Saying GoodBye to July!

Our Mansfield Thiots
Can you believe today is the very last day of  July?  What a speedy month this has been.  The best news is that Ricky's Girls are back in town!!!!  Late Tuesday night, three little girls and their cute mom arrived home from their California Summer Vacation.  They were all looking very tan and darling.  It was so very very good to see them.  Dick and I couldn't resist being at the airport when they returned. Welcome Home Girls! I'm not sure there is a happier man in all of Mansfield Texas than Ricky.

Our Charlottesville Granges
It's been a good and busy week in Virginia.  Penny has been counting down to Kindergarten Camp which is Monday-Wednesday of this week.  That is one girl who is ready for Back to School.  They took a mini road trip this week to take their friend Gerrie to see her daughter in a town about an hour and a half away.  They found the nicest park to have a picnic lunch and play while Gerrie and her daughter got together.  They loved it and had so much fun. Jake was able to be part of the Clean Up Crew in West Virginia on Saturday.  They got to help clean up after the floods the past few weeks.  What a good man you are Jake Grange!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie and his kids had a nice stop at the Sacramento Temple this week.  In Primary this month the theme has been all about Temples and the Primary has encouraged the children to go to the temple grounds and feel the sweet spirit that abides there.  I loved the pictures Charlie sent me from the temple with his darling children.  I love to see the temple, I'm going there some day. To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and obey.  For the Temple is the House of God, a place of Love and Beauty, I'll prepare myself while I am young, this is my sacred duty.  On Saturday they had a fun bike ride to the pool for a swim to cool off on a hot day.  They had a great time.

Our L.A. Thiots
Our Jackson turned 2 months old this week.  In some ways I can't remember not having him in our family and in other ways, these two months have zipped right quickly along.  I love that he smiled for his two month old photo shoot.  I can hardly wait to see him this coming up weekend for his baby blessing.  Adelaide had a wonderful time on Saturday swimming without her floaties.  She is a great little swimmer.  Go Adelaide!  She is like a little fishy in the water.  Pierce will head to New York City this Tuesday for his new job.  He is looking forward to the trip but will miss his cute family. He will be back on Friday.

Our Downtown Thiots

Skyler was my hero this week. My Aunt Marie's daughter Michelle, is going through radiation and Chemo therapy for Ovarian Cancer.  If you know Michelle, you know that she loves snails.  A dear friend of hers has been crocheting her a snail each time she has a chemo treatment.  She LOVES these snails and has a big container she keeps them in.  Sky designed a label to put on her jar with her name.  I LOVED how he made the letter A into a snail.   You are amazing Sky!  Thank you! They have had a good week getting settled into their new home.  They are trying to find just the right place for everything.  I can't wait to see it all put together.  Way to go you two!

We Empty Nester Thiots
This has not been Dick's best week.  About six weeks ago, Dick started walking in the evening.  He usually takes Rocky with him, but Rocky had hurt his leg so on Wednesday night he didn't take him on  his usual long walk.  This dog in the photo, snuck up on Dick from behind and grabbed his ankle and bit him hard.  The crazy thing is, this dog along with another one, are running wild in our neighborhood.  Nobody knows who they belong to and because they can't catch them, they've had Dick take the rabies shots just in case.  What a mean old thing this has been.  On Wednesday night we were in the emergency room for 2 1/2 hours starting the first round with 20 shots.  They had to shoot it all around the bite site and then two in his legs and two in his arms.  OUCH!  He was very brave but it was evident, it was not easy.  The nurse kept apologizing for having to give him so many.  He has three more rounds of shots.  We keep hoping they would catch these dogs so he wouldn't have to go through this if they tested safe.  Please keep Dick in your prayers and these mean old hooligan dogs to get caught. I hope your week has been better than Dick's. Keep Smiling!  SLY Robynn

Happy Pioneer Day

2015 Pioneer bonnet sewing day, sooo fun

Our Mansfield Thiots

Dick, Ricky & Sky at Simons for lunch earlier this week.  They all love it and I'm so grateful they don't invite me.  This is Ricky's last weekend to play while the girls are away.  They will return on Tuesday and we are ALL getting so excited to see them again.  Ricky's best buddy Blake came into town and they have really had a good time.  I'm sad we didn't fit into their busy schedule but understand.  Ricky has said many times if we had a swimming pool we would be more fun.  We do have a green blow up pool, but I guess that isn't what he has in mind.  They went to Waco, no not to the Magnolia Farms Home Decorating village, but to the other attraction in Waco, the Wake Board Park that is becoming more and more popular each year.  They are both still alive with smiles on.  Blake goes home today which gives Ricky two days to get the yard and house ready for the girls to come home.

