Happy Birthday Addie Mae!

This little girl had a birthday
This little girl right here
May Heavenly Father bless her
Throughout the coming year
toot toot!!!!!!

Three years ago, this very day, a delightful little lady joined our family.  Addison has been a sweet heart every day of her life.  I love her so very much and am hoping that you and your big sister Brooklyn and your baby sister Harper have an extra special day with your amazing Mommy and Daddy!
Sure love you,

Grammy

Happy Birthday PiErCe

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday dear PiErCe
Happy Birthday to YOU!

You have made our family so much fun since your arrival just 26 years ago today!  We ALL love you!
SLY
Mom

What a FUN Week!

Our Mansfield Thiots

We received a darling birthday invitation for Miss Addison’s 3rd birthday party. It was on Saturday morning and what a delight it was when we turned onto their street, to see a GIANT sized Princess Castel in their front yard. Oh my goodness!!! It was huge and what a darling bounce house for Addie’s party. It was so very fun to watch the children having fun. While the kids were having cupcakes, and glass slippers made from apple slices, Dick and Ricky were having the time of their life bouncing in the castle. Oh what fun it was to have Penny, Miles and Oliver come to the party along with their darling mommy cousin Pamela. Even little Harper made a brief appearance at the party in between snoozing. Oh she is a darling little lady. I loved seeing her awake and getting to hold her and love her. Nana Diane has been here for the past 12 days and will be heading back to California on Tuesday. She has been a wonderful helper to Becky and the girls have LOVED having her in Texas. We voted her the cutest Nana on the planet. She is darling and so much fun! We love her and will miss her!

Our Lovers Lane Granges

This has been an extra fun week as we have seen Tatia and Penny almost every day. They came on Monday to help me get ready for our company who arrived early Monday evening. My sister Laurie and her great hubby Mike came. Tatia cleaned blinds, windows, and everything else to help me prepare. She is a great helper and Penny took an awesome nap which was very helpful too. Jake continues to work on his psychiatric rotation and is learning lots and is becoming surer that his chosen field will not be psychology. Jake, Tatia and Penny met us along with Mike and Laurie on Wednesday night at El Fenix for the Wednesday night Enchilada special. That was both tasty and fun. Tatia did a kitchen makeover for Miss Penny this week. It was my Grammy’s kitchen that I passed on to her when I was given a different one from a friend who is moving. It turned out so cute and Penny loves to stand there and bake cookies, just like her mom.

Our Carmichael Thiots

Mackenzie sent me a darling picture of Keelie eating lunch with her elbows instead of her hands. She is pretty creative and amazing. It’s not everyone who can eat burritos with their arms instead of hands. Keelie, you are one in a million for sure.  Charlie will be heading to girls camp this week to help with the Ropes course again this year.  He is great at that and enjoys it alot.  Good Luck to you.
Our LA Thiots

In the mail this week arrived two packages. There was one for me and one for Dick from Pierce and Stacy. They are calendars for the next 18 months filled with our family pictures, most of which Stacy has taken. It was so very fun to look at each page and I will surely enjoy it for the next year and a half. Thank you Stacy and Pierce!!!! I talked to Pierce on the phone yesterday and he told me to be sure and pick up a copy of Sports Illustrated this week as his Gatorade ad would be appearing in it and he even signed his name in a clever way in the add. I can’t wait to search for it. It may be like those fun books we used to love, Where’s Waldo or I SPY. If any of you see it before me, let me know. Go PJ!

Our Provo Thiots

Sky and Kara’s ward had a ward camp out up the canyon this weekend. They camped up by Sundance Resort and had a very fun time. Skyler said that it knows how to cool off up the canyon and makes for good sleep in your sleeping bag instead of sweating all night like in Texas on campouts. He promised to send photos, so I am looking forward to that. What great experiences they are having while living so near those gorgeous Rocky Mountains. I do miss those mountains and the cooler nights in Utah.

