Remember Me

Our Mansfield Thiots
This weekend was the Daddy Daughter Campout in Mansfield.  Now this picture does not really record what a fun time was had.  Ricky had forgotten to take a picture on Friday night and they had to leave early bird style Saturday morning to get to their early soccer games.  Miss Harper loves camping but not being woken up early.  Ricky had borrowed a tent and some camping gear, but forgot to pick it up last Sunday when they came for dinner.  This made for a bonus lunch date for dick and Ricky at the "fish store".  They both are great fans of sushi and enjoyed meeting up for lunch and getting the camping gear.  Glad you had a good time! Ricky and Dick had a great evening at a Beach Boys concert on Wednesday night.  It was so fun, but no surfing on the nice seats in the Majestic theater. 

Our Medford Granges
Friday was Oscar's 4th Birthday and it also began Spring Break for the school kids.  They planned a trip up north to Gigi and Bumpa's home and for a trip to the zoo.  They also added somemore fun adventures to the weekend.  They will head back home later today.  Safe travels. Oscar has been so excited for his birthday.  Its been hard for him to understand how many more days it was away.  So they turned it into a birthday week.  Oscars darling Sunbeam teachers stopped by on Monday with a gift for Oscar that he was thrilled with.  On Tuesday Oscar invited his buddy Reed over for a play date and lunch.  Corn dogs were a hit and blue cupcakes were perfect!  The gift Graypa and I had mailed arrived on Wednesday and it was the bubble machine we had been talking about for months.  He was thrilled and everyone loved playing in the bubbles and trying to catch them. Thursday after school, they hoped into their van and headed north.  What fun they have had!  Happy Birthday Oscar!

Our Carmichael Thiots
The Carmichael Thiots were in the mood for one last ski trip this spring.  New snow had made that possible and they headed to the mountains in the jeep with 4 wheel drive ready to go.  It was cold and it was snowing and that made for only the brave to be on the slopes which made for no lines in the ski lift.  Now that is like being in Disney without lines, a dream come true.  The kids are getting excited for a trip to Texas for their spring break in April.  Aunt Keltzie will host them for their first week in Houston and then we will get to see them their second week.  We are getting excited too! They will be here for Easter!

Our LA Thiots
There was a camp out planned in LA too.  They loved setting up their tent on the patio and loved having the potty close by.  Very smart!  How I love these happy campers!  I've been extra lonesome for them this week.  I loved getting to spend last weekend with them.  Happy Camping!!!!

Our Oak Lawn Thiots
Our weather has been so spring like and nice this week.  It's made for lots of field trips outside for Skyler and Miss Elie.  They've enjoyed the zoo twice, the arberitum and museums and Six Flags every fun thing you can imagine.  I love Miss Elie at the Zoo with her back pack and cute piglet going along.  So glad you are all feeling better and ready for Spring Fun!

At the Dollar tree looking for some spring flowers to decorate with

One of Dick's friends brought his a dozen eggs.  the big spotted ones are turkey eggs.  They are almost too pretty to eat. 

We Plano Thiots

We had a nice week and Dick packed a lot into his week.  Sky invited Dick to a Maverick Game on Monday night and they loved seeing Dirk receive an award for being the 6th highest scorer.  I loved Tuesday when after a fun Elie day we were able to attend the temple together.  Dick loved the Beach Boys on Wednesday and Dick was invited to play golf on Thursday after work.  This new time with more sunshine makes that possible.  Saturday we began by tidying up the garage and then off to the Prepardness Fair at the Stake Center.  Then we had dinner at Costa Vida with a new friend we met named Gabi.  She grew up in Sandy Utah.   I loved her.  Then it was off to Jasper High for their School Play, Once upon a Mattress.  Two of my seminary students were the stars and we loved being there. 

Can you believe what high school kids can do with styrofoam cups and an exacto knife? 

Now today marks one year since my dad returned to heaven.  Each month this year on the 24th we siblings have talked about what we miss most about having dad with us.  It's been both a fast and a long  year with out him.  I know he is close by watching over us all.  We are going to watch the movie Cocoa this evening.  That's the last movie I watched with him.  I love the song, Remember Me.  Oh how I do.   SLY Robynn

One Year Later...

It’s hard to believe that tomorrow will be Dad’s one  year anniversary of his Heaven Day.  It’s been a long year in many ways and yet each day the sun comes up and the sun sets again.  Somehow, I think I thought the world would STOP and yet, it carries on.  I’ve missed dad’s cheery phone calls and so wished that heaven could install some telephone lines and have phone calls every now and then.

A lot has happened since last March 24^th, 2018. Not in any particular order, sorry.

·        We had the Birks Family reunion with everyone in attendance that could be there.  Mom and Dad were the most missed.

·        Baby Thea was born to Carissa and Tanner and what a beautiful baby girl she is.  I think Dad must have picked her out special.

·        Chip and Elycia are expecting a new baby boy coming in May.  I’m sure he will be a great new addition to our family.

