What a Gr-8 Week!

Our Mansfield Thiots
Ricky's family had a good week and they were life saves while Dick and I were out of town.  They tended Rocky for us and not only tended him but gave him a nice short spring hair cut.  He is looking awesome and had a good vacation.  Ricky's best buddy growning up, Blake Jackson is in town this weekend and Ricky has loved getting to hang out with him.  Brooklyn was calling him Uncle Blake and Becky had to explain that he really wasn't her uncle but just a very good friend.  Ricky and Blake would always say they were brothers from another mother.  Blake works for the church in the Security department.  What a great job and he is very good at it.  Blake was on Dick's flight home from Salt Lake on Thursday and Dick said he felt extra safe wtih Blake aboard. I'm sad I didn't get to see him.  I love that good man.

Our Lovers Lane Granges
Monday morning Jake starts back to school after being on a two month slower schedule.  Tatia has sure enjoyed having him home more frequently and earlier in the evening.  He enjoyed his time TAing a class and is now ready to jump in for two more months of business.  When I got home from my trip, and Dick opened up the garage, in the garage was Miss Penny's new big girl bed.  When they move in with us in a few weeks, she will be sleeping in the cutest little toddler bed I have ever seen.  Oh Miss Penny, hurry and move over here with Grammy.  Our Missionaries are packing up and moving over to the Martin's home tomorrow.  I know I am going to be sad to say goodbye as I do love them so, but I'm going to get over it.

Our Carmichael Thiots
In the mail while I was away, came the funnest envelope from Carmichael, Californina.  Inside was a green shovel that said,  Grammy and Graypa, We really DIG you.  It was filled with Valentine M&M's.  I LOVED seeing that when I came home and I LOVED gobbling up the M&M's. Thank you for your kind and thoughtful ways Keelie and Callum. I love you too and I sure do DIG you too. Kenzie's been doing some fun sewing projects this week.  I love the matching dresses for Keelie and her doll. Soooo cute!
Char sent Dick a video of  Calum and Keelie telling a knock knock joke.  Callum would say, Knock knock and Keelie replied, who's there and Callum said, Chicken and Keelie said Oh it's a chicken joke and they both giggled.  Dick and I giggled too and we loved it.  Thanks!

Our LA Thiots
Pierce sent me a fun e-mail this morning with six pics on it.   He said it was for the Thiot Times to tell me what they had been up to for the past week or two.  They've been camping on the beach and took some gorgeous photos.  I'm going to try to put them on here.  Pierce  enjoyed a nice long bike ride on Saturday while Stacy went to a baby shower and their down stairs neighbor Pierre offered Pierce a surf board that he had extra.  Pierce asked me i I still wanted him to give me surfing lessons when I come next time.  The answer is YES.  Pierre is as handsome as he name sounds.  he he he he he  Thanks for the photos PJ!

Our Provo Thiots
Saturday night Skyler was awarded an Addy Award for his work on a project.  What an honor that is.  Way to go SKY!!!!! Sky was also offered a summer internship with the Richards Group here in Dallas.  Can I tell you how THRILLED that makes me.  We are hoping SKy and Kara will get to stay with us for a few months.  Our Empty nest will be filling up this summer. Nothing could make me happier.  Congrates times two Sky and Kara! Dick and I drove past the Richards Group building last night and while at a red light, Dick snapped this great photo on his cell phone.  He's amazing too!

We Empty Nesters
What a great week this was, while Dick was in Salt Lake this week on business, I got to travel to Punta Cana in the Domincan Republic with my sister Lani.  Lani got to go for work and I was invited to be her guest.  Oh my goodness, I had no idea anyplace on earth could be so beautiful and relaxing.  I don't think I even knew how much I would enjoy such an experience.  It was like living in a post card for  whole week.  Thank you soooooo much Lani for inviting me.  I LOVED it and I LOVE YOU!

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my Mom's birthday.  She has always shared her day with President Abe Lincoln.  Perhaps that is one reason he's a favorite of mine and she's a favorite of mine too.  I LOVE this picture of her in her beautiful kitchen.  What else could bring such a smile than an apple fritter in your hand, a gallon of chocolate milk and a gorgeous boquet of pink tulips!  Happy Birthday Mom!  You are the best!  PS I wish I could run to Macys for a bag of fritters right now:)

The 55th Grammy Awards

Our Mansfied Thiots
I love my Tuesdays in Mansfield.  This past one was a favorite of mine.  Miss Sarah is Addison's Preschool teacher.  She was kind enough to let me come a few minute before school got out and read to Addie's class.  We read Brooklyn & Addison and my favorite valentine book, it' called Valentine.  Perhaps the reason we all love it is because it's about a Grandma and her granddaughter.  There is nothing I love any better than having a granddaughter on each side of me and reading this story together.  It was very fun to read it to Addison's school class. Thanks Addison for letting me come.  Addison recieves the Grammy Award for inviting me to school to read this week.  Let's do it again Addison. When Brooklyn came home from school, something amazing was in her school backpack.  She had TWO, yes, 2 books that she could read.  I got to hear her read them and she is getting the Grammy Award for being the best kindergarten reader I have heard.  She's AMAZING!

