Pioneer Day & Christmas in July!

Our Mansfield Thiots
Oh my goodness, what fun we've had with our Mansfield Thiots this week.  Tuesday was scheduled to be ZOO Day.  The Dallas Zoo has been working hard over the past 30 years to turn what used to be a walk of animals in cages to a beautiful natural environment for the animals to reside and be visited by interested children and adults.  We had planned to meet at ten before the day had a chance to heat up too much.  Tatia, Penny, Max, Oscar and I arrived first and enjoyed a ride on the lovely carousel while we waited for the rest of our group to arrive.  What a beautiful carousel.  It had horses, zebras, hummingbirds, lions, dinosaurs, tigers, giraffes, (they did not go up and down) and almost everything else you could wish for.  I loved staying with Oscar and waving to Penny and Max and Tatia each time they went past me.  Oh what fun.  It wasn't long and Brooklyn, Addison, Harper and Becky arrived.  We loved the African Safari with Giraffes, Zebras, Elephants, Gorillas, amazing Birds.  We also loved the Penguins and the gorgeous flamingos were favorites too.  We stopped for lunch of tasty peanut butter sandwiches and took one more ride on the carousel, this time with cousins and headed home before we all melted in the heat.  Very Very fun!

Our Charlottesville Granges
It's been a wonderful eleven days having Tatia and her children here with us.  Our home hasn't been this happy for a long time.  Clip Clop, our wonder horse has had a rider constantly and the old toys have seemed to come to life with someone here to play with them and enjoy them.  Our blow up swimming pool and slide have been a hit on hot afternoons. (thank you Pammy)  I've loved sitting by the pool and have LOVED having them splash me.  Oh it's been a hot week, but when you are wet, you don't notice as bad.  Popcycles have been enjoyed and my  jar filled with fruit snacks is getting low.  Two weeks have passed too fast.  When Tatia first arrived, I made a list of all the things we would Like to do while they were here.  We are getting to the end of our list and we have three days left to enjoy every second.  On Saturday evening, after a fun swim at the Baileys home, Tatia took Family pictures for Our Mansfield Thiots.  Becky found the cutest outfits for each of them and they went to Arbor Hills Nature Park and found some fun spots, with perfect lighting, for some great photos.  Tatia has a gift for bringing out the best in photos.

Our Carmichael Thiots
On Monday morning at 9:30 am, Charlie started a new job.  He has been working at a bank that was one hour away from home.  It added two extra hours to his long day in the commute and although he liked his job fine, this new opportunity seemed just right for this busy time in his life.  It's much closer to home and that will be a blessing to him and his family.  New beginnings can be challenging, but I have a really good feeling that his is going to be a really good thing for Charlie.  Along with new beginnings this week has come an ending.  Swim Team is over and this week was the special day of awards.  What a lot of progress Callum made this year.  It's been his first official year on the swim team, but he has been a supporter of Keelie on the team for several years.  He was thrilled to be recognized for his accomplishments and be awarded his metals.  Go CALLUM!  Keelie has been swimming on the team for a few years, but this year she seemed to really come into her own.  She did amazing a her last meet and won in two difficult categories, the Breast stroke and the Butterfly stroke. Keelie, you are REMARKABLE.  Way to go All of you Carmichael Thiots.  We are all so proud of you and so happy for your accomplishments.  Keelie and Callum got to attend their Stake's Pioneer Day Celebration.  I LOVE you dressed as a Pioneer Keelie!

