family history and I was able to translate (hopefully correctly) some of my aunts geneology from German for her.
I know everyone wanted to see Grandma's before and after mountain glamour shots . . . so enjoy!

(Just a reminder . . . I still vote for the handcart trek next year peeps!) I have been doing geneology research and finding so many awesome stories and pictures of my ancestors . . . I am determined to keep searching and trace our lines as far back as I can . . . it is just awesome learning about your ancestors and feeling such a strong connection!!! I have started binders for each side of our fam and will share the info that I find as I go fam!
Today Toph and I went and saw "Dinner for Shmucks" . . . funny but it had some less than desirable stuff in it . . . When I got home I just felt like crafting . . . crafting . . . crafting . . . here are a few things . . .

This L is screaming for a little more love . . . we will see what I find this week . . .

Yeah I saw the pattern for this 3-D star wreath and had to make one . . . even though nothing in my house is blue like this . . . Bran if baby Dylan wants this for his nursery it is yours . . . this photo really doesn't do it justice . . . you are the only one I could think of with blue in a room in your house . . . anywho anyone else wants it . . . it is yours . . . it took me way to long to cut, fold, and glue these stars to rid myself of it . . . it really is cute!
The picture on the top of this entry was a plaque redo over a saying that I hated . . . I like it and the fact that it has one of my favorite engagement pics, red, and damask just makes it nearer and dearer to my heart. I have more crafts that I pulled out and have been working on . . . although many will only see the light of day again when they are eventually hung in our kids rooms . . . someday . . . anywho we are screaming to have one more event that will get us out of the house before we are tied down for the fall (for the most part) . . . Zion has free access next Saturday if anyone would be interested in a picnic!!! Let me know kiddles! Okay I need to finish my prepping for my YW lesson tomorrow . . . but I need to share a message that gave me a much needed boost this week . . . check it out here.

24th of July Parade . . . our ward float!

We had fun celebrating the 24th of July this year by gathering for breakfast with friends and family before settling in to watch the parade!
This year our Stake President wanted all of the wards to do a float . . . and ours rocked the house!I am ueber proud of the Young Men and Young Women who participated! You are all awesome!!! I was more than thrilled to cheer you on! We seriously have an awesome ward and the Young Women are just over the top amazing!

Girls Camp 2010

The folds of the American Flag

I found this on the net and thought that it was too good not to share . . . Happy Independence day!
-The first fold of the flag is a symbol of life.
-The second fold of the flag is a symbol of the people's belief in the eternal life.
-The third fold of the flag is made in honor and remembrance of the Veteran departing ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.
-The fourth fold of the flag represents the people's weaker nature. For as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him the people turn to in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
-The fifth fold of the flag is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decauter, “Our country, in dealing with the other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong."
-The sixth fold of the flag is for where people's hearts lie. It is with hearts that people pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
-The seventh fold of the flag is a tribute to the Armed Forces, for it is through them that the people protect the country and flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of the Republic.
-The eighth fold of the flag is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that people might see the light of day, and to honor one's mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
-The ninth fold of the flag is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion the character of the men and women who have made the country great molded.
-The tenth fold of the flag is a tribute to father, for he too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of the country since he or she was first born.
-The eleventh fold of the flag, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
-The twelfth fold of the flag, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
-Upon the thirteenth and final fold of the flag, the stars are uppermost in remembrance of the United States' national motto, “In God We Trust.”

Wanted: Spring

I went on a field trip with my Utah Geography class last week and we did a little exploring . . . here are a few pics . . . now if only the weather was like that today!!! Lund: I really like this picture!
Dinosaur tracks in the Parowan gap . . . Yes Utah is an exciting place kids!

Utah's Unique Mormon Culture

This is a video that I made for my education technology class . . . yes I know that my voice sounds drab la . . . la. . . la . . . I just wanted to get it done after working on it FOREVER!!! Anywho . . . after this much work I had to share . . .

Day makers . . .

Day Makers

-Walking across campus under an umbrella of pine trees glistening with raindrops
-The amazing smell right after it rains
-Mom and Erin coming up and hanging out (awesome!)
-Watching "Iron Eagle" and remembering what a great soundtrack it has
-My house smells like cake!!! (I am making a wedding cake)
-YW activity last night, making bracelets with my Beehives and listening to them go on and on about boys!!!
-Taking those boy crazy girls to the DQ afterwards
-The fact that it is not snowing right now!
-Getting pictures of the nieces and nephews texted to me
-Actually getting out of bed when my alarm went off today
-The way that Emma's cake base turned out! (Great idea Mom and Velv . . . it looks awesome!!!)
If anyone is desperately bored and needs to get away for a bit you are more than welcome to come by Thursday and hang out while I fondant and decorate 4 tiers of chocolately cake goodness . . .

