Last Week of September

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Dick got a phone call from Ricky on Friday telling him that Becky was in the mood for Simon’s Sushi and wondered if we could tend. Unfortunately it didn’t work out and I’m hoping I can get a rain check on tending those darling little girls SOOOON! Ricky is sure doing well with his new job and is enjoying it. He seems to be a perfect fit with this company and we are sure happy for him. Brooklyn is enjoying preschool and Addison is enjoying some one on one time with Mommy. Tatia had a fun visit to Mansfield and enjoyed playing hide and go seek with the girls. They are good hiders and she loved it. Becky is making plans for a trip to California with some great fairs she found on Virgin Airlines! What fun that will be in a few weeks.
Our Lovers Lane Granges
If you have run into Jake lately, you may not have recognized him. He finished his 3 week surgery rotation today and has been pulling a LOT of all nighters with all the exciting gun shot removal surgery and other interesting things that the “wild west” has in store. He has worked hard. It’s been tuff working for 30 hours straight. I’m glad he is off those hours and hope his next rotation will be a bit calmer. Tatia and Penny came over Saturday afternoon and spent the night. I loved it and there is something so fun to wake up and have Penny right here. She is a dear little girl and I am enjoying every minute we have together.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Charlie refereed 3 soccer games on Saturday and I’m sure enjoyed it but was worn out. Dick had a fun visit with him on Saturday, I haven’t talked to them in a while. Charlie used to “Carpool” to work with me sometimes but now that he is driving the blue jeep again, it’s a little loud and too hard to visit on the phone with him. I miss that a bunch! Charlie’s birthday is coming up one week from today. I bet he is getting excited!
Our LA Thiot’s
Dick and I had the funnest Family Home Evening on Monday night with Pierce. He called just as we were getting started and we loved having it with him on the phone. Stacy was off to Portland visiting a friend who was staring in a play there and so Pierce was home alone and was a little lonesome I guess. I so enjoyed getting to catch up with that busy man. Dick found some great air fares and later in October, we are going to fly out to visit them for the weekend. I’m looking forward to seeing where they live. Stacy started working at the LA Temple and I’m so happy that she can do that. This is the 3rd temple that she has been an ordinance worker in. She’s wonderful! I just know she’s going to love it. She also got a new calling in her ward. First they called her to be a visiting teaching supervisor then they changed her to a counselor in Relief Society. All of my girls are working in Relief Society. What lucky, Lucky Ladies to have Thiot/Grange gals serving them. 
Our BYU Thiot
Each time I talk to Sky, he gets busier and busier. He’s got a new project he’s working on for a customer and is enjoying it. Dick asked him yesterday if he really has time to go to class with all his work and business. He told him he does and that he is doing well. I was sure grateful to have him in Utah this week. He was able to represent our family at my sweet Aunt Kaye’s funeral. I’m so glad he could be there to show our love and support. It’s times like that when I do not enjoy being a Texan. Thank you Sky for making such a big effort to be there. You Rock!
We Plain’Ol Empty Nesters
When I looked at the calendar and realized that this is the last week of September, I can hardly believe it. This month has been a whirl wind and has flown past so quickly. I can’t believe October will be here on Saturday. We’ve had a LONG standing tradition in our home that we always put up our fall/Halloween decorations on Charlie’s birthday, October 2nd. It’s still pretty toasty in Texas, but I’m hoping by next weekend, it will have cooled down and we can put up the autumn leaves and some spooky things too. Such fun!
On Friday night, we had 3 other couples over for Dinner Circles. They put Dick and I with 3 very young couples who all have one little baby. Dick and I were in heaven with those little children to enjoy. We had a yummy baked potato bar that tasted delish and we had fun. I hope those 3 couples had fun too and didn’t feel too bad being sent to the old folks home.
This coming Tuesday, Tatia was invited for the young women in our ward to come back to the ward to teach them how to make aprons. We found some cute dish towels and are going to have a fun night teaching those young women to sew. If you have an extra minute to say a little prayer for Tatia and I on Tuesday, please, please do. Actually, I think it will be fun and I’m glad Tatia invited me to help. We made a practice one Saturday night and it is really cute. I hope the girls like them.

