Presidents Week

Our Mansfield Thiots
Saturday was a glorious weather day in Dallas.  We were told the highs would be in the 70's and what could possibly be a better outdoor actvity than a trip to the zoo?  Nothing they could think of so they invited a friend to meet them their and then invited Sky and Kara to come too.  One of the fun parts of their season pass is a pony ride each time you go.  Dick told Ricky that if his mom was still alive and if she had seen these pictures, she would have signed all three of them up for riding lessons.  They all look very comfortable on this pony. Way to go my Texas Thiot girls!  Wednesday afternoon was a favorite of mine this week.  I got to pick up the girls and play outside with them for a while while Becky and Brooklyn went to Activity Days. Becky had made the cutest handouts to take with a SHINY penny on each of them.  She knows how to use ketchup to shine up pennys, AMAZING! After playing we came inside and did a service project.  Brooklyn and Addison's room needed a little TLC and we had such fun.  One of us was the Shoe Store worker and put the shoes away, Addison wanted to be the Librarian and reorganized the bookshelf. It looked beautiful and one of us was in charge of clothes either hanging or putting in the laundry.  It was so much fun!  Thank you for the fun afternoon!

Our Charlottesville Granges
It was Tatia's turn for the "Kids Club" Babysitting Co-up on Friday night.  Jake had to work late so it was even more fun than usual.  Eight little kids makes Tatia's 3 seem like a breeze.  WOWSERS!  Tatia got to attend Relief Society During the Week where you could choose one of three classes.  An Oil Painting Class,  An Acrilics Class or a Water Color Class.  Tatia choose Water Colors and I loved the beautiful painiting she completed.  She found this fun frame to frame it in and it looks great in her family room.  Way to go Tatia!  Jake has had an extra busy week and it doesn't seem to be slowing down any time soon. Run Jake Run!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Saturday morning Charlie had two choices.  One involved fixing his fence which a recent STRONG Windstorm had broken a few sections, or two was to take the day and head to the mountains for some skiing.  Can you guess which one he chose from the photo he sent to me?  I'm glad he had a good time and that his jeep cooperated and brought him home inside of it this time instead of on the back of a tow truck.  You know, projects like fences can always wait, but the snow may not.  Good Choice Charlie.

Our LA Thiots
Can I tell you how much I love face timing?  Saturday afternoon, Pierce and Adelaide called me and we had such a fun visit.  I had sent the kids each a fox for Valentines day whose name was SLY, which in our family stands for Sure Love You.  She wanted to tell me she had gotten it and that she really liked her new friend.  While we were talking, she wanted to get in her car and show me how she likes to put her head out of the sun roof.  Pierce promised me she does not do that while going down the freeway, but she may or may not have done it while slowly backing down the driveway a time or two.  She loves it.  She looks so cute poking her head out.  Thanks for the darling photo Pierce.  Pierce has a work trip to San Fran next weekend and he's hoping it's going to work out to take his girls along too.  I hope it does too. That would be a very fun getaway.

Our Dallas Thiots
I LOVED this picture Ricky sent me from the Zoo with Sky and Kara and the girls.  Those girls just love Sky & Kara.  They took the train to the Zoo and loved how it dropped them off right out in front of the Zoo.  I must try that too one day soon.  Sky's job hunt continues so please keep those prayers going heavenward for him.  I had an interesting, wonderful thing happen on Thursday.  I went to the Family Storage Center to get some fruit drink for the dance and their was a lady there who was working on these hygene kits for Africa.  Kara had heard about this last summer and we have wanted to get involved but haven't really known how to do it.  This lady is forming a Chapter of volunteers to help and I am delighted that this might be a way that we can get involved and help.  I'm excited Kara!

We Plano Thiots
Last night was the Regional Single Adult Dance where Dick and I were blessed to be able to help. The Theme was Hearts and Waffles, (thanks for the cute banner Tatia)  We had 8 waffle makers going and they could make their own waffle then top it with some heavenly toppings.  It was far more successful than we had even imaged.  We turned 15 pounds of Krusties Waffle mix into a LOT of waffles.  I thought I had bought way too many strawberries and that I would be able to make some jam with the left overs but guess what?  Every single strawberry was gobbled up.  What a fun night and I'm so grateful for Dick's good help.  He has not felt good all week but he doesn't quit.
Friday night we attended the Legends Basketball Game with our dear friends the Christensens.  Kinsley Kate's Choir was performing some patriotic numbers and we LOVED being there to cheer her on.  Her brothers Luke and Owen are celebrating their sixth birthday today and we did a mini birthday celebration too.  How can those baby boys be six already?  Thanks for inviting us Christensen's.

