So Long January

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
If Becky ever decides she would like to go back to work, I think she should be a professional birthday party planner. She is AMAZING. Brooklyn’s dinosaur party was the funnest two hours of my week. Here are the highlights. The children got to make a picture with many different types of dinosaur foam stickers. Way cute, then they hunted for dinosaur eggs then went on an excavation for fossils and then turned into paleontologists and un earthed dinosaur bones, then had to POP a balloon to find dinosaur silly bands inside. They then feasted on dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets along with some tasty cheese puffs and grapes. Then my favorite part, the cake. A pink brontosaurus cake that Becky had MADE herself. It was darling and delicious. Becky’s grandma Gigi was so much fun too. She was an excellent clean up partner. I’m so glad I was able to be there. Brooklyn, what a fun 4 year old you are. I have to tell you little Addison was a trouper. She was delighted to play with the empty birthday bags. You are a darling little sister Addie! Ricky is a great party helper and a darling daddy. I love seeing he and Becky in action as wonderful parents.
Our Barnett Granges
This week was not quite as crazy and busy as last week was for Jake and Tatia but a close runner up. Tatia got a call back from the doctors office on her glucose tolerance test. She tested positive and they wanted to do the 3 hour test to make sure of the results. She got a sub on Friday and spent most of the day in the lab. The funnest thing that happened there was a little old gentleman who came into the lab and came up to Tatia and told her she looked “Ravishing” It totally made Tatia’s day and she thinks that there should be men positioned all around the world that say kind things to pregnant ladies. Her doctors office called today to say the test had come back negative which she was very relieved. We celebrated Jake’s birthday on Sunday evening. We are going to be gone on his real day so he was kind enough to let us celebrate early. Happy Birthday on the 8th Jake for real. We are so lucky to have you in our family.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Little Callum turned two weeks old on Saturday and is doing well. He has already been to Target for a shopping spree and seems to not even notice he has gone anywhere as he can sleep though anything. Cute Cousin Pamela is going through her Baby Miles little clothes and said she would like to send some to Californina with me for Callum. How sweet is that? Thank you Pamela for your kind and helpful ways. Charlie is on the hunt for his eye glasses. Thiot kids, did any of you see them in California? We may need to call Chris the homeowner to see if any were found. I think I would check with Miss Keelie or look under the couch where she hid the cameras. She’s a good hider. I can hardly wait to see her in only 35 more hours. Who’s counting though?
Our Orem Thiot’s
This week Pierce’s professors are heading to New York to find the internships for the students who were chosen for the New York Summer Interns. They will take the students portfolios and show them off and try to find the right match for each student. Pierce is busy finishing up 4 add campaigns and is working night and day getting all his ducks in a row. Stacy’s a big help and has been driving Pierce back and fourth to school since the Green Jeep has decided it’s too tired to go anymore. Thanks Stacy. If you have a minute, you may want to peek at their blog and read the crazy adventure they had last week with carpooling. They are such good sports to be able to laugh at crazy happenings instead of getting all upset. What a good lesson to learn early in life. Pierce and Stacy’s cub scouts had the Pinewood derby race on Saturday night and they sure had fun getting to be there to cheer them on.
Our BYU Thiot
Skyler’s had a good and busy week of school too. We called him last night on our way home from Fort Worth. He said he had 5 minutes he could visit as he was at a linger longer after ward prayer. He is trying to figure out where to live next year. Liberty square where he is currently living is not for upper classman he says. It’s more the sophomore aged students and newly returned missionaries. He’s got a couple of friends who are looking for a home to share. He thinks that might be a good fit, not quite so much action in the apartment and a better atmosphere to study in. He continues to enjoy his classes and especially his religion class with Brother Ogleltree who is from our neck of the woods as his teacher. He says he calls on Sky to pray nearly every class. He guesses Sky’s name is the only one he knows so far. Sky is a fine prayer.
We Empty Nester Thiot’s
I asked Dick if he could think of a word to describe his week and he said the best word he could think of was UGLY. It was filled with troubles of all sort and sizes. Big ones, medium ones and lots and lots of small ones. I’m happy to report that he survived it all. He was delighted to get to attend Brooklyn’s 4th birthday party and only had to go to the office for a few minutes. I loved getting to see lots of him this weekend. I had a fun visit on Monday from Kinsley Kate and her darling Mommy and little brothers. It was so fun to meet her two Christmas dolls and read our favorite Valentine stories together. It was a great blessing getting to attend the baptism for Michelle in Fort Worth on Sunday night. Tatia and Jake helped teach her the lessons with the elders and were invited to be the speakers. They did an awesome job and brought such a sweet spirit to the baptism. Michelle is VERY afraid of water and took a lot of courage and prayers for her to be baptized. I’m glad we were there. Today is the final day of January. Happy February tomorrow Ya’ll! Sly Robynn