The Relief Society Conference was wonderful. I watched it backwards this year which was awesome. Tatia and Kara and I watched Elder Uckdorf's Forgetmenot talk and LOVED it and then Sunday morning I got to watch the Relief Society Presidency's talks. I especially enjoyed Sister Beck talking about what she wants her Granddaughters to know about Relief Society. I whole heatedly agree on all counts! I just love General Conference and it's such a wonderful lift to get to start with the Relief Society Session a week early.

I had a fun surprise when I came home from church today. On the bench by my front door, was a PINK PLATE filled up with PINK and Blue Cookies that were delish! Thank you Kinsley Kate for a very SWEET Gift. I love you sweetie!
Today was Kevin Stanfill’s missionary farewell. He joined the church about 17 months ago and is so ready to head on his way to Pocatello, Idaho. He’s going to be excellent. We will miss him but look forward to his letters. Have a great week ya’ll! SLY Robynn

Good Bye Aunt Kaye

Sunday afternoon one of the dearest, sweet, people on the planet was called home to our Heavenly Father, way to early for all of us left behind. She was such a sweetheart and will be missed by all of us. She taught us so much about enduring to the end and enduring her very very best. She was a woman of many talents and always willing to share those and teach those to her family and friends. I feel so blessed to have known her and to have loved her and to know and love her sweet family. I'm especially lucky to have her darling daughter Pamela and Clayton living so close by and her two little grandsons. I will always hug them a little longer and kiss them one more time for their sweet Grammy who will now have the job of watching over them from heaven above.

During Aunt Kayes illness for almost two years, there has been the most amazing and remarkable man by her side. I call him Uncle Mike and she always called him Michael. I've known a lot of great men in my life, but when I think of Uncle Mike and the love and care he has taken of Aunt Kaye, he has shot to the top of my list of great men. I love you Uncle Mike and admire so much your support and love that you have shown. All of the men and boys in our family have learned what real love is through watching you. Your sweet family is in our thoughts and our prayers and we all know that Aunt Kaye is back in Heavenly Fathers loving arms. Until we meet again, we will remember all you taught from your words and example.

