Happy 2nd Birthday Oscar!

Our Mansfield Thiots
At 10:30 last Sunday night, five very tanned and tired Thiots arrived back in town.  I was told that there were two of the girls who would have been happy to have turned into "island girls" and have stayed on permanently.  Fortunatly, Harper missed her toys and wanted to come home.  I loved picking up the big girls at school on Tuesday with Harper.  Oh it was soooooooooooo good to see them and put my arms around them and hug them and hug them.  It had been a long time since I had seen them and it was GREAT to see them again.  Welcome Home Island Girls!

Our Charlottesville Granges
It's been Birthday week in Charlottesville with Oscar turning TWO on Wednesday.  His party was on Saturday so the celebrating continued all week long.  Jake's youngest sister Tootie came with her hubby on Wednesday night to join in the celebrations.  Everyone has loved having them in town.  Jake, Shawn and Tootie planned a fun hike on Saturday morning while Penny was off to her friend Ella's birthday party.   You got to dress up and that was Penny's idea of a perfect party.  She came home with a lovely tiara which is a favorite.  Max has enjoyed playing with Oscar's new birthday toys.  With Max's birthday just a week away, it's tricky to share.  Oscar's party was fun and everyone loved performing at the Everybody's special part of the party.  Max did his spinning tricks,  Penny did some amazing stunts and Oscar told his favorite knock knock jokes.  He is an amazing two year old.  I love that all three Granges have celebrated Daniel Tiger Style for turning two!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Keelie had her final dress rehersal on Wednesday night and after Char and Callum dropped her off, Callum asked if they might could go to In & Out Burgers for dinner.  Keelie is NOT a fan, but Callum is and so he and his dad had a fun dinner out.  Keelie's performance of the Lion King were once on Friday night, a matinee on Saturday and then a Saturday night show.  They had a request for an oncour show and so Monday night that will be held.  She has loved it and I'm so proud of Charlie for getting her to all the rehersals and practices and performances.  That's a lot of commitment for kids and parents.  Go Keelie!  Charlie said they made a DVD of the performance.  I'm hoping to rent it soon at Red Box (jk)  Char said he would share it with us.

Our L A Thiots
Something wonderful has happened lately.  Miss Adelaide has been asking if she can visit with Grammy on Face Time.  Can I tell you there is not ONE thing on the earth that is any better for this Gram than to talk to her Grands if not in person than on Face Time.  I truly thank the inventor of Face Time for that wonderful invention of seeing my little people face to face.  Thank you Stacy and Pierce for letting her call me when she asks.  It ALWAYS makes me smile.  I love that even in their busy busy lives, they take time to do that for me.

Sky loved the M&M car growing up.  Dick made him sit in it for a photo op

Our Down Town Thiots
Spring time in Texas means one very important thing, BLUEBONNETS!  Yes, it's somewhat of a tradition to photograph pets, children,  yourselves in a field of blue bonnets.  Little Elinor had been asking all week for the chance to pose in the bluebonnets.  So Thursday morning, they packed up and headed to Plano, to the very bluebonnet trail for a photo shoot.  It was so fun as I ran and grabbed lunch at one of our favorite spots, the Golden Chick and then they went to shoot photos.  I had to be to work at the Family History Center which was oozing over with lots and lots of Patrons.  I was hoping I could excuse my self but they even needed me this time.  Kara and Elinor have taken a weekend get away to Austin to visit a friend who has been wanting to meet Elinor.  I hope they got to see lots more bluebonnets along the way.  Thank you Ladybird Johnson for being so excited about wild flowers and sharing that with all of us crazy Texans.

We Plano Thiots
Skyler invited Dick to come downtown to the Car Show on Saturday afternoon.  There were LOTS of great cars, but these were favorites.  Dick's dream car, a 1960 Red Vette and a Convertible Cougar just like I had at college.  My uncle Bud owns it now and is having it rebuilt.  I bet it will look just like this one.  WOW!