Brooklyn's Turning 4 This Week

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Ricky’s girls are a little under the weather this week. Our weather has been so unpredictable that I think our bodies don’t know quite how to act. I hope they are feeling a bit better by now. The mail man brought a very cute invitation today for Brooklyn’s 4th birthday party which will be a “Roaring Good Time”. Brooklyn loves dinosaurs and so she is having a Dinosaur party. I like dinosaurs too so I am really looking forward to it. Becky’s Grandma and Brooklyn’s great grandma Gloria is coming for Brooklyn’s birthday weekend. She is so much fun, I bet Brooklyn is getting very excited.
Our Barnett Granges
This was a very tiring and exhaustingly busy week for Jake and Tatia. Jake did research last summer and was invited to present it at a seminar on Thursday. He’s been working hard getting ready for that and then he was asked to do a workshop at New Beginnings for the Young Women in the ward on how to strengthen your love of knowledge. Then he had a big test on Friday. He barely had time to breath but is glad to report it is over and all went well. Tatia had parent teacher conferences with her preschooler’s parents. She was a little worried but really enjoyed getting to share what she’s learned about their children with them. She got to accompany the young women while they sang at new beginnings and also got to make Temple cookies for refreshments. I loved getting to help on that project.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Baby Callum did quite well his first week at home. He had to have a couple of jaundice check ups but that is doing well and he is doing well. Mackenzie said he is such a sleeper and they were not used to that with Keelie. He is trying hard to be a good little boy. Keelie is very protective of him and his “stuff”. When somebody is over, she is sure to let them know what belongs to Callum and how they should not touch it. When I talked to her on the phone I asked her what it was like to be a “Big” Sister. She said, “Oh Grammy, I am not big, I’m still Keelie.” She is so sweet and I can’t wait to see her in 10 more days.
Our Orem Thiot’s
Pierce and Stacy had a wonderful time last weekend when they went to St. Louis and to Nauvoo and then back to St. Louis. Pierce and Stacy were able to go up in the famous arch and loved the view from the top. They got to spend time with a family who Pierce served with as a missionary. They showed them around town and they had just a nice time. Stacy loved trying some of the St. Louis cruisine that Pierce loves and they had a great time. The weather was cold and their was lots of snow in Nauvoo at the wedding, but that only made for even prettier pictures.
Our BYU Thiot
Skyler had a good and busy week. His Art class is a busy class which takes much time but he is really enjoying it. He had 3 projects this week that he was pleased with how they turned out. He and his old companion Elder Merrill are thinking about going up to Sundance for the Film Festival this coming weekend. He did tell me that he is going to try to find a window of time to clean his room. It’s always a good thing to find time to do. I need to put the same thing on my list of to do’s He promised me a before and after picture. Sounds like an art project to me. Skyler said he was able to make some calls to some New York friends this week too and enjoyed that.
We Empty Nester Thiot’s
Dick is in the middle of a big project at work where they are trying to shift servers. It doesn’t sound all that complicated, but it has sure been a time consuming project. He is always optimistic and thinks it can be done quickly and so when it isn’t, it’s very frustrating. He is spending lots of hours and not sleeping much. I hope he can soon get it to work and slow down a little bit.
We did have a sweet tender mercy of the Lord this week. Dick is serving as Transient Bishop and gets some interesting opportunities to serve people who aren’t from our area. Monday night was one of those times. I volunteered to go along so we could spend Family night together. He asked if we could take my car and I told him it was out of gas, but as long as we filled up, that would be great. We stopped at Sams Club for Gas and after we filled up, the car would not start. Ever since Christmas, it has been acting a little slow to start, but always did, well this time it did not. The battery went dead. Dick walked over to the tire store at Sams and they came over and jump started us and then sold us a battery. I was so grateful that Dick had been with me when the car died and that we were at Sam’s were we could easily get a new battery and get the car back on the road and off to help a sister in need. Dick and I both agreed, that it was not a coincidence, that it truly had the hand of the Lord. How grateful we are for His help. I know he helps us daily and we need to watch for those blessings.