SLY

Robynn

911 We will not Forget

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Friday afternoon began a very fun 24 hours with Brooklyn and Addison. I met Becky after getting off work at the temple, at the Bass Pro Shop in Grapevine and we went inside to check out a few things Brooklyn wanted me to see. First, we saw the rattlesnakes and then the Skunk spray, yes you read that right, Skunk Spray is something that Brooklyn was MOST impressed about. She had seen it when you went there with her Nana and Papa and couldn’t wait to show me and let me smell it. WOWSERS! It STUNK, just like a skunk. Next we went to the bridge and all 3 of us got to make a wish and toss a penny into the pond. We loved it and all 3 wished that we could have fun going to see Winnie the Pooh later that evening with Graypa. Well, our wishes came true and we all loved the movie. We even got to bring our sweet friend Kinsley Kate with us too. Talk about a Grammy’s wish come true to take 3 little women to Winnie the Pooh. I was sure glad Graypa could come along. He always makes everything more fun. (he buys the popcorn) The time went by way to fast and before we knew it it was time to take them home. Thank you ladies for coming!
Our Lovers Lane Granges
We had a dear member of our ward pass away this week. Yes, you are right, just two weeks ago we had another brother pass away. This time it was Brother Jack Eldridge who we all love so much. He had a stroke just a week before he died. His sweet wife passed away 29 years ago and I’m sure it was a mighty happy reunion in heaven last Monday afternoon. Tatia and Penny came to the funeral for Brother Jack on Thursday afternoon. It was nice to have them there and Penny might have been the hit of the funeral. She wore her black patented leather shoes and looked soooooooo cute! She was veryl very nice. Jake starts his rotation in Trauma tomorrow and is looking forward to it. Ok, maybe not looking forward to it, but Parkland Hospital promises lots of trauma and lots of learning for these medical students to do, up-close and personal. Good Luck Jake! Tatia’s birthday present arrived in the mail this week and she has had fun getting acquainted with her new sewing machine. Thank you Cousin Rich and Rod for making that possible. You are the best! Tatia was spotlighted in Relief Society today and this is what Jake wrote about her. “In some ways I am quite like any other woman. I love Jane Austen novels/movies/spin-offs. I have to try on several things in the morning to find the perfect outfit. I love baking apple pies.In other ways, I am more similar to some of you than others. I’m a native Texan and proud of it. I served a mission in Salta, Argentina. I have a deep interest in families & children, so I studied Marriage, Family, & Human Development at BYU. Last are a few things that make me unique. My work has led me on a varied path from Child Protective Services (and no I’m not judging you or your children!), to nanny, to preschool teacher, to now loving life as a stay-at-home mom for beautiful little Penny. I love birding with my husband, Jake, and being outdoors learning photography skills. And if you’re looking for a unique book that I love, look into Lloyd C. Douglas’s Magnificent Obsession (but don’t take my word for it).
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Last Sunday night was my best. We called Keelie and she was available for some face to face time on Dick’s I-pad. Oh how I love seeing her sweet face and listening to her amazing voice and hear all about her week. She even let us see little Callum who has grown two beautiful teeth and is sitting up like a trouper. I love when she says, Grammy, do you want to see my brother? I love seeing how sweet and gentle she is with him. He is her very best friend she tells me often. That’s how brothers can be in our lives. I sure love my two brothers too Keelie!
Our LA Thiot’s
Working Hard in LA is all I know about Pierce and Stacy this week. No time to phone home.
Our BYU Thiot
Skyler’s had a crazy week in getting his advertizing department application turned in. He’s not been feeling at the top of his game so keep him in your prayers if you can. One of my favorite parts of the sleep over with the little granddaughters was after their bubble bath when they wanted to wear Uncle Sky’s t-shirts for night shirts. They love Uncle Sky and loved sleeping on his pillows and wearing his shirts. Thanks Uncle Sky!
We Plain’Ol Empty Nesters
On Thursday, I was invited to go to Grandparents day at Cousin Oliver's pre-school. I LOVED watching him practice his colors in Spanish and sing two darling songs in spanish. He is amazing. I LOVE my Card Oliver. I LOVE your orange handprint and I will treasure it forever.
The Winnie the Pooh Movie, a hunt for Treasure in the neighborhood, a bubble bath, a sleepover in the family room, an episode of Clifford a Big Red Dog, waking up EARLY bird style and going for Donut Holes with Grammy and Graypa, an early morning swim, a trip to the duck pond to feed the ducks and then playing on the playground, driving through Wendy’s for chicken nuggets and then watching Cinderella in Grammy’s bed with Popcorn. Add all of those things together and you have one amazing 24 hours, and one exhausted Grammy and Graypa. Thanks girls for coming. I can’t wait to do it all over again soon.
Today marks the 10th Anniversary of 9-11-2001. I have loved seeing all the flags flying today and there has been an extra nice feeling of patriatism today in the air. We will not forgot those who lost their lives and those who gave thier lives trying to save others. SLY Robynn

