Scatter Sunshine Along the Way

Cooks Children's Hospital has a Build a Bear inside.  WOW

Happy Birthday Brooklyn!

Our Mansfield  Miracle Thiots
This has been a miraculous week for our Mansfield Thiots.  Sometimes it takes a few days to see miracles in the midst of hard hard things.  Let me explain.  Our Mansfield Thiots were out of town last weekend.  Monday morning about 3:00 am, Brooklyn woke up feeling an asthma attack coming on.  They gave her a treatment with her inhaler and that usually helps and she feels better soon.  This time that did not help and they continued treatments and packed up to head to the airport.  The whole way home, she felt poorly and her stomach was upset on the plane and it was just awful coming home.  As soon as Sky met them at the airport, (thank you Sky) they headed to Instacare.  Ricky sent me a message saying "Please Pray for Brooklyn".  They weren't able to get her stabilized and admitted her to Cooks Children's Hospital, one of the very BEST Children's hospitals in the country. What a blessing.  As soon as I heard they were admitting her, I packed up Rocky and myself and we headed to Mansfield.  Becky was packed up and headed to the hospital.  It was a rough few days but looking back we can see so many miracles that happened. What a miracle it was that it happened on the day they were returning home, what  a miracle for great doctors and hospitals, what a miracle Brooklyn has such great parents, what a miracle so many family members and friends were praying for her.  What a blessing to live in this day and time when asthma patients can be helped. What a blessing Brooklyn is in our family.  Oh how I love that little girl.  She came home on Tuesday night in time for her 9th birthday on Wednesday and is doing better, not great yet, but we know with time and following doctors orders she will be soon.  Ricky posted about Brooklyn on Facebook on Tuesday and 162 friends sent messages of love and well wishes.  That was a miracle too.  thank you!

Our Sick Little Oscar

Our  Charlottesville Snowed In  Granges
What a LOT of snow the storm of last weekend has left in Charlottesville.  Tatia guesses her front yard may be covered until July.  Jake built a fun sleigh riding hill in their front yard, with a nifty path to climb up and a fun slope to go down.  Just right for Penny and Max.  They have enjoyed it.  Oscar, not so much.  He started getting sick last Sunday and when they could finally get out of their driveway and go to the doctor on Thursday, his doctor diagnosed him with RSV. She said as long as they could keep him suctioned out and as long as his breathing was alright, he wouldn't have to be hospitalized.  What a blessing that was.  He is doing better and hopefully will get his sleep patterns back to normal and not enjoy playing during the middle of the night instead of sleeping.  Penny has really missed Preschool this week.  She did get invited over to Leah's house for a play date on friday and enjoyed getting out of the house.  Being Snowed In gets old after a week.  Tatia was so grateful they had been warned and that they were prepared with food and supplies and they are most grateful that the Power did not go out.  That would have made it so much harder.

a fun photo taken at the Stake family Activity

Our Carmichael Thiots
The New Play that Keelie is in is called School House Rock.  This time she has some speaking parts and even though rehearsals can be long they are NOT boring.  She is enjoying it a lot.  Remember on Christmas when Charlie's Jeep had to be towed home from his ski trip?  Well, I'm happy to report that it is back home and that it passed inspection to be officially registered in the Great State of California. No longer will it get to wear the coveted Texas License plates, but will be legal and a California vehicle.  Way to go Jeep!  Way to go Charlie!  Charlie loved the quote that Grandpa Great shared in his weekly letter this week from Sister Linda S. Reeves.  "The trials and tribulations that we experience may be the very thing that guide us to come unto Him and cling to our covenants that we might return to his presence and receive all that the Father Hath."  I loved that too.

Our L.A. Thiots
Early Tuesday morning, Pierce packed up and departed for the week in Provo, Utah.  His company sent him to BYU on a recruiting mission looking for graduating students to hire.  Pierce got to go last year for this same event and enjoyed it so he was looking forward to going again.  This time they invited him to go snowboarding on one of the days which was appealing to him as well.  It just so happened, unplanned by these two, that Dick was in Salt Lake working this week and so the two of them were able to get together for a couple of meals.  Grandpa Great got to join them on Tuesday night and they went to the Red Lobster where Pierce worked during his college years.  They were all new employees there, but he did love seeing the lobsters in the tank.  (they were all new too)  He told Grandpa that when he worked there he would take out the lobsters and let the kids hold them.  He didn't dare do that Tuesday night however, I think Grandpa Great might have liked to hold one.  I'm glad to report that he is back home with his girls and they are happy to have him home with them.

Our Dallas Thiots
Sky and Kara had a fun Saturday afternoon.  They took the train the Mockingbird Station and went to a yummy Pizza place that Julie, Kara's sister had given Sky a gift card to for his birthday last summer.  They have been wanting to get there and Saturday worked.  You order individual 12 inch pizzas and can have them made just the way you like them.  They both made good choices and enjoyed them a lot.  After lunch they walked over to the SMU Campus and walked around.  Saturday was glorious weather and the campus was calm and peaceful and beautiful.  They walked passed the George Bush Library and were hoping to get a peek of the former president but he wasn't anywhere to be seen.  Sky's job hunt continues and he got some time this week to begin his lego sorting project. He has them divided into colors and sizes.  What an undertaking!

We Plano Thiots
Before Christmas, when Dick made his reservations to go to SLC, he invited me to come along.  For some reason, it just didn't feel right and so I didn't go.  When Ricky told me about Brooklyn, I knew why it didn't feel right.  I was so glad I was in town and could hop in my car and drive right over to watch Addison and Harper while they were at the hospital with Brooklyn. I'm so grateful for promptings from the Holy Ghost in our lives.  Dick worked hard this week but also was rewarded with a day of Skiing at Deer Valley with a co worker.  I'm happy to report that he has not forgotten how to ski and that he didn't fall down even once.  I was a little nervous about him going.  It has been a lot of years since he has gone so it was a real treat for him.  Garf, who he works with when he goes to SLC, has two ski passes to any ski resorts in Utah and he and a co worker were able to use the passes for the day.  With all the new snow, it was a beautiful day and he really enjoyed it.  I'm so glad he could do that.  Anyone who works as hard as he does, deserves a little fun every now and again.

A few weeks ago when they were taking reservations to go to the new Provo City Center temple, I got a couple of tickets and he and my dad were able to take an early morning tour on Thursday.  They both have told me how beautiful the temple was and how much they enjoyed getting to go and see it before it is dedicated.  That temple used to be the Provo City Tabernacle and after the fire a few years ago, they decided to rebuild it and make it a temple.  I am so glad they could see it.