Our L.A. Thiots
Something magical happened on Wednesday afternoon at our house.  Pierce was having to return home for work from the Brinkerhoff's Family Reunion.  He called and said he had a few minutes on his way to the airport and wanted to stop by for a "quick" visit.  Maxwell had been wanting to play with his Brio Train, and we had all the tracks sorted out into Straights, Curves, Bridges, Tunnels, etc and ready for Pierce to build a track for Max.  It was so fun to watch Pierce, I wish I had video taped it, how quickly he made his old tracks go together into a magnificent design.  We all Loved it especially Max and Penny.  Then we had some snickerdoodles and milk and I fixed Pierce a bowl of Raspberries and cream, his favorites. Right before he left, he had to teach Oscar his famous trick of standing up in his hand, Yes Oscar who is four months old learned Adelaide's magic trick and seemed to LOVE it.  All to quickly, Pierces 18 minutes were up and we had to hug him and tell him goodbye. Thank You Pierce for making that huge effort to come see us.  It meant the world to us.  Stacy's family had a very fun week in Branson.  I had no idea there were so many fun things to do there.  I can't wait to hear more about it.

Our Dallas Thiots
Pierce also stopped by to see Dick at his office for a few minutes and he had a few minutes stopping at Sky's office too.  Sky loved it as did Dick.  Our Dallas Thiots have had a busy week and we haven't seen nearly enough of them.  We have Family Home Evening planned with them on Monday night and I'm crossing my fingers it works out.  Kara has me excited about a project she heard about and is interested in participating in.  It involves sewing and Kara and I have had some fun sewing project together.  I would love to help.  I'm going to share the link with you in case it might be something you would be interested in too.  http://www.daysforgirls.org/#!faq/c1eah  I've got quite a collection of fabric and I'm hoping there is something I have that we could use to help.

We Plano Thiots
Friday was July 24th!  I have always LOVED Pioneer Day.  It was extra fun this year to have five little girls here to sew pioneer bonnets with me.  Tatia found a pattern and we let the girls each choose a fabric off Grammy's sewing room shelf.  What fun that was.  Brooklyn and Kinsley wanted to sew their own, so sitting on Grammy's lap, they helped.  We also did some Pioneer Day Water color paintings.  Tatia is awesome at watercoloring and gave us some fun tips.  Max and I made homemade bread  while the girls painted and then Tatia turned it into Navajo Tacos.  They were yummy just like Frontier Pies used to serve.  We pretended to pick berries and enjoys some raspberries.

On Saturday, the 25th, we celebrated Christmas in July.  I Loved saying "Merry Christmas in July" all day long.  Graypa helped the girls chop down a christmas tree, Ok, they brought it in from the garage and they decorated it, while I mixed up some Christmas cookie dough.  That tree is darling.  Let me go take a photo of it, please hold.   Kinsley helped up draw names.  Then she arranged for the shopping trip to our brand new dollar tree that is close by.  We went three at a time and shopped for the three that stayed at home and then we traded places.  I can't even tell you what fun we had shopping and wrapping the gifts for each other.  We even had a mini lesson on what to do when you don't get what you had hoped for.  It was so fun. We read Christmas stories and loved every one. Christmas in July is great.  We planned a swimming party at the Baileys in the afternoon which felt so good.  It was my first time to swim this year and it was Oscar's first time in a pool.  Baileys had a baby float and he LOVED it.  I LOVED watching Max come down the slide along with Addison and Brooklyn and Penny.  There were some Great Splashes off the diving board by Ricky and Graypa.  WOWSERS!  Then we came home and had some Christmas Hot dogs and chips and Tatia's homemade salsa.  YUMMY!

While I was typing Our Thiot Times, I heard a little noise and looked at my door and there was Max, first one awake upstairs, I tucked him into bed with Graypa with the rest of his donut holes from yesterday and they are both enjoying Jake and the Neverland Pirate and donut holes in bed. Grandchildren are the BEST!
It's been a wonderful weekend.  We said goodbye t o our Mansfield Thiots and missed having the rest of you Thiot's here with us.  We love you all so much.  SLY Robynn

My Best Week!

Our Mansfield Thiots
There all together again, they're home they're home!!!!!! It's soooooooooooo good to have Ricky's girls back in town.  Oh my goodness, Five weeks gone is LONG.  I missed them like crazy.  They have had a wonderful summer and all came home much Tanner and blonder.  They look amazing!  Ricky couldn't be happier.  It was a little disappointing that his work schedule was so crazy their first few days back, but hopefully things will settle down soon and he will get some time to catch up with everybody.