We Empty Nesters

This was an extra great week for me. Having Laurie and Mike in town, we packed a whole lot of projects, fun and visiting into those 4 days. We painted my bed on Tuesday, we both still have a bit of paint on our hands and feet to prove it. On Wednesday we made a tasty chicken salad and rolls and drove to Mansfield for Laurie to meet her great niece Harper. We went back to Tatia's so Penny could nap and then took a swim in Tatia's lovely pool. Then met up with Dick for dinner at El Fenix.  On Thursday we had a fun babysitting job early in the morning for my Kinsley, Luke and Owen and then hosted a birthday party for our friend Kevin who turned 21 that day and even got to attend the tail end of Miles’ 2nd Birthday party and see my Uncle Mike there. What fun that was. On Friday before Mike and Laurie headed to Houston for the wedding of their nephew Mike and his bride Hannah, they stopped by the Dallas temple and I got to see Laurie there. What a tender mercy of the Lord to be in the temple with her. I LOVED it. I loved the whole week. Laurie is such an energetic person, I kept wishing it would rub off on me. I must say, we enjoyed every minute together. I hope you’ve had a good week too. SLY Robynn

Happy Fathers Day!

Earlier this week, in preparation for Father's Day today, I sent out an e-mail asking my kids to complete the sentence,

You're the World's Best Dad Because...

These are the responses I received.  Dick, you truly are the World's Best. 

You are right up there with my Dad!

Even though he worked a lot, when he was home he was great at making me feel so special and loved. I loved our trips together, he is always easy to talk to.


He flew to San Francisco for a Texas Rangers' Baseball Game!!!! You always helped me fix my computers

You've never said no when I asked you for help.

You biked the Golden Gate Bridge with me.

You always took us on the best vacations growing up.

You taught me from a very young age how to shave. I think we still have a picture of me with the travel case for the razor (it's red) shaving while you

You gave me the genes that allow me to fall asleep at night in under 5 minutes

You taught us all what a good father is.

You are great about teaching by example.

You helped me drive through the middle of the night from Orem to San Francisco with a big truck and a trailer through some scary mountain passes You then helped me unpack the whole truck just the two of us. If that doesn't mean you're the best, I don't know what would.

Because he would drag us out of bed to take us to the lake in the summer before he went to work.

Because he always takes interest in you, your life and your interests!

Going to the movies with Dad is always fun - even if it isn't the best movie ever, you know you'll laugh along because his laugh is contagious!

Dad makes the son/daughters in-law feel like they are one of his kids.

Dad is probably the busiest person I know and yet would do anything for anyone of us.

You are never too busy to chat.


You tell the best stories from your mission (even if the best one was made up, we still loved it as kids)

You set a great example for us kids by serving a mission.

You set a great example of a righteous Priesthood holder.

You taught me how to drive a car.

You like to come visit me even when I live in LA.

We went scuba diving together.

You loved taking us camping...well, I don't know how much you loved it, but we loved it when you took us camping.

You are great about teaching by example.

You know how to have fun and when to be serious. It's a great balance to have in life.

You are one of my best friends, and it's pretty great to be an adult and have a dad who you love hanging around and chatting with any time.

and my very favorite...

He loves my mother



Happy Birthday Lani!

This little girl had a Birthday

This little girl right here,

May Heavenly Father Bless her

Throughout the coming year

Toot Toot!!!!