This week started out different that I had planned on, but I am just so glad I was here to be helping hands.  One of my dear friends and neighbors daughter is having her first baby and Sharon is going to be a grandmother for the first time.  She has been looking forward to this day for a number of years.  Another friend of mine and I hosted a baby shower for her and her daughter.  Oh my goodness, we've had such fun getting ready for the party and I'm happy to report that it was so much fun.  So many dear friends came and showered her with lovely baby boy gifts.  I was on the invitation committee which I love to do and got to do a came and make cinnamon rolls for refreshments.  They turned out yummy and it was such a fun Saturday morning.

As fun as the morning was, I think the afternoon was even better.  We celebrated Brooklyn's birthday with a trip to the American Girl store to have her doll, Abbie's ears pierced and to choose a new outfit for her.  There were so many little girls there and they were all so well behaved waiting in line at the beauty shop where you could have your dolls hair styled or their ears pierced.  We loved watching the ladies do the dolls hair and I thought I bet my mom would have LOVED that job.  They have the cutest chairs for the dolls to sit in and capes to put on them and it's amazing.  Brooklyn's dolls hair was still perfect.  She has taken such nice care of her and loved her.  That makes me happy.  What a fun time we had.

Yes, Dick is wearing shorts, it was 76 degrees in Dallas on Saturday.

We met up with Sky and Kara for birthday dinner afterwards in Addison.  Addison was thrilled that we were having Brooklyn's birthday dinner in "Her" town.  They think it's pretty cool that they are both named after towns.  Sky loved telling Brooklyn that he had lived in her town on his mission.  Way cool. I'm glad we were able to be together to celebrate.  I wish ALL of our Thiot's could have been there together.
What a week it's been, so grateful for all the blessings and miracles along the way this week. A sister asked me a question as we were leaving the temple on Friday. She said, Sister T.O., where else do you scatter sunshine during the week?  I've been thinking about that ever since.  What a lovely thought to be thought of as someone who can scatter sunshine.  That's what I want my tombstone to say.  Robynn B. Thiot, She Scattered Sunshine All Along her way.:)  SLY Robynn

Surprises!

Our Mansfield Thiots
For the past 10 days, I have known about a surprise that the  Mansfield Thiot's were planning.  Each time I thought about it, I got the biggest smile on my face but was sworn to secrecy.  My friend Judy Hall was one of these people who loved to surprise her children.  She was so good at it and I could never keep a secret.  I'm proud that Ricky and Becky were able to pull it off.  Thursday at 1:00, they drove to the girls school, with packed suitcases in the back seat, and checked two darling daughters out of school an hour and a half early and headed for the airport.  They flew to Orlando and then drove to Jacksonville to see Uncle Matthew and Aunt Hailey who the girls had not seen in way too long.  Matthew is stationed there for his flight training and when SPIRIT airlines had some really good fares, they started making some secret plans along with Becky's darling parents to go for a long weekend.  They have had a wonderful time and have made it into a real Educational Field Trip of sorts.  They visited Matthew's military base, which I believe my dad actually was stationed at too.  I need to check on that, and then Saturday drove back to Orlando for some more site seeing.  They visited the very oldest city in America.  St. Augustine and learned about the marvelous history there.  The girls got to practice shooting cannons and even took a walk on Daytona Beach.  The weather this weekend has not been Florida's best.  But the good news is, the girls came prepared with warm coats (from school) and have been comfortable.  I love getting updates each day with photos.  Have so much fun!  See you tomorrow!

Our Charlottesville Granges
The weather service has been predicting BIG SNOWS for the east coast this weekend so it was no surprise.  It did NOT disappoint.  Our Charlottesville Granges are buried in over two feet of that beautiful, cold, frosty, white snow.  Now the good news is that Jake has had the weekend off and didn't have to try to drive to the hospital.  There cars are both snowed into their drive way and they have two sleds that a fun friend let them borrow.  Tatia said something happens prior to storms in Charlottesville.  Everybody does what they have termed, a "French Toast" run.  The grocery stores sell out of Bread, Milk and Eggs.  All the ingredients to make french toast.  I loved that as French Toast is a favorite of mine too. We are so grateful that the power has stayed on as that would not make for a very fun snowy weekend to be Cold inside as well as outside.  They are thinking that church will be cancelled today as there is no way to get there.  I have a feeling, they will have there own special meetings at home. I know they are enjoying all this together time.  We are hoping the sun comes out today to start the melting process.

Keelie sporting her dad's hat and glasses, Grandma Vicki right behind her

Our Carmichael Thiots
Friday night was a fun evening for Charlie's family.  Mackenzie's mom's friends and family planned a surprise birthday party for Vicki.  They invited so many people that they had it at the church and what a fun night it turned into.  Keelie and Callum were about the only children there and they had a ball.  They did kind of a "This is Your Life, Vicki Smith" and what a good job they did.  The Smiths have lived in the same place for 20 plus years and have made so many good friends.  Everyone loves the Smiths.  We had as sister come to the temple on Friday from Roseville which is near Sacramento. I think she is the first person I've met from the area that didn't know them.  I was hoping she might know my little grandchildren.  She told me she knew she would love them if she knew them.  She was right. Happy Birthday Vicki Smith! Keelie had her first play practice on Saturday.  She is going to be in another play.  Callum and Charlie had fun driving around while they waited for her and Callum even had a eagle fly in the watch as how with him. I loved it.

Our L.A. Thiots
Pierce and Stacy sent me the sweetest little video clip this weekend.  It was of Miss Adelaide in a beautiful blue dress.  She was telling her mommy that she wanted to go to Grammy's house because she missed her Grammy.  Oh, my heart wanted to reach right into my phone and grab that sweet tiny girl and just hug her and hug her.  She is such a sweet little lady and I so appreciate her parents capturing sweet tender moments and sharing them with me.  I'm so glad we had Christmas together so we could get to know her even better and that she would have memories of us.  Technology has surely made it easier to grandparent across the miles.  I know there is nothing better than being together but when you can't, face time, photos, and videos are truly the very next best thing.  Thanks Pierce and Stacy for your efforts to make that happen! I LOVED Pierce's Sprinkle Beard this week. What a fun surprise. I would NOT love sweeping up all the sprinkles however:)

We have a new generation of Lego Maniacs 

Our Dallas Thiots
Kara and Skyler have had a crummy bug this week.  Kara caught it first and was so sick for three and a half days.  Skyler caught the tail end of Kara's bug and recovered quicker.  I was so glad to see them both on Saturday, when they stopped by for a visit, in the upright position.  I'm so grateful they are feeling better.  Over Christmas, Charlie found this big box of legos that the kids all loved playing with.  It's been sitting in my family room ever since just looking for a place to put it.  Sky said he has been wanting to separate it back into kits.  He found upstairs many of the boxes and lots of instruction booklets.  So he took the big tote home with a box of zip lock baggies and is going to try to put them back into sets so when people want to built legos, they  can grab a bag and make something fun.  That could keep him busy for a while.  While they were hunting for things, Kara found two of Mom Mom's fur coats.  When she tried them on, it was like magic, they fit her perfectly and she looked darling in them.  She said she would like to take them home and enjoy them over this cold winter we are having.  I'm sure Mom Mom was smiling from heaven above seeing her in them. What a fun surprise visit.