I had the lucky opportunity to attend my little friend Allison's 2nd Birthday party on Saturday. She was so excited to be turning 2 years old. What a cute party her parents gave her. I loved it.
In Sacrament Meeting yesterday, I was sustained as the new Primary President in our Ward. I have been serving as a counselor for the past couple of years and now I will be the President. I’m a bit nervous, but sure do love those little kids and they love me and I think it will be a real growing experience. I love Primary, I do think that is where I belong. Have a great week ya’ll! SLY Robynn

It's a BOY!

Our Carmichael Thiot’s
This has been a most exciting week for our Carmichael Thiot’s Mackenzie went to the Doctor on Monday and she told her if the baby had not come by Friday, they would induce her as the doctor could tell Mackenzie had just about had enough fun being pregnant and she felt like Little Callum was ready to face the world. So Friday morning, Keelie went to her Grandma’s house and Charlie and Mackenzie headed to the hospital. It was a very, very long day Friday which turned into Saturday and then early, early Saturday morning, at 4:30 am, Little Callum Jay Thiot arrived in this world. He is a darling little BOY with a little bit of dark hair and dark eyes. He is as nice as he is cute. Dick and I, thanks to Charlie’s amazing I-phone, had a video conference with Callum when he was only 2 hours old. I got to tell him how much I love him already. I love modern technology that makes such amazing things possible. Mackenzie and Callum came home about 1:00 this afternoon. They do quick stays in California and they are all glad to be home.
Our Mansfield Thiot’s
When Ricky’s family left San Francisco, they didn’t have room for the Christmas dolls that Brooklyn and Addison got for Christmas, so Grammy offered to take them home with her. I have to tell you how much I enjoyed having those darling dolls at my house. They even came to Primary with me one Sunday. Anyway, every morning, those dolls ask me, “Grammy, when are we going home. We miss Brookie and Addie?” Tuesday morning I got tired of making us answers and said, “How about TODAY?” They squealed with excitement and I started making plans. Tatia was off Tuesday afternoon so when she got off work, she was excited to go with me to see our girls. We had a quick visit, but very fun and I got to play Crazy 8’s, Old Maid and go Fish with Brooklyn and have some snuggle time with Addison and some lap time with Rocky, then we headed back to Plano for Tatia’s 24 week doctor’s appointment. It was so fun to get to see Ricky and Becky too. We love you Mansfield Thiot’s
Our Barnett Granges
Tatia’s doctor was out of the office when we got to her appointment and so she saw her partner. She was not nearly as impressed with her partner as with her own doctor. We hope she will be there for next month’s appointment. She is such an encouraging, warm and kind woman who makes you feel like you are the cutest pregnant lady in all of Texas. Everybody deserves a cute doctor like that. Tatia has to go this week for a glucose tolerance test. It’s a test they give everybody at this stage of the pregnancy. She is not looking too forward to it but I’m sure will do just fine.
Our Orem Thiot’s
Our cute Orem Thiot’s are this weekend our St. Louis Thiot’s. Pierce has a good friend from his Missionary Days, Anthony who was married this weekend in the Nauvoo Temple. Pierce and Stacy were invited to come and be the wedding photographers. They were THRILLED to be asked and except for the COLD temperatures, have had a wonderful time. Pierce took Stacy by several of his missionary homes and they’ve loved reliving the mission together. I can’t wait to hear all about the wedding and see pictures, hint hint.
Our BYU Thiot
Can I just tell you that one of my favorite things in the world, is to get a phone call from my kids and have them ask me if I want to either Car Pool to work with them, or walk up to campus with them. I LOVE it. I got to walk up to campus with Sky on a very chilly Tuesday afternoon. I so enjoyed our visit and catching up with that cute Skyler Thiot. Thank you Sky.
We Empty Nester Thiot’s
I can’t seem to take the smile off my face with the good news of a Baby Boy in our family. I wanted to share a tender, sweet experience I had on Friday morning in the Children’s waiting room at the temple. I got their early on Friday and had a few minutes before Prayer Meeting. I went to the Children’s room which has recently been refurbished with a beautiful and comfy new glider. I sat in the glider and rocked and rocked and rocked. I was thinking that I was rocking the spirit of our sweet new baby Callum who was on his way from Heaven. I think Father in Heaven let him make a quick stop over in Dallas to let his Grammy rock a bye him. It was the sweetest experience and I just loved it. I will get to rock him in person the first week of February. I can hardly wait to go and meet him. Until then, I will enjoy looking and relooking at his picture. Thanks for being so diligent about sending them Charlie!
When Dick was a little boy and would attend Thiot Family things, nearly every time somebody would hint to the fact that he was the last Thiot boy in the family and that it was his job to have more Thiot boys. I think we did very well at having 4 boys and then when we were blessed with 3 granddaughters, Dick started putting the pressure on the boys. All kidding aside, Dick is delighted to have another Thiot in a new generation to carry on the family name! Hooray for Baby Callum Jay Thiot! Hooray for Family and Friends. SLY Robynn