·        Lauren and Taylor are expecting a baby girl in June and Jeffrey and Jenn are so excited to be grandparents.  How great to be so close by.

·        We lost Cousin Lee Birks last summer very suddenly.  How he is so missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

·        Our sweet Cousin Lisa also slipped away to heaven.   How we miss her but we are so glad she is not hurting any more. 

·        Another shocking loss was when Cousin Karen passed away.  We were so hoping for her recovery and not for her to return to heaven too. So many hearts missing her.

·        Aunt Ida Brown Bennett passed away last month.

·        Jeffrey’s good friend Brian Howlett was killed in a hit and run accident.  We’ve missed him too.

·        We’ve had much moving during the past year.

·        The Granges moved from Virginia to Oregon

·        The Chip Birks’ moved from Pleasant Grove to Payson

·        Lani Lawrence moved a few miles south into her beautiful new home.

·        Jeff & Jenn moved across the street into the Birks Homestead Home and

·        Lauren and Taylor moved into their old home.

·        Pierce Thiot’s family moved across the street to their new home.

·        Skyler Thiot’s family moved from downtown to Oak Lawn and they are loving it there. 

·        Ricky Thiot took a new position at work and is working hard.

·        Jordan Cline’s family moved into their new home and are happy there.

·        Aunt Marie moved to Nampa, Idaho

·        Jamie Cline’s family moved into their new home and are planning another move soon.

·        Carissa and Tanner moved into a darling apartment and loved making a nursery for Thea.

·        Ric turned 60 this month and took a 6,000 mile trip across the country to purchase a new ride which is older than he is.  He visited all the family he could across the country.  We all loved it.

·        Callum Jay Thiot was baptized in February a member of The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter Day Saints.  Uncle Buddy was able to attend and Dad in spirit.

It’s been quite a year for sure.  Laurie was a HERO and was able to sell Dad’s homes and take care of all the final details. Jeffrey worked hard for months cleaning out dad’s treasures.  Dad had worked hard all his life to make sure he left everything in good shape and was able to bless each of our lives too.  Some families I have heard, after a death in the family find that they can no longer be friends or family.  I’m so thankful for Mom and Dad teaching us that Family is what is most important and to never let anything else get in the way of loving and caring for one another.  What a very important lesson that truly is. I love this picture that Josh captured the day before dad passed away.  I love Skyler being my skywriter in placing SLY in the sky.  Sure love you!!!!!!

The last movie we watched with dad was the movie Cocoa.  The song from the movie, Remember Me is one I love.  If you have the chance, it might be a wonderful remembrance to watch that and think about Orval Jay Birks, Grandpa Gr-8, Papa, OJ, Dad!

I hope each one of us can feel that we are a better person, “One Year Later”, with Dad’s good example he set for us all.  What a great love he has for all of us and for our Savior Jesus Christ.  I’m sure Dad would say… Come, Follow Me. 

SLY
Robynn 

Grammy Goes To Los Angeles!

I loved my UBER Drivers who picked me up at LAX last Thursday morning!  What a wonderful 60 hours in LA I had!

What a treat it was for me to get to spend my Spring Break in Los Angeles with Pierce, Stacy, Adelaide and this darling Jackson boy!

This is Pierce who was the voice of the Big Brother in Boss Baby.  He's Adelaide and Jackson's favorite baby sitter. 

This is Stacy's new fiddle fig tree.  We were voting as to which basket it would look best growing out of.  

This is Adelaide's Play Ground at school.  I wish you could have heard the kids cheer when Pierce walked onto the playground.  Everyone wanted to High Five him.  He is most popular.  

Adelaide gave us the tour of her classroom.  I loved seeing each of her centers and I loved meeting her teacher.  Very very nice!

On Friday after school, Adelaide has Gymnastics.  She is wonderful just like her mama!

Here she is upside down on the bars

It's the Cookie Dough patrol.  They make the best cookie dough I have ever sampled!

My Saturday dream was to go to the beach and put my feet in the Pacific Ocean.  We all had a great time.

Adelaide and Jackson, love running into the water and back out again.  

What a beautiful peaceful place the beach is.  I loved it!

Jackson had a sneaker wave knock him into the water.  He didn't mind a bit running around in his diaper. 

I loved my uber driver who dropped me back at the airport after our 60 hours and 14 minutes together.

We had lunch at In & Out Burger and loved watching the planes take off and land at LAX

What a fun picnic we had together.

I love this picture Pierce got of us and the JET!

Another lunch bunch picture!

How I love this darling T-K Girl!!

We are Springing Forward!

Our Mansfield Thiots
This was a great week in Mansfield.  Brooklyn's Choir had their concert which was called, 101 Dalmatians. They had learned some great songs and I do believe even Walt Disney himself would have loved it.  Gray pa and I surely did.  Brooklyn was a darling dalmatian named Spot and she sang and danced and was darling.  The next night, Thursday, Addison and Harper had a fun evening displaying what they had learned in their week of studying Theater.  Each student got to select something they would like to learn more about.  Addie and Harper were both given their first choice and loved being in the same class together.  They did a puppet show, wrote a short play, which Addison stared in and did marionettes, it was fabulous!!!! Gray pa and I were thrilled to drive to Mansfield two nights in a row to see our girls be the stars!!!!  Thanks for inviting us.  We loved it! It was also Field Day on Friday.  Harper wishes every day was Field Day.  Both Addison and Harpers classes won the tug of war!!!!