Our Charlottesville Granges
Tatia, Penny, Max and Baby Oscar arrived on Wednesday  Thursday morning.  They had a delayed flight on Wednesday which caused them to miss their connecting flight, so they were sent home and told to come back the next morning and try again.  Horray, everything worked perfectly.  The kids couldn't have been nicer.  What good little travelers.  I'm so grateful they are and that Tatia is brave enough to come by herself with them.  We are enjoying every minute of having them here with us.

Our Carmichael Thiots
This was a big weekend for Keelie and Callum.  It was their last swim meet for the summer.  They have both worked hard and both really improved their times.  Callum missed four weeks while he had his snazzy orange cast on his arm, but has jumped back in and done well.  Swim team is a huge commitment.  Swim practices each evening and meets on the weekend.  I wished I could have been there to cheer you both on.

Our L.A. Thiots
Our L.A. Thiots arrived in town on Thursday night.  Ricky and Pierce headed south to Waco to the Wake Board Park.  Oh boy, did they have a good time.  They were wishing Sky and Charlie had been available to come too.  Some good Brother Time for sure.  While the guys were in Waco, the rest of us gathered at our home.  We had a wading pool up and plenty of cousin fun going on.  Pierce, Stacy and Adelaide are in Branson, Missouri this week for the Brinkerhoff Family Reunion.  They are staying on a beautiful lake and having lots and lots of fun I am sure.

Our Dallas Thiots
When Tatia landed Thursday, I got a text from Sky inviting us to stop by his office on our way home for a quick visit.  He hadn't seen Max or Penny since last July and he had never met Oscar.  We squished him in the car with us and enjoyed our sack lunches together.  He is a good sport for sure and  Max was such too tired to visit much.  We've had other times together which have been so much fun.  Sky and Kara came over Sunday night and brought their pictures from their recent trip to China. We loved seeing them and boy did they see a lot of wonderful things in 3 short days.  Thanks you two!

We Plano Thiots
On Friday evening we had Seven of our Nine Grandchildren together.  Oh how we missed Keelie and Callum.  It was so fun to go to Brahms and everyone but Harper picked BLUE Birthday Cake IceCream. Yummy!  There is something almost magical about having Grandchildren together.  Even though they don't see each other often, they are wonderful friends.  Cousins do make the best friends.  I just couldn't take the smiles off my face watching them and enjoying every minute we spent together.

On Saturday we headed to Hurst to the Artisan Children's theatre for the play of Cinderella.  I'm not sure if I enjoyed the play more of watching these little children's faces while they watched Cinderellie as we love to call her.  It was such fun.  Everytime Penny wanted to clap, she would hand me her bag of popcorn,  I Loved that too.  Maxwell and Oscar were great sports to sit through Cinderellie.  I think Max fell in love with her.  At the end when we got to meet the cast and take pictures, Max had a big HUG for her.  So cute!
We have a List of Things to do and Places to go and Projects to complete and People to see. I can't wait! Tatia and the kids had a fun morning at Cousin Pammy's while I was at the Temple.  Penny and Max loved playing with Oliver and Miles.  Pammy is such a darling mommy and fun hostess!
In Relief Society yesterday, the teacher asked us what we did  yesterday and what we would do differently if we knew it was to be our last day.  I could only think of one thing I would do differently.  That is to make sure Adelaide, Keelie and Callum were with us too.  It is the very best thing ever to be surrounded by our family who I love so  much.  Sure Love you,  Robynn

Happy Birthday Grandpa Birks

On July 19, 1886, in Farmington, Utah,  my Dad's Father was born.  He was the second born in his family with one older sister Ethel a younger brother Elmer and two younger sisters Ruby and Rose. His Father's name was Edwin Wheeldon Birks and his Mother was Rose Ann Rice. I love that he named two of his daughters after his beloved sisters and his Mother.

