SOOO Thankful!

Our Mansfield Thiots
A family hike at the nature train proved very fun in the rock hunting for the girls.  They each found a rock in the campaign for "Mansfield Rocks".  They can't wait to paint some and hide them for others to find and make it a fun day for them.  Sunday afternoon the Mansfield Thiot's hosted a yummy taco lunch for Pierce's family.  We missed having Sky and Kara but they were busy getting ready for Kara to go back to school.  Lots of papers to read and grade.  It was fun to have some snuggle time with  Jackson and I loved watching Adelaide play with our girls.  What fun friends cousins make.

Our Charlottesville Granges
Tatia's family had a nice thanksgiving and invited a friend of theirs named Robert to join them in giving Thanks.  He lives away from family and was happy to be surrounded by their happy bunch. Tatia took two families Christmas card pictures over the weekend and then did her own families too.  She is amazing at setting up the shot on a tripod and running in to be in the photo.  She said they turned out great except for Oscar who wasn't sure how to smile at just a camera with nobody behind it.  Tatia said he looked a little grummy.  I love that darling boy who nearly always has a smile on his face.  Tatia took her kids on an adventure to the big city of Richmond for a trip to Hobby Lobby to get a few things to finish up her Christmas decorations.  It's looking like Christmas in Charlottesville!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie's family was invited to a friends home on Wednesday night for an early Thanksgiving Feast.  They all had a fun time and enjoyed the yummy meal.  All the grands got to open their Christmas Jammies after the feast and I requested photos for my family Christmas card.  Such cute little grandchildren Dick and I are blessed with.  I love getting Christmas cards ready to go into the mail.  What fun! On Sunday, they were invited to Charlie's buddy's doug's new baby boy's baby blessing.  The kids were awesome at attending two sacrament meetings in a row.  Thank goodness Primary has been focusing on reverence the whole month of November.  Charlie said they did great practicing reverence.  Then Keelie planned an excellent Family Home Evening on Sunday night.  She has the funnest ideas.  I love you Keelie!

Our LA Thiots
This has been the very best Thanksgiving week having the LA Thiots in town.  We've loved getting to see them as often as they are available.  Adelaide was able to attend part of Grammy camp and they came for their early feast on Thanksgiving before attending Stacy's families.  Dick and I loved getting to watch their kids on Friday night while Stacy's parents celebrated their 40th Wedding anniversary. We loved getting to know Adelaides cousins too.  It was extra fun having a talent show and Graypa loved playing hide and go seek with the kids.  They are really good at hiding.  Pierce left early this morning to go back to work, but Stacy and the kids get to stay a few more days, HOORAY!!!!  Dick got to take Pierce to the airport this mornng and I woke up in time to make him some cinnamon rolls to eat on his way home.  I've loved getting to see them!

Our Down Town Thiots
Kara was off from school all week and it was extra fun to have them come "Camping" at our house on Wednesday.  Sky set the tent up in the back yard and we had  such fun roasting marshmallows and making s'mores with the Grammy Campers.  Kara made the best green bean casserole for our feast and it was great to have their extra sets of hands in getting ready for everyone to come to our feast.  Then on Friday, they invited Kara's family for their Thanksgiving.  Lots of fun packed into their week off.

