Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad's birthday. Ninety one years ago, in Melba, Idaho a sweet baby boy was born to two amazing parents, Orval Edwin Birks, and Minnie Maude Whipple Birks.  He was the fifth child born into this happy family.  He had two older brothers and two older sisters and later had two younger brothers and three younger sisters.  What a lucky family to be blessed with TEN children.  My Dad is very special to me.  I can't believe how much I have missed him since he has returned to heaven on March 24, 2018.  It has left a very real empty spot in my heart.  I miss his cheerful phone calls, I miss his good hugs (loves he called them)  I miss hearing what he ate for breakfast and what he was planning on having for lunch.  I miss hearing what shapes the clouds were in as he watched them from his couch in the afternoon when he took a rest.  I miss how he could fix anything.  We never called for repairmen to do anything in our family, dad could do it, maybe not as fast, but with enough trips to home depot, he could get er done!  He could diagnose any car problem over the phone by just explaining the noise my car was making.  He gave the most beautiful prayers and would go out of his way often to bless the lives of his friends and neighbors.  So today on your 91st birthday, I want you to know that I want to try harder to be  more like you.  I want to take time to make phone calls to those I love, I want to hug those I love and tell them as much.  I want to talk to my Heavenly Father as often as beuaifully as you.  I love you so much and miss you a Bunch!  Cheerio!SLY Robynn
I wanted to share all the sweetness our family shared on Dad's Birthday

From Morgan in Tennessee:
I tired listening to my old voicemail from grandpa, but it must be on my old phone so instead I asked Heavenly Father to have grandpa give me some financial advice, I'm still waiting.  I think it's safe to say that lots of people are missing him today.  I asked Chase to pick up Burger King for dinner and we watched a movie together as a family. Then we wrapped up our girls like burritos and spun them out of their blankets.  SOOOOOO FUN!!!

From Chandler in Highland, Utah
I wear Grandpa's BYU hat everytime there is a football game.  It makes me feel like he is close by.  I think he would have liked the last two games.

From Matt in Sandy
I went to BK and talked to some strangers on the way.

From Krista in Sandy
Since Grandpa loved his neighbors and loved serving them, we decided to bake some pumpkin cookies and take them to some neighbors on our street that we don't know very well. It was wonderful to think of grandpa as we did it and how he always made the effort to get to know people.

From Jamie in Lehi
I drove Grandpa's truck to the gas station and mixed every fountain drink together to make a famous suicide like grandpa loved to do.  Might become my annual tradition on his birthday.

From Jordan in Saratoga Springs
I didn't get to do anything to out of the ordinary because Jamie's back is killing her (she's expecting a baby girl in January) but I did go make friends with a new neighbor over the weekend.  I felt like grandpa who loved meeting new people.

From Charlie in Sacramento
I made me a milkshake just like grandpa made.  Apparetnly, it's hard to make just one cup full so I had two BIG ones.

From Ricky in Mansfield Texas
We made milkshakes just like grandpa taught us when he came to visit a couple of years ago.  I do believe I have mastered the Milk Shake!

From Pierce in Los Angeles
I wore grandpa's coveralls to work on his birthday.  I had several people ask if I was there to change their oil and I told them what ever they needed done, I love to serve just like my Grandpa.  editors note, Pierce you rock those coveralls!

From Josh in Riverton
I couldn't resist sharing these treasured videos we took of grandpa when he came to our house for dinner.  We love watching them and we love to hear his voice.  We love you Grandpa!

From Tatia in Medford Oregon
We had our family night on Grandpa's birthday and Loved looking at many photos we have of him while he was growing up.  We especially loved the one of him on his mission in South Africa when the Prophet, President McKay came to visit the mission.  Can you spot him in the photo? think back row on the right.  Each one of the kids loved thinking of a special memory they share with Grandpa Great!  And now even the twins are getting some grandpa great time in heaven.

From Dick & Robynn in Plano
We loved making dad's famous strawberry shakes.  I'm not sure ours were quite as good but we came close.

From Chip in Payson
I don't remember having one of Grandpa's milk shakes, what I do remember is his Banana Splits  Every year after the Priesthood Session of General Conference, he treated us to his home made banana splits and let me tell you, I tried to never miss.  (editors note: I have always suspected it but this confirms that chipper may well be the favorite grandson  he he he)

From Elycia in Payson
I have a few voice mails from Grandpa that I treasure.  I love listening to his voice and can tell how much he loves me.  He would call and just want to see how everyone was doing and check up on us all.  My parents gave me a hard name to pronouce and I know it was hard for Grandpa, but he really tried hard and I love him for that.

