Happy Halloween!!!!!!!

Our Mansfield Thiots
Skyler, Kara, Dick and I got to go to Mansfield for Trunk or Treat on Saturday night.  Their ward does a marvelous job of providing games and prizes prior to trunk or treat.  We loved getting to see the kids play the fun games and we loved getting to pass our treats while Ricky and Becky too Brooklyn and Addison and Sky and Kara took Harper around to the cars to collect treats.  What fun it was to be there to cheer for Brooklyn when she won the Best Costume Award.  She was darling dressed as Amelia Earhart.  What a great airplane she was flying.  She was pretty thrilled.  Before they came to Trunk or Treat they carved their pumpkins into Jack-o-lanterns.  What fun!!!!

Our Charlottesville Granges
Jake, Tatia, Penny, Max and Oscar had fun at their wards Trunk or treat on Saturday night too.  Penny was dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, Max was the Big Bad Wolf and Oscar got to be the Wood Chopper who saved the day.  They looked awesome.  Gigi was a big help in making Penny's costume before they left town.  Tatia finished up the hood and made the cutest apron ever to go on it.  Max wore the Wolf Costume Tatia had made Jake a few years ago and Oscar was thrilled being a wood cutter and looked pretty amazing sporting the Uncle Pierce look alike beard.  He wore it proudly.  Penny's school has Story Book Character Day on Halloween and she is looking forward to going as Red Riding Hood and taking her Red Riding hood story book.

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie, Keelie and Callum got to attend the Primary hosted Halloween Celebration on Saturday afternoon.  Keelie was dressed as a darling Alice in Wonderland and Callum was the Ace of Diamonds.  What fun costumes.  Well Done! On Wednesday night they did a bit of Pumpkin carving. It was fun but I wish someone could invent a less messy Halloween Tradition.  he he he

Our LA Thiots
Pierce and Adelaide's costumes at Party number 2.  How cute are they? On Saturday morning I got to face time with Adelaide.  She and Jackson were laying on their mom and dad's bed both either being babies or pretending to be babies.  It was hilarias and I loved watching them.  Then they were on their way to go get some donuts for breakfast.  It's called Royal Donut Shop and they make really really good donuts.  They made their travel reservations to come to Texas for Thanksgiving.  We are hoping to get to share them while they are here visiting Stacy's family for the holiday.

Our Down Town Thiots
Early voting started this week and I think Sky was the first one in line down town to cast his ballot. Kara is still registered in Collin County so on Saturday they came to Plano for Kara to vote.  I LOVED having them come for lunch and study the candidates and visit with us for a while.  What a cute family they are.  I'm so glad they came to Trunk or Treat with us too.

We Plano Thiots

Dick left right after church to head to Florida for the first half of the week.  He has a system to install that he had to be on site to do.  Much of his work he can do from a distance, but some things you have to be right there to be sure it all works out.  I'm hoping it works well. He sent me this photo from the beach that his hotel is right on.  What a beautiful place.  Dick loves the ocean and I hope can rest up a bit there while working so hard.
Saturday morning we had a miracle.  Our garage has been waiting to be cleaned out for over a year.  It finally happened yesterday.  We can now fit a car inside.  WAHOOO!
Dick and I were released from our Stake Calling as Single Adult Advisors and they sustained the new couple today.  We worked hard to get all of our "stuff" organized to pass along to the new folks.  Something that comes with the job title is the responsibility of storing the "stuff".  Our garage space is a bit freed up with five totes departing soon.
I hope you've had a nice week and that you have felt the love of our Heavenly Father in your life, like I have mine.  SLY Robynn

Our State Fair is a GR-8 State Fair!