Our Charlottesville Granges
On Thursday, the Granges celebrated Christmas in July!  It's become a very fun tradition to invite some friends over and to have a yummy dinner, lots of Christmas story books, some fun singing time and this year, the family that came just happened to be a Balloon Artist.  Justin brought a bag of balloons and everyone was thrilled, Maybe Oscar the most thrilled as he was gifted a Sword!  Oh my goodness, what fun times. Now these same friends have gone on a vacation and have trusted the Granges to tend their beta fish named Gil.  Wow, they are thrilled.    On Saturday they made Gingersnaps and Snickerdoodles and prepared a package for the Bishopric of the Charlottesville 2nd Ward.  Last Sunday, they realigned the boundaries for the ward and they were shuffled over to the 1st Ward.  After 3 years, changes can be hard, but they are looking forward to  meeting new friends and they just found out that Jake's little sisters husband Shawn, has a cousin who is coming to Med School and will be in their ward.  They will actually be staying with them for a while until their apartment is ready.  What great luck!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Friday night was the Awards ceremony/dinner for the Piranha's Swim Team.  It's been a wonderful season and it's coming to a close.  The awards were given and Keelie and Callum came home with some great looking medals.  Congratulations to you two great swimmers.  On Saturday, they didn't have a swim meet and decided to do a little housekeeping and then to break out the monster trucks for some racing.  They had a great time and only had to stop a few times to recharge the batteries.  Charlie said those batteries last quite a long time.  Charlie was wishing he had one to race too.  Keelie and Callum love doing that and Garfield Lane is a great road to race on.  Keelie and Callum and I got to do a little school uniform shopping this week together on line.  It was pretty fun.  I think school uniforms are such a smart way to go.

Our L.A. Thiots
I got to face time with Pierce and Adelaide for a few minutes on Friday evening.  Adelaide was not very happy.  She has been a binky girl since she was born and it's now time to give it up.  She is a big sister and all, and Pierce has told her that when Grammy and Oma come for the baby blessing that she needs to give her paci's to them to take home with them.  When Pierce gave his binky's up, we had him toss them into the Garbage truck and our garbage man let him push the button to compact them into the trash.  Oh my, Pierce was THRILLED!  She is such a dear little girl and does love not one paci but three of them. I love you Adelaide!

Our Down Town Thiots
A Certificate of Occupancy was presented to the Butler Apartments on Wednesday which made move in possible on Saturday.  Most of their stuff has been there since July 1st but now they call have sleep overs there too.  Dick and I were invited to the moving on in party on Saturday morning.  I was excited to get to see their apartment.  Sky had invited me to come Friday after the temple but I was too tired and nervous to make the drive down town.  I need to work on being braver for sure.  I think they are going to really enjoy living there and once they find places for everything.  It's got an amazing view out the west facing windows.  They will see the gorgeous sunsets that we often have along with the skyline to down down.  After getting everything in the apartment, we went over to the Farmers Market for lunch.  Some cute farmers were roasting corn on the cob and that smelled and tasted so good.  Then we couldn't resist the fried cherry pies that were scrumptious too.  I've lived in Texas for a LONG time and have never been to the farmers market.  We bought some beautiful tomatoes and a cantaloupe.  Can't wait to slice it up for breakfast.  Thanks Down Town Thiots!

Our Trip to Nauvoo just a few years ago

We Empty Nester Thiots
Dick had an interesting trip to Austin early in the week.  The trip down was fine and the meetings planned were rearranged but all went quite well.  On the way home, when they arrived, the Southwest ticket counter lines were huge.  The computers were down and ALL flights on Southwest airlines were cancelled.  Jerry, who was in charge of the group in Austin, said lets try American Airlines. They purchased one way tickets home to Dallas only American lands at DFW airport where they cars were parked at Love Field.  No problem, Sky and Kara went and picked up Dick.  Thanks Uber Drivers.