From Skyler in Dallas
Something in my life that I will never regret is getting to bring Miss Elinor to meet Grandpa.  We arrived and he was so glad to meet her.  I'm so glad that I can always tell her about him and how she did get to meet him right before he snuck back to heaven.  Miss you Grandpa Great!

Our Last Week of Summer, please hurry Fall

Our Mansfield Thiots
Addison and Harper are back into Fall Soccer and even though it's titled Fall Soccer, it still fills very much like Summer Soccer.  They are very good sports and are enjoying it.  Way to go girls!

Our Medford Granges
The babies car seats arrived this week and Oscar and Charlie were only too happy to give them a test drive sort to speak.  Infant car seats can sure make a 2 and a 4 year old look BIG!  Tatia had a double doctors appointment on Thursday and both doctors are impressed with the babies.  They are growing very nicely and from the looks of the ultra sounds getting a bit cozy inside.  Tatia said it's the funnest thing to sit down and watch your tummy moving with little knees, feet and elbows poking her.  She is loving it!  Tatia had the fun assignment of putting together the primary program parts this week.  What fun this next month will be as Primary Programs are presented all over the world.  Always my favorite week of Sacrament Meetings.

Our Carmichael Thiots
Keelie and Callum are both back into soccer this fall too.  They are enjoying it and like the Mansfield Thiot's will be glad when the temperature drops a bit.  It's hard to want to run in the heat.  Charlie started his new job this week and says it's BUSY.  Lots to learn and lots to know, he will get it down in no time.  The traffic is a bit worse having to cross the American River but hopefully it will get that figured out soon too.

Pierce's commercial was nominated for an EMMY!  The judges pick a different one, but he's a winner in my book!

Left taken 3 years ago when he was nominated for an Emmy and then last night . Your babies are growing up!

Our LA Thiots
Monday was casting call in LA for Adelaide.  She got her favorite colored cast put on, and a frirend of theirs who does animation for Disney, met them for lunch at chick fil A and autographed her cast with WONDER WOMAN!  She was thrilled as you can only imagine.  Pierce said it really hasn't slowed her down much.  She can still do her school work and they even took a trip to Disney on Friday night.  I'm not sure it got them moved to the front of the line but she was extra careful with it.  She's also taken it to the beach, but did not play in the sand or get it wet.  Good Job! Pierce has worked hard on his wall and is hoping to have it completed soon!

Our Oak Lawn Thiots
Miss Elie has had a good week.  I loved having her come on Tuesday for some swimming time and bubbles and play.  She had a mostly good time at ballet on Wednesday.  There was a new tiny girl in her class who had not come before,  she mostly cried the whole lesson.  We hope she either cheers up or finds a different hobby,  oops, that wasn't too nice, sorry.  Skyler has been enjoying tennis this fall.  He was invited to attend a special tournament this weekend with Dirk Navinski and another Dallas Maverick basketball player playing tennis.  He said they were pretty Good!  It was hot and the seats were in the sunshine and Elie didn't want to stay tooo long.  But they enjoyed it for a bit.

We Plano Thiots
We hosted the ward Empty Nester Family Home Evening Group on Monday night.  We each recieved a mission call when we arrived and opened them and shared all the different possibilites for senior missionary opportunities. There is a multitude of possibilities .  We loved having everyone over at our home.  We had 23 fun people.  We could have a great group of Senior missionaries in a few years.  I can't wait!

Seminary was good this week.  Our students attend two different high schools who played football against eachother on Thursday.  We had a mini pep ralley to start off the class and Dick and I loved attending the game that night.  It was fun to be there to see our girls on the drill team perform and our flag girls who perform with the marching band.  What talented kids we teach.

Saturday afternoon, four little boys came over for a swim.  Miss Elie and I made friends with them at a park and we have loved getting together this summer.  We invited their parents to have a date night and we got to have them come play.  We loved it!