This is Grandma Minnie Maude Whipple and Grandpa Orval Edwin Birks wedding photo.  They were married on March 19, 1921.  On October 23, 1929, they took a trip to Logan, Utah and were sealed in the Logan Temple and had their first five children sealed to them.  The last five children were born in the sacred covenant.
My Dad told me the story of how they met, fell in love and were married.  Grandpa was living in St Anthony Idaho and heard about this darling young woman who had a sweet baby girl and who had recently divorced after a very brief marriage.  She lived in Nyssa, Oregon.  He was given her address and they wrote letters to each other (I wish I had those letters) and then Grandpa decided he would like to meet her.  So he planned a trip to Nyssa to meet this Minnie Maude Whipple who had been writing to. The distance from St. Anthony, Idaho to Nyssa, Oregon is just over 400 miles.  The story has it, that they fell in love and when he returned to Saint Anthony, he came with his wife and her daughter who he loved just like his own.  Her name was Ruby just like his sisters name.  It was meant to be.

This Photograph was taken in 1940.  Aunt Ruby had moved to California and is not in the picture.

back row: My dad, Jay, June, Marie, Howard, Rosella, middle row: Boyd, Grandma, Grandpa, Albert. front row: Ila Fae, Bud 

This is the Birks Family in 1950.  What a handsome group. back row, Grandpa, aunt Rosella, Uncle Boyd, My dad, Jay, Aunt Ruby, Uncle Albert, middle row, Grandma, Aunt Marie, Aunt June, Uncle Howard front row, Uncle Bud, Aunt Ila Fae

This is how I remember Grandma and Grandpa.  They were wonderful, hardworking, loving grandparents. They had ten children. They lived in Nampa, Idaho when I was growing up.  We loved going to visit them each summer.  It was usually in July when we would go around Grandpa's Birthday.  I remember helping to light the candles on his 90th Birthday cake and we were afraid the fire department would have to come to help us put them out.  The Snake River Stampede Rodeo would be going on that time of year too.  We loved getting to go to the Big Breakfast at the Park and meet all the Rodeo Queens and then go to the Rodeo later in the evening. 

I remember my grandpa enjoyed eating Bread and Milk.  He loved Grandma's homemade bread and would break up a slice and pour warm milk over it and salt and pepper it and sometimes have an egg on top.  I can smell it as I'm typing this.  My dad likes to eat the same thing sometimes too.

My Grandma and Grandpa would come to Salt Lake for visits and Grandma Loved to come. Grandpa not so much, he would be ready to go home in a day or two. Home was his favorite place to be and that is where he was happiest.  

Grandpa had one of his fingers missing.  I remember I was quite impressed with that.  I need to find out what happened to that finger.  Here is the way my dad remembers it.  Grandpa had two horses, Queenie and Jack.  He was grooming them one day, brushing out their coats and manes and discovered that one of them, not sure which, had a sore on his neck.  Grandpa had a cut on his finger and by coming in contact with the horses sore, his finger became infected.  The doctors tried treating him for Blood Poisoning but the finger wouldn't heal and the doctor had to amputate Grandpa's finger.  OUCH!  My dad said it really didn't slow him down, he continued to do everything he had always done.  

I asked my dad what he and his dad used to do for fun.  Dad got really quiet and was thinking and said they really didn't do fun.  They always had work to do and they worked.  Grandpa used his team of horses and he later had a team of mules and then another team of work horses.  

I told you that my Grandma and Grandpa had ten children.  Dad told me once how they paid the doctor for delivering those babies.  He said that his dad and the boys that could go, would take the team of horses and the wagon and would go and gather sage brush, LOTS of sagebrush and would deliver it to the doctors home who would burn it and use it to heat his home.  When ever I see sage brush, I think about that story. 

My grandparents never had a lot of money but they were so generous with what they did have. Every grandchild on their birthday would receive a birthday card from Grandma and Grandpa Birks with a one dollar bill inside wishing us a happy birthday.  Now you might think one dollar was not that much, but when you think of the fifty plus grandchildren they had, that was a LOT.  Not only was the dollar a lot, but the love that filled that envelope was huge.  I always knew they loved me and I loved them.  