Happy Pioneer Day today!  I get to be sister leading the singing in Primary again today and we are going to sing as many pioneer songs as we have time to sing.  I made some posters yesterday with words and I can't wait.  Here Comes the Ox Cart oh sooooooo slow, remember that one?  How about For Some Must Push and Some Must Pull as we go Marching Up the Hill?  Or Pioneer Children sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked and walked? But my favorite will always be...

You Don’t have to push a handcart, leave your family dear…

Or walk a thousand miles or more, to be a pioneer

You do have to have great courage, strength to concur fear

And work with might for a cause that is right, To Be A Pioneer!

We are marching, ever marching, We are Pioneers!

We were very short handed at the temple on Friday and we had some miracles happen.  I love the painting of the pioneers that show angels coming to help them push and pull.  We literally had angels come and help us.  It was a very sweet experience that I will not soon forget. 
I hope you have had a wonderful Pioneer Day.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBn-kzRZKCA 

This is the link for the Tabernacle Choir's Pioneer Day program. WONDERFUL!  Enjoy and have a great week.  SLY Robynn

Oh What do you do in the Summertime?

Our Mansfield Thiots
Our California Camping Girls had a wonderful week camping, hiking, fishing and relaxing.  When I asked the girls what their favorite part of the week, everyone agreed that Fishing was the best.  They each caught a fish, gave it a kiss and released it back into the lake so it could grow a little bigger.  I'm so glad they had such a fun time.  They hiked up to a glacier and saw SNOW!  They were thrilled. Ricky's week was also a bit more exciting than usual.  He was sent on a training trip to Minnesota 3M to train on some new equipment that he will be selling and installing soon.  I was sure he must have been going to the Mall of America which has all the indoor coaster rides, but he assured me he was there for business and not pleasure.  It looks like their was a fun group he was training with when you see them.

Our Charlottesville Granges
A definite highlight of the week happened on Tuesday when Chik fil A hosted, Dress Like a Cow and have a free dinner on them.  Tatia had 3 darling little cows that she took and they had an extra fun time and were so nice they got an ice cream cone too.  Thank you Chik Fil A!  You treated many of the Thiot's to Tuesday night dinner.  Summer is in full swing in Charlottesville, they've had some rainy days still but plenty of sun shine as well.  Lots of time to enjoy playing outside at the parks. Jake has been on his LAST crazy rotation and they are hoping to see a lot more of him this week than last.  He left before the kids woke up and returned after they were long asleep.

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie has started a fun tradition.  I'm not even sure when he began, but I want to follow in his shoes.  He has begun having Temple Tuesdays or Thursday or Friday.  He has also started taking a photo of the temple when he comes out and the sun has gone down.  This weeks was especially beautiful.  Such an interesting angle.  I loved it and I'm sure you will too.  Last weekend he snapped a fun photo of Keelie driving Charlie's jeep and Callum driving his jeep.  Charlie assured me that Keelie was just posing driving the jeep and not actually driving.  Fun photo Char!  Also, Keelie had a BLAST with her friend Maren and her family in Santa Cruz earlier this week.  Maren's mom sent plenty of photos to verify the fun that was being had.  I loved when Charlie shared them with me too.  Awesome!

Our L.A. Thiots
Remember Pierce's awesome commercial which featured all the letters Football great Peyton Manning had written over the past many years?  Well I'm happy and proud to report that it was nominated for an Emmy award as one of the four best commercials of the year.  No, I was not surprised at all.  It was for sure my favorite and I'm glad the nominating committee agreed. Congratulations Pierce!  Our sweet Adelaide had a little bug this week but I'm glad to report she is feeling much improved. It's been hard to have Pierce go back to work full time.  She loved the six weeks he was home helping after our new Jackson arrived.  Speaking of Jackson, I got to face time with him this week and it was so fun to see his beautiful face and get to talk to him.  I'm getting so excited to see him in a few weeks for his baby blessing.  Stacy had a girls night out with friends to go see the new Ghost Buster Movie on Friday night.  I haven't heard what she thought of it.  I hope it was fun.