Easter dress shopping or sewing was always a fun memory for me when Tatia was little. I remember when Tatia was 3 years old, Dick's mom, MomMom asked if she could take Tatia Easter Dress Shopping.  When they came home, Tatia had 4 new easter dresses.  Oh my goodness, MomMom said she could not decide which one she liked best and so she simply had to buy all 4 of them.  I was thinking the other day about how thrilled Mom Mom would be with her 7 Great Granddaughters. It's sad to me that she isn't here to enjoy them, but then I thought of how much she must have enjoyed them in heaven before they slipped through the veil and came to earth.  I was walking past Gymboree earlier this week and I heard her voice whisper, "Let's go in there"  I went inside and would you believe, they had Easter dresses in size 0-3 month to size 10 to fit all seven of our girls.  I just could hear Jetta saying "Let's get them!"  so what could I do?  I got them.  Oh my goodness, they have been hanging in my laundry room all week and each time I walk past, I smile and think about how thrilled Jetta must be that we did "Get them".  I know this is probably the last year that all seven girls will be matching as Brooklyn and Keelie are growing out of those little girl styles, but Thank you girls for humoring Grammy and Mom Mom one more time.  Don't you worry, we found some darling shirts for the boys and I think they will look so handsome on Easter too.

Saturday night was a extra special treat for me.  It was the Women's Session of General Conference.
 I was hoping to be able to attend with my girls, but they had a busy day and we are going to plan way ahead for Septembers Session. One of the sisters in my ward, who also serves at the temple with me called and needed a ride.  I loved getting to sit by her and many of the sisters in our stake and I loved pretending that I was sitting by all my sisters who I love.  I loved each of the talks and they seemed to be speaking to me.

..."If we trust in our Heavenly Father and in our Savior 

and lean not to our own understanding They will direct our paths 

and will extend the arm of mercy toward us,"

-Bonnie H. Cordon

* * * 

"Holiness is making the choices that will keep the Holy Ghost as our guide."

-Carol F McConkie

* * * 

..."When we have become distracted, doubtful, discouraged, sinful, 

sorrowful, or soul-stretched, may we accept the Lord's invitation to drink of His living water, as did the certain woman at the well, inviting others  to do the same as we also bear our own certain witness: Is not this the Christ?"

-Linda K. Burton

* * *

You will at times have your faith challenged by Satan; 

it happens to all disciples of Jesus Christ.  

Your defense against these attacks is to keep the Holy Ghost as your companion. The Spirit will speak to your soul.  
He will urge you in faith.

-Henry B. Erying

What a week it's been.  Hope you have had a good one too. I am so looking forward to next weekend when it will be April Conference.  Oh how I love General Conference.  SLY Robynn

Families are like fudge, mostly sweet with a few nuts

Our Mansfield Thiots
At 10:17 last night, I received a message from Ricky reporting that they had just landed in Oakland, California after 9 lovely days in paradise.  They will spend the day in Oakland and then hop on a plane bringing them HOME at 9:50 tonight.  This may go down in history as the most memorable Spring Break ever.  I can't wait to hear all about their adventures when they return. Becky's car has been parked in front of our house while they have been away.  I love to pretend when I come home that they are HERE!  It's going to be great to return their car to them at the airport tonight.  I can't wait to see them all!

Penny picked out a  nightie for our Sophie, so glad she is feeling better

Chef Max made Pizza at preschool!

Our Charlottesville Granges
Tatia said when her week began, her calendar was clear and she thought it was going to be smooth sailing.  Funny thing how those weeks look on the calendar and how they actually turn out.  Her sweet ward lost two members this week and she was a busy beaver helping to organize funerals and help these dear sisters, one who lost her sweet father and the other who lost her son.  One to old age and the other to Leukemia.  What a blessing Tatia is to he ward family.  What good little children she has to help in ways they can too.  It was Max's primary teacher who lost her father.  Max loved coloring her  a card to show his love for her.  Oscar is looking forward to this Wednesday.  He will be celebrating his second birthday.  Oh Oscar, we are glad you are in our family.