Beautiful SMU Campus for the University of Scouting

We Plano Thiots
This weekend was the University of Scouting which took place at SMU, Southern Methodist University in Dallas.  Dick has been teaching courses there for several years and was invited to teach a new course this year.  He's been working hard in preparation for Saturday and taught the same course twice.  Once at 8:30 in the morning and the second time at 1;30 in the afternoon.  That gave him plenty of time in between to get to work a little and visit a LOT.  He ran into a neighbor of ours, just one street away from us that we didn't know. What a fun surprise.  He loved that and just rubbing shoulders with all those good Scouters that he has grown to love over the years of being involved in our Troop, our District and our Council of Boy Scouts.  Dick Thiot is beloved among both Scouts and their leaders.

Rocky's pretty clean teeth

I took Rocky back to the Vet this week for his recheck from his teeth extractions that he has two weeks ago.  Dr. Sharp is great but his assistant is even greater.  She was the sweetest young gal and just loved Rocky.  She help him so nice and tight that he wasn't even afraid any more.  Dr. Sharp said his gums looked better and he looked like he was healing up nicely.  Rocky has been much like his old self lately. Much more spunky and fun.  I think his teeth were really hurting him. I'm sorry we made you wait so long Rocky Dog.

On Saturday, I was invited to a Birthday Party for a little baby girl named Lucy.  Lucy was the great great aunt of one of my sweet friends.  Lucy's parents were handcart pioneers in the 1850's and little Lucy was born on the Platte Trail and died a few months later.  She never had a birthday party and cute Debra planned one for her.  She made a time machine and as you entered her home, you were taken back in time to the 1800's.  It was amazing.  There were crafts to make, cupcakes to frost, games to play, it was remarkable isi all I can say and I am soooooooooooooooo grateful that I was invited.  One of the things that really touched me was the pinch pots you could make.  They were these little bowls that we all made out of clay.  You couldn't take home the one you made, because it had to dry and be fired, but you could take one home that was already made.  She wanted to teach the children that many times they were planting, and making things for the pioneers that would come after them. There was such a sweet spirit in the Hadfields home and it was great fun. When you left, you traveled back through the time machine and landed right back in 2016 and went home, changed from the great experience.  I loved it.  My Favorite part may have been holding little Lucy who was the great great great niece of her namesake.

Aunt Bonnie holding darling Nikki  & Aunt Jerry and Cody, Dennis, Chase and Justin 

This week my Aunt Jerry called me and we had the nicest visit.  She told me that her Aunt Ida and my Great Aunt Ida, who is my Grandpa's little sister, was in the hospital with a broken ankle.  She gave me her phone number and I got to visit with her for a few minutes.  I thought I was calling her to cheer her up and instead, she ended up cheering me up.  She has such a cheerful spirit about her that even when she is not feeling good and in lots of pain, she is cheerful.  I think that must be something that comes from my Mom's side of the family as my Mom had that great quality, her sisters have that great quality too.  Aunt Jerry told me that Aunt Bonnie also broke her foot this week. Be careful everyone!  I hope you heal quickly Aunt B!

Saturday night Dick and I had  made a plan to go to the movie, when we got there, it was already sold out.  We came home and Dick rented The War Room.  I had heard about it and wanted to see it but it did not stay at the theatre long enough for me to go.  I loved it. What a great message it had about taking our troubles and problems to the Lord and inviting him to have a bigger role in our lives.  I think I need to watch it a few more times.  It was that good. I'm so glad the other movie was SOLD OUT.  Have a good week everybody!  Sly Robynn

Slushes, Carrot Cake, Birthdays & Pancakes

Our Mansfield Thiots
I was able to go to Mansfield on Wednesday afternoon and pick up the big girls from school.  It had been since before Christmas when I had been able to go last. It was so fun to see those cute girls and we stayed after school and played on the play ground.  Brooklyn and Addison have learned to twist up the swings and twirl and twirl and twirl to untwist them.  That makes for lots of giggling and lots of fun.  Cute Harper loves to play restaurant on the other end of the play ground.  She can fix you up some fries from the bark chips on the ground.  We loved stopping by sonic for Happy Hour on our way home from slushes and tater tots.  What a fun tradition this has become.  Thank Ricky and Becky for sharing them with me. We loved reading the book Cinder Edna together.  Penny had recommended it to us and we all enjoyed it.

Our Charlottesville Granges
Tatia and her kiddos decided that they were going to have "Fun Friday" on Friday this week.  That would mean that everything they did would be "FUN".  They started out the day by NOT making their beds and choosing to wear what ever they would like to wear to go to Institute Class.  When they arrived, two of their Best friends were there and they had a blast playing in the nursery with Whitney and Garrett.  After class they gathered up some of the Panera bread donations which included one carrot cupcake and made plans for sharing it after lunch.  After institute they voted on going to the Children's Discovery Museum and had a great time their.  After a yummy lunch at home, they decided a swim party would be "fun" and the kids put on their swim suits and played downstairs all afternoon. What a "FUN, FUN" Day!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie's bank has a branch in Medford, Oregon.  This week he had to drive up to check on things and interview some folks for new positions. To fly to Medford, would take 10 hours with all the layovers but to drive only takes five hours, so Charlie drove.  There was a bonus to driving and that was that he was able to attend a session in the beautiful Medford temple.  He had planned to go have sushi for dinner, but when he saw the choices, it did not look good, so he traded dinner for the temple.  Good Choice Char! This was sure a fun Callum Week in Carmichael.  Wednesday night they did a bit a pre celebrating and I was glad our gift had arrived in the mail.  He acted so happy when he opened it. It was so fun to get to face time with him.  It was almost as fun as being there with him.  Friday morning was something fun at Keelie's school for Dads to attend.  Charlie loved going with Keelie and then he was able to take Callum to a birthday lunch at Del Taco.  They both love that place.  After lunch they made a quick trip to Market Foods for Donuts.  They make Vegan donuts that have no dairy or eggs and Callum can eat them.  They were sold out but they were able to buy a treat for  Callum's whole school class to celebrate his birthday with him.  Turning Five is a very fun event.  Charlie had a very productive Saturday.  He was able to get his garage all cleaned out and organized.  I hope that I can say that one day too.