Our Down Town Thiots
Another busy week in the books for out down town Thiots.  Sky and Kara took a 40 hour trip to Utah this week.  While there flight was waiting to leave, they saw Airforce 1 land bringing President Obama to Dallas for the Memorial Service for the Dallas Police officers shot last week.  Kara's last bridesmaid was sealed in the brand new Provo City Center Temple on Wednesday.  They were glad they could go to support her and her husband.  Kara was in charge of the Shoe Game at the reception and sure made that fun.  I want to play some time soon.  It sounded very clever just like our Kara.  Skyler was pretty excited about attending the Weird Al Concert on Saturday night and found out just a little bit before leaving that the tickets he thought he had bought, were no longer available.  ugggg.  Not to worry, he was able to put on his first CD he ever bought of Weird Al and had his own concert in his old room where he used to listen to it.  I like how Sky can turn disappointment into something fun.

We Plano Thiots
Dick has had a very busy week at the office.  He started the week with two major problems to solve and as the week went on, problems grew but after spending all day Saturday there too, he said he is in much better shape than he began the week.  He has been selected to be on the transition team for DCS and that means a midweek trip to Austin this coming week to help transition the folks who got the new State of Texas contract.  He was not too disappointed that DCS did not get it. They will find other things to work on no doubt. On Prime Day Tuesday, Dick ordered some fun outdoor lights to hang up in the back yard.  He was pretty excited to get them hung up when they arrived and it just brightens up the yard.  Thanks Dick!
I got to spend Thursday at the dentist office.  Not my favorite place to be, but always good to have behind you.  It was good to be back at the Family History Center on Thursday afternoon.  It had been 4 weeks since I had been with our out of town trip and then we were closed for 2 weeks of summer vacation.  I missed those sweet ladies I serve with and it was fun to gear up for the World Wide indexing that is going on this weekend. I was thrilled to find some beginner ones that needed doing on Saturday.

I'm looking forward to Primary today.  I was asked to sub in Primary for Sister Leading the Singing. There is a brand new Pioneer Song that Janice Kapp Perry wrote and I am planning on teaching it today.  Oh how I love Pioneer Songs. https://www.lds.org/children/music/music-videos?lang=eng#when-i-hear-of-pioneer-children   I hope that works so you can hear it too.  I hope you have had a good week and that you know how often we think of you and love you.  SLY Robynn

Our July 4th Week

Our Mansfield Thiots
Ricky's girls had a great 4th of July and week in California.  They enjoyed watching the new movie about Pets and what they do when they are home alone and loved getting to swim every day and go on hikes and drive four wheelers and shoot bb guns.  They have been living in Kid Heaven for the past nearly two weeks.  They were leaving today to go on a camping trip in Nana and Papa's new camping trailor for a few days at the lake.  They gave me the tour on Face Time and I loved seeing all the fun things in the trailor.  They have stuff to make s'mores and there is a microwave to pop popcorn.  Talk about a wonderful adventure they are in for.  They showed me Nana's garden with lots of strawberries, blueberrys and egg plants and water melons growing.  YUMMY! I'm so happy they are having such a good time. Ricky came and spent some time with us on the 4th.  We went to lunch at JC's Burger House which is always good.  He went to a buddy's house to watch boxing or marshall arts or something manly on TV last night.  He's keeping the yard mowed and everything looking good at home.  Way to go Ricky!

Max prior to going to the Barbershop

Max after his visit to the barbershop

Penny, Max and Oscar at the Library

Oscars new ball almost as big as he is

A Daniel Tiger Picnic, what fun!

Our Charlottesville Granges
Today was Penny's first talk in Primary this year.  She spoke about the Temple and about how  much she loves the temple.  She had several pictures she held up to help her give her talk.  She called us this morning and practiced giving her talk with us.  We LOVED it!  I loved this photo of her out front of the Washington DC temple.  It's the closest one to them right now and she loves it.  Max had a little more excitement this week than he was planning on.  On Tuesday, Penny has gymnastics class and Max and Oscar play in the hall while she has her class.  There is a vending machine that sells snacks and the kids love to go look at all the snacks.  Right next to the vending machine is a fire alarm.  Max was kind of interested in what it was a gave it a pull.  Oh  my goodness, the loudest siren went off and 2 big firetrucks arrived and a small one and everyone had to evacuate the building.  It has several floors, a medical center, a school and the gymnastics classes are just a few of the things that were there.  It was a crazy day and I don't think any of us will forget for a while.  We will NEVER touch a fire alarm again unless it is necessary.  If we see something that looks interesting, we will be sure and ask first.  Oscar has taken a giant step of growing up this week.  Something about being a walking boy has transported him into a toddler and not a baby any more.  I loved the photos of him this week eating at the table with the big kids,  playing computers at the library like a big kid and playing with a ball that is nearly as big has he is.  WOWSERS!