Today is my baby brother Jeffrey's Birthday.  Happy Birthday Jeffrey Mike!  I hope you have a wonderful day and that you know how loved you are!
Thursday night was the Friends of Scouting Fundraising dinner at the fancy Omni Hotel downtown.  Dick was asked to be a table host and invited two of his cousins, Skip and Susi Woodall and Kirk and Cynthia Woodall and Rich Bailey and Dan Morris from our ward and then The Jarrells who we met at the Eagle Recognition dinner in January.  We still haven't figured out how we are related but we are sure we must be.  Roger Staubach was the speaker and it was a fun evening.  Thanks for inviting me Dick.
After typing all of this, it's no wonder I am exhausted.  I'm looking forward to today being Sunday and the day of rest.  I hope you've had a good week too.  SLY Robynn

Happy Valentines Day

Our Mansfield Thiots
The Spring Open House at Martha Reid Elementary was a booming success.  The First Graders got to show us some math games that they have made and enjoy playing and the Third Graders hosted the wax Museum.  Brooklyn's turn came at 6:30 and we were there ready when the teacher pushed her button (a sticker on her hand) and said your on.  Brooklyn spoke about all the things she had learned about Amelia Earhart and did a super job.  I learned many things that I hadn't remembered about that brave young woman.  Brooklyn was able to stay in character and answer the questions many people had.  Maybe my favorite was when asked where have you been all these years and she said, "Well, what do you think?"  I was so glad that Sky and Kara could come too.  They always make everything more fun.  Ricky and Becky did a super job helping and preparing Brooklyn for the big night.  She looked great and her airplane was remarkable.  It was the talk of the night. Thanks for inviting us. Ricky had his out of town offices to visit this week which makes for a LONG week for Becky.  She told me that Ricky is a BIG help at home and is surely missed when he is traveling.  He has one more trip coming up this week I believe, but only a short one.

Our Charlottesville Granges
We were able to Face Time with Jake and Tatia on Monday night after the children were in bed and wish Jake a Happy Birthday.  They had 3 days of celebrating and he said he felt loved and a bit older. It was different to talk to them without their little ones there too.  They can liven up any conversation that is for sure.  When you live in Charlottesville, one of the hard things is that it is just a temporary home for most people.  One family who they have loved graduated from Law School and has been looking for just the right place for them to move.  They have two little girls, one Penny's age named Charlotte and one Max's age named Tess.  They have become really good friends and this next week they are moving to take a position in Salt Lake and will be living in Sandy, Utah not too far from Grandpa Great.  Penny promised to come visit when they visit Grandpa Great.  I loved that.  Tatia has been busy sewing up a storm making these Darling Cats for them to take with them to remind them of their stay in Virginia.  They turned out amazing.  Tatia was able to sew them on Friday which was our families day of service in remembrance of my sweet mom.  I'm sure she was smiling seeing all the sweet things that Tatia and her family did that day.  I loved this photo at their friend Gerry's who they gave a "HEART ATTACK "  to.

Our Carmichael Thiots
Do you remember last week when I was doing a bit of complaining about having sore fingers?  I was working on tying a quilt for someone who has been hinting to me for years that he would like a new one.  Monday morning I put it in the mail and it arrived on Thursday.  I love that you can track packages and I watched it travel across the United States.  It went to Irvine, Texas first and I'm sure enjoyed a few sites there and then on to Cubero New Mexico where it spent the night.  The next day it journeyed to Tehachapi, California and overnighted there and then it arrived in Sacramento where it was sorted and sent to Carmichael to be loaded on the truck and delivered on Thursday afternoon. I kept getting more excited as it got closer to Charlie.  Thursday night I go to bed early and when I got up on Friday, there was a text message from Charlie that had arrived at 10;37 saying, "Thank  You, my quilt arrived and I LOVE it. I hope this doesn't wake you up".  It didn't wake me up but it sure put a smile on my face first thing Friday morning.  Charlie commented the next day that it was really warm too as he slept out on the trampoline looking up at the stars on Thursday night and was very comfortable.  Happy Day! On Saturday, Keelie's best friend was baptized.  They went to Fallon, Nevada to have her baptized which is where Sophie's Grandparents live on a dairy farm. It's hard for them to get away and so they went there for the baptism.  Charlie, Keelie and Callum were all invited and they had a WONDERFUL day there. There was even a little snow there that Keelie built a pint sized snow man.  When they got home, it was late, a 2 hour and 57 minute drive, but Keelie knew it was important to read scriptures before going to bed.  What a great example you are to all of us Keelie!