Our L.A. Thiots
If you have watched TV at all this week, you may have noticed a commercial for the International House of Pancakes.  They have a special this month for ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES.  I know it has looked really appealing to me and it did to our LA Thiots too.  Saturday morning they went and after they brought their first plate, Adelaide commented that they looked like Grammy's Pancakes. I've never been so flattered in my life.  I did LOVE making pancakes for Adelaide while she was at my home.  We made reindeer pancakes which are pretty delicious I must admit.  Oh little Lady, I love you and I'm so glad we made some fun memories that your two year old smart mind can remember.  I'm glad you are feeling better.   Pierce and Stacy got a new calling as ward missionaries. They will be teaching a Sunday School class on Preach My Gospel.  I had been using Pierce's copy of the manuel for my studies and was glad to mail it to him this week.  I hope you got it PJ!

Our Dallas Thiots
One of the fun things that happened on Skyler and Kara's fourth anniversary, was the marriage of my  nephew Chandler and his bride Tesa.  It's kind of fun that Skyler would pass on his clothes to Chandler and now he shared his wedding date too.  I loved it.  Skyler's job hunt continues and it is not that fun.  I wish he could have hung out with the Charlottesville Granges for their "Fun Friday".  I just know something good is going to head his way soon.  There is one person who is enjoying the  time Sky has at home and that is Bransen the cat.  He can't quite figure out how his luck is so good to have him there with him all day.  I lost count of how many people told me how missed the little Sister Thiot is at the temple.  Everybody loves Kara, me too!

We Plano Thiots
Friday night was the Golden Arrow District's Award and Recognition night.  The Boy Scouts have this event to recognize the 107 new Eagle Scouts in our district this past year and to give some District Awards of Merit and to announce the newest Silver Beaver Recipients.  It's always a thrill for me to go and lend my support to those Eagle Scouts in our ward.  We had three from Troop 1133; Brayden Barneck,  Zach Sheko and Jaxson Foster.  They served a yummy dinner and the program was very nice. I loved looking through the program where they list the prior years District awards of Merit and seeing Dick Thiot mentioned and when they list all the Silver Beavers in our District, seeing 2006 Silver Beaver, Dick Thiot.  Dick has loved serving in Scouting.  He has given a lot of his time and energies to that great organization.  There was an Eagle Scout that was recognized with the last name of Jarrell.  Dick was happy to meet him after the program was over and try to discover if we are related.  I'll keep you posted on that.
On Thursday when I got ready to prepare the temple schedule for Friday, I noticed that I had left some important information in my locker at the temple that I needed.  I quickly got dressed and headed to the temple for the 9:00 session.  There is a lot more traffic heading that way during that time of day.  I can usually get there in 22 minutes when I leave home at 5:00 am, but leaving at 8:00 it took 45 minutes.  Maybe that is why I like being an early bird on Friday mornings.  So this week ended up being a triple header temple week, which was lovely.  I called my dad each day on my way home and he tried to convince me to just sleep over there.  That might be smart.  Dad's cough is hanging on as all good coughs do.  Earlier in the week, when I tried to get a hold of him, his phone was off the hook and would just go to voice mail.  Being the worried daughter that I am, I called his neighbors to run over and check on him and make sure he could hang up his phone.  I'm not sure he has forgiven me yet for alerting his neighborhood.  What good neighbors he has.
I hope your week has been a good one and that you are getting ready for an even better one this week. Sure love you, Robynn

Times Up...Back to School!

Our Mansfield Thiots
Tuesday morning brought alarm clocks going off and the official Back to School after our Wonderful Winter Break.  The girls were excited to go and Harper even wished her school was on Tuesday instead of Wednesday.  They were glad to see friends and their teachers and quickly got back into the groove.  By Saturday they were ready to try out one of their new Christmas gifts.  It's a membership to the Perot Science Museum that was build a few years ago right down town.  They invited Sky and Kara to be their guests and they had a wonderful morning at the museum.  They sent a photo to Dick and he sent it to me and before long we figured out a way to meet up with them for lunch.  We went to a favorite spot, Chuy's for fajitas and it did not disappoint.  It was a cold Saturday and good food and great company were both appreciated.  Addison's good friend had invited her to a swim party later in the afternoon.  I hope she didn't turn into a popsicle.  burrrr

Our Charlottesville Granges
Oscar has figured out that there is a more efficient way to get around.  Yes, he has mastered the drive gear in his body and is no longer solely traveling in reverse gear.  Go Oscar! Penny's back to school was on Monday and like those Mansfield girls, she couldn't have been happier to go back.  She said she really missed school over the break and loved being with Miss Jenny and her class mates once again.  When she returned her reading list over Christmas, she was awarded a lovely sparkly purple wand.  Nice for granting some fun wishes.  Monday afternoon they packed up Christmas until next December.  Penny was so sad that the Christmas light in her room were also packed up.  She loved having her own enchanted bedroom, but Tatia found it made for too many late nights staying up reading books and playing.  So the lights are packed away too,  Max's best buddy Quarter (Porter) is moving away to Richmond this week.  They were able to have Quarter and Cowboy  over for an afternoon of fun while his Mom did some packing up.  They are really going to miss these fun friends.  I'm glad Richmond is only an hour away.

Our Carmichael Thiots
Callum's 5 year old birthday is this coming Friday.  It's hard for me to believe that it's been five happy years that we've had our first grandson in our family.  They did a bit of early celebrating this weekend. While they were here, Charlie found some old remote control cars and he and Callum loved driving them together.  It was no surprise when I saw a photo of Callum with his very own Remote controlled car that he got for his birthday.  It was green which is a family favorite color and Charlie said they didn't notice until they got home that it was for ages 8 and up.  Now, five is close to 8 right? I can guarantee it will be used with his dad close by always.  Keelie was glad to be back to school too.  She had missed her friends and teacher too and was happy to be back in the school rhythm of life.

Our LA Thiots
Our sweet Adelaide had a crummy week with her very first ear infection.  She and her mommy brought home a souvenir cold from their Christmas vacation.  Pierce said she is doing much better and that Stacy took super care of her and helped her be as comfortable as she could using some essential oils and they really did help.   It's been a cool and rainy week in LA.  Pierce had a fun experience one night when he had worked late and Stacy and Adelaide had given him a ride to work that morning.  When he got off, it was pouring down rain and so he called for an Uber car ride.  We had teased over Christmas that Sky was our Uber driver.  I bet Pierce wished it had been Sky who picked him up in the middle of the night.  We are thankful for rain and for Uber drivers this week.