Finals are OVER!!! Pillow re-vamp . . .

Sweet Caroline Finals are OVER!!! Bittersweet for me . . . especially since I was so pumped for my math test AND the front side of my 5x7 card proved useless . . . since the test covered basically everything that I was less than confidant about . . . anywho at this point I just want to graduate and be done with school! What I really want to do now is paint something . . . I am just in a crafty mood . . . happens when I get super stressed. Oh . . . day maker. . . Toph picked me up after my final and had a dozen roses, a cherry coke zero, peanut butter M&M's, and tropical Mike and Ikes waiting on the front seat. I have such a sweet hubby!!!So anywho I gave our living room throw pillows a makeover. They turned out fun and were a hayload of work (they are even cuter in person!!!) . . . but they calmed my nerves a bit and now I told Toph we need to go thrift store shopping and find something to paint red . . . yeah he is not too thrilled with the idea . . . but check this sight out and tell me that you are not inspired to re-vamp something!!! Tonight we went on a hot date and saw "Old Dogs" = FUNNY, chowed down at Chili's and watched Julie and Julia. Toph stayed awake through the whole thing!!! Miracle of miracles! Watch out because now I just want to cook! Fudge must be made sometime!

The COLD is coming!

It is supposed to get COLD here this week!!! As in enjoy the last "nice" day of sunshine and pleasant temps before the winter gray rolls in and brings with it slushy slippery sidewalks, piles of heavy wet snow, having to leave for anything 15 minutes earlier to make it on time and alive, and jeans that are muddy and soaked along the cuffs and up the legs! I believe that is what I just so look forward to each winter . . . . wet, dirty pant legs, no . . . no . . . correction= having wet dirty pant legs while trudging across campus sliding on ice and feeling like a wet dog while looking worse! Oh winter! Welcome again, come on in . . . bring on the gray!On a lighter note we did manage to make it up the mountain once more before the roads turn into slip and slides, and finally made it to the livestock parade for the first time and watched the sheep scamper down mainstreet! Quite exciting!

It makes me want to . . .

Okay kids! I was studying like crazy for a test tomorrow . . . needed a break and got hooked on watching a certain amazing interior decorating show . . . and then my brain started thinking faster (in this case yes this did happen) and I began imagining projects to do one day!

I get a little "to Wanda" in me sometimes and want to pull everything off my walls and rearrange everything, this usually happens when Toph is watching the game, or at midnight and I just get in the mood for a change . . . I am afraid that this may one day escalate when we own a home and Toph will come home to find me hacking tile off of our fireplace: to re tile/stone it, tearing up carpet: for tile or hardwood, moving furniture: to paint, or who knows what else!

Whenever I see all of the new styles and colors of tile, especially the little cubes that are all taped together waiting to become a kitchen back splash or surround a fireplace I especially want to do something! Some of the designs are kind of "edgy" . . . and it makes me want a black (or brown) and white cowhide looking chair, or to gather multi colored bottles, vases and jars and create an amazing shelf display . . . one day . . . until then I am content scouting out more pillows, having a red (yes I said red . . . oh yes edgy indeed) end table in my living room, and simply dreaming of the day when I put up multicolored metallic looking glass tiles as a kitchen back splash. (of course by then I am sure that a whole new image while spring up in my mind . . .) Until then I am sure that my husband will grimace a bit at the visions that I share and smile while hoping that my sanity returns soon! Just think Toph . . . we'll be like Sean Thornton and Mary Kate Danaher . . . only instead of planting roses we will be laying tile! What a dream!

What a week!