My Grandpa always seemed old to me.  I can remember each summer telling him goodbye when we were ready to go home and he would hug me and tell me the next time I saw him, he might be in a box as he thought he might pass away soon.  I remember crying for the first hour of our drive home thinking about how sad that would be. 

Grandpa Birks passed away on December 4, 1982. He was 96 years old.  My son Charlie was just a tiny guy and we were living in Dallas, Texas.  I was not able to make the trip to Idaho for his funeral. I've always regretted not being there but I know Grandpa knew that I loved him.  What a great man, a good example to our whole family.

Happy Birthday Grandpa Birks!  I think I will have a bowl of Bread and Milk today and tell my kids and grandkids about the day you JUMPED out of bed and startled us all.  I LOVE YOU! 

From Laurie Birks Cline: When I was a little girl, things were a lot different than they are now. We lived a long ways a way from my grandparents, and only got to see them once or sometimes twice a year.  I remember being very excited to go visit Grandma and Grandpa Birks. They lived in a little old farm house, and grandpa (to my knowledge) always wore overalls.  He was a cute little guy, with beautiful white wavy hair.  We used to wander around their backyard and when I was little, I think he had at least one cow and a few other animals back there.  ( I hope I'm not making up memories)  When we came, we always had a big family get together. We usually went to the park for lunch or dinner with everyone. Grandpa was a quiet guy, I don't ever remember him raising his voice, even when that little house was full of noisy grandkids.  I wish I would have taken the time to get to know him better.

My Dad reminded me of something else.  He said his dad always wore overalls and in his overalls there was a watch pocket.  He always carried his treasured pocket watch in that pocket.  Dad said that his dad never ever had a wrist watch, always a pocket watch.  I wonder who the lucky person is who has that pocket watch.  I hope you are treasuring it whoever you are.

From Ric Birks:, I remember several things about grandpa Birks.  First I remember him always being so very old.  I cant remember a time when I didn't think he was way old. Course I was only 10 or so and he was 80 or 90.    I also remember he was a hard worker. He was still milking his own cow and would let me help out.  That was a lot of fun and may be the only cow I have ever milked myself.  I remember odd things about that and think I remember taking that milk and shaving the cream off the top and also making butter out of it.  All pretty fun experiences looking back 45 years or so ago. And now I am proud to be called Grandpa Birks too by my sweet little grandchildren.  

The Second Week of July

Brooklyn pulled her top VERY loose tooth!

Our Mansfield Thiots

Becky's brother Adam, invited our girls to go fishing this week.  I don't know if there is anything Adam could have invited them to do that would have made them any happier.  They were so excited to go and had a fun time.  Report has it, they didn't catch a fish, but that sure didn't spoil the fun at all.Thanks Uncle Adam!  Brooklyn has had a very loose tooth for months.  She wouldn't let anyone pull it and finally this week, she did it HERSELF!!! Go Brooklyn! On Wednesday, Ricky and Dick got to catch up and share some "fish" in honor of the girls fishing trip.  They went to Simon's, our favorite Sushi spot and enjoyed every bite. Dick and Ricky also planned a night at the Ranger Game.  They played the San Diego Padres who Dick had never seen before.  I'm glad to report the Rangers Won!  They had a special fire works show afterwards and they enjoyed that too.  Go Rangers!

Our Charlottesville Granges
This has been week four of Jakes tough assignment this time.  It makes for long days and short nights.  In honor of this tough week, Mister Oscar has been having a tough time sleeping.  He had Tatia spoiled by sleeping all night and traded off to waking up 3 times a night.  Not a good plan Mister Oscar.  I'm glad to report he has changed his ways and had two all nighters in a row again.  He is a dear little guy.  Penny and Maxwell have been enjoying the Backyard Beach on the Deck.  They went on Monday and bought a Miraculous Wading Pool.  The miraculous part is the way they got the pool home.  I had told Tatia, that those pools would fold up to put into her car, boy was I wrong. Those plastic pools are not as collapsible as they used to be.  A harder plastic material these days.  Anyway, while Tatia was trying to figure out how to get 3 children and one pool home, two nice men who were watching her in the parking lot offered their truck to deliver it home for her.  What nice men.  Thank you dear workers.  Penny and Max have loved being able to cool off in the pool this week.