Our Dallas Thiots
The company Sky worked for did some downsizing and Skyler is now on the job hunt.  I'm hoping and praying with his sweet skills that it won't be long until he finds something even better.  Between job hunting, he's found some lego building time.  He got this fun Walley lego kit for Christmas and loved building it.  I told him Walley's big dark eyes remind me of Skylers.  Kara is taking a break from her temple service and it's been a good thing to have Saturday mornings free.  That is a big commitment when you work all week and then also on Saturdays too.  That girl deserves a break to catch up on some on line classes she is taking and other things too.  It was fun to see them at lunch yesterday. Thanks for letting us join in your fun Saturday activity.

We Plano Thiots
It has been a quiet week at our house.  I wish I would have tape recorded the sounds of Christmas and could replay them in the background and pretend that we still had home filled with happy noises and voices.  Empty nesting is quiet and seriously, not all bad.  Dick and I have both commented that while we miss all the energy and excitement, it's nice to be back to normal.  Dick helped me take down the tree Saturday morning and get everything back in it's boxes.  Now to put the boxes away so the cars can get back in the garage.  Baby steps, right?
My dad has been sick this week.  He caught a horrible cold and cough with all the cold weather and snow Sandy, Utah has been getting.  My brother Ric and his sweet wife Kathy came on Friday night for a visit and tried to take him home with them. He assured them that when you feel crummy, there is no place like home.  Please keep him in your prayers.

One of my favorite parts of the week was making some cute journals for my sisters who I work with at the temple on Fridays.  While Charlie was here, he designed the cover and my sweet cousin Pammy cut them our with her magical cutting machine.  She is amazing.  Then my temple assistant came and helped me stick them on with the magic of contact paper.  We had so much fun thinking about each of our sisters as we placed their names on the books.  Thank you Charlie and Pammy for making that possible.  The temple ladies loved them.
Dick was invited to play golf on Monday but couldn't get away from the office.  He was up to his eyeballs in problems, but I do believe has solved the majority of them and is ready for a new batch this week.  On Tuesday he and Sky played appliance delivery men.  Our friends Ben and Rebecca were replacing their washer and dryer.  Ricky and Becky became the proud owners of their old machines and Dick and Sky borrowed Mr. Bobby's big red truck and made the delivery.  Thanks Ben and Rebecca and thank you Dick and Sky for your kind ways.
Tuesday was a crummy day for our grandpup Rocky.  He went to the Vet, Dr. Sharp, and was then given a teeth cleaning and had 12 teeth extracted.  OUCH.  He was one sore little pup, but his breath has improved 150%.  He is doing much better except for being hard to give his medine too.  He does not like taking pills.
Have a good new week and know that I love you and pray for you.  SLY Robynn

December Remembered

December 1
Time to write our Christmas Letter and get the Christmas totes out of the little garage and the tree down from the attic.

December 2
Dick brought in all three parts of our Christmas tree and put them together.  It took a few golf tees and a bit a wire to hold it together this year. We did a bit of fluffing and we strung the lights and restrung the lights after a run for more lights.  Each Thiot has their own section of the tree and with great love we arranged their ornaments on their section.  It's always a walk down memory lane as I place each one in just the right place.

December 3
I picked up our Christmas cards at Sams club and I loved how they turned out.  We didn't have a recent family photo so I used the beautiful water color Tatia painted me for Mothers Day.  It is a treasure of mine and my friend Shelly was able to make it into a Christmas card that I love.  Thank you Tatia and Shelly. I LOVE sending Christmas cards and I love thinking about each person who I send them to when addresses and stamping them.  It's always filled with happy memories.

December 4
After a lovely day serving in the temple and a fun lunch with Skyler and Buddy the elf, I returned to make two pans of Christmas Potatoes to take to the Ward Christmas Party.  Carla Morell and Barbara Stephens were in charge of the Food and I loved the morning when they delivered the ingredients from the back of Barbara's SUV which was turned into a grocery store.  The potatoes were fun to make and I was happy to help.  We took the potatoes and loved how Sister Nunn and Sister Sanders had turned the cultural hall into an elf land. It was so fun and the ward came out in great numbers. We snuck out  a little early with Ron and Mary Sue Johnson and drove up to Allen for their annual Creche display.  It was lovely and a very sweet spirit was in attendance.  We loved it.

December 5
I was able to sub at the temple on Saturday morning which was lovely and came home and took a nap.  Dick and I later that day went and walked around Nebraska Furniture Mart looking for a new couch.  Lani told me when I found it it would sing to me.  We didn't find it but we did find another Creche display in the Colony per Sister Boones recommendation to attend.  We loved this smaller one that also included a walk to Bethlehem.  We found Rosa's and shared a yummy dinner.

December 6
We had talked about going to Waxahachie to see their Bethlehem display but the weather was not cooperative and we enjoyed watching the First Presidency Christmas Devotional at home.  What beautiful music and sweet messages were shared.  I always look forward to that and enjoy it.

December 7
My Christmas cards are all officially in the mail.  With Dick's help to find addresses of those who had moved we got them completed and mailed.  Thanks Dick! After dropping them off at the post office, Dick and I drove around our neighborhood to look at the Lights of Christmas.  I always love doing this with Dick.  He makes every thing better.  We came home and did some planning for our Christmas Surprise for our family at the GWL

December 8
Kara's darling sister Lauren has been in the play White Christmas this year in Hurst. I was able to get some great tickets to go on Tuesday night and Dick and I both enjoyed it.  There was one empty seat beside us that Alanna who works at the Temple on Saturday came and sat in.  What a delightful surprise that was.  It was a fun evening and we were glad we went.

December 9
Wednesday is the day that I LOVE to go to Mansfield and pick up my sweet Granddaughters at school and have a visit with them.  When i called Becky to make a plan she invited me to stay for dinner and to attend Brooklyn's Christmas Choir Performance.  I was thrilled.  I was ready early and just had a feeling I needed to drop by my friend Sister Kennedy's home.  I had a chocolate candy bar that we both enjoy, a Cherry Mash to take to her and so I went.  When I arrived I new why I had gone.  She had lost her address book and couldn't find her daughters phone number.  She was so worried and upset.  I was able to find her daughters number in my phone and help her to feel a little better.  Chocolate never hurts any bad situation.  Brooklyn's program was delightful even after it taking us so long to drive there. The traffic was crazy because of the Toys for Tots drop off at the same location.  We had a wonderful time and the weather was perfect for an outside event.  Thanks for inviting me. On my way home I invited Dick to go get an egg nog shake at brahms.  Doesn't get much better than that.

December 10
I woke up and was greeted by the most glorious sunrise I have ever seen. It was so pink that I knew my mom must have had a hand in sending it to me. I had a baking morning before going to the family history center for the afternoon.  I made my nearly famous chocolate christmas cookies and took to my visiting teaching sisters who I love.  We had a fun patron come the the FHC.  Ginny Johnson who is new to our ward but who became an instant friend of mine came to see what was new at our center.  I loved getting to show her the Family Search program and help her get signed in and retrieve her password.  She is a dear.  I told her how excited I was for her grandson to be coming to the temple on Saturday and she said he wasn't.  I think I spoiled the surprise.  Yikes.  In the evening, Dick and I attended the Stake Presidents Open House at President Wildings home.  It was lovely and I took some banana bread which barely was touched and we brought most of it home.  Not all bad.