Our LA Thiots
On Tuesday morning, my phone rang and it was Pierce and Adelaide trying to face time.  I was in the shower and  missed their call.  When I returned the call, Pierce was in the shower and we have not connected again this whole busy week.  I love those face time calls.  It's almost, not quite but almost as good as being in the very same room with someone who is not close by.  I am hoping we can catch up today.  I got a package in the mail from Pierce and Stacy this week with a project they helped me on.  I LOVED how it turned out your two!  For the past several years, for my mom's birthday gift, I would make her cards that she would sent to all her children, grandchildren, and her siblings.  I loved doing it and when she passed away, my sweet dad has continued her tradition of remembering everyone on their special day.  So this year, Pierce and Stacy helped me make cards for Grandpa Great to send out.  I loved how they turned out and my dad got them in his mail on Thursday after his trip to St. George and was amazed at where I found birthday cards with a man on them that looks so much like him.  I told him the Hallmark store is remarkable.  he he he he  Thanks Pierce & Stacy for doing  your day of service for Gram for Grandpa.

Our Dallas Thiots
Have you heard of the Radio Station in Dallas called "The Ticket"?  it's a Sports talk station so you may not be surprised that it is NOT on my radio dial.  (I may be adding it soon)  Anyway, back to the story, Sky knows many of the folks there and he was invited, asked, begged to help them with their 2016 calendar.  I haven't seen one yet, as they have sold out, but I'm hoping to get one with the next printing that goes out.  They turned out really cool and Sky even makes money on them when they sell them. Go SKY!  I heard that he was invited to a radio broadcast listen in when one of the actors in the DUkes of Hazard was on the radio.  Oh my goodness, my boys used to love that show.  I can't wait to hear more about it.  On Friday, they stopped to get gas and there was a man there who was needing a good meal.  For Grams' act of service day, they treated him to dinner.  What a kind thing to do.  I'm sure gram was smiling on you both.  Sky and Kara came over on Saturday afternoon for some Study time.  Kara is taking a big test soon to get her Texas Teachers certification.  They said when she study's at home, it's easy to be distracted, so they came to our house.  The only sad part was, we were not home.  Maybe that was better for them as we can be a bit distracting ourselves.  We did get home in time to see them for a few minutes before they got dressed up and headed for a Valentine Dinner at the "Smoke house"  I hope they had a good time.  They looked great and I'm sick I didn't snap a photo.

We Plano Thiots
We've had a nice week of Valentines and Service.  Wednesday night was extra nice as we had some family names that Dick and I had found on Familysearch.org and we took them to the Dallas Temple. On the way to the temple, we stopped at Chipotle where Sky hooked us up with a free burrito. It was the first time I have been able to be baptized for family names since they remodeled our Baptistry.  Can I tell you what a sweet experience it was?  I loved being there and having Dick baptize me for three sisters of Dick's Grandmother Jarrell and a Great Great Great Grandmother of Dick's and her daughter a Great Great Grandmother.  What a delight it was.
This week was also visiting teaching week and I loved getting to deliver some special valentines.  My neighbor across the street has been cleaning out her "stuff" and many years ago when Beanie Babies were popular, she owned a store and would buy them and resale them.  Before they were resold, the TY Beanie Baby Market kind of dropped off the radar and left her with a HUGE Stash of said toys.  She had a tote filled with them and they've been stored in a safe place all these years and now she is trying to sell them at a bargain price.  She had a bunch of foxes who were named SLY.  If you know our family, that is the code for Sure Love You.  I couldn't resist buying one for each of my grandchildren and delivering them to them this week.  I did make valentine collars them to wear.  So cute.  I hope your grandchildren will love that fox and know that I SURE LOVE YOU.  She had some snakes and lizard that I took to the children who I visiting teach their mama and they liked them too.

