Happy Presidents Day Week!

Our Mansfield Thiots
Our Mansfield Thiot's are all getting excited and trying to get healthy for their upcoming spring break get away trip to Maui Hawaii to celebrate the amazing life of Becky's Grandmother.  She passed away last fall and now Becky's whole family will meet up at her favorite place on earth to remember her.  What a great place to go.  I keep asking if they need a nanny to come along and they assure me they will be just fine on their own.  They also in their spare time have started house hunting.  They are ready for a bigger home and what fun to dream and hope and hunt for that home.  Brooklyn got a fortune cookie last week that promised a new home in the next year.  WOW!

The first bloomer

Penny's first school program!

sunshine and bugles go well together

Our Charlottesville Granges
The weather in Charlottesville has turned to spring.  Unseasonably warm weather which has made for some happy Granges.  They are even sporting shorts on those extra nice days.  Popcorn is popping on the beautiful trees and let me tell you, I've been in Charlottesville in the spring, and it knows how to do it well.  Their daffodils are blooming and the tulips will join in shortly.  Tatia's dear friend had surgery this week and they were the lucky family who got to tend her new baby.  The boys were thrilled to have someone littler than they are for the day.  Oscar kept touching him gently and saying BAY BEE.  He says it so cute.  He is going to be such a nice big brother at the end of the summer.

Love, love, love Charlie's President Day Shoes

Our Carmichael Thiots
It's been a busy week in California.  Remember us all praying for rain for California?  Well we can stop those prayers and ask for a stoppage of rain and the flooding. It's been crazy.  So far so good at Charlie's home but the back yard is too muddy and messy for Callum to play out there.  Keelie has begun play practice for a upcoming play.  It's a lot of time for rehearsals and she is really enjoying it.  She is loving piano lessons and doesn't have to be asked twice to practice.  She is really turning into a baker too.  Saturday she made some awesome chocolate Chip Cookies that looked delish even before they were baked.

Our LA Thiots
Stacy is especially excited for an upcoming trip to London this coming week.  Pierce will be in Europe and invited her to join him. What a wonderful adventure they are in for.  They have some dear friends who will watch the babies and I'm sure they will make some great memories.  Adelaide is loving her gymnastics class and she just got a new game which helps her learn the letters of the alphabet and how to count and add and subtract.  Go Adelaide.  Our Jackson boy will turn 9 months on Tuesday.  How do the months after they arrive go so much faster than the months waiting for them to come.  He is a JOY!

Our Down Town Thiots
In 7 minutes, our sweet new baby girl will officially be 2 weeks old.  Can I just tell you how in love we are with Elinor Rae Thiot.  Sky said their are seven approved nick names you may call her.  Let me see if I can recall them.  Eleven, as we have been calling her for 9 months, Elie, E, El, Ella, and my favorite Nora.  I can't remember the others, check with Sky. Dick and I on our way home on Thursday night, counted how many trips to Big D we have made in the past two weeks.  We counted 8 and decided that wasn't enough.  We loved Thursday when they came to Plano for Sushi.  Kara has been in the mood for 9 months and it's not on the best things to eat while you are expecting list.  So Sky promised her a late Valentines Date to Simon's their favorite place.  Dick and I joined them so we could hold Nora while they ate.  He he he. We are helpful that way.  I love this photo of her with her Chinese New Year rooster.  She and Graypa, Tatia and I are Roosters.

We Plano Thiots
Dick was "invited" to be an ambassador at the Friends of Scouting Dinner on Thursday night.  What that means is that you get to invite up to 10 people to sit at your table and invite them to make a sizable donation to the Boy Scouts of America.  Which makes it pretty much the most expensive dinner you have ever eaten.  My favorite part of the whole event happens in the first five minutes.  They have many many Boy Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Scout Crews, Ventures Scouts and my all time favorite Cub Scouts who are all carrying flags for the amazing flag ceremony.  I was so touched by a young cub scout who was in a wheel chair and had a fellow scout pushing him.  Oh my goodness. how I love Boy Scouts.  Filled with so  much goodness for young boys and young men to learn to be great men.  I'm grateful that each of my boys enjoyed scouting and learned so many good things to develop their character.

After a delicious dinner, the guest speaker for the evening was fabulous.  His name is Robert Ballard and he is a marine biologist who has spent his life time exploring under the sea.  He has spent a great amount of his 75  years living in a submarine.  He's amazing and I loved hearing about all the things he has seen and done in his life time.  He was born in Kansas which made me smile and think of my niece Carissa who just returned from her mission in Kansas.  He was great.