December 11
Friday morning at the temple was a sweet and peaceful morning.  Even with a few surprises of sisters not being able to come at the last minute, I loved being there.  Later that night, Dick invited me to go see the Little Dinosaur movie.  We both enjoyed it more than we thought we might.  The grandkids went on Thanksgiving, but Dick and I stayed home to get the feast on the table so it was extra fun.

December 12
I was subbing at the temple for our Sweet Kara who was busy with wedding preparations and was able to be a 2nd follower on the 10:00 session when our sweet Matt Downes came for his first time. It was extra extra special to get to help take his grandma, my friend Ginny to the veil.  I'm glad she had forgotten about my spoiling the surprise of Matt coming. Dick was able to come too and it was wonderful to have him there.  Later that night, we watched the Bing Crosby version of White Christmas, it was a tie between the play and the movie.  We enjoyed them both.

December 13
It was our Ward Choir's Christmas Sacrament Meeting today.  Every year I love it, but this year was so wonderful.  Brother Mark Conrad was the narrator and the choir was great but my favorite part was them inviting the congregation to join in on  many of the hymns.  Dick and I sat with Mary Eddington and Mary Kennedy and we all wanted to stand up and clap at the end. It was awesome.  I was invited to sub for our Sister Leading the Singing in Primary on Sunday.  Can you think of anything more wonderful than to sing Primary Christmas songs for an hour.  I loved it and loved going to the nursery and yes, we may have song a little jingle bells in there too.  I love those sweet Primary Children and miss them.

December 14
We woke up early and I took Dick to the airport for his week in Salt Lake.  I got home about 5:00 and my phone went off about 6:30 and it was Sky asking if I could come and take him to the doctor.  I jumped into my car and was stuck in traffic for over an hour getting to his home.  When I got there he and Kara had figured out it must be kidney stones and had talked to Ricky who has had them and I got to spend the morning with him.  I too have had kidney stones and can testify of the horrible ness of the pain.  It took nearly 4 days for them to pass and for him to feel like himself again.  We've had lots of prayers on his behalf.  It was not a fun time for him, I did love getting to see their pretty Christmas tree and the darling new nativity Kara's dad gave her for Christmas. It's all nomes which she loves.  I loved it too.

December 15
Dick's office party for DCS was on Tuesday morning.  Dick told me that I "Needed" to go to represent our family.  The Graves family have been so good to us and I was glad to make another batch of Christmas cookies to take to share.  It was fun to be there and then later in the afternoon, Pammy and her boys invited me over to make our Grandma's Sugar cookies together.  What fun to have Oliver and Miles cracking eggs, measuring ingredients and I loved Miles being the  milk man and Oliver the flour man and we added the 5 cups of flour and 1 cup of milk.  They turned out delicious and what a sweet spirit was there with us.  Grandma Elaine must have been allowed an outing to be with us for the afternoon. I loved it.  Pammy invited me to stay for dinner and a concert of our newest violin player, Oliver Clayton Royal.  He had only had one lesson but already  could play three blind mice. I LOVED it.  Thank you Royal Cousins!

December 16
Today there was a bit more visiting teaching to do and I spent some time making calendars for the Family History Center.  You see I am the Calendar Girl there and I've made them for many years helping remind us who's turn it is to come.

December 17
Thursday morning I spent working on  my Temple Schedule and also making a Christmas Card for my sisters on my temple shift.  I had found a beautiful photo of the Salt Lake Temple after all the Snow they had earlier this week.  The card turned out so pretty and I was pleased.  I loved visiting with my partner, Sister Williams about each of our sisters as we wrote a special note to each on their card.  Oh how I love those temple sisters of mine.

December 18
We had a busy Friday morning in the temple with 4  living ordinances.  We had a few surprises of people who couldn't come at the last minute, but it all worked out.  I try so hard to  make the schedule so perfect, but the Lord is really the schedule maker and I should learn to listen more carefully to him as I try to make it.  Today was Ricky and Becky's 11th wedding anniversary and they were hoping to come to the temple after I got off and I was so looking forward to watching the girls and going to lunch with them and Skyler,  unfortunately it didn't work out and Sky already had lunch plans so I went home and took a nap.  Later that evening I picked up Dick at the airport. It was sooo good to see him and have him home again.  It was a long week without him.

December 19
I worked at the temple again and it was lovely.  Ricky and Becky were going to try to come but Brooklyn was invited to a birthday party she didn't want to miss.  One of these days it will work I just know it.  BYU was playing the U Of U in a Football bowl game on Saturday afternoon.  Dick and my dad had hoped to go, but it didn't work out.  I think they were both just as happy to watch it on tv where it was nice and warm.  Salt Lake has really gotten a LOT of snow this week and making that long drive may have not been the best idea anyway.  Life seems to work out for the best, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time.  We loved having Sky come over and watch part of the game with us.  Dick and I were invited to a lovely Christmas party at one of his scout buddies home that evening.  I think I counted 3,132 Santa's in their home. It was one festive home, so pretty with so many pretty things.  You could sure tell that no tiny children lived there or visited too often.    We enjoyed looking at Christmas lights on the drive home together.

December 20
Sacrament meeting was wonderful.  Jacob Crandall had just returned from his mission in the Philippines and George Skeko was just leaving for his mission to Argentina.  They both spoke and did a wonderful job.  That evening they both had open houses right across the street from each other. It was so fun to get to visit them both and wish them well.  Oh how I love missionaries, the coming home kind and the leaving kind. Kara's friends wedding was today and everything turned out perfectly.  All of Kara's hard work really paid off.  Well done.

December 21
Monday afternoon the most wonderful neighbor of ours came and brought a whole bucket of Holiday treats.  Mary and Bill used to live right behind us and have moved twice since.  First to Houston and now back much closer in Frisco.  Mary has the most wonderful baking talents and shared her Christmas baking treasures with our family.  Thank you Mary Martin.  Oh how I love you.  You will forever be my favorite back yard neighbor.
Monday night Jake was working late, and so Dick and I had FHE with the Granges.  We put our chairs by the Christmas tree and read them Mr. Tooney's Christmas Miracle.  It was so fun to be with them for Family night.  We think we will try to make this a family tradition to have Family Night with our kids who are far away via face time and try to do it with our kids close by in real time often.