On Saturday, Ricky wanted to take his Valentine to the Temple.  I met them there and picked up three little girls and we had a fun couple of hours.  Per there request we stopped for donut holes and came to my house and read all of my valentine stories, they took Rocky for a walk and then headed back to the temple where we got to watch two brides and grooms come outside for photos before their parents came out.  Ricky and Becky wanted to take the girls out for a Valentine lunch and we kind of invited ourselves to go along.  We loved going to benihanas with them.  YUM! We had a very fun cheif who made not only delicious food but was very entertaining as well.

Dick was able to spend one of our lovely afternoons this week on the golf course.  I'm so glad he could enjoy this amazing February weather we've been blessed with.  He has worked hard the rest of the week.  Saturday morning he was invited to visit with two General Authorities who are in town to call a new stake Presidency for our Stake.  Our current STake presidency will be released in conference this morning and a new team will be called.  They invited past bishops and others in the stake to visit with them and give recommendations who they think we be wonderful.  We are looking forward to Conference this morning to see who they will call.  I'm sure we will love them just as we have the past group. President Kevin Beach, Counselors, President Jerry Martin and President Mark Moon.  We have from the Beach to the Moon with a Martian in between.

My Valentine is laying in bed behind me as I type the Thiot TImes.  He is such a good sport to be married to such an early bird.  I'm so grateful to have him for not only this life, but forever.  He's a great man who gets the very most out of every day of his life.  Happy Valentines Day to all of you and your sweeties too.  SLY Robynn

Our First Fun Week of February

Our Mansfield Thiots
Ricky has said on numerous occasions that there are lots of wonderful things about having 3 little girls.  One of them this week  was the Sweet heart ball.  Brooklyn had been invited to her friend Henry's magical birthday party and wasn't able to go, but Harper and Addison loved dressing up and having their hair done and even wearing a touch of lip stick and going with their cute daddy to the dance.  Ricky said Harper was amazing at dancing and Addison has some great moves too.  They had a fun time but missed Brooklyn being with them too. Next year for sure.  Saturday they spent the day on a very fun project.  You see it's the Wax Museum this week for the 3rd Graders at Martha Reid Elementary.  On Tuesday, Brooklyn will arrive at the appointed time dressed up as one of her favorite American Heros.  Can you guess who she is?  She has to make a poster explaining all about her hero and on Tuesday night, parents and family and friends are invited to the school at 6:30 to listen to her share what she learned.  You can even ask questions and she will answer as if she really is that person.  I can't wait!

Our Charlottesville Granges
Tomorrow is Jakes Birthday and he will turn 31 years young.  What a fun day they had doing a little pre-birthday celebrating on Saturday.  He got to go choose a new pair of glasses, take a fun trip to the good will where everyone got to choose something wonderful and they enjoyed dinner out at his favorite hamburger joint in Charlottesville.  It's comparable to JC's Burger House in Plano which is a favorite in our family.  We love you Jacob Stewart Grange and are so glad you are a part of our family.  It's kind of fun, Dick Loves to tell him that he is his very favorite Son-in-law.  You are Jake. The snowdays in Charlottesville are over and Penny is back to school and very happy about that.  She really missed being there and has loved catching up with her friends this week.  Oscar was invited for his first time to the Friday Night Kids club.  He LOVED it.  Max and Penny were his protectors and they all had a good time.

Our Carmichael Thiots
A few years ago, Dick had the opportunity to purchase some cuff links from the Mavericks Basketball team.  Our guys all love the Dallas Mavericks and in fact, Dick's company is named Maverick Sytems, not after the Mavs, but just a coincidence.  Anyway, he bought a set of them for each of the boys and the boys that lived close by, got them and the guys that are far away hadn't. When cleaning out his office, he came across these cuff links and asked me if I would stick Charlie's in the mail for him.  I hunted for a box to ship them in and it had a bit of space that needed some packing material, the size of about 7 girl scout cookie thin mints.  I'm sure Charlie thought I was nuts sending him just a few cookies.  Anyway, I'm glad to report the cuff links arrived and Charlie wore them to work on Friday and ate the cookies.  I LOVE you Char!  We have one pair left, who hasn't gotten theirs yet?

