There are Two New Boys in Town!

We have been smiling non stop since we heard the news that the Babies had arrived. Luke and Owen came on Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010. What a wonderful blessing two new baby boys are in our family. Little Luke is so sleepy, he's not eating yet. He is in the NICU learning to eat. We are hoping that he is a quick learner. I got to go and give him his 2:30 feeding today. I LOVED it. I sang him every song I know and loved every minute. Thanks for sharing your family with ours. Kinsley Kate is doing wonderully as a big sister.

Children's Museum Adventure

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Ricky & Becky had a date night on Friday night and the girls got to come to our house. Brooklyn got to sleep over night and Addy Mae had to go home with her parents after their date. It was so fun. We took the girls to McDonalds after we picked them up for dinner and to play on the play ground. On Saturday morning we borrowed our little Kinsley Kate and invited our Super Nanny to come along with us to the Children’s Museum in Dallas. Tatia was a great sport to sit between the two carseats since we had borrowed our bigger car to Ricky and Becky to pick up a storm door this weekend. Good thing she’s a tiny little thing. She read 11 valentine story books to the girls on the way. They both loved all the stories and we had such fun at the museum. It was a busy day there with a few birthday parties going on as well as it being Engineering Week there. The girls had fun on the farm, and they especially loved the fire engine. We even got to dig for dinosaur bones. We were all pretty tired out when we left and had a nice drive home.
Our Cobre Valle Granges
Tatia showed us the apartments she and Jake are interested in moving into when Jerry Martin returns in a few months. It was fun to see where they were and to learn it’s only about 30 minutes away from our house. Jake had stayed home to prepare for his week of school. He leaves on Thursday morning to present his paper on the research he did last summer at a Conference in New Orleans later that day. He is looking forward to that and will be back on Friday morning. Good Luck Jake!
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
I talked to Charlie who had returned from his snow cave camp out. They brought back as many boys as they took and nobody had any frostbitten or missing limbs. He said that’s the first thing you check off when judging the camp outs success. The weather was a bit warmer than they had thought and the snow not as plentiful, but a good time was had by all. Charlie has always loved Scouts and especially camping out. He didn’t get much experience with winter camping so this was a bonus. Mackenzie has her Relief Society Meeting on Tuesday night and they are making quiet books for the little ones in their ward. Should make for quieter Sacrament Meetings. Good Luck!
Our Orem Thiot’s
Stacy put a positive test strip on her blog this weekend and got us all excited until we heard it was a positive strep test strip. Not nearly as fun as a new grandbaby. We hope you are feeling better soon Stacy. Strep is one of those things they can treat and help you feel better pretty quick. I hope it’s the case for you.
Our New York Elder Thiot
This week was amazing! To stop myself from having all my emails sound like annoying over happiness, I will explain why I’m so happy to be here in Jamaica. In Missionary work sometimes good things happen slowly. You find and teach one person at a time, and it’s kind of like a hose that is leaking and it’s just drip by drip. But right now in Jamaica, the hose is on full blast. We have 4 companionships covering our ward, and everyone has people getting ready to be baptized, and yesterday was a great example of everything going on here in Jamaica. There were SIX baptisms yesterday. It was such a sweet experience to see the entire front row of the baptism dressed in white. It was a so sweet. Next week, the ward has three more, including Smith, and then the week after that, there will be 5 more. For the month of February there will be 14 new members in the ward. The amazing part is how it is happening. The other missionaries here are great, and the recent converts and members are telling all their friends about the church. So despite me, the Lord is blessing the area.
We Plano Thiot’s
Dick got an e-mail at 5:43 this morning telling us that our Ben and Rebecca were at the hospital in labor and expected the little boys to arrive about breakfast time. Sure enough Luke and Owen were born at 7:06 and 7:15 this morning. Both boys weighed a little over six pounds and are doing well. After our Stake Conference Meeting, we snuck over to the hospital to meet them. I am convinced that there is NOTHING on the planet earth any nicer or sweeter than a brand new baby and two brand new babies is even better. I loved getting to hold them and love them. Rebecca is a champ of a mommy. She did so well and what cute little boys they have. I wish we could have been there when Kinsley Kate arrived to meet her brothers. She is going to be crazy about them too. They picked a great day to be born. It’s my little brother Jeffrey’s birthday too. Happy Birthday Jeffrey Mike! SLY Rob

Happy Valentines Day!

Step 1: Take a picture of your favorite Valentine. Have them stick their fist out to the side in front of them.
Step 2: Print them on your printer or at a photo place.
Step 3: Cut two small slits one under the thumb and one under the pinky finger

Step 4: Slide your favorite lollypop into the slits

Step 5: Take them to church and you will be VERY POPULAR!