December 22
Today was the day to Prepare our Home to become The Holiday Inn.  I washed sheets and towels and vacuumed and dusted and Dick put all the totes that had been in the office back in the attic and we turned his office into another guest room.  I hired a man to come and paint my front window like our dear friend Gina used to do but when he arrived, it was too high for him. I didn't know he was an "old" man and couldn't do it.  I was a little disappointed but that was alright.  It was fun thinking about Kathy Birks today as it was her 50th birthday.  She is such a sweetie. Oh how I love and admire her.  She's having an extra busy December as Chandler is getting married on the 30th. It was our ward temple night tonight and Dick and I loved being there together.

December 23
Pierce, Stacy and Adelaide arrived on Wednesday.  Skyler was the Uber Pick up Driver but needed a car seat.  I had an incredible experience when I went to visit my visiting teachers the day before and noticed a car seat in their front entry way.  I quickly called her and she had me come right over and pick it up.  I met Sky at his office and he installed the car seat and went and picked up our LA Thiots at Love Field and drove them to Arlington where they picked up Stacy's mom's car to borrow.  Sky was a super hero and it allowed me time to get the rest of the last minute things done that I had wanted to.  THANK YOU SKY!  After they arrived, we decided it might be fun to take a trip to Six Flags Holiday in the Park.  Dick and I drove them over and Sky met us but what we didn't know was that the rest of the population of Dallas also had the same plans.  The traffic and parking was crazy and the lines too long, so we made other plans.  Sky headed for home and the rest of us went to the Marble Slab for ice cream that did not disappoint. Stacy had gone to this place growing up and it was tasty!  The girls had a blast being together.  Brooklyn, Addison, Harper and Lady loved being together.  The grown ups did too.

December 24
Merry Christmas Eve!  Lady and I spent a fun hour in the sewing room taking in her panties that were a little too big on her tiny fanny.  She is an amazing potty trained girls and needs those panties to not slide off.  I loved getting to watch her while Pierce and Stacy did some last minute Christmas errands. Oh how I love that tiny girl who is going to be a BIG SISTER!!!! Hooray for May Babies!
At 2:30, we all went to see the Polar Express movie at the dollar theatre.  I'd wanted to go all week and it just didn't work out, but Christmas eve worked perfectly.  We loved it and Graypa even treated four little girls to iccees,  they were thrilled.  Brooklyn especially loved the popcorn and had many refilled cups.  I love that girl. After the movie we came home and were thrilled that the Time Bake had worked on my oven and that my house smelled like lasagna.  We had a yummy Christmas eve dinner and a fun Christmas play.  It was wonderful.  Sky and Kara opened their new Christmas PJ's and we talked them into staying over night with us.  Graypa and I headed in to start wrapping up the gifts.

December 25
Merry Christmas!  What fun to have family with us on Christmas morning.  We packed up our stuff and headed to Ricky and Becky's who had invited us to come for Christmas Brunch at their home.  It was so fun to have a girl car with Kara, Stacy, and Adelaide and me, and a boy car with Sky, Dick, and Pierce with them.  We shared Christmas memories on our way over to Mansfield.  We loved seeing what Santa had brought the girls for Christmas.  Brooklyn got her easy bake oven that she had been wishing for, Addison got the jump rope she had wanted and Harper got the Sophia singing book she had wished for. It was so fun to be together.  Sky and Kara left to go to Kara's family Christmas and the rest of us went home for naps.  On CHristmas night we watched Cinderella, the new one together and loved it.

December 26
Merry Day After Christmas!  The holiday Inn woke up early and started washing sheets and towels. Our LA Thiots were checking out and our Charlottesville Granges were due in at 10:30 and our Sacramento Thiots were due in at 6:30.  Sky and Kara drove to the airport to meet up with the Granges and then followed them home here.  We had a fun pizza and rootbeer lunch and loved being together.  We tried to catch the Peanuts movie in the afternoon but found it to be sold out. So off to the Duck park we went and had a blast.  Even a spitting contest was fun to see who could spit the furthest into the newly renovated pond.  Penny figured out by climbing on some rocks, she could spit the furthest.  One of my favorite parts was going Christmas caroling to my friend Vivian who lives by the Duck park.  We all crammed into my car and drove the block to her house.  It was a great feeling to deliver some love and joy to her that day.  The clouds started rolling in and we caught a few rain drops on the drive home.  Then the storms really came and blasted us with rain and tornado warnings. It was a little scary and Charlie's flight was rerouted to Austin to avoid the weather.  They promised them that it would just be an hour or two delay which turned into a lot longer.  More like 35 hours of delay.  Charlie was a great sport and he has the nicest children, who like him made the best of a crazy situation. They spent all night Saturday at the airport in Austin.

December 27
Sunday morning they promised them a flight at 1:00 but the storms would not let up.  It wasn't until 1:30 Monday morning that our Carmichael Thiot's finally made it home to us.  Penny and Max and I made a big batch of play dough and had fun playing with it while we waited.  Then we all attended church together and everyone loved seeing Tatia's family there.  It was nice to be there together.  I was holding Oscar and he bumped his mouth on the bench. OUCH, so out to the foyer we went and he fell asleep in my arms. I loved getting to hold him and snuggle with him.  Such a dear little boy.
Sunday after church, we made our Christmas dinner, Ham, Christmas CHeesy potatoes and hot rolls. We were still hopeful that Charlie might be coming in time for dinner.  Ricky came with his girls as Becky was off to California to surprise her family for Christmas.  Ricky's girls brought sleeping bags and stuff for our Grammy Camp which would last for the next few days.  Oh how we loved that. The sleep over room was filled to the max with children.  Lots of giggling and fun.  We had to get a little FIRM to have sleep happen.  Dick, Sky and Kara left for the airport about 10 pm when they promised the flight was coming.  When the flight arrived in Dallas, it was rerouted to avoid some lightening to San Antonio.  This time they didn't get off the plane but waited an hour to try again. What a wonderful sight it was to see those tired travelers come through security.  They came home and slept well that night.

December 28
Grammy Camp began and what a lot of fun we had.  Everybody dressed in their camp T-shirts and Tatia gave everyone darling hairdos for the day.  Some picked ballerina buns, others curly pony tails.  She had a fun beauty parlor going in my bathroom.  They were all thrilled and looked darling. We found the movie The Grinch and put it on and passed out bags of popcorn with runts hidden in it.They loved it and the movie actually played for several hours as I couldn't figure out how to stop it. It just kept starting over again.  So you could come watch it when ever you wanted.  Graypa camp for the little boys was in the afternoon and they headed to the North park mall to see the train display. Max and Callum loved it and would run from one train to another.  They didn't want to miss a single thing. The girls finished up our service project and delivered taco soup and Christmas cookies to Miss Vivian and her family.  We loved getting to do that for her.  Then we came home and enjoyed our Taco Soup we had made.  YUMMY!  After dinner or maybe it was before, we made snowmen.  Yes out of play dough that is.  the girls did a wonderful job and Tatia build a diorama to keep them in.  It was one frosty village.  I loved watching these little ladies be so creative.  My mom would have loved it too.  After the Graypa Camp group arrived home, the boys left for Boys Night Out minus Pierce. Ben joined in the fun too and they went to Top Golf and then to Buffalo wild Wings to watch the Mavs Game together.  Lots of fun!