We Plano Thiots
On Thanksgiving night, I had the biggest smile on my face thinking about the last 48 hours of Grammy's Gingerbread Grammy camp.  I'm going to try to remember all the things we did that I loved.
Wednesday morning at 9:30, I met Rebecca and picked up Kinsley Kate.  We headed over to Grapevine and met Becky who had picked up Adelaide and transferred car seats and got Brooklyn, Addison, Harper and Adelaide.  I had five little girls in the car with me and my smile was big.  Everyone took turns telling a story and then we talked about our plans for Grammy Camp.  A couple of girls admitted they hadn't had any breakfast so we stopped for some donut holes to munch on.  Then we headed to McDonald's for an early bird lunch of chicken nuggets and we had the whole play ground to ourselves.  That never happens, so it was extra fun.  After lunch we went home and got unpacked and settled in and tried on our Grammy Camp shirts and started to build our Gingerbread houses.  The girls were amazing at decorating them and boy can they load a lot of candy onto their little houses.  They turned out great.  Then it was time to hop back into the car and drive back to grapevine to return Adelaide to her mommy.  They had tickets to go see the Polar Express that evening. When we got home, the girls took turns reading our Thanksgiving books and loved what great readers our big girls are.  The girls then played out in the back yard while Grammy cleaned up the gingerbread mess stuff.  Then onto the next project, decorating the onsies.  They are very clever and we loved the ones Sky and Kara made too along with ours.  It was fun.  Graypa got home and invited us to join him for dinner at Panda Express.  Oh my goodness, it did not disappoint.  We came home and Sky built a fire while I ran to get s'more fixins.  They've never tasted better.  We used Aunt Laurie's trick of using fudge stripped cookies in stead of Gram crackers and chocolate bars.  Much less messy and yummy.  Then it was bubble bath time and time to get into their PJ's.  They watched a quick show and then off to bed.  We had put the blow up mattress in the sleep over room in between the two twin beds.  It made for one HUGE bed for four little girls to sleep in.
The next morning everyone woke up early and Graypa did the donut run while I  made the sign up sheet for Thanksgiving.  Everyone got to choose what they would like to help prepare for the feast.  I'm amazed at what good helpers these four little girls are turning into.  We made the pumpkin pies and the girls were wizards at cracking eggs and measuring sugar and spices.  It was really fun cooking with them.  One of my favorites was making the place cards.  The girls printed everyone's names so nicely and helped with every part of them.  The girls were the table setters and planned where everybody would sit.  It was amazing.  I could not have done it without their help.  We had a yummy feast and then Graypa treated us to the 2:30 showing of Mohana.  We all loved it and nearly had the theatre to ourselves.  So fun.  We got to dance at the end during the credits while we waited for the fun part at the very end.  (may not be worth the wait)  We came home and everyone opened up their Christmas PJ's and acted happy with them.  We had to take some of the waistlines in for some of our super skinny girls and that worked out great.  What a fun Grammy Camp.  We all had a good time and we are already making plans to do it again soon sometime.
Friday was White Friday at the Dallas Temple.  I didn't have to go into one store. It was the way I love to spend the day after thanksgiving.  We had lots of wonderful things happen there and I love serving with my temple sisters.  I will admit to coming home for a happy nappy before Dick and I drove to Stacy's parents home for our baby sitting job.  So fun!!!
Saturday we gathered up the Thanksgiving decorations and Dick put out the Christmas lights outside.  He did an awesome job all alone.  He misses his cute boys who used to love to help.

Oh, We're Off To See The Wizard!

Our Mansfield Thiots
The Plano Children's Theatre was presenting The Wizard of Oz this weekend.  One of my Activity Day girls had a staring roll and invited me to come.  We were able to get tickets for Brooklyn, Addison and Harper too and we all LOVED it.  Graypa surprised the girls during intermission while we were in the rest room, he went and bought them all a beautiful want just like the Good Witch, Glinda had.  Oh, nothing could have thrilled them any more.  They hoped he might buy one that they could share, but he spoiled them all equally.  We loved being there with them.  Early Saturday morning the big girls were in a race for their school.  The Reid Runners have been doing well this year and our own Addison was one of the top finishers.  Run Addie Run!  Brooklyn and Becky did well too.  It was a very chilly morning, our coldest yet, but with tummies filled with hot cocoa and lots of layers on, they made it to the finish line in great time! Becky has been busy the last few weeks painting her dining room and living room the prettiest soft gray color.  It has really brightened up those spaces.  Becky, you do good work!!

Our Charlottesville Granges
After a busy week of school, field trips and celebrating friend Gerrie's birthday with her, the Charlottesville Granges had a very nice Saturday and got to spend it all together.  The leaves are falling which made for lots of leaf raking and leaf pile jumping into.  They painted their hands and made some great hand turkeys and lots of other fun things.  Max and Penny are both looking forward to their Thanksgiving feast at school on Tuesday this week.  Penny's class took a walking field trip to shop for all the ingredients they would need and had such fun at Kroger.  What brave teachers to take 24 children grocery shopping.  I would have loved to have been there watching.

Our Carmichael Thiots
It must have been national Kindergarten Field Trip day as Callum also had a field trip this week.With the changing weather, he has caught a crummy cough and we were sure glad he felt up to going to school on Thursday.  The field trip was at the Outdoor learning center which made for a lovely day outside.  I sure hope you are feeling better.  Sometimes coughs can linger on longer than we would like.  Keelie is feeling better after her cold from last week.  We had the funnest time on face time together teacher her to gargle with warm salt water.  Let me tell you, Keelie can gargle and I'm glad he helped her throat feel a little better.  Charlie took this gorgeous picture of the Temple on Temple Thursday.  So pretty!