Our Lovers Lane Granges
This week I was lucky enough to see Miss Penny multiple times.  We had a fun adventure to a darling quilt shop called "Stitched with Love"  We found some darling fabrics to make a quilt for Penny's baby brother Mr. Max who is coming in about 8 weeks.  After the quilt shop, Tatia took me to a few other stops where we found some cute vacation clothes for my upcoming trip.  I'm getting so excited and it was sure fun to shop with Penny and Tatia.  Just for the record (Grammys you know) I would much much rather shop for Tatia and Penny and Max instead of myself, but Tatia did make it as pain free as possible.  A Grammy for Penny and Tatia!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie sent me an Instagram photo this week of the cutest Valentine wreath I have ever seen.  It didn't have an explanation and so I jokingly sent Char a message asking if he had made it.  He told me Mackenzie had made it.  He was so proud of her as well he should be.  So cute and she was so smart that she can transform it into another holiday wreath as well.  Good thinking Kenz!  I would like to give you the Grammy Award for being so creative this week with a pool noodle and some coffee filters and a LOT of time. I also have a Grammy Award for Charlie.  As I am typing he is attending and sitting in the Eagle nest for A TRIPLE Eagle Scout Court o Honor.  WOWSERS.  Three brothers, now all Eagles.  Charlie has been blessed to work with these young men for the past several years. Go Char!

Our L.A. Thiots
Pierce and Stacy are over at some friend home.  The dad in the family was a missionary in Charlie' mission.  How fun is that?  I love that they have made so many good friends.  Pierce was telling me that they have had two brothers join the church, a few months apart and what great men they are.  Pierce is a family history consultant and has been helping them get started on their family history.  What an exciting thing for brand new member get to take their family member to the temple to do their work for them.  Pierce and Stacy are both happy and doing well.  I'm going to give Pierce the Grammy Award for magnifying his Calling this week. 

Our Provo Thiots
Besides it being freezing cold, our Provo Thiot have survived to tell about another cold week.  Skyler has been busy this week with school and interview for internships.  He's got several opportunities that he is waiting to see which will work out for the best.  Decisions, Decisions.  You are in our prayers Sky, I'm sure you will make the very best choice.  I'm going to give Kara the Grammy Award for this family this year.   I don't know if you know this, but Kara has a beautiful singing voice.  The first time Sky brought her to church, I heard this beautiful voice and as I looked around to see who it was, it was our very own Kara!!!!!  What an amazing talent you have Kara!

We Empty Nesters
This years Grammy awards are the 55th Grammy. I was telling Dick that and we thought it was pretty appropriate since I too am a double nickle Grammy at least for a few more months. Tonight was our It's Gr-8 to be EIGHT Fireside.  We invite all the Primary children who are going to turn 8 this year to come and learn more about our Stake baptisms, and Cub scouts or Activity days  It's always an extra fun evening.  This year my cute secretary made the cutet cake that was two bunt cakes decorated to look like an 8.  not ony was it cute, but delicious.  She puts chocolate chips in the chocolate bunt cake and it tastes like fudge.  Ummmmmmm Good.  Diane earns the Grammy award for Cake Baking for sure.

Happy 28 Jake!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Jake

Happy Birthday to you!

Have a WONDERFUL Day

SLY

Mom & Dad

It's Super Sunday

Our Mansfield Thiots

Ricky headed to Seattle, Washington early Tuesday and returned home late Thursday night after a week of  follow up training there.  He said it was chilly and rained each day much like it is supposed to in Seattle.  He said it looks like a fun place for Tatia and Jake and Penny to settle if they HAVE to leave Dallas.  I got a fun phone call from Ricky and his girls on their way home from Costco on Saturday afternoon.  They had just bought a Filet of Salmon and were heading home to grill it.  I think Ricky must have gotten in the fishy mood being in Washington.  What SUPER fun girls you have Ricky!
Our Lovers Lane Granges

Tatia continues on the sorting and tossing project that she started a few weeks ago.  Going through every closet and drawer to see what they could live without is a big project.  She has done a SUPER job and gotten her crafting corner cleaned out and cleaned up.  What an inspiration she is to me.  Perhaps we should all be requried to move every two years and have to go through out things and decide what to keep and what to share.  After 21 years in our home, it is filled to the brim and I need to do exactly what Tatia is doing.  Now to make myself is the hard part. (this is not tatia in the  photo, but a google search)
Our Carmichael Thiots