Happy Labor Day Weekender Edition

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Ricky’s new job has a huge area including the entire state of Texas. This week he was in the Houston area for the week and since Brooklyn doesn’t start school until this week, the girls went along and had a great week. Brooklyn called it staying in the HO-tel. She says it so cute, she was so very excited. The HO-tel as a swimming pool so that made it extra fun in HOT Houston. Ricky had the car each day, so the girls would explore within walking distance. During the weekend they got to see their friends Jo & Jenn who have recently relocated to Houston. The girls were excited to see Chloe and Cache and catch up on the fun. They took a trip to the beach and loved that and then Ricky got to take Becky out on a date to celebrate her birthday on Saturday night. Today is Becky’s 29th Birthday! Happy Birthday Becky! Rocky, my grandpup, is staying with me and is looking forward to their return.
Our Lovers Lane Granges
This has been a week of firsts for Tatia and Jake. Jake started his on call rotations in the hospital and it’s been an interesting week. Jake says the fun just keeps on going. He has learned much and learned that he is almost sure surgery is not going to be his specialty. Tatia and Penny came over for a sleep over on Wednesday night so she didn’t have to wake up on her birthday with nobody to spoil her and make her breakfast. Actually, I had to beg her to come and I loved having Penny here and Tatia too. Later that night we were able to go to Benehana’s for a YUMMY 30th birthday celebration! What fun and little Miss Penny really enjoyed our chief. She especially loved it when he would toss the shrimp tails into his big hat or into his pocket. She was so hoping he would toss one to her, but he did not. She had fun on Friday celebrating her 4th month as a member of the Grange Family. She got to try out the excersaucer the Christensens’ let them borrow. She LIKES it and it quite handy at grabbing the fun things.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
On our way to a wedding reception last night in McKinney, we called all of our kids and had a fun quick visit. When we called Charlie, Keelie was close at hand and we loved getting to talk to her. She kept saying she wanted to see our faces while we talked, but Graypa assured her that we were in the car and would call her tomorrow to see her face. I’m so amazed at the technology skills that little woman pocesses. She makes me smile. Charlie has been busy with getting fall soccer underway and is helping to train some of the new referees and refereeing some games too. He & Kenzie love soccer and I’m sure it won’t be much longer before both of their kids are playing.
Our LA Thiot’s
We had a fun visit with Stacy and Pierce who were on their way home from the beach. There had been some pretty huge waves from a tropical storm in New Zealand. He sent Dick some great pictures and told us they had life guards out not letting anyone go beyond 50 feet out. I’m glad they were safe and had a nice time. He said the beach is their favorite and cheapest entertainment. With the cost of rent, going to the beach is the best choice and they both love it. Last week they got new callings in their ward. Pierce is going to be a family history consultant and will get to go to the family history center at the Los Angeles Temple on Sunday afternoons for 8 weeks of training. He will love that I’m sure and will be great at it.
Our BYU Thiot
Skyler started school on Monday. It was a bit of a crazy start, but he is getting settled into a new schedule of work and classes. Wednesday was Skyler’s 23rd birthday, he was able to celebrate at Aunt Lani’s with Gram and Gramps and Uncle Jeff and Jenn last Sunday night while waiting for Kara’s flight to arrive. Lani spoiled him well with roast beef and potatoes and carrots and rolls and birthday cake made by Gram. Thanks for being so good to him. Sky’s got a lot on his plate this semester, I think he’s up for it, he’s amazing. I’m glad he’s got Kara to help take good care of him too.
We Plain’Ol Empty Nesters
After Dick’s scare last weekend, he has taken it a bit easier this week. The doctors couldn’t see him as soon as I would have liked so he will have his stress test this coming Tuesday to see if they can figure out what caused the pains. He was home two nights this week before 5:30 which I LOVED. He promised to take it easy at church today too.
We sure enjoyed seeing Kyle the Roeser and his bride at their wedding reception last night. Kyle and Pierce were good buddies and I’ve always loved him. He married a wonderful gal and they looked so happy. It was great to see his family as they have moved to McKinney and we don’t see them very often.
Labor Day weekend, in years past, has been a time we try to figure something fun to do. Something like cleaning the garage, or cleaning up the yard, or something really “fun” like that. I can hardly wait until tomorrow to see what we come up with to do. Heaven only knows there are plenty of those types of things that need doing. It’s been a fun week with lots of birthdays to celebrate. I’m so grateful for all of our dear family members. I’ve loved thinking about them over time this week. Sure love ya’ll, Robynn

Happy Birthday Becky!

Happy Birthday Becky! We are sure lucky to have you in our family. We hope you have an extra special day today. We love you!

Happy Birthday Tatia

September 1st is the day Tatia joined our family. What a happy day that was to have a baby GIRL! It's been so fun to be Tatia's mom and watch her grow into a such a wonderful person and an amazing mommy to her little Penny.

Happy Birthday Tatia!