Our Medford Granges
It was a good week in Medford and I loved these three pictures of Charlie and Oscar this week.  Charlie loved having 10 uninterrupted minutes playing on the play rug.  I loved that they showed up in a limo to McDonald's.  How fun these play mats are and even a darling 19 month old boy can enjoy it.  Oscar is getting excited for his birthday coming up on the 22nd.  He's got some fun plans made for a birthday party featuring Monster Trucks.  I can't wait to hear all about it.   Max and Penny were busy with school this week and Penny presented her book report all from memory.  She was a bit nervous but said once she got started it went well.  We had a fun hour looking at scriptures and scripture bags for her upcoming baptism in May.  Oh my goodness, what  great 8 she will be.  Max enjoyed having Jacobs' primary class over for dinner on Friday night.  They are a bit older than him and he loved having them over.

Our Carmichael Thiots
It was Callum's first Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts and I'm happy to announce that he was awarded his first rank for Cub Scouts.  He is officially now a BOBCAT!!  He had to memorize several things and do a good turn.  That is not a challenge for Callum,  he is a very kind and helpful boy.  I'm proud of him.  I loved the cake he made for the Auction.  Oh my, what a happy cake.  I love the Fruity pebbles cereal that helped to make it so bright and cheerful.  YUM!!!! Keelie has had a good week too.

Our LA Thiots
Adelaide and Pierce enjoy baking cookies together and this week when they were baking, Adelaide asked Pierce to please put just a drop of vanilla behind each of her ears.  She remembered the story of her Great Great Grandma Elaine making her famous Sugar cookies and always putting just a touch of vanilla behind each ear.  She said when Great Great Grandpa Archie would come home he loved to try to gobble her up she smelled so nummy.  I love that Adelaide remembers sweet family stories.  She has a dear connection with our family members both on earth and in heaven. Good news for Jackson boy,  He is not officially a binky boy only in bed at night.  That is a tough transition and I'm proud of your Jackson!!! Pierce has been anxious to make his backyard as marvelous as their last home was.  He rented a bobcat and hired Jackson boy and boy what a miracle he did.  I can't wait to be there later this week and see it in person!  Way to go LA Thiots!

For Kara's birthday she got to attend a cooking class and learn to make chocolate eclairs

Our Oak Lawn Thiots
Miss Elie had a first this week, she was sick with the stomach flu.  Skyler and Kara took very good care of her and in a few days she was back to almost her normal happy self.  On Saturday morning she came and stayed with me while Sky and Kara both helped to Proctor the SAT test at Kara's school.  It was fun to watch her play on the play rug with all the cars that were her daddy's and uncles.  So fun.  Today is a wonderful day, it's our Kara's birthday!  Happy Birthday Kara!  I hope you have an extra nice day. Dick and Sky were happier than they  look in this photo and went to see the documentary of NASA's space flights.  They loved being in the IMAX theatre.  It was only playing for one week and they got there on the last show of the last day.  I'm glad you got to go  you two!

We Plano Thiots
Last Sunday morning, I got a message from my brother Ric telling me that he was heading out on a road trip o f over 5,000 miles and would be coming through Dallas on Tuesday.  I loved getting to see him and visit.  It was a great part of my week for sure.  He is now heading to Michigan to visit with his son Chase and his family.  What a lot of driving.  He got to stop and see Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Dennis on their mission and sold and bought cars along the way. He loves to drive.  My dad used to enjoy going with him on road trips.  He was wishing he had dad along on this long journey.  perhaps he does.

 In the mail this week came this beautiful water color of the Salt Lake temple.  I took it to seminary along with my Ragetty ann doll dressed in the little girls baptism dress as we talked about Ordinances and Covenants that we make with Heavenly Father.  Thank you Tatia! There are also two jars of salt, one which has lost it's savor by not keeping it's covenants.  I loved that scripture teaching.

I got to make cinnamon rolls on Thursday with the help of my sister Laurie.  She makes the best ones ever.  I asked if she could help me and we had fun visiting and she is a great teacher over the phone.  I made them to take to my friend who is going home from rehab this week to give to her care takers.  Tatia made me darling stickers to put on the rolls and Doretha said they were a hit.

My seminary  kids along with Dick are heading out on trek this week.  I wanted to give them some good luck and thought trail mix might be the best.  What fun to love those cute kids.

Today is my sister Laurie's birthday!  Happy Birthday to you Laurie!  Its so fun to have her be a year ahead of me and she always asures me how great the next year of life will be.  She's wonderful!  Have a great day Kara and Laurie!  Sure love you, Robynn