50 or so Things we Love about Lani

Lani lights up a room! Lani is the best hostess and cook! Lani's happiness is contagious! Lani has the best sense of style! I wish I could decorate my house as cute as Lani's! Lani is thoughtful! We love our Lani girl! Thoughtful Very well organized Classy Dresser Drives an immaculately clean car Love’s her best friend Simon to Pieces Lani’s a wonderful baby sister Lani loves my kids like they are her own We love that Lani is so thoughtful. The girls love that she is always excited to see them and it makes them feel so important. No matter how old I am, she calls me on my birthday and sings happy birthday to me. Lani has always been one of my very best friends! She remembers everything. I love having sleepovers at her house! I love cooking with Lani (she lets me measure). She knows how to keep it real. Keep it real, yo She is so nice to us. She took us to an eating place and we had chicken nuggets and fries She lets me play with Simon. I loved sleep overs at grams house when Lani lived there. She is always happy, she has a great sense of humor, sweet car, so nice, she always has gum in her purse Lani always thinks of others, takes meals to everyone who is sick, has a baby, or is just having a bad day. She remembers everyone’s name, and the name of everyone in their family, their pets, their birthday etc. My granddaughters adore her as do I! She is so generous I love to go on sleepovers at her house and have French toast. Lani is one of the best, most thoughtful people I know. She has an amazing capacity to love and nurture the people in her life. I love that Lani has stayed involved in our lives by having us over for dinner and other fun things. I love how thoughtful Lani is. She sends wonderful notes to let you know she is thinking of you. Lani is the best gift giver. She finds the coolest clothes! She drives sweet cars! She always dresses so nice and I especially like her in red! and : She writes the best thank you notes. She is an awesome sleepover partner. She never forgets anyone’s birthdays and always calls them. She has the cutest decorated house in town. She is an awesome shopping partner and best vacation partner ever! : I love how she always makes time for us. She invites me for sleepovers and spoils me! We think he would say how much he appreciates the love she shows him by sending him great packages while he has been in the MTC! She Writes AWESOME thank you notes. Loves Simon, Is SPO1LED Looks so cute in her red Beamer Most awesome executive assistant at LANDesk. Her nieces and nephews think she is the greatest Aunt ever! I love that Lani made me feel like a member of the family so quickly! She is so warm and friendly! I also love that Lani loves Simon as much as I love Lexi! Lani makes the most awesome hot chocolate and brownies Lani is a great dresser - she has an amazing collection of shoes and has great style! Lani makes everyone around her feel special - she finds the positive. Lani keeps track of everyone's birthdays! Lani is the most comely named person in our family - there are now two little Elaine’s in our family! Lani has the funnest sleep-overs. I hope Penny gets to have one some day! I still remember watching Dirty Dancing and eating cherry cordials. Lani isn't just an aunt, but a best friend. Lani takes such good care of all her family. Great cook, hostess, manager of a bed and breakfast, she had "FOF" She is the caring one, charitable one, dependable one, meticulous, assertive one, Loving one Lani hosts the BEST sleepovers She has the BEST purses She has the best catchphrases She is the best about remembering birthdays. She's just the best all-around. Lani always calls us to check up on our lives. She is the great host, and aunt. She is more than just an aunt, she is an aunt/mom hybrid. She is as nice and sweet as they come. She loves all of her nieces and nephews! She is the best Christmas decorator. She is such a sweet great aunt. She is the best baby blessing transcriber. She is a wonderful Aunt Betty too Lani loves her little nieces and nephews sooo much!! Lani is so good to her sweet little nieces and nephews! Lani loves the little children in her neighborhood and in her ward! Lani always takes entertainment for them in her purse to church! Lani is one of the most Compassionate People I know!!! She is always taking dinner to either family or friends or just members of her ward who are ill or hurting. Lani never forgets anyone else’s birthday .
We love you so very much Lani! Happy Happy Birthday to YOU!

The Rangers in San Francisco

Our Mansfield Thiots

What a wonderful week this has been. With the arrival of Harper Grace on Monday morning, it’s been delightful to have a tiny new little girl in our family. She is just what Ricky and Becky ordered, beautiful and as nice as she can be. She sleeps and eats and poops as Ricky so eloquently says. She’s wonderful and Brooklyn and Addison couldn’t be happier. Brooklyn must have said 14 times when she first met her how adorable she was. They are going to be wonderful big sisters to a very lucky little sister. Ricky has been trying hard to be a good daddy and hubby this week. I think he is exhausted but I couldn’t be more proud of him. Way to go Ricky. Becky is a wonderful new mommy and is enjoying her time with her 3 little bears, oops I mean her three little girls. Becky’s Mom arrives on Wednesday for two weeks of Nana time. What fun that will be! Congratulations Mansfield Thiots, we love you!