Our Mansfield Thiots
Our State Fair is a Great State Fair, Don't Miss it, Don't even be late.  Thursday was State Fair day for the girls and they were out of school.  It did not disappoint.  They loved the Cotton Candy and hot dogs and got a package of seeds at the vegetable display.  They can't wait to plant zucchini squash and cucumbers next spring.  It was the Primary Program in their ward on Sunday.  Graypa and I loved being able to attend and hear them do their parts.  I was so proud of how all three of them had their parts memorized and did such a wonderful jobs

Our Charlottesville Granges
What a fun week it was with Jake's parents in town.  Tatia said she enjoyed them so much and the kids were so sad when they drove away this morning.  On Saturday, they took a mini trip to Staunton, Virginia.  There is a Frontier Culture Museum and everybody LOVED it! They had old guns and old things that were fun to see.  I loved these pictures Tatia took of them there.  The Mustaches were available at the check in counter to make you feel at home.  Lots of fun times

 Our Carmichael Thiots
Saturday night, the Carmichael Thiot's hosted a pre-halloween party and invited their friends to watch the  Casper Movie that was made many years ago.  Funny how it's still great after all those  years. Something about a back yard spooky movie is even more fun.  My Uncle Bud was in Sacramento this weekend for a bowling Tournament.  We affectionately call him "Bud the Bowler"  and they weren't able to get together but Char got to visit with him on the phone for a few minutes.  Family is the BEST!

Our LA Thiots
It was trunk or treat at church this weekend and the LA Thiots went as the Pumpkin Family.  They looked adorable.  I loved their striped legs and happy smiles. I got to face time with Adelaide and Pierce this morning.  I thought he was going to be in Cleveland but his trip was cancelled or postponed.  He was happy to be home with his sweet family.  Adelaide was fixing me something yummy to eat and was showing me where she wanted to put her Christmas tree in her little play house when it gets closer to Christmas.  I loved it.

Our Down Town Thiots
Have you heard of the Masterpiece Theatre series called Poldark?  I hadn't heard of it until my Sister was here last weekend and we tried to watch it without luck.  After she left, Dick helped me find it and we are hooked.  I was telling Skyler about it today and he told me that he and Kara love the show.  The actors really remind me of Sky and Kara.  It's going to be fun I am sure.  Sky and Kara are at the 7th Grade Football game tonight.  Monday nights for the past six weeks have been Monday Night Football.  Kara has 15 students who are on the 7th Grade team and they love it when Mr. & Mrs. Thiot come to cheer them on.  Way cool!

We Plano Thiots
This weekend was "The Great Family Search"  Our Family History Center sponsors a conference each fall and this was the weekend.  I was able to help set up and take down and pass our packets.  Not nearly as stressful as the last weekend, but busy once again.  I'm looking forward to a "nothing" weekend coming up.

Dick was asked to design the web site for the Stake Youth Nauvoo Trip that is happening over spring break. He spent quite a bit of time working on the site and I'm happy to say, it's up and running and we have eleven youth registered already.  WHEW!!!! Dick was invited to golf on a team for the BYU Management Society's scholarship Golf Tournment.  He and Ricky were on the same team and had a great time.

Sunday night was the Temple Devotional for Temple workers.  We are getting a new presidency on November 1st and so the Going Out Presidency spoke and the incoming one spoke. I have LOVED serving with the out going ones.  Two of the Three are from our stake and I already loved them.  Our New President and Matron have served on my shift at the temple on Friday morning and I already love them.  I'm looking forward to getting acquainted with the new counselors.  It was a magnificent evening with the Millennial Choir Singing that sounded like angels.  WOWSERS!!! Oh how I love the temple.  I'm so grateful that Dick has made it possible for me to serve there. It has blessed our lives for sure.  I hope you've had a good week.  Have a bootiful one getting ready for Halloween!  Sure Love you, Robynn

We Survived!!!!!

Our Mansfield Thiots
Grandparents Day at Harpers school on Tuesday was truly a delightful day.  Little Hearts Pre-school made it a very special time for Grandparents and their Grandchildren.  They had a fun lady come and so "magic" for us and she held everyone's attention for an hour.  I don't think a single child moved a muscle.  She was silly and fun.  We loved having Harper on our lap and in our heart.  There is something almost magical about having one on one time with Grands.  Brooklyn and Addison are back on the Reid Runners after school and are approaching the end of their soccer seasons.  Busy times in Mansfield.

Our Charlottesville Granges
Saturday was a big day in Charlottesville.  Jake's parents arrived for a visit.  A few months ago, they bought a new van and have been traveling across the United States visiting family and friends.  They are not on any set schedule and can stay as long as they like.  Max has been thrilled to have Bumpa there and they are often found side by side either playing or reading a good book together.  Oscar is loving all the hugging time and extra attention and Penny is thrilled to have them there.  What a fun time.  It's cooling off in Virginia and time for sweaters, but nobody wants to give up the freedom of not wearing them.