My washing machine has worn out.  I really was sad when it started leaking out on the floor, becoming off balance on a regular basis and just not getting the job done.  (sounds a bit like me) Laundry is my favorite part of housekeeping and I have really found it sad to have to think about replacing my washer.  When we bought it 16 years ago, we thought it would be our last one we needed.  After all my dad's washer is over 40 years old.  I don't think they build washers to last like they used to.  Maytag wants to you replace them about every 8 years like the mattress commercials.  When I had it serviced a few years ago, the man asked how long I had it, I told him it was new.  He looked and told me it was 12 years old.  That was new to me.  So instead of pouring more money into this one, we have started looking for a newer model.  I've loved this one. It was the first time I ever had a matching set.  I know that should not matter.  On Tuesday, they will be delivering me a new washer.  (it's not red like the one in the photo) I'm looking forward to getting acquainted with it and learning to love it too.

Along with our trips to Dallas to visit our new grand baby, moping up after a leaking washer, supporting the boy scouts of America, we've been worrying about a sweet granddaughter of my sisters.  Little Miss Sophie just turned four years old in December and has been sick the whole month of February and part of January.  She has seen 9 doctors who haven't been able to figure out what is causing this beautiful little girl to feel so horrible.  She's been to Primary Children's hospital which is the best of the best and finally after her third time there, they tested her for Spinal Meningitis and found that is what she has.  Oh my goodness, what a scary time it's been to not know and not know how to treat her.  We are thankful they have discovered it and can now treat her get her well again.  Please add your prayers to ours for little Sophie.  She is so dear to us all.

My little brother Jeffrey celebrated his birthday this year.  He is so amazing and wonderful. Happy Birthday Jeffrey Michael!!!!!  Whew, that was a lot to catch up two weeks of the Thiot's life.  Hope you are doing well.  SLY, Robynn

Happy Birthday Mom!

Our Mansfield Thiots
On Saturday afternoon, I got the fun idea of inviting our family to go see the movie Storks.  It had recently appeared at the dollar theater and with our new baby being so close to arrival, I thought it might be the perfect idea.  Ricky and Becky had other plans, but the girls were totally on board and in fact, they even were game for a sleep over at Grammy's.  We met Becky at the "fish store" as they call the Bass Pro Shop which is exactly half way between us and them and the fun began.  We all loved the movie and the giant red Icee and Popcorn.  Then we stopped at Walmart on the way home and picked up a package of cloth diapers and the girls each chose their favorite flannel to sew some burp cloths for our new arrival.  They turned out soooooooooooooo soft and so cute.  We loved sewing them together.  Off to bed.

Our Charlottesville Granges
On Wednesday of this week, the 100th day of school was held.  The children were invited, but not required to dress up like they might be 100 years old.  Penny was hesitant about doing this and it wans't until Tatia offered to sew her a new skirt that the idea appealed to her.  They went to the store and found a cute women's t-shirt on clearance and it was perfect.  Tatia cut off the sleeves and the neck line and inserted a piece of elastic for the waste and it worked.  What a clever mama.  Penny really enjoyed having her hair grayed up a bit and loved wearing beads and the glasses that they also made a sweet pearl chain for too.  Oh Penny,  you are going to be darling at 100!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Monday was the 100th day of School for Callum.  Miss Penny was a bit behind because of the snow days they have had this year.  Callum was invited to make a super hero cape with 100 things on it, stickers is what Callum choose and he had 100 stickers of things that go.  Cars, trucks, airplanes, boats, it was amazing.  I loved getting to face time early in the morning and see him all ready to go to school.  Charlie made a nifty cape and Callum was thrilled.  Go 100 Days!

Our LA Thiots
Pierce had a 24 hour out of town tripper this week to Denver.  I was wishing he would have had a chance to drop in on Aunt Jerry, but she was off to Arizona to visit Aunt Bonnie and Aunt Darlene and Uncle Mike had also flown in to visit for Aunt Bonnie's Birthday.  Next time Pierce for sure.  Sky and Pierce had a fun and quick trip stop in Denver a few years ago as they were driving up to school after Pierce retured from his mission.  Skyler's birthday happened to fall on that trip and Aunt Jerry baked him a deliciuos cake and made a yummy dinner that those boys will never forget.

all loaded up and racing to the hospital,  Breakfast cereal in our big red cups.