Our Lovers Lane Granges

Tatia, Jake and Penny came to Arlington to the hospital a few hours after Harper was born and Tatia took some beautiful photos of that tiny brand new girl. Thank you Tatia for your kind ways in sharing your talents. Miss Penny is no longer the youngest baby in the family, and she is looking forward to meeting Harper in person. She was not allowed to go into the hospital room because she is not a sibling but loves to look at the pictures. I’m sure they will be stopping by for a visit soon. Tatia has her visiting teaching conference on Tuesday night where she is in charge of the food. They are having Frito Pies, when you put on your plate, a layer of Fritos covered in chili with a layer of lettuce, tomatoes and a sprinkling of cheese with a dab of sour cream or ranch dressing on top. My mouth is watering just typing it up. YUMMY! Tatia got the little purses completed and stuffed with Andes mints, yummy. They look so cute and I’m sure will make a hit at the “Purse”uit of Charity event.

Our Carmichael Thiots

Keelie completed her first year of Preschool this week with an end of the year party. It was so much fun and they even had face painting. Keelie had a darling little black kitty painted on her cheek and loved it. They are in San Francisco this weekend, meeting up with Dick, Pierce, Stacy and Skyler to attend a Ranger/Giants baseball game at AT&T Park. The original plan was for all the guys to go, but unfortunately, the only time the Rangers played San Fran was right when Becky was due to deliver, so Ricky was not in on the event, and Jake’s truck broke down a few weeks ago, taking their emergency fund to repair the truck and not allowing him to go. From the pictures I’ve seen, it looks like those in attendance, had a very good time. I don’t think it even mattered that the Rangers did not bring their best games to California. Dick loves ball games not matter what the final score is.

Our LA Thiots

Pierce and Stacy called on Friday night on their way to San Francisco trying to find a phone number to get a hold of my brother Ric and my Dad who were on their way to LA. They were going to stay at Pierce and Stacy’s home while they were away. It’s too bad it was the weekend they were gone as they didn’t get to see each other, but what nice folks to share their home while they were away. Stacy and Piece both loved the few months they lived in San Fran and were looking forward to the weekend there once again. I saw each of them in one of the photos, so I do know they were there.

Our Provo Thiots

Kara had to work this weekend, so she didn’t get to head to the ballgame but let Skyler go. I’m hoping her weekend home alone was as fun as mine was. She is going to the airport at 3:00 this afternoon to pick up both Skyler and Dick and heading to Aunt Lani’s for Sunday dinner. Boy do I wish I could be there too. Lani is a fabulous cook and is the funnest hostess I know. She seems to do it so easily and makes you feel so at home. Thank you Lani for taking care of my family today.

We Empty Nesters

Becky’s due date isn’t until this Friday so she caught us a little off guard when the phone rang early Monday morning when her water broke. We were delighted for her and Dick and I headed over to watch the Big Sisters. What a fun day we had getting to sneak over to the hospital not just once, but TWO times to see the baby. Brooklyn wanted to take roses to her mommy and we found some gorgeous pink ones and Addison chose some tasty chocolates to go with them. Becky had bought the cutest Big Sister outfits I have ever seen. She had them hanging in their closets and they looked so cute. I loved getting to spend a few days with them. They are really growing up into fun little girls. Penny and Tatia came over on Tuesday and we filled up our wading pool and had Kinsley and her brothers come for a swim too. Kinsley ended up getting to spend the night and what fun the girls had watching Bednobs and Broomsticks until LATE. We loved every minute of our time together. I’m hoping that it’s going to work out that they can come over tonight for another sleepover. I am crossing my fingers. I hope you’ve had a good week too. SLY Robynn

Thank You Jetta!