Our Carmichael Thiots
Callum's after school class started this week and as you might imagine, he is really enjoying it and wishes it was every day after school instead of only once.  The first class they learned about lawn mowers and how they work and then they each got to build one using Kinex.  That was one happy little boy building away.  Callum and Charlie are very much alike.  I can only imagine that Charlie would have thrived in a class like that as  a five year old too.  I loved this water fall Charlie photographed between rain storms this weekend.  Welcome the rain California!

Our LA Thiots
Pierce left a week ago Monday to begin  his European tour of shooting for the new commercial he is working on.  His schedule is a very intense and busy one and Stacy and the kids are missing him at home but keeping busy too.  Our little Jackson is almost five months old and is doing great.  Making new sounds and learning new things every day.  Adelaide is loving being back in preschool and I can only imagine how much her teachers must love her.  She is one fun little lady!.

Our Down Town Thiots
Skyler's shirts that he designed with the Sports Talk Radio Station have been flying off the shelves. He's working hard to get them all mailed.  They are the softest shirts. I loved them.  Our key note speaker at our Singles Conference loves the Dallas Cowboys and Sky was able to get one for him.  He was way thrilled with it.  Go Sky!  When Sky and Kara came for Sunday dinner, Kara brought a big pile of papers she was working on to get graded. I was so wishing we could help but she had a great system.  What a cute English Teachers.  Lucky students.

We Plano Thiots

This past weekend was one we have been thinking about and planning for for the past three years. When Dick and I were called to help with the Single Adult Program in our stake, this was on the radar screen.  To be honest, three years seemed like forever and we didn't realize we would still be in our calling by that time.  So the majority of the planning has been going on since January.  I don't think I realized what we were undertaking.  We had 478 wonderful, amazing, loving Single Adults sign up to come.  Many from the Dallas Fort Worth Area, but many many came from much further away.  I loved meeting and greeting so many good people and feeling the spirit they brought with them and the sweet spirit that came through our speakers and workshop presenters, the service project, the fireside.  It was amazing.  I am so grateful for all the helping hands who came to assist us and will never forget their enthusiasm and help as they would arrive in the middle of the night to help us set up for the next event.  But my very most favorite part was the angel who came from Sandy, Utah to help calm my nerves and make it all work out. When I talked to Lani last Tuesday night for 2 1/2 hours and shared all the worries I had she said, "Why don't I just come and help you?"  Oh my goodness those were the best words ever.  For Lani's job, she does several conferences a year where she is in charge of coordinating the event.  She was a HUGE help and we couldn't have done what we did without her for sure. THANK YOU Lani!  When she got to the airport on Thursday afternoon, she looked over and saw a familiar face that was our Uncle Mike.  He was coming to Dallas for his grandson Oliver's 10th Birthday.  They made it extra special and we loved getting together for Sunday dinner with Ricky & Becky and the girls, and Sky and Kara and Pamela and Clayton and boys and Uncle Mike and Lani!  WOWSERS, Family is the Best!

Miracles of Regional Singles Conference Joy in the Journey

Lani came!!!! Saved the day!

Lanetta getting to help at registration and went to workshops with Lani.  She loved my big pearls and wore them all afternoon.

Nick Ryan’s cell phone find  Dick was ready to leave and was prompted to circle the building one more time.  He found Nick in the lot trying to get back into the building.  He’d left his phone inside.  Dick let him in, called his phone and they located it in the chapel. Miracle!

We had cobblers left over that blessed many lives

The miracle of the sheet cakes.  Many singles took home big pieces for their kids who have sacrificed their weekends

Todd Hansen was a treasure in helping us all feel like our lives are ok.  The worth of souls is great and everybody has a story.  WE have our own stories and that is how it should be.