Hip Hip Horray! We have Our Callum Jay

Introducing Callum Jay Thiot

January 15, 2011

7 lbs 3 ounces

20 1/2 inches long
Proud Big Sister Keelie

Congratulations Charlie & Mackenzie

It's SNOWING in Texas!

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Our Mansfield Thiot’s returned home at midnight on Tuesday night. They had left Redding at 10:00 in the morning and made the drive to San Francisco to fly home to Dallas. It was a very long day and they were all 4 glad to see their own beds after two weeks on the road. I’ve been missing them and hope to get over their way soon for a visit. We were invited to dinner tonight and the weather did not cooperate. We came out of church to several inches of SNOW! It is a beautiful site and we are so grateful for a nice warm home to be in on a cold cold night.
Our Barnett Granges
After returning from Christmas, Tatia was kind enough to share her cold with Jake and he has been miserable this week. I think he is finally turning the corner and starting to feel a bit better. Jake and Tatia invited Jordan and Jamie for dinner last night and invited us to come too. It was so fun to see them again and to enjoy Tatia’s WONDERFUL enchiladas. Aunt Lani taught her well and we all enjoyed him. Tatia has enjoyed her week being back to Pre-school. She told her little children about the new baby girl growing inside of her and they are all so excited for her. This week she is thinking about the name Penny. I like it, how about you?
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Charlie spent the week in Oakland, California training for his new job this week. I was delighted on Wednesday night when a photo of the beautiful Oakland Temple came into my cell phone. Charlie had a free evening and took the opportunity to attend the temple. That was one of my regrets from Christmas, not getting to go to the Oakland Temple. I LOVED the picture Charlie. When Charlie started work on Friday, his boss told him that he was his STAR RECRUIT! I don’t know if it can get any better than being a Star. Go Char! Mackenzie goes to the doctor on Monday and we are hoping he might give her a guess as to when our new little Callum is due to arrive. Mackenzie would be happy if he came tomorrow. She’s ready and Keelie can’t wait to be his big sister.
Our Orem Thiot’s
I got a fun phone call from Pierce and Stacy this week. They were at dinner and were just remembering about how much fun they had on our Christmas Vacation. I loved hearing about all the parts they enjoyed. Pierce is taking his final semester of classes and is looking forward to being done with the class work. He has some great classes this semester. Stacy’s office moved to the Novell building in south Provo and so it’s a bit further of a commute but not too much further. The little cousins in the neighborhood were sure glad to have them both home after being gone for a week.
Our BYU Thiot
Skyler started classes on Tuesday not feeling his very best. He had a sinus infection and we worked a miracle. Monday morning I called his doctor here in Plano and told him what was going on, he phoned in a prescription to the pharmacy and Sky’s amazing roommate McKay delivered it to Skyler when he returned home from Plano Monday night and now Sky is feeling much better. Hurray! Sky is taking 16 hours and is excited about a drawing class he just signed up for. It’s an 8:00 class which he will enjoy waking up for. Most of Skyler’s classes are in the afternoon and evenings, so a morning class will be welcome. Skyler got to have dinner on Friday night with an old Missionary Companion Elder Merrill. Skyler LOVED that. I’m happy to report that the blue jeep is the happy owner of a new battery and is back on the road again.
We Empty Nester Thiot’s
With the beginning of a new Primary year, there are many extra little things that needed doing. I LOVE to volunteer to do the fun little things and I was most grateful for Skyler being on my creative committee. He made door signs for our 9 Primary classes. When I walked around the halls today, I smiled each time I saw a door sign, as it was almost like having Skyler there in Primary with us. Thank you for sharing your talents with our Primary Skyler! I surely enjoyed my visit with my dear friend Judy this past week. She is such an outstanding example of what a friend really is. I’m guessing if I opened the dictionary and looked up friend, her picture would be there. She is so good at keeping track of so many people who count her among their finest friends. One of my favorite parts was driving to Canton to have lunch with our friend Julie. We sat and giggled and visited for a couple of hours and it went past like 2 minutes. I LOVED being with both of these sweet sisters of mine. Thank you Judy and Julie! Dick had a great weekend with the Boy Scouts. Friday night was the District Recognition dinner. We had SIX new Eagle Scouts from our Troop. It was a THRILL to see those young men honored who we love so much. On Saturday, Dick taught a class at the University of Scouting. He always loves that and you’ll have to ask him about the miracle of the jump drive. I know this has been a difficult week with some hard news. Please know that you are in my prayers and in my thoughts. I love you so much. SLY Robynn