Our Carmichael Thiots
Keelie has been working on a Group Project for the past few weeks.  Her group chose the country of Russia and the city of Moscow to report on.  They worked and worked and learned many things and made a fabulous back board to share all the information they gathered.  I especially loved the beautiful job of coloring that Keelie did of Saint Basil Cathedral in Moscow.  So colorful and very much like it looks.  Skyler is the only one in our family who has been there in person.  WOW!
Charlie has been working on some projects at work that have required extra time, even having to work on Saturday. I'm smiling this morning thinking that I have three boys in California today.  Not close enough to see each other, but close in spirit.

First haircut, first tooth day

Our L.A. Thiots
It was sure fun to get to face time with Adelaide and Jackson on Wednesday and then again on Saturday two times.  When they called on Wednesday, we were having Activity Day with my girls and my girls loved seeing them.  Adelaide did a dance for them which had them all clapping for her.  I loved seeing Jackson on the day of his very first hair cut and his first tooth breaking through .  Oh  my goodness, it surely made him look older for his upcoming 10th month birthday. We took the blankets my activity day girls had packaged up to an assisted living center one of our ward members, Miss Julia Bell lives at.  She was so pleased and the girls were darling sharing the blankets with all the residents there.  On Saturday Adelaide was cleaning her play house.  I was wishing I was there to make her an easter/spring wreath to hang on her front door of her play house.  Check your mailbox in a few days Lady!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Our Down Town Thiots
Since returning from our travels last week, my old body has caught a crummy cough and cold.  More than anything I would have wanted to be with Elinor this week but much more than anything, I couldn't stand to share it with her.  I'm hoping that this week it will be gone and I can go spend some fun times with her.  Sky asked me on Saturday what he could do for me to help me feel better.  I said to send photos of Miss Elinor and he did.  He knows how to put a smile on my face.  Thank you Sky.
This week at the famly history center, a sister came in for some help with her family.  As I was looking at her pedigree chart, I discovered that her grandmother was named Elinor Mae almost like our sweet Elinor Rae.  I just had goosebumps as we both shared with each other our love for our Elinors.

We Plano Thiots
I had this crazy idea this week of making fudge for my sisters at the temple as a souvenir of my trip to Nauvoo.  The Fudge Factory is quite famous there and makes the best fudge ever.  When Dick and I stopped in, it was $3.50 for a slice of fudge.  With 30 sisters on my shift, that was a bit cost prohibitive to bring them each a slice.  Not to worry, a few years ago, my friend Lynn had shared with me her recipe for See's fudge that simply melted in your mouth.  I contacted Lynn and got the recipe again with some very simplified instructions and then Wednesday morning turned my home into the Fudge Factory of Plano Texas.  It smelled sooooo good and the fudge turned out as good as it smelled.  The temple sisters loved it too.  Thank you Lynn for sharing your fudge making skills with me.
Dick has been playing catch up this week after being away for a week.  He is also speaking  at the Plano 7th Ward this morning and has been working on his talk with a difficult subject to address.  Say a little prayer for Dick about 9:00 this morning.  I hope your weeks were filled with goodness.  Sure love you, Robynn

Our Traveling Thiot Times

Our Mansfield Thiots
Ricky's family is having a wonderful time in Hawaii!  I was  mistaken and they only left this past Thursday.  They will be gone for 10 heavenly days.  The girls may never want to come home after all the beach time they are having and loving. Becky's whole family went to have a special memorial service to honor her Grandmother who's very most favorite place on earth was Maui. They all took a cruise at sunset to share their memories. Of of Becky's cousins made of book combining everyone's memories or Grandma Gloria.  I hope she will share it with me one day to read.  I'm sure glad I had opportunites to meet her and  I'm so glad they could go.  Keep sending pictures, we love it!