Bob Bytheway graduated from Singles Conference

John Came to the conference looking so handsome

Brother Britt Berrett was a real gem at the fireside Joy in Lehi’s Journey and six points of how to make our journey’s joyful too

Sister Linda K Burton,  a DELIGHTFUL Disciples of Jesus Christ.  I love her and her sweet hug

Karen Faucette!  A lovely leader and powerful prayer.  Watch out what you pray for

Leslie Harms, A wonderful advertising gal.  Can’t wait to have her over to the Thiot Retreat

Sharon from Gilbert Arizona, a kindred spirit

Tina and ? from playing giant jenga

Loved the letter/word game

Jets Pizza was delish

Reverse parable of the loaves and the fishes.  Lots of extra food that was able to bless many lives that needed blessing

Our baseball field camper on his motorcycle

Craig and Vickie’s motorcycles made for lots of fun photos a bit tricky getting in the building. oops

Cute Tess taking photos all weekend

Hillary’s story of the people who came who had not eaten in days and were fed physically and spiritually,

A sister who stayed at the Fairfield inn who was hired for the night to work. And possibly a job

Favorite workshops:  Brother Lucero

The Hunt for the Notebooks,  miracles at Walmart.  I was kind of wishing for all blue, but what fun it was to watch everybody choose a favorite color and act tickeled about them.  I loved watching everyone taking notes and enjoying them.

A shoulder and neck rub from Wendy Walcott.  WOWSERS!!! She put the Smile back on my face after being a bit stressed about the food

Lani’s gift of remembering peoples names and loving them all!

Going to the Morning Side with Sister Burton.

I enjoyed the Kareoki Friday night with  John Johnson

I loved Marvalee, Gemie’s baby sister coming.

I loved Lani being invited to pray after the key note speaker Todd Hansen and bless our lunch.

Cobbler Kit making day with Janalee and Shirly

Shirly Boots was an angel

Take me out to the Ballgame!

Our Mansfield Thiots
This was a double header week of seeing our sweet Mansfield Thiots.  I loved going on Tuesday and we had such fun added some shimmer and glimmer to some pumpkins.  I love spending time with those cute girls.  The time always goes by so fast.  Becky had made some Scotcheroos which tasted better than any I had ever eaten before.  When I asked for the recipe she said it was my recipe.  Oh my goodness.  She took my recipe and really improved it.  Thanks Becky!  Later that night Brooklyn called and had lost another tooth.  She pulled it herself!  Go Girl! Then we got to stop by on Friday before Charlie jumped back on his plane for the girls to do a bike riding rodeo for Charlie.  He loved it and we are so proud of what good bike riders they are all turning into.  Such fun!

Our Charlottesville Granges
One of the best days of the week was when Jake got a text from our good friend Ben saying he was in Richmond and invited the Granges to come join him for dinner at a restaurant of their choice. Everybody agreed that Cafe' Rio would be perfect and so off they went.  They had a wonderful time with Uncle Ben who spoiled them like they were kings.  After dinner, they played Freeze Tag in the parking lot and they loved it.  Oh what fun that was and then Ben spied the Cheese Cake Factory and sent them home with cheese cake to enjoy later.  The rest of the week was good too.  When Tatia and the boys, picked up Penny at the bus stop one afternoon, they decided it felt like a slurpee day and so they walked to the 7-11.  It was a bit further than it it when you drive and everyone came home quite exhausted after the long walk. Especially the mom pushing the jogging stroller that sometimes had all three little granges on board.  WHEW!

Our Carmichael Thiots
This was the weekend that Charlie came into town for 30 hours.  He arrived at noon on Thursday and hit the ground running.  Dick and Char met up with Sky and Ricky for lunch at Chuys.  Char had heard us talk of Chuy's but had never been.  He agreed that it was GOOD and HOT.  Unfortunately, the final score of the Ranger game was not very good or hot.  The Rangers were beat but it was still a very fun Thiot boy time.  They missed Pierce and wished he had of come too.  Charlie was able to eat at his favorite restaurants and I got to  make him his favorite breakfast on Friday morning.  French toast with cheese in the middle and bacon on the top.   YUMMY!  Thanks for coming Charlie!  We loved having you here.

Our LA Thiots
In preparation for Pierce's upcoming travel schedule, he and Adelaide have been trying to squeeze in some extra daddy daughter dates.  Saturday was a very fun one when they went to Disneyland for the whole day together.  They had a wonderful day and have lots of memories for Adelaide to hang on to while daddy is away.  Pierce left on Monday night for 10 days in the UK!  Good luck on your adventure PJ!  Stacy, Adelaide and Jackson will keep the home fires burning and will look forword to face time calls catching up often.