Our Downtown Thiots
Do you remember last week when I whispered about a project that Sky and Kara have been working on for the past 9 months?  It's official, she has arrived and now I can tell you about her.  They wanted to keep it a secret and share the news with their friends instead of reading about it on Our Thiot Times.  But now that she has arrived, I can share.  This has been the hardest secret I have been asked to keep.  As you all know, babies are my very most favorite thing in all the world.  Oh my goodness, last summer when they told us about their news, and told me the due date, I just had goosebumps all over.  This little angel was due on my mama's birthday, February 12th, just 82 years after my mom was born.  Let me tell you the story.
We invited the Downtown Thiot's to the movie STORKS, and they had to turn us down, becuase they had many things to do to prepare for the induction which would take place Saturday night.  Kara's doctor was on call this weekend and was a little concerned about out little one and said, "Come in Saturday night at 8:00 and we will get things started, she's ready".  So with packed bags and excited hearts, Sky and Kara reported to the hospital.  Baylor hospital used to be called Florence Nightingale Hosital and guess who was also born there?  Dick Thiot, yes indeed.  Boy was he thrilled to have a grandchild born at he same place he was.
Back to the story,  They started the drugs about ten and things started to happen.  Meanwhile, I had already figured out that when they start an induction, our other babies who have been induced usually arrive around 3 or 4 the next afternoon.  I thought I had all kinds of time to get Ricky's girls returned, to finish the sign to put on the hosptial door announcing the arrival so what a surprise it was to me to get a message from Sky at 6:32 Sunday morning asking what our plans for the day were.  I told him I was meeting Ricky at 10 to return the girls and then we were off to church.  I replied asking how their night was.  Asked if they had gotten any rest or if the nurses were bothering them all night long.  He did not reply, I assumed he had fallen back to sleep or maybe a nurse had come in.  I kept texting asking questions with no reply until 7:11 when he finally texted back, "Come to the hospital ASAP. We have someone for you to meet.  I nearly lost it,  the baby had arrived at 7:06 am.  They had been up ALL night laboring and now our sweet little Elinor Rae Thiot had arrived.  I called to the girls who had just woken up and we all hurried and got our clothes on and texted Graypa at his meeting and he hurried home and drove us to the hospital to meet our new little arrival.  
What a JOYFUL experience it was to meet her and Brooklyn and I got to go in first as only 2 guests at a time.  I stood beside this new baby so fresh from heaven with my oldest little granddaughter.  My oldest and my youngest together was JOY!

Elinor Rae Thiot
February 12, 2017
6lbs 4 oz
19 inches long
Dallas, Texas

We Plano Thiots
Two years ago,  my sweet niece Krista, invited us to begin a new family tradition on February 12th. You see, it's my mom's birthday and instead of just feeling sad all day now that she has returned to heaven, we decided to make it a day of service.  A Day to do something kind for someone else just like she always loved to do for others.  This year we had so many fun things done that I wanted to share them here too.  

Laurie and her Grandaughters made LOTS of Yummy cookies and delivered them to a Shelter for people without homes. 

Keelie, brought home all the rugs from school and washed them and hung them out to dry

 Jamie baked cookies for a dear friend who was overdue on having her baby.  What a sweet act of service.

 Krista tended her baby girl Sophie who was sick sick sick for two weeks.  Lots of loving tender card was given.  Oh how Gigi Loved Sophie

I dipped some of Gram's favorite Sugar Wafer cookies in white chocolate for my sweet sisters I serve with in the Temple. 

 Carissa returned from her mission after serving for 18 months in the Kansas Wichita Mission.

 She reported her mission right on Gram's birthday!  I know gram was smiling down from heaven above

 This is the beautiful sunrise that shone in Texas on Gram's birthday, so pretty and pink.

 This is Oscar buying a beautiful plant for a dear friends Mommy who had been diagnosed with Tyroid cancer.  Sweet Oscar

 Lani baked her famous banana bread and passed them out to her visiting teaching sisters and brought some to the Homcoming brunch after Carissa's talk

 Dad and Lani took this beaituful heart wreath to the cemetary to put on Mom's grave.  So pretty.  I love the shadow of Dad at the top and Lani at the bottom.  Sweet. 

 More of the banana bread loaves from Lani

 Sky and Kara brought a new great Grand-baby into this world on Gram's birthday. Now that was impossible to top.

 Brooklyn, Harper and Addison sewed burp cloths for our new baby.  What  a kind act of service.  Those girls are FAST sewers!  

 Pierce's family helped with the Young Men Young Women's Fund Raiser and Pierce auctioned off the cakes to raise more than 3,000 dollars.  WOW!  

 Tatia and her Relief society Ladies baked and decorated 100 cookies to pass out to the Relief Society Sisters on Gram's Birthday. 

Uncle Mike went to the temple for the very first time and was sealed to his sweet wife Aunt Kaye.  Hooray!

Mom's birthday was a wonderful day.  I love that our sweet little Elinor is born on her day and that Sky and Kara wanted to honor mom by sharing her middle name with Elinor.  Our sweet little Nora Rae!  I love you mom and miss you every day.  I have felt you close by this week as our new baby has come to join us.  I do believe Heavenly Father let you deliver her beautiful, sweet spirit to earth on Sunday morning.  SLY Robynn

Good Bye January, Hello February!