Welcome 2011

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Our Mansfield Thiot’s are still in California. Ricky’s company was closed for two weeks and so after a week with us in San Francisco, they headed north to Reading to Becky’s families home for the next week. They will be home on Tuesday and I’m sure Rocky is going to be glad to have them home. I know Nana and Papa are loving every minute with them and the girls with them. We so enjoyed being with them in San Francisco. Those little girls were the highlight of the holiday. They were so much fun and little children surely make Christmas all that it should be.
Our Barnett Granges
Tatia and Jake arrived home from Washington on Saturday. After a week with us in San Francisco, they too headed north to be with Jakes Family. It was a trip packed full of important events and they were so glad they could be there. Jakes Grandpa passed away a few weeks ago and they waited to have the funeral for when many of the family members could come. Along with the funeral for Grandpa, two of Jakes cousins had their wedding reception that same day and the following day was the burial for Grandpa. Tatia said they did have a few minutes to sit down, but mostly they were go go going. They were both pleased when Delta Airlines delivered their “missing” suitcase late Saturday night. It seems they made the flight, but the plane did not have room for their bags. They are glad to be reunited.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Charlie’s family was the first to leave our California Christmas. Charlie had to be to work on Monday morning so after a fun Sunday of attending the South San Francisco Ward and filling up an entire center pew, we went to the Muir Woods to see the giant red wood trees. When we got their not only was it raining but everyone else visiting the bay area had decided to come to the Muir Woods as well. There was not one parking spot available and so we waved to the woods and the little girls had nice naps on the way there. We did enjoy the drive over the Golden Gate Bridge and just being together was fun. Sunday was Charlie and Lani and Mackenzie’s night to cook. They made delicious lasagna, thanks to Mrs. Stouffers and garlic bread that was so yummy and a nice salad. We loved it. It was nearly all gobbled up.
Our Orem Thiot’s
Our Orem Thiot’s drove to San Francisco and had the longest drive home. They timed it perfectly and missed a big storm that came the day after they arrived home. Thank Heaven for watching over them. It was so fun to have them come to Christmas. Stacy was the bravest of all the girls and joined the guys at surfing. Don’t tell the boys, but she was the best surfer of the group. They had fun. The little girls loved cozying up with Uncle Pierce and watching his new Christmas movie Indelible you or something like that. Brooklyn thinks Uncle Piece is great.
Our BYU Thiot
Skyler left on Tuesday evening and instead of riding with Pierce and Stacy, he ended up booking an airplane ticket on Virgin America Airlines to go visit a friend in Las Vegas. He had been visiting with her on the phone all week and she invited him to come for New Years to Vegas. When he booked his ticket, it didn’t show any seats available and when he got to the airport, they seated him in FIRST CLASS. Now that was a great way to start out a fun trip. First Class is where it’s out according to Skyler. He only wished it had been longer than an hour flight. He and Jen drove back to Provo on Saturday and like Pierce managed to find nice dry roads. Happy Day. He and Pierce start back to school tomorrow.
We Empty Nester Thiot’s
What a week we had having all the Thiot’s together. It was simply a bonus to get to have my little Sister Lani join us on Christmas Eve. She is so much fun and we all just adore her. It really made the Christmas of 2010 even better than I could have wished for. Thank you to ALL the Thiot’s for making such a giant effort to come. Thank you for taking time off of work and your lives to come and spend it together. There is something wonderful about having everyone under the same roof to go to sleep at night. Thank you Dick for making it possible for us to do that. We had a lot of fun and we learned a lot about each other. We are sure lucky to be a forever family.
We arrived home on Tuesday and Dick hit the ground running. He got tithing settlement completed and is ready for the new year. My sweet friend Judy Hall has been at my house and Jordan and Jamie, It’s been a wonderful start to 2011! Happy New Year Ya’ll! SLY