Charlie sent an instagram photo of Mr. Callum helping to trim the rosebushes in the yard.  Callum had a very fine set of clippers in his hands and all of the sudden, a rush of memories came into my mind.  When Charlie was about 6 years old, Dick bought a new pair of trimmers, very sharp and very good and Charlie took it upon his six year old self to trim up the bushes in the front yard.  When we discovered his helpful doings, he had created a BIG pile of trimmings.  He was so proud of his work and how could we be anything but proud.  Eventually the bushes grew back out, much like a bad hair cut and looked quite normal again.  I'm DELIGHTED that Charlie has Callum to teach how to trim bushes.  Char, (Hide those SUPER trimmers up high):)
Our L.A. Thiots

We got some SUPER news from our L.A. Thiot's this week.  In July of this year, someone tiny and PINK will be joining our family as our 8th Grandchild.  We are SUPER excited for Pierce and Stacy and so glad they are sticking with Thiot Grandchild tradition of having a Girl First!
Our Provo Thiots

Saturday afternoon I was home by myself, ok, Rocky my grandpup was also here.  We weren't either one in the mood for cleaning or anything too productive, so we turned on the TV and lo and behold it was the National SUPER Dog Show  Oh I wish I knew the oficial name for it.  There were all different colors, sizes, breeds of dogs.  Rocky is typically not a tv wacher, but somehow he could since that this was all about his kind of folks.  He was quite intent and acted a bit embarrassed when they had a Maltese who had hair way long on.  That poor dog must live in the beauty shop to look that beautiful.  Rocky was sure grateful he was not groomed to look that way.  Anyway, back to the Provo Thiots, the grand prize winner was a dog name Sky who is a Wire Fox Terrier.  He won 50,000 dollars.  WOWSERS!  Rocky and I were both impressed. oops just found out we were watching a re-run, this is old news. 
We Empty Nesters

I have never really understood the parable of the 10 Virgins.  There are 5 wise virgins who have oil in their lamps and are all ready for the bride groom to come and then there are 5 unwise virgins who at the last minute, notice they have no oil in their lamps and are off to the "store" when the bride groom comes for them and they miss the whole event. I've always thought that it would have been nice if the wise gals could have shared with those not so prepared.  Friday morning I  learned what this parable is all about.  My alarm went off at 5:00 and I jumped out of bed and got ready to go to the temple.  I had my temple bag all packed up and had even done a little repair job on my slip which needed new elastic in the waiste.  I even remembered to take my glasses which I sometimes forget and which I need more and more lately.  I headed off and by the time I got to Campbell Road, my car heater started to feel warrm.  I was listening to my Primary CD in the car and enjoying singing along.  I arrived at the temple at 6:14 and went inside.  I presented the brother at the recommend desk with my reccomend and he smiled and said, "I can't let you in Sister T.O. , Your recommend expired last night.  Today is February".  He showed me my recommend and he was right.  There was not anyone who could share their recommend with me, it was all up to ME.  I was one of those unwise virgins who had not noticed when my recommend expired.  They are now good for two years instead of one which makes it even easier to procrastinate getting a new one.  Well, feeling sad and bad, I went to my car and called the Bishop.  I actually woke him up and asked if there was anyway he could help me get a new recommend asap.  He texted our Stake President's Counselor who lives close to our church and told me to come home and put the peddle to the metal and we would see if we could work some magic.  I picked up Dick at 6:45 and on the way to the chapel, I had my first temple recommend interview while driving down the road.  We both ran inside just as the seminary  kids started pouring out the door.  Dick filled out my new recommend and off we drove to the Counselor's home who greeted me with a "shhhhhhhsh  Sister T.O. my family is still asleep, use your quiet voice." I had a quiet voiced interview and was back on the road to drop of Dick at home and I was back at the temple at 7:45 having hit many a red lights on the way back.  ohhhh my, I have learned a great lesson.  Our Stake is having a Prepardedness fair on Feb 23rd and you know that I will be the first in line to learn all I can about being preparded.  I don't want to have that aweful feeling again. Thank you Dick for being so SUPER and helpful.
That was a lot of words, sorry.  Dick had a very Scouting Saturday.  He started out with Little Philmont where President Gibson from the general young men's presidency came to speak.  What a powerful and inspiring speaker.  That went from 8-2:30 and then he was off to the office for some billing in preparation of the new month, then off to Camp Wisdom for the Woodbadge reuinion dinner.  Oh my goodness, That man surely gets his moneys worth out of his boy scout uniforms.  He had a good time and returned about 9:30 after I was fast asleep.  He is still fighting a cough and feeling not himself but is not slowed down.