Our Carmichael Thiots
After a busy week at work and a little more stress than usual, Charlie welcomed a visit from some friends from college.  They had been trying to figure out how to get together and where to meet up.  They were coming from Oregon so they met part way in Reno.  Keelie and Marlie, their little girl, were instant friends much like cousins who haven't seen each other for a while are.  They hated to tell each other goodbye after a very fun afternoon together.  Charlie knows how to  make trips lots of fun.  What a fun driver and dad you are Char!  Keelie and Callum are preparing for a big swim meet and have been working extra hard at practices.  I love you swimmers!  Best Wishes on a great meet! I LOVE this picture at the Beautiful Reno, Nevada Temple.  What darling little children.   I love Charlie's two box trolls! Boxes make the best toys!

Our L.A. Thiots
Pierce and Stacy are feeling settled into their darling new house and have had a good week.  Stacy's bracelets she sells on ETSY have been doing well which keeps her and Adelaide very busy creating darling bracelets.  They are also busy getting ready for a trip to TEXAS!  It's Stacy's families reunion this coming weekend and they are going to go to Branson for their reunion.  What fun that will be for Stacy's siblings to be together.  We are hoping to get to see them while they are here too.  See you soon! I love this photo of our little Tink!

Our Dallas Thiots
We picked up two very happy and exhausted travelers on Monday night.  Their trip to China was a success and they had a great time.  It's amazing how much you can do in only a few days when you have a great travel planner.  Kara and Skyler know how to make the most of a trip.  They loved the great wall of China and marveled at how on the jagged mountain range, the wall was built.  They took a tour with a guide who knew the backside of the wall and they hiked and hiked and hiked. What a great time they had.  On Wednesday Skyler entered a scavenger hunt and was the WINNER.  He is great at following clues and won some fun stuff in conjunction with the new Tom Cruise, Mission Impossible movie coming soon.  Saturday was Kara's Mother's Family Cousin Reunion.  They had a really good time and enjoyed catching up with Kara's family.

We Plano Thiots
Dick has had a good week.  He enjoyed going to the Ranger Game and was able to orient some new Single adult Missionaries on Thursday night.  He does a great job.  It's fun to have him as my partner in that calling.  Wednesday night Ricky, Sky and Kara and Dick and I met up at El Fenix for dinner. It was fun to be together for that yummy dinner and on Monday night we loved having the report from the China Travelers.  On Saturday morning Dick woke up early suprised that I wasn't at the temple.  I told him they said they didn't need me and wondered if he would like to do a fun  project with me. It was still dark outside but we started pulling weeds in our front flower beds.  The sun came up soon and we got things looking much improved.  We decided it might need to be done more regularly than once every six months.
I was able to attend three funerals this week.  The first on Thursday was a sister who had lived in a nursing home in our ward until a few month ago when she moved to a different care center. Helena Jane Lawson.  Her visiting teachers were mine too and they always shared with me about her when they would come and visit me after they visited her.  I just loved her even though I didn't know her.  It was wonderful to attend her funeral in place of my visiting teachers who were both out of town.  What a lot of love filled that room.  It was good to be there.
The second was for our dear President Boyd K. Packer.  What a dear servant of the Lord he is and what a blessing it has been to be taught by him.  I hope I can always remember those good lessons he has taught.  My testimony was strengthened by listening and watching his funeral.