Almost two years ago, a wonderful young man joined our congregation.  Kumar is his name and Dick and I both felt a special connection to him.  We've been able to go to the temple for baptisms with him and yesterday Dick was blessed to confer the Melchezidek Priesthood and Ordain him to the office of an Elder.  What a thrill it was to be there with him.  He is looking forward to recieving his endowment in the House of the Lord and also getting his blessing from our stake Patriarch.  What a great guy!  We love you Kumar!

When I came home the other day, there was a small unicorn laying on my drive way.  I was so impressed that this leaf was laying on a piece of white paper and was shaped like a unicorn head.  WOW!  I knew it was going to be a lucky day to have my very own unicorn.  I hope you've had a lucky week too.  SLY Robynn

September Days and Nights!

Our Mansfield Thiots

I love these pictures of the Mansfield Thiots last weekend at the Beach in South Texas.  What a lot of fun they packed into those few days.  Ricky left for the West Coast for a conference/training in San Francisco.  Charlie and his kids drove up to spend Friday evening with Ricky.  What fun to get to see those pictures of those kids together.  I loved it.  Becky's Birthday was on Wednesday and she and her friends celebrated with a lunch date.  Her parents are in Nevada visiting her brother and so it was kind of a quiet birthday.  I hope next year will be better!  

Our Medford Granges
Last Sunday afternoon, Jake asked Tatia and the kids if they would be up for a Birthday Adventure.  They were all in and they checked with Charlie's family and made a plan to meet at the Castle Park in Redding California.  They both had a 2 1/2 hour drive and had such fun being together.  They found a fun pizza place that had games on the tables to play while you wait for your pizza to cook.  They all had a grand visit and then headed 2 1/2 hours back in the opposite directions home.  Jake, you have fun ideas!  In the mail this week arrived a very soft stuffed kitty that reminds them a lot of their kitty Mittens who passed away last week.  They have all enjoyed having turns reading and playing with the kitty. Jakes parents, arrived in Medford on Wednesday and had a fun filled few days with the Medford Granges.  They are always most  helpful and fun when they come.  

Our Carmichael Thiots
I loved this orange corvette that was parked on their street this week.  Callum was sure it was an early 16th birthday gift delivered to him.  Everyone had to wipe the drool off their faces including graypa who loves corvettes too.  Friday when they heard Ricky was in San Fran, Charlie and the kids hopped in the car and took another extended drive to see family.  One of the best spots in San Francisco is the Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory and ice Cream Parlor.  I loved seeing that they were able to go have a treat together there.  YUMMY, that hot caramel sundae looks some kind of wonderful to this Grammy.  I do beleive the Carmichael Thiots have logged the most miles visiting family this week!

Sushi can help a broken arm feel much better

Our LA Thiots
Friday night while playing at the park, on the twirling thing, Adelaide fell off and hurt her arm.  They took her to the emergency room and sure enough, Adelaide is  now on the long list of broken arm kids and grandchildren in our family.  Welcome to the club Adelaide!  She called me from the ER and we talked about when her daddy broke his arm and how brave he was too.  We love you Adelaide and are sorry you are hurt.  So glad doctors can fix you up and in a few short weeks (6) you will be good as new! Pierce enjoyed attending a LA Dodger game on Saturday night and had some mighty fine seats!  Go Pierce!

Our Oak Lawn Thiots
Miss Elie has been a little under the weather this week and was kind enough to share her bug with her daddy.  Uggg.  She came and spent a couple of days with me and I loved having her.  She is such fun to watch.  Skyler said yesterday that he was feeling 65% better.  Hopefully he will be back to 100% really soon.  School is going well for Kara.  They have adjusted class sizes and it's a bit more manageable now.  I'm so glad.

We Plano Thiots
My Partner in teaching Seminary is moving and so Wednesday was her last day.  I made a big poster that we all got to sign wishing her well on her new adventure.  We will really  miss her, she is a really good teacher and made Seminary so much fun last year and this first month of school. 
Dick was published in the International Spectrum Magazine this month.  He wrote an article about MultiValue and made the front page!  Go Dick.  He also made the front page at Merit Badge College this weekend.  We had a BUNCH of scouts sign up and Dick taught two of the Merit Badge classes.  It was all day yesterday and then again next Saturday.  What fun!
It was our Plano Stake Conference this weekend.  Dick had a lot of preparations, kind of behind the scene activity to get it all together as Stake Clerk.  He did a super job.  It was a wonderful conference.  I enjoyed every talk and learned much.  I hope you've had a good week.  Sure Love ya'll, Robynn