Our L.A. Thiots
Just a little over a year ago, Pierce lost his great friend and brother Anthony Leggett.  He passed away and the world has not been the same without him. His dear wife Celilia is in Los Angeles this week with her sweet nephew and they were able to go to the Los Angeles Temple and so some very sacred temple work for Anthony's parents.  They were able to have Anthony sealed to his parents for time and all eternity which is a wonderful blessing for him.  I'm sure he was very close by yesterday in the house of the Lord where this took place.  I'm so grateful that Pierce and Stacy could be there with them to add their love and support.  What a blessing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for our time on this earth and for all eternity. After the temple they went to the beach where Pierce gave surfing lessons to Celilia's nephew and guess what?  It was his first time to see the ocean and he LOVED it!

I think I shared Pierce's good news last week about being recognized as one of the 30 most creative people in advertising for the 2nd year in a row.  He's a link to the article.  Congratulations PJ!
http://www.businessinsider.com/30-most-creative-people-in-advertising-under-30-2016

Our Dallas Thiots
Kara texted me on Monday morning asking for a recipe for chicken pasta salad with grapes and apples in it.   She and Sky were going on a picnic with some friends and she wanted to make it. The funny thing was, that I had just returned from the grocery store getting all the ingredients to make that salad as my uncle Mike and Cousin Pammy and her family were coming to dinner.  This recipe is one that Uncle Mike shared with our family a few years ago and I love to make it for him when he is in town.  I told Kara I was making that salad for dinner and let me tell you, the recipe makes a LOT.  We figured out a way for Sky to hop on the train in Dallas and ride to Plano and I handed him off a insulated bag with the salad inside and he hoped back on the train in Plano heading for Dallas.  It may have looked like a drug exchange, but that salad is better than any drugs could be.  What a fun thing that was to get a hug and a quick quick visit with Sky!

We Plano Thiots
We loved having our fun company for dinner on Monday night.  One of my favorite parts was Miles sharing with us his Science Fair Experiment he had done at school that day.  He made water walk.  Yes you read that correctly.  Water can walk right up a paper towel.  I loved his explanation and he did the experiment for us.  WOWSERS!

Saturday was also the Pinewood Derby Day for Olivers Cub Scout Pack and he and Miles brought their cars to show us.  Remember last year when we borrowed our Pack's Derby track and we had our own race, Oliver and Miles were wishing we had the track again.  Unfortunatlly, we did not.  It was great fun to see their Carrot Cruiser cars.  They've got some sweet car bulding skills at their house. I'm glad their Grandpa and my Uncle Mike could be here to see the race.

 

Wednesday was another great day this week.  Becky texted me to see if I was coming to Mansfield and if I would like to help the girls with their Valentine Mail Boxes for school.  That sounded like fun to me and I took a quick trip to Hobby Lobby and called Pammy who cut out their names for me (THANK YOU COUSIN  PAMMY!!!) and then I headed to Mansfield where we had a very fun assembly project.  The girls love doing projects and there isn't anything that makes me much happier than doing them with them.   Well maybe one thing would have been even funner.  That is to have had Keelie, Penny,  Callum, Max, Adelaide and Oscar there too.  Now that would have been my very best day!
Our Relief Society had a fun night on Thursday. It was a service auction and you earned points to bid with from a list of questions asking things like, Did you make your bed today, score 5 points.  Have you exercised at least 3 days this week, Score 10 points, etc.  It was fun and I had made a valentine apron to donate to the action and I bought an apron that someone else had made and donated. Such fun!
Dick has been working on a new project at work and he's been really enjoying it.  I think he has almost got it up and running.   Way to go Dick!  As a break and a reward Dick took me to the movie Bridge of Spies on Friday night and it was really good.  Tom Hanks has to be one of my all time favorite actors.  He was really great in this movie.
As I've been typing this morning, my finger tips are very sore,  I've been working on a quilt and I forgot how tyig quilts makes your finger tips sore.  I much have a few hundred holes in them.  Ouch

My Aunt Bonnie, center of photo, back row, sent me this BLAST FROM THE PAST this week.  This is my Grandpa Brown, my Aunt Jerry, my Sister Laurie, Aunt Bonnie and me.  yes, I do believe I have a bird cage on top of my head.  WOWSERS!!!!  Thanks Bonnie, it really put a smile on my face. I hope your week has been a good one too.  SLY Robynn