I had a miracle yesterday that I just know I might forget if I don't write it down.  It was Wednesday, and Becky and Ricky needed their two big girls back home.  I was so hoping to keep them another day, but I understand how you can miss your children.  So we packed up their things, and headed to Mansfield.  We hadn't  had the TV on all morning so I had no clue about the weather and the possibilities of storms in the area.  The sky was pretty clear and we had a fun drive over to Mansfield.  We stopped at Target on the way to their house and picked up a few things and the check out clerk asked if it were raining yet.  I said I didn't even know it was supposed to and she said she thought she heard it might.  Well, I dropped off the girls and got a few minutes of hugging time with little Harper, who was asleep and didn't even know I came to see her, then  was about to head for home.  Ricky's TV came on with a thunderstorm warning for Tarrznt County until 3:00.  I thought if I hurried, I would just miss it.  Well, I was a little wrong as I got right in it and it seemed to follow me home.  I have been in one other storm in my memory when I was driving and it was with Mr. Pierce.  We were on our way to his 5th grade Graduation Party and the rain came down so fast and so heavy that my wippers could not keep up.  We were blinded by the rain. I remember Pierce praying that we would be ok, boy, was I wishing I had Pierce sitting with me praying yesterday.  I was on the freeway and the sky was as black as it is at midnight.  I could only see the tail lights of a little black car in front of me.  Believe me, I was following right behind it.  When it got soooooooooo bad, she exited the George Bush freeway at the Sandy Lake Exit.  I followed,  she turned right and we pulled into a parking lot of an RV Park.  Now, if you know anything about Texas Spring Storms, tornados expecially, you would know that an RV Park is just where Tornado's seem to LOVE to go.  I must admit, I quesitoned the black cars choice of where to pull off, but was so grateful to have a place to be off the road.  We waited there for about 45 minutes until things calmed down a bunch, it was still raining but not nearly as bad.  She started her car back up and I quickly followed her back onto the freeway.  It wasn't until I could see her car better that I noticed it was a volkswagon Jetta.  Now that may not seem that important to you, but it was like a message from heaven to me.  As I was praying so hard to drive safely, I knew that HEavenly Father was totally aware of me.  I am not a very brave driver in the best of circumstances, as a matter of fact, my mom had to trick me to get a drivers license when I was 16 years old.  I espeically don't like driving in bad weather.  I had the sweetest feeling rush over me, a sweet tender mercy of the Lord, that he sent a little black car to safely guide me in the storm.  Dick's mom is Jetta, and Dick's mom is in Heaven, I just felt so strongly that she was sent to help guide me safely home.  I know Dick and Sky were both praying that I would get home safely as I spoke with them while I was pulled over at the RV Park.  I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father and for him letting angels watch over us and help to keep us safe.  I have a sweet feeling that Heavenly Father let Jetta bring our sweet little Harper to earth and that's why she was close by to guide me home too.  What a day! Prayers answered from a Tender Loving Heavenly Father.  Thank You Father!

There is a New Little Lady in our Family!

 

 

Early Monday morning, Dick's cell phone rang and it was Ricky on the phone asking if Dick and I could head their direction as Becky had gone into labor and they needed to get to the hospital.  We jumped into our clothes and drove quickly to Mansfield.  When we arrived, their cute neighbor Erica was there keeping watch over the sleeping girls and Rocky the watch dog.  At 10:30, we got another phone call saying, please dress those little ladies in their new Big Sister outfits and head to the hospital that Becky was ready to push and have that baby.  We quick like a bunny did as told, put in some quick pony tails and we were off.  Little Harper Grace Thiot was born as we pulled into the parking lot and her Big Sisters were able to meet her when she was just a few minutes old.   Oh what a sweet little spirit has come from heaven to join our family.  We are so very grateful for her safe arrival.  Becky is a champ at having babies.  She looked just beautiful after Harper arrived and we couldn't be happier!  Congratulations Manfield Thiots!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