Is it really Tuesday?
This last week I was a bit too lazy on a few things and OCD about others . . . pretty normal I guess . . . I think I kicked my Hebrew Test in the tush yesterday . . . and made a super yummy chicken salad for dinner and had fun hanging out with Toph . . . so yes Monday was good . . . moving on to Tuesday . . . hit the alarm clock and had to rush to class after waking up late . . . I think one of the guys in my class never fully woke up this morning and was snoozing away on the second row for at least an hours worth of class! My Professor even commented on it . . . I would be mortified! He finally woke up when everyone was leaving! Why even come to class if you are going to be so disrespectful and why choose a seat up front to boot? Menschenskinder peeps! This shirt applies to the boy through and through!
Fall is definitely rolling in! The mountains look amazing and it is supposed to be FREEZING tomorrow! (fun, fun!) I decided to pull out our halloween decorations today and feel all festive now! (I am slacking this year on holiday decor . . . I took down my easter wreath only a month ago and am usually on the ball with holidays!) I LOVE Halloween! I love making spooky treats . . . pots of delish chili and drinking hot cider!
I just finished designing Ima-Lou's cake and will be tickled pink if I can pull it off! We will see! Everyone just have the best day ever!

Birthday cake and cookbook excitment!

Toph and I were super excited to bust away for a few days and head up to Nibley to celebrate Grandma Liechty's 80th birthday! It was super fun and I was super excited to make a birthday cake for such a spunky, sweet lady!It was fun to see family and chill with our northern clan a bit . . . including making a Sunday drive around the valley and visiting Martin Harris' grave site and the surrounding towns. We also finally made it to the famous Angie's for breakfast where Grandpa Brownie used to go everyday! Great food and great place kiddles! We recommend it! Most of you already have heard (most likely from my mom . . . ;) that I have the first recipe in the new Worldwide Ward Christmas Cookbook! It was a fun surprise since I had no idea that they had chosen one of my recipes! Heads up everyone you too can send in a recipe!!! Go for it! Hope everyone has a wonderful week! I loved the message below . . . check it out for a gospel hug!

Being Me Means . . .

- Still having to have my pants hemmed even when buying the "short" or "petite" sizes.
- In order to fall asleep the sheets on our bed have to be perfectly tucked and folded (Drives Toph CRAZY!!!)
- Having to have someone their to watch a movie with . . . in case it is scary.
- Experiencing bliss after getting my haircut!
- Knowing that at least one of my sisters will have the answer to my questions, or make me laugh or smile during blips in my day!
- Spontaneous breakfasts in bed prepared by my handsome hubby.
- Feeling amazing accomplishment after scrubbing the shower!
- Always being willing to try out new recipes . . . and share them with friends.
- Having a good book on hand . . . always!
- Having purple hands from mixing black fondant.
- Having new book ideas floating in my mind . . . especially when getting ready each morning!
- Always being ready to hang with my girls, friends, hubs, and fam!

Okay! Now what does "being you mean?"

Signers of the Declaration of Independence

I got this in an e-mail for July 4th, but I think it is worth posting as a reminder . . .Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; Another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they?

Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.

John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

So, take a few minutes to silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

Remember: freedom is never free!

I am currently reading Thomas Paines Common Sense, If you have never read it I encourage you to do so to gain an even greater understanding of what these men stood for!

Bumble Bee Birthday Cake!

I am a cake baking fool sometimes! One of the amazing ladies that I visiting teach had a birthday today . . . so I decided to make her a cake! It was a blast to make to say the least . . . although my hands are purple and hot pink from making black fondant for the bees! (I got a little carried away with the coloring gel . . .) I just enjoy it . . . so if you need one done and I can accommodate you please let me know (the sooner the better since school is starting and then I have to really plan ahead!) I am a little hesitant on very detailed carved cakes after working on Mr. T's transformer truck! But chances are I wouldn't say no! I am now game to find a good pumpkin chocolate chip cake recipe! Anyone have one? Oh and I vote that we have a cake night sometime and get together and share ideas and decorate some cakes . . . anyone game? Oh and I have to add my little day maker . . . my little sister Erin was babysitting my older sisters 3 boys and Mr. Adorable B wanted her to text me and say thanks for watching them!!! (we played Aunt and Uncle stayover while their parents went to Mexico) Melt my heart!

Fish Lake Reunion 2009

So Toph and I were only able to make it to the Christensen Family Reunion for Saturday and Sunday . . . but we still of course had a blast AND I am happy to report that this year rather than getting my record 47 bug bites . . . I only got 4! It was awesome seeing the whole crazy clan! I am so blessed to have amazing relatives and I am so grateful for my amazing Aunts, Uncles, and cousins who are always a riot to hang with and have always been such positive examples in my life! (Shawn thank you for sharing your testimony!) Oh, and if I had known that you all wanted stuffed mushrooms I would have made you all some . . . next year folks, next year! One of the best parts was when Conner suddenly dunked his hat in the creek and soaked my mom! Man can she run! It was great . . . had to be their! Okay here are a few highlights from this years gathering . . .