Our L A Thiots
This was a crazy week for Pierce.  He didn't have too many hours notice before he was boarding a flight to Madrid, Spain.  He spent 32 hours their filming for their upcoming commercial. It's almost finished and is turning out even better than they had hopped.  Ricky got to have a sneak peak and raved about how neat it was.  We face timed with Adelaide last night and she is already packing her rollerbag suitcase to come to Texas for Thanksgiving.  She has nighties and panties and some warm clothes all packed up.  It's hard to understand 3 days when you are only 3.  She really wanted to come last night and believe  me, Graypa and I were wishing she could have too.  This will be Baby Jackson's first flight and I hope he loves to fly as much as his sister does.  See you Tuesday!

Our Down Town Thiots
Texas schools take the week of Thanksgiving as Fall Break.  I'm not sure there are any  kids who are any happier than our sweet Kara.  I don't think when I was in school, I knew that teachers LOVED breaks too.  I thought they just missed us.  He he he.  Kara has got some fun plans of things she would like to do.  We are excited that she is going to be a guest at Grammy camp one afternoon to help us with some extra special projects.  I can hardly wait.  Skyler was a hero this week as Dick and I were invited to a GALA for BYU Management Society in a TALL building downtown.  We picked up Sky who dropped us off at the Gala and then picked us right up afterwards.  We didn't have to struggle to find a parking spot or anything.  Thank you SKY!!!
We Plano Thiots

I Love these two pictures of the SUPER MOON earlier this week.  Skyler's friend took the one of the moon down town, and Becky's cousin took the Newport Beach shot in California.  WOWSERS! 

The Gala on the 47th Floor is up high and what an amazing view it truly was.  The Texas Boys Choir came and performed before the guest speaker talked and let me tell you, those little boys can sing.  They surprised us by performing a few Christmas songs which everyone loved.  They have a 3 minute version of the Nutcracker which may have been my very most favorite Nutcracker ever.  Then Billy Gamble introduced Bobby Lyle who are both great Scouters in The Circle Ten Council.  The BYU Management Society had invited Bobby to speak and he did an outstanding job of sharing how each one of us can do SOMETHING to make our world a much better place.  I left that meeting, that went way over time with a renewed feeling about how we all can help.
Maybe my favorite part of the week was the reopening of the Dallas Temple.  Yahoo!  Back to work for all of us temple workers.  Six weeks is long enough to get out of the habit of going for sure.  It's good to be back. I hope you've had a good week.  I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving this week and I hope you are too.  SLY Robynn

Elections & Veterans Day

Our Mansfield Thiots
One of the highlights of this week would have to include the Veterans Day Program at Martha Reid Elementary.  The big girls have been practicing song for the last month and were so happy to perform them at the program.  They got to wear their Red White and Blue and show thanks and appreciation to all those who are now serving in the Armed Forces or who have ever served.  They were especially proud of two of Becky's brothers, Adam who served and Matthew who is serving now.  If you look behind Harper's picture, you can see the awesome flag they made using their hand prints showing their support for Veterans Day.  I love that their school teaches great Patriotism. Way to Go!

Our Charlottesville Granges
Earlier this year, Tatia invited us to come to Virginia for Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately airfares were very high for that weekend, so we planned an earlier and more affordable weekend and had a Thanksgiving Feast early bird style.  Tatia let Dick, Penny, Max and I go to the grocery store with her list of feast items and we divided the list up and had a boys cart and a girls cart and found everything we needed, and maybe a couple of extra things too.  While waiting for Gram to check out, Graypa let them drive the fun cars that were out on display for Christmas wishes.  On Monday morning, Penny and I made Penny's Perfect Pumpkin Pie.  She has a great recipe and it turned out perfect.  Then Max and Oscar and I made rolls so that they would be ready in time for lunch to have a peanut butter and jam sandwich on hot rolls.  Oh they did not disappoint.  Later in the day, we put our tiny turkey breast into the oven and it made the house smell soooooooooo Thanksgivingish.  Yum!  We had those jello cups with a dollup of whipped cream on top and candied carrots and the most delicious mashed potatoes I've ever put into my mouth.  Oh my, I'm hoping Tatia will share the recipe.  Jake arrived home from New Orleans, just in time to carve the turkey and we all enjoyed a delicious pre-Thanksgiving Dinner.  After Dinner, for Family Night, we read last years Thankful tree blessings and maybe my new favorite Thanksgiving Day book, The T? Thanksgiving.  It was delightful and we also started 2016's Thankful tree with our grateful thoughts.  WONDERFUL!