The third was for Daniel, Danny, Boone.  His son Tim and his wife Chelsea were in our ward for several years and his mom comes to the temple almost every Friday.  We call each other temple friends and just last week she told me her husband had been diagnosed with Leukemia.  He passed away this past Wednesday.  She was at the temple on Friday and told me the sad news.  She was amazing and invited me to the funeral.  She and all three of her sons spoke and it was amazing.  What a lot of strength the spirit of the Holy Ghost has blessed that family with.
What a week!  Dick leaves in the morning for his week out of town in Salt Lake and on Wednesday Ricky's Girls COME  HOME! and on Wednesday night Tatia and her three little ones arrive and Pierce's family later in the week.  YIPPEEE!  What a great week.  Hope you have one too.  SLY Robynn

Fifty-8 is Really Gr-8

Our Mansfield Thiots

One of my favorite moments on Saturday was getting to see 3 little Thiot Girls in Redding, California.  They are still at Nana and Papas home which is filled up with family.  The newest little cousin arrived this week and Harper has fallen in love with Reegan.  She can't get enough of that tiny girl.  I loved getting to see the girls in their darling July 4th dresses.  Becky's uncle said they are the Cutest American Girl Dolls EVER!  Agreed.  Ricky was sure styling this week in Preparation for the 4th of July!

Our Charlottesville Granges
It was a fun week in Charlottesville this week.  Jacob has been working lots and lots of hours so Saturday was all family day.  They went on a hike at Crabtree Hill and had fun and ended the day by going to their first drive in movie together.  What fun!  Everyone was simply too tired to stay for the double feature, but enjoyed the first one. They loved Inside Out.  What a cute family! Earlier in the week it was Fancy Nancy Day at the Library.  We LOVE Fancy Nancy books in our family and Penny and Max enjoyed dressing up and going.

Our Carmichael Thiots
What a fun weekend the Carmichael Thiots are having.  They woke up early Saturday and road bikes or long boards to the breakfast and flag raising at the church.  Then off to the parade where a Huey helicopter was one of their favorite floats.  They got to go try it out at the end of the parade route. Talk about a once in a life time experience.  They All loved pretend flying it.   What a fun time.  I LOVED getting to face time with your cute family in the morning Charlie!

Our L.A. Thiots
It was so fun to have a face time tour of Pierce, Stacy and Adelaide's new house on Saturday.  I loved seeing everybody's rooms and you have done a great job of making it look like your house so soon.  I loved the pictures hung and it looked just right.  They had a fun July 4th planned of swimming at a friends pool and then having friends over for a backyard cook out.  Just right for the 4th of July.  Adelaide looked so cute in her red white and blue swim suit.

Our Dallas  China Thiots
Sky and Kara are at the Great Wall of China today.  Their plans to go to China on Thursday morning worked out perfectly.  They were able to score two seats on American airlines DreamLiner and fly first class all the way to Beijing China.  They have been packing in as much as they can each day with as little sleep as possible.  They went to see where the Olympics took place and they've been to the Summer Royal Palace and eating some interesting things too.  I can't wait to hear all the details when they get home tomorrow night.  Be safe you two travelers!

We Plan-Old Thiots
What a fun week this has been.  On Tuesday we went to see the play The Music Man at a fun theatre in Hurst.  We loved seeing Kara's sister in the play and Professor Harold Hill was great.  We've reserved the movie at the Library to watch.  I had forgotten how much I loved that play.  On Friday I filled in for our shift coordinator who was out of town.  It was a little more stressful than I had hoped but I survived with a great shift of helpers.  Whew, to celebrate surviving, we went to see the new Cinderella movie on Friday night.  Dick was a good sport and went with me.  He even liked it.  I loved it.  Saturday morning we had a flag raising and breakfast at the church.  We had a great speaker who spoke about why he Loves being an American. It was very inspiring.  It was fun to talk to each of my kids and grandbabies on my birthday and my dad and sisters.  Cousin Pammy and her boys stopped by on their way to the fireworks.  So fun to see them.  Dick took me out to eat at the Cracker Barrell and then we found a fun place to watch the Plano Fireworks which did not disappoint.  We loved it. I hope you have had a great week and a fun 4th of July weekend.  SLY Robynn