Our Mansfield Thiots

Becky has everything ready for the new baby to come. The nursery is darling I hear and the little girls couldn’t be more excited. The only one that is struggling a bit is Rocky, my grandpup who is loosing his bedroom to make room for the new baby. He can tell something is up when he was moved to the laundry room from his grand accommodations in the former guest room turned nursery. It’s interesting to me, how smart animals are to know that change is coming and they don’t have enough smarts to understand it, they just do naughty tricks to try to prevent the change. Oh Rocky, we still love you. You are just going to be crazy about our new baby girl and I’m sure you are going to be happy to give her your room.

Our Lovers Lane Granges

Today my phone rang and it was Tatia calling with some exciting news. Today is fast Sunday and Tatia had told me that she wanted to fast that Miss Penny could have the courage to walk. Tatia was 13 months old when she learned to walk and yesterday was Penny’s 13th month birthday. They came home from church and went to dinner at their friends. They came back to their home for dessert and Tatia and Jenny started having Penny walk back and forth to them. Jenny would scoot back further each time and Penny kept on going further and further, then she turned and walked clear down the hallway. She was so thrilled with herself that she could do it! Go Miss Penny! Jake continues with his rotation in the Phych department and is not really enjoying it but is finding what he is learning to be helpful in dealing with his mother in law

Our Carmichael Thiots

Earlier this week, Miss Keelie and a hornet met up and the hornet wanted to put a kiss on Keelie’s lip and ended up leaving a stinger their instead, OUCH, that hurts. Keelie’s lip swelled up big time, but I’m glad to report that she is back to her normal darling self and has a new found respect for bees, hornets and wasps. Mr Callum had a bit of extra fun in the bath department this week. Keelie was taking a tubbie and he climbed in with her in his clothes. I think he is one smart man. Dove dialing laundry with bathing. Cleaning his clothes and his both in one shot. Go Callum Go!!!!

Our LA Thiots

Pierce and Stacy headed north east this weekend to Yosemite National Park. They had a lovely weekend with the huge trees and loved the water falls. It’s about a six hour drive but worth every mile they both agreed. I’m anxious to see all the gorgous photos they took. What fun to go camping in the forest. Way to go LA Thiots.

Our Provo Thiots

I haven’t talked to our Provo Thiots this week but Dick has a couple of times. He tells me they are doing well and enjoying the warmer temperatures in Utah this summer.

We Empty Nesters

This has been an amazing weekend with lots of good things happening. We had a baptism on Friday night for the Hall Family. Mom, Dad, and two boys were baptized with a room filled with folks who love them. It was a great evening. Craig’s aunt and her son came from Salt Lake to be here for the wonderful events. It was fun to meet them and have them here. On Saturday morning, one of my 8 year old Primary boys Calvin was baptized and confirmed by his dad. His grandparents came and it was another wonderful event. In Primary today, I got to teach sharing time about how Prayer can help us to make good choices. I took Skyler’s m&m telephone and talked about how when we want to talk to someone we love, we can just dial their number and call them. It’s the same with our Heavenly Father, only easier, we just need to get on our knees and pray to him. We will never ever get a busy signal, or find that he is on call waiting or too busy to take our call. He is always there listening and wants to help however he can. Speaking of can, I made an old fashioned telephone with two soup can’s and some kite string. You empty the cans, and punch a hole in the bottom and put the string through the hole and hook them together. Then you have two children each take a can and pull the string tight and they can whisper to each other. You have to listen carefully, but it works. It was fun.

Today, June 3rd, marks 57 years that my parents have been married. They were married in 1955 in the Salt Lake Temple. I’ve loved thinking about them all day and I’m so grateful they found each other and made our forever family. How lucky I feel to be their daughter and to love them so much. Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!