December 29
I started the day off at the dentist, not my favorite place to go, but after a quick teeth cleaning, I was home and found the fun was a going.  The girls had turned the grocery store under my stairs into a breakfast cafe.  They were serving all sorts of fun items, cutie oranges, bananas, pop tarts, Star wars cereal just to name a few.  They had made up menus and prices and the works.  The store was the funnest play area for grammy camp.  They spent hours under there that is until Uncle Charlie went out to the garage and came in with a huge container of Legos.  He and Jake spread a huge sheet on the family room floor and dumped out the legos.  For the next 2 hours and 12 minutes we had a new generation of Thiot Lego Players.  They all except for Oscar, played and built and loved it together.  Oh my goodness I loved watching them all playing so happily together.  At 2:30 I noticed there was another showing of the Peanuts movie at the dollar theatre.  We loaded up car seats and sped to the theatre and guess what?  It was SOLD OUT again.  oops, Charlie had a fun idea of going to get ice cream at McDonalds and  playing on their play ground.  It was super fun and we all loved it.  Tatia and Oscar stayed home for naps and Tatia even got to watch a Hallmark Christmas movie.  Doesn't get much better than that.  Ricky came to pick up his girls and announced that Becky's flight had been postponed.  She was due to arrive at 6:30 Tuesday night but it was changed to 2:30 Thursday morning.  We had some disappointed girls and Ricky too.  Ricky took them home to sleep in t heir own beds. We missed them.  The Girls made a dinner menu and you could choose any of the left overs in the fridge.  We had barlow dogs left over, Taco Soup, Potato Soup, and a few other interesting combinations.  Everyone was a good sport and found something to eat. We had Christmas stories and off to bed.

December 30
Happy Anniversary Kara and Skyler!  Charlie, Tatia and Jake woke up early and headed to the Temple for the 7:00 session.  They loved it and when they got home we started packing up for our Great Wolf Lodge Adventure. Pack your Swimming suit, Christmas PJ's, toothbrush and something to wear home.  Please wear your Grammy camp shirt kiddos.  We checked into the hotel at 1:00 in the afternoon and then everyone headed to the indoor winter wonderland water park.  What fun was had by all.  Skyler was so fun with all the little kids.  He makes us all laugh.  Oscar and grammy came down after Oscar's nap and watched until Kara arrived from work.  Then we all came up to Grammy and Graypa's room to open up Christmas presents that Aunt Lani had sent and Ricky and Becky had brought for the kids.  Lani had sent the cutest vests for everyone and the kids had to try them on right away and we headed to El Fenix for dinner.  Dick had called and made a reservation which they usually don't take, but for a group of 19 they did.  The food was great and the company even better. We even tried their sopapillas and they were YUMMY!  One of my favorite memories was taking 4 little girls to the potty.  They were all howling like wolfs with their wolf ears on.  So fun!!!! After dinner we stopped at Target for diapers which had been accidently left out and some breakfast fixins for morning.   We went down stairs for story time for the big fireplace and we loved it when it started snowing on us.  Oh my goodness what fun!!!!  Then it was off to bed after prayers and teeth were brushed.

December 31
Happy New Years Eve!!!!  Max woke up not feeling well in the night.  He was a very nice guy for feeling so crummy.  He stayed in the room while Oscar took his morning nap with Grammy.  Everyone else headed back to the water park after a breakfast buffet.  The Great Wolf Lodge was much bigger and much more crowded than I ever imagined it being.  Lots of people and lots of fun.
We all left when we were ready to go.  Tatia's family was first and we came home and started getting laundry done so they could pack up for their flight home tomorrow.  Penny wasn't sure when she prayed if she should pray for a flight cancellation or not.  She was wanting to stay but also wanting to be home. The kids played legos again in the afternoon and then Dick treated up to a Chinese New Yeas Eve Dinner at Panda Express.  It was so fun to see all the little girls who wanted to squeeze in together.  We came home and I'm not sure if anybody made it awake to see in the New  Year.  Not me for sure

January 1
Happy New Year.
Tatia's family left for the airport at 7:30 right on schedule.  They fit everything except for Miss Penny's snow man she made into their bags.  I promised her I would mail it her way on Monday.  We didn't have enough room in the car to all ride along, so we said our goodbyes and Dick drove them to Love Field for their flight.  It was right on Schedule and they had a most uneventful flight home which is just what we prayed for.  They got home about 3 in the afternoon.
After the Granges were gone, Keelie and I ran upstairs for our sewing lessons.  She had been asking about them during the week and with so many people here,  I promised her when some of our company left, we would sew away.  We decided on Pajama pants for the first project and I found a pattern and some fun fabric and we cut t hem out and then we sewed and sewed.  She is really good at back stitching and sewing.  I was most impressed.  Callum came in and watched and decided that he too would like some new pj pants and so we found a pattern and sewed him a pair too.  He is also a great back stitcher and we loved sewing together.
Charlie and his kids had made plans to visit with some friends and cousins on Friday.  They also found time to make a quick trip to Build a Bear to make souvenirs that he had promised his kids for being so good on their delayed travel day.  Keelie built a darling bear and Callum a fine green dinosaur.  They arrived home after I had gone to bed, but had a very fun day and got to do everything they had wanted.

January 2
Charlie's flight was at 9:04 am at DFW.  We had planned to exit at 7:00 but were delayed a bit when Keelie and Callum had the fun idea of sewing Pajama pants for their build a bears.  I didn't have a build a bear pattern, but when I went upstairs on my sewing desk was one little pattern piece that said size 2 on it.  I grabbed the pattern, the scissors and the fabric, and waked out two pairs of PJ bottoms and sewed them up in record time.  I was glad to have Callums help with back stitching.  He's good and Keelie made a head band for her bear too.  They looked darling, I only hope no real home ec teacher inspects them for quality.  I promised them both I would make a new pair with real hems and they could toss the speedy ones.  Callum wanted to wear his PJ pants on the Place.  He couldn't have done anything to make me happier.  Not that they were all that cute or well made, but that we had made them together with lots of love between us.
I've been typing for the past 2 hours and 29 minutes wanting to remember all that has happened good this month.  I've loved the Christmas sights, the smells, the music and especially getting to see my family together.  Thank you all for making the huge effort to be here with us.  Oh how we love you!
SLY Robynn