Our Carmichael Thiots
It's Autumn Time, It's Autumn Time the leaves are falling down,
It's Autumn Time, It's Autumn Time many colors can be found....
It's Autumn Time, It's Autumn Time all around our town,
It's Autumn Time, It's Autumn Time there is  yellow, red and brown,
Charlie's back yard has several big, old trees who are currently busy dropping leaves.  That makes for a very fun activity in Carmichael known as raking the leaves.  You may think they are about to bag them up, nope, they are about to form a giant jumping pile.  You see that's how they roll in Carmichael.  Lots of fun memories to be made jumping into the soft leaf pile.  Enjoy you guys!

Our L A Thiots
Pierce is one fun daddy.  One of the things he has always done with our sweet Adelaide is let her stand in his hand.  She started when she was just little and has loved it.  She is amazing.  Just recently, Jackson has learned to do it too.  Oh my goodness.  You LA Thiots are so brave.  Pierce has also been known to toss them into the air.  I'm praying Jackson hasn't learned that quite yet.  They are flyers for sure.  I loved Jackson's 5 month old picture.  His fly hair is my favorite.  So cute little man. I loved getting to face time for a few minutes this week.  Thank you LA Thiots!

Our Down Town Thiots
Skyler and I used to be part of the Friday Lunch Date Club when his office was close by the temple, I would love to meet him for lunch and get to have some one on one time with him.  It was my favorite.  Then when he started working at home, we haven't had that time for almost a year.  On Friday, we were able to have a lunch date again.  Tatia had sent a few things home with me for Kara and we decided to meet for lunch and pass off the package.  It was so fun.  We went to the Golden Chick which was a favorite spot before and it was delish.  They have rootbeer as one of the drink choices and they have complementary ice cream at the end of your meal.  Skyler, being like my dad, was able to turn his root beer into a root beer float.  I had already put ice in my cup and didn't get to try it out.  But he said it was good.  We got to visit about the recent election and Sky shared why he was so disappointed in the outcome.  He is worried about our nation.  I'm so grateful that I know who is really in charge.  Our Heavenly Father is watching over us all.  I liked this quote from Barbara Bush and who President Faust quoted a few  years ago too.  We will do our best in our homes.

We Plano Thiots
A couple of months ago, one of the gals at the temple who is also in my ward, asked me what we do when our kids come for a visit.  I told her they stay with us in our guest rooms.  She told me her son and his wife and two children were coming and they now live in a retirement home which doesn't have room for guests.  We have been lucky enough to host her cute son's family and have really enjoyed them.  They are the quietest house guests we've ever had and are here mostly just to sleep at night.  They have a little 3 year old boy and a brand new baby girl.  It's been lovely to have them stay.
On Saturday night, it was our chance to take a turn at cleaning our Church Building.  We had our friends the Johnsons also assigned with us and we took that building by storm.  It was shinning by the time we left.  Not a piece of trash to be found, the carpets vacuumed, the windows on the doors without a single hand print and the bathrooms and kitchen clean enough to eat off the floor. Ok, that may be a stretch, but it did look good and it always is a good feeling to clean the Lord's building and help get it ready for Sunday.  Thanks Dick for letting me come along.
This was our final Friday that the Temple was closed for remodeling.  It's been a long six weeks and I'm anxious to go back this Friday and see all the changes they've made.  I have to admit, I've enjoyed six weeks of not having to be up so early. I've missed all those fun sisters who I work with and it will be good to be back this coming week.
We had an Evening of Gratitude for Relief Society this week and it left me with a grateful heart.  I loved counting my blessings and realizing all the ways the Lord touches my life each day.  I hope your week has been blessed and that you are seeing his hand in your lives too.  SLY Robynn

Tatia's Holiday Mashed Potatoes for a Crowd

Prep time:  15 mins

Cook time:  30 mins

Total time:  45 mins

Serves: 12-15

Make these crowd-pleasing mashed potatoes before your holiday meal and freeze them until the big day. Reheat in your slow cooker to save space in your oven.