Our Charlottesville Granges

The Granges Traveled to the Doctor this past week, Max had a visit to remove a new friend who had climbed into his ear and been traveling about with him.  It was a wood tick who took up residency in a nice soft and warm spot.  This was Max's first time to have a tick.  Penny has had a couple.  When you live in such a beautiful place, with so many trees, it can happen. So grateful that Tatia listened to the prompting of the Holy Ghost and took action after seeing something unusual in that little ear.  He is quite proud to have Bogo now in a jar and now very much dead.  Slurpies seemed like the appropriate celebration after the trip to remove Bogo.

Our Carmichael Thiots
One day last week, Keelie and Callum decided to climb into a pair of Charlie's jeans.  Yes Keelie is on one side and Callum on the other side.  You two are too funny! Remember the book and movie of the Traveling Pants?   Keelie's Piano Teacher hosted a Musical Evening in the ward.  Many of his students performed and shared their musical skills they are learning.  Keelie was thrilled to be invited to perform.  She has only had 5 piano lessons and she sounded really good.  Charlie recoreded her performing Choose the Right.  It's the hymn that our Primary Children are learning this year.  I have played it over and over again smiling bigger each time.  Thanks Charlie! Callum was there to support Keelie and was so proud of her too.

Our L.A. Thiots
What a week Pierce and Stacy had over in London and Paris.  Pierce had traveled to Spain for work, and invited Stacy to come and join him after he finished his work in London.  I was sad it was the same week that Dick and I were out of town so they had two amazing friends offer to watch Adelaide and Jackson.  They had a great time and missed thier little ones a lot but knew they too were having a fun time with their friends.  I'm glad to report they came safely home on Saturday and are enjoying being a party of four once again.  

Our Downtown Thiots
Friday was Kara's birthday and what a fun day they turned March 10th into.  They started out with a plan of taking Baby Elinor to meet Kara's students at school and turned into quite a Traveling Day. The kids loved her as you can only imagine.  Then Kara was wishing for some special birthday flowers.  Kara has discovered a talent that she has of arranging flowers.  They went to the flower market and she chose some beautiful flowers to turn into a lovely birthday arrangement.  On the way home, they drove past Six Flags over Texas and noticed that the rides were running.  That's when they got the idea to stop in for a few rides.  Then Kara got a great idea to invite her sister Lauren to join them and so they took turns riding and watching the baby.  It turns out that 3 people are perfect, two to ride and one to tend.  The park was open but not many people were there which is also perfect.  No lines to wait in and you could ride to your hearts content.  Just right! Happy Belated Birthday Kara! Happy ONE Month Nora!

We Plano Thiots
It's been a whirlwind past two weeks.  I've learned a very good lesson.  When I don't write the Thiot Times early on Sunday morning, it doesn't get written.  The boys were talking with Dick about it and told him they miss it.  When Ricky went off to college, the fall after graduating from high school in 1998, I started to write him a letter each week, just to keep him up to date on what was going on in our family.  It's hard to believe that 19 years later, there has been a Thiot Times written nearly each week.  It wasn't in blog format originally, but was typed, printed and mailed to our family not living at home.  Now, it's much easier to put it on the blog and save it that way.  It's fun to have them printed into books to save and look back at over the years.  I'm glad our Traveling week is behind us.  It was wonderful traveling about with my best friend.  We drove 1900 miles in our travels and are glad to be HOME!!!

I am also happy to report that after spending two LONG weeks in the Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City, my sweet grand neice Sophie is home.  Thank you for adding your prayers to ours. There were many miracles along the way, and we all learned that some miracles take time.  My mom used to say that  you go to the hospital when you are sick, but you have to go home to get well.  You are still in our prayers Miss Sophie.  We love you and your family dearly.  SLY Robynn