Our Mansfield Thiots
After a very fast week in Mansfield, Becky's parents headed home to Reading on Tuesday.  It's a crazy thing how time with company seems to go at double the normal speed of time.  The girls loved having them here and Brooklyn especially enjoyed them coming for her 10th Birthday. Becky had the rest of the week on her own.  Ricky was invited on a company trip to Mexico and how could he say no.  There was no way in his mind he could turn it down. Apparently there was a dress up contest and I think his flamingo suit was a winner!  He had a great time and said it made him look all the more forward to the family trip to Hawaii coming up at Spring Break with his girls. Becky's family is going to Hawaii, Becky's grandmother's favorite place on earth to have her memorial service.  What a wonderful place to be remembered

  Our Charlottesville Granges
I'm not sure if I'm going to get into a lot of trouble for this, but Oscar told me it would be alright to share with you.  He has some big news.  Guess what?  Oscar is going to be a BIG BROTHER!!!!   I know what you are thinking, Oh my goodness, Oscar is just a baby himself.  Well he is going to be two years old next month which makes it legal to become a big brother. We've had some become big Sisters much sooner, just ask Tatia.  Anyway, to say the least, we are DELIGHTED.  Tatia has been a trouper with taking care of 3 littles and feeling crummy.  She is feeling a bit better after the first 12 weeks are behind her.  Congratulations Granges, party of six is on the way!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie's neighbors to the north, built a new fence this week. He shares one side of the fence with them which gives him one great looking side. He said he needs to build a new gate on his side and he will be looking good.  I bet it will be the best looking gate ever if I know Charlie and I do.  While the fence builders were working, Charlie had his builder hat on too.  He built one swing in the tree and Keelie has always been sure it's hers.  I'm glad to report that there are not two swings hanging in that wonderful old tree in the backyard.  Callum has his own now too and it' s the perfect height for him and he loves it.  Charlie sent a video of them both swinging together.

Our LA Thiots
Following the Saturday morning tradition, Pierce and Adelaide went to Royal Donuts for a rainbow sprinkled donut.   I was lucky enough to be invited along as Adelaide held the phone and we drove to the donut store.  She told me all about the rain this week and getting to splash in mud puddles and going to gymnastics class and how much she loved that too.  She told me that Jack Jack or Jacksie as she loves to call him, is crawling and can go anyplace he wants to.  He loves to crawl on the soft rug in the living room the best.  She loves having bunk beds with him and she loves getting to sleep on the top bunk.  What fun siblings they are.  Good Buddies especially in the tubby.

Our Downtown Thiots
Skyler has been working on a new project this week where he is redesigning the maps for the city of Dallas.  These maps take you to fun locations and help you to easily see the great new things that Dallas is making to make down town more accessible and informative.  He has to be finished by 1st of March and so he has a lot to do in only a little time.  I'm going to try to not give him any assignments until he is done.  Kara is busy grading papers this weekend and trying to wrap up things at school for another project that I will finally get to tell you all about in another week.  I can't wait.

We Plano Thiots
As I'm typing the Thiot Times this morning, I can hear the sweetest little bird out in my back yard just a singing a way.  If I had any of the Granges here, they could tell me exactly what type of bird it is by it's pretty song.  There is only one kind of bird who's song I can identify and that is a meadow lark.  My mom taught me that her mom taught her that they always sing,  "Glenys is a pretty little girl".  The pretty little girl is rushed together when sung.  I wonder if there is an 'Ap" on cell phones where it can listen to a bird, and identify the bird.  I wish I had the Ap.

Two very wonderful things happened this weekend.  The first took place in the Mount Timpanogos Temple in Utah.  It happened right while I was at the temple in Dallas and I may have kind of pretended that I was there.  My mom's little brother, my uncle Mike went to the temple for his very first time.  He received his own endowment and then was sealed to his sweet wife Kaye who passed away five years ago. It was there 41st Wedding Anniversary.  It was a joyous day in the temple and I'm sure in Heaven Above.  Way to go Uncle Mike!!!!

The next wonderful thing was the baptism for Katie Elizabeth Cline.  She is my sister Laurie's granddaughter. She was baptized in the special dress that I made from my mom's favorite nightie by her daddy Joshua, my nephew.  Katie joins Mollie, and Keelie and Brooklyn in wearing that sweet dress to be baptized in.  It's like getting a special hug from Gigi in Heaven above.  Another sweet thing is that Mom had made baptism dolls for all these little great granddaughters right before she died.  While she was working on them, she seemed in such a rush.  I remember telling her to just take her time and make one or two a day instead of trying to make 20 all at once.  She must have known she was leaving soon as she made sure they were complete. I was blessed to be the keeper of the dolls and get to send them on to dad to give to his sweet Great Granddaughters from him and mom.
On Tuesday of this week, I had a tooth pulled and a gum transplant.  Yes, it's true, I have part of someone else in side of me.  Yikes.  That is kind of a different feeling.  It's made for a miserable week.  Every morning I think, this is getting better.  Maybe today I can believe it.  I hope.  I hope you've had a nice week and that you know how much I love you.  SLY Robynn