Ingredients

5 pounds of potatoes

1 block (8 oz) of low-fat cream cheese, softened

¾ cup low fat sour cream

4 tablespoons butter

¾ cup milk (or more if desired)

1½ teaspoons salt

Paprika (optional)

Instructions

Peel potatoes and cut into small cubes. Throw the potatoes in a large pot filled with cold water.

Cook for 25 minutes or until fork-tender.

Drain the potatoes and put them back into the hot pot. Add cream cheese, butter, milk, and salt. Mash with a potato masher or use a hand mixer to whip the potatoes.

Spoon mixture into a freezer-safe container and label.

On Your Holiday Day: Put potatoes in the fridge 1-2 days before to allow them to completely thaw. Spray slow cooker with cooking spray and put potatoes in the slow cooker. Brush the top of the potatoes with a tablespoon of butter and sprinkle with paprika. Cook on low for two to four hours.

Alternate cooking method- Bake the potatoes at 350 degrees for thirty to forty minutes or until completely hot.

Let the Good Times TROLL!

Our Mansfield Thiots
Once Brooklyn got feeling back to her self, it was a good week in Mansfield.  On Saturday they went to see the brand new Trolls movie.  It did not disappoint.  The girls all loved it.  Ricky is not sure it was on his top 10 list, but he was a good sport to go with them. I love this picture of them after the movie.  Harper, you make one darling troll!

Our Charlottesville Granges
Dick and I got to spend a long weekend in Beautiful Charlottesville, Virginia.  The trees are dressed in their very best fall colors.  It just got prettier each day we were there.  Virginia surely does do fall well.  It was so fun to get to go see the Trolls movie with Penny, Tatia, Max and Oscar.  We loved it too.  Graypa and I got to have lunch with Penny on Friday and took her a Trolls Happy Meal.  What fun that was.  We were able to watch Penny's rehearsal for the Primary Program which will take place next Sunday.  Nearly as good as being there for the real deal. What a fun time we had hiking around on Carter Mountain on Sunday morning before we went to church.  What a fun place.  Penny loved kissing the peacock and Graypa and Max loved the giant Water Wheel at the mill.  Can you spy 3 little Granges in the tree after church?

Our Carmichael Thiots
Keelie and Callum's School had their Fall Festival on Friday night.  They really know how to pack a lot of fun into one evening.  They all had a good time. Loved the photos.  On Saturday, Keelie and Grandma Smith had a fun girls day out.  Callum enjoyed going to In & Out with Charlie and eating his first double double burger.  WOWSERS!  He finished every bite and was quite proud!  Love that tatoo you are sporting Callum, hmmmmmm.

Our LA Thiots
Pierce had a quick trip for work this past weekend to interview Lebron James as part of a commercial he is currently working on.  This is not the best photo, but it shows the two of them together.  He said it went well but he is sure glad to be back home.  Pierce sent me this photo of Adelaide wearing her nightie that I sent her a while ago.  When I sent it, it came to her ankles.  I do believe Miss Adelaide has been working on growing taller and taller.  We are looking forward to seeing her and Jackson over the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Hooray!

Our Down Town Thiots
Our Grand Cat, Mister Branson has become quite famous as of late.  His photos that Skyler took have appeared on a blog of awesome cats.  He is loving living down town and has an amazing view out their windows.  I loved this one and Bran, you are now on Grammy's fridge.  A real place of honor in our family.

We Plano Thiots
I have this funny dream of having one month without having to use our air conditioner or our heater. I'm not sure it has ever happened as it seems to go from Hot to Cool or nearly cold over night.  It's happened again this year as well.  I'm grateful this morning for that smell of burning dust off that happens when the furnace is turned on.  I love it as I know it means it will soon be warm and toasty in our house.  I loved this picture with Dick and I and Penny.  We pretended that it was grandparents day at Penny's school and went and had lunch with her on Friday.  She had won this stuffed Chihuahua which she named Colors and was so happy.  We arrived early and Dick got to play Dog Catcher in her PE class with her.  They both loved it.  We had such a great time in Charlottesville.  Jake was away at a conference in New Orleans, we got to see him for a few hours before he left and we got a few hours when he returned home.  It was nice to be able to give Tatia some helping hands.  She is one busy gal. She taught her first Relief Society Lesson while we were there and I loved getting to be in her class.  Love that girl.  We got to go Bowling with Max and Penny and they are GOOD!  It was so fun to be together.  I hope you've had a nice week.  SLY Robynn