Our Down Town Thiots
I'm happy to report that Sky got his car back from the body shop on Monday and is hoping they did their best work.  Sky got to be our personal tour guide on Friday afternoon at the Dallas World Aquarium.  We took Charlie who hadn't been for years and he enjoyed it a lot.  It's always fun to go with Sky who knows his way around so well.  We didn't have time to see everything so we focused on favorites, the shark tunnel, the penguins, the jellyfish, the manatee, the jaguar and a few others along the way.  Then Sky treated us to a new cookie shop right next door where they warm the cookies up for you. Oh my goodness, a bit of heaven on earth for sure! I was sad it didn't work to get to see Kara.

We Plano Thiots
There were many happy moments this week with Charlie in town, but we lost a couple of dear ones this week.  First was a dear sister in our stake, Heidi Grice who had just given birth 2 weeks ago.  She had high blood pressure and a blood clot and she was gone.  She left six little children and a heart broken husband behind.  Oh my, such hard things.  Then we lost a dear friend Don Taylor who is the 2nd son of The Taylor family who brought Dick into the church.  He was diagnosed with ALS two years ago and it took him quickly.  What a dear, kind and loving man.  When people would ask what ALS stood for he would say, "Always Loving the Savior"   He was truly a great disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.  We will miss him.  The last one was my Mom's, Mom's baby sister.  Aunt Ruthie had recently turned 91 years old.  She was just 10 when my mom was born and she and my mom were very dear to eachother.  I'm sure they had a very happy reunion in heaven when she returned.  I was able to attend Heidi's sweet funeral and Dick and I attended Don's and my Dad and Lani and Uncle Mike were able to attend Aunt Ruthies.  I love all three of these dear souls.   This edition of Our Thiot Times is a bit delayed as I was not feeling well on Sunday and Monday was a crazy day preparing for our Single Adult Conference we are hosting this weekend.  Our registration has grown to over 400 and we are trying to figure out where to seat and how to feed everyone.  We are thrilled and excited.  Please say a prayer for us.  Sure love you all,  Robynn

General Conference @ Our Thiot Times

Our Mansfield Thiots
General Conference comes twice a year.  The First weekend of April and the First weekend of October.  It has long been a favorite of mine and I'm so glad that it's becoming the very same for my grandchildren.  Ricky's family got invited over to their friends for the Sunday morning session and they loved taking notes and making pictures in their Conference Journals we made on Tuesday this week.  What fun girls!

Our Charlottesville Granges
Tatia's family also loves conference.  She worked hard to set up lots of fun and quiet activities to make it enjoyable for them.  When the first session was over on Saturday, Penny asked how long she had to wait until the next session.  She loves it.  Tatia also started a fun tradition of inviting some friends over during the Saturday night Priesthood session.  They made pumpkin rolls and had some yummy treats too.  Love those pumpkin rolls!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Today is Charlie's 34th birthday and Keelie surprised him with an amazing sign that she made for him all by herself.  She is so fun and so very thoughtful.  As you can imagine, Charlie loved it.  They enjoyed watching conference for his Birthday today.  The year Charlie was born, it was on Conference Sunday.  It often falls on his birthday making it even more special.  I can't wait to see him this coming Thursday when Ricky, Dick, Skyler and Char will cheer for the Rangers at their first play off game of the session.  Go Rangers and Happy Birthday Char!

Our LA Thiots
Can you believe this little guy turned four months old this week?  Oh he has the cutest smile and just gets more fun every single day.  I love this picture of him and I love his toes how they curl just like his dads and his uncles.  Quite a Thiot Talent he has already acquired.  Our LA Thiots enjoyed watching conference together too.  What a wonderful time to spend together.

Our Down Town Thiots
On Wednesday night, Sky was meeting Kara at her sisters home for the Birthday Party for her twin sons who are turning 15 years old.  On the way there, Skyler got rear ended by a young driver who was paying more attention to his phone than what was in front of him.  OUCH, fortunatly, nobody was hurt and Sky is still waiting to hear from the adjuster if they will fix his car or total it.  I'm so sorry guys.

We Plano Thiots
Even Rocky the dog loves Conference at our house.  It was a wonderful weekend but it went by way too fast.  I can't wait to go study my notes from conference and shape up.  Sure love you all, Robynn