These are the Fab Five Cousins born in 1982  WOWSERS  

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie's family had a very fun July 4th.  Actually the 3rd was mighty fun as well.  They had freinds over to do some fireworks and Charlie took this amazing photo with the flag and fireworks. I LOVE it and want a big one printed up.  I loved this photo of the Fab Five cousins that my cousin Marci posted on July 4th.  Charlie was the 2nd cousin born in 1982, Chris Borget on the far right was born a few days before Charlie, then Char, then Brian Borget who lives in Austin, Texas and is a police officer, then Jamie Cline in November and Justin Danielson in December.  What fun it was to see them all together in this photo.  Keelie is leaving today with her friend Maren to go to Santa Cruz for a few days.  She was so excited and was all packed up ready to go yesterday.  Have so much fun Keelie and be careful!!! Callum was looking forward to an Father and Son's night with his dad.  FUN! Like Maxwell, Callum got a nice short summer hair cut on Saturday too.  Makes you a faster swimmer for sure!

Thiot festive feet on July 3rd 

Adelaides new house

Our L.A. Thiots
Last night, Pierce and Adelaide finished up Pierce's birthday gift of a new play house.  They have had such fun painting it and building it together.  She was able to have her kitchen moved into the house and it's all set for playing inside.  She has been so excited to get to play.  She has a doorbell on her house and it has a clock inside and her own phone.  It's so fun to face time with her and get to play with her.  Pierce did an excellent job in home building and I just bet Adelaide will have many fun hours playing in her house. I espeically love the Flag of America flying on the front of her house. Pierce started his new job on Tuesday morning and said it's going well.  He is going to be great at it and is looking forward to his new adventure.

Our State Capital building in Austin

Our Down Town Thiots
It's been a crazy week for our Town Down, Upstairs Thiots.  Skyler can get in the apartment in the morning to build things and unpack and then has to leave when the workers leave.  It's been crazy.  They went to the Ranger Baseball game on Friday night and enjoyed it except for the final score.  Boo Hoo on loosing.  On Saturday afternoon they drove to Austin for a concert Saturday night and are coming home tonight.  Branson has stayed with us and has been watching the front door for Sky and Kara to return.  Rocky has been keeping him company.  I'm proud of how well they get along with each other.  

We Plano Thiots

We welcomed a new  great nephew into our family this week on July 7th.  Jordan and Jamie added a new little boy to their family.  Logan became a big brother and is way thrilled to have Parker in the family.  He has already gone home and is fitting in just right.

We enjoyed a patriotic concert this week with the Plano Community Band playing all their favorite marches and Patriotic music in the park.  It was so fun to have Skyler and Kara attend with us.  We loved it.   We joined our friends the Stephensens at the UPS Store to witness them signing their newly drawn up will on Tuesday night and then went to dinner with them.  It was sure fun. We had the Sister Missionaries over for Breakfast for Dinner on Wednesday night.  We loved the patriotic Waffles. Yummy! We got a new Sister Missionary named Sister Duncan.  I keep telling her we must be cousins and my Mom's dad's mothers family were Duncans.  I love her already.  On Thursday I spent most of my day working on the Schedule for the temple on Friday.  For some reason it was really a tricky one this week and I struggled with it for a long time.  Friday came and the schedule all changed as we were missing 3 of the gals I had planned for.  Maybe that is why it was tricking me so bad on Thursday.  Oh well, it all worked out.  When I arrived at the temple on Friday, the security man who opens the door asked me if I had heard about the horrible shooting the night before.  I had not and my heart has been sad ever since.  I'm not sure what we can do but there must be something to help.  I told Dick that it seems like our flags have been flying at half mast lately more than they have been up all the way.  What a hard time these last days truly are. I LOVED this quote.

On Saturday Dick and Ricky played golf with one of the Dentists Ricky works with and they had a nice time.  Dick took me to see the new movie about Pets when they are home alone.  I would say, save your money and wait for the dollar theatre.  It was  not my favorite.
I hope where ever you are, you know how loved you are and I hope you are doing alright.  Take good care of eachother. SLY Robynn