Thanks for the fun idea http://designmom.com

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
This week, our Mansfield Thiot’s tiny girls have been battleing crummy coughs, runny noses and the cold weather crud. I think if our silly weather could make up it’s mind which season we are having, it might be a whole lot healthier. We had a snow storm this week that was record breaking for north Texas. We got 14 inches. To many of you up north, that isn’t too impressive, but to us, it’s AMAZING! Many areas lost power but we were blessed to have power. It was beautiful and we still have a little bit left.
Our Cobre Valle Granges
It was fun to celebrate Jake’s birthday with him this week. We just kept the celebrating going. Tatia and Jake went to the Bodies Exhibit on Saturday afternoon. Jake loved it and Tatia loved having Jake explain what things were and how they worked. Pretty fun! Jake and Tatia were invited over to Ben and Rebecca’s for a painting of the nursery party on Saturday night. Those two little boys are due to arrive this week. We are getting so excited to meet them.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
I thought Charlie would be a little jealous of all of our snow, but instead he sent a fun e-mail saying he would keep his much warmer weather. He is planning an ice cave campout with the Boy Scouts in a few weeks. That sounds right up Charlie’s alley to camp with Boy Scouts. What fun! Keelie is learning to love reading books, you will have to peek at their blog to see her cute new pictures there.
Our Orem Thiot’s
Thursday morning brought a sad phone call telling Pierce and Stacy that Stacy’s sweet Grandma had passed away during the night. Grandma Billie turned 90 last summer and planned a giant birthday party and family reunion. Her entire family were all together for a week and enjoyed being with her. I think she must have known her time was short. What fun memories Pierce and Stacy have with her living just down stairs from her for the past many months. What a happy reunion it must have been in heaven as she was reunited with her sweet husband who has been gone for 21 years. You are in our thoughts and prayers P&S.
Our New York Elder Thiot
We had amazing things happen to us every day. The highlight of the week was our appointment with Smith. We are teaching him at a member’s house, and the member’s daughter is not a member. After the lesson which went really well, the daughter, Angie, came out and talked to us for a while, and then seemed really interested. On Sunday we found out she had read First Nephi. She is really impressive. Its amazing to see the testimonies of our investigators when they share them with others.
Another amazing thing that has made life so good is that in the last 7 days, 20 people in our zone of 18 missionaries committed to get baptized in February. It is a very exciting time to be in Jamaica and to see all the amazing people that are getting fired up and find the truth. When it snows in Jamaica, it pours. You’ll want to peek at Sky’s blog to read the rest of his great week.
We Plano Thiot’s
This has been one of my favorite weeks. February has birthdays for many of my favorite people. My Mom’s birthday is on the 12th and my baby brother is on the 21st. It’s also a wonderful month to get to have Valentines Day celebrated too. When I put away my Christmas decorations, I put out my valentine things. It’s been feeling very valentinish for several weeks now. One of my favorite things is the valentine picture hearts I made while Ricky was a missionary. They hang in the windows under my stairs and I love to look at those photos when my children were my little kids. Now they are grown into wonderful people and married even more wonderful people. I love each one of them, and the bonus’s are those 3 darling granddaughters. Oh how I love them.
Dick has had a better week. He’s feeling like himself again. It seems like sometimes we have to be sick to appreciate how great it is to feel good. The snowday cancelled some of his busy events which was welcome. It didn’t keep him home from work, he couldn’t wait to get out and drive on those snowy roads. Men are funny in snow.
We had a fun Saturday morning making Valentines for Bishop Dick to pass out in Primary and Young Mens and Young Womens this morning. He’s such a good sport to go along with my silly ideas. I love you Valentine Dick! I love each of you too. Happy Valentines Day. SLY Robynn

Happy Birthday Mom, Gram, & Gigi

It's Friday morning and I have a Friday morning tradition that I've had for many years. That is making Missionary Stationary for my mom to write a letter to her missionary grand children. In the past 12 years that she has had grandchildren on missions, she hasn't missed a week. This Friday morning is an extra special one. It's her 75th Birthday today. I know you shouldn't tell a woman's age, but when you are 75 years old, that has bragging rights of it's own. This is the photo I put on her missionary stationary to Elder Skyler this morning. It's pasted on the inside cover of his favorite book to read with her. It's called, I'm Glad I'm Your Grandma. written by Bill and Kathy Horlacher. Here are the sweet words....

I'm glad I'm your Grandma, Please let me say why
I'm glad I'm your Grandma when we go for a walk or sit on the porch and have a nice talk
I'm glad I'm your Grandma when you send me a card, or draw me a picture, which shows you've tried hard.
I'm glad I'm your Grandma when you call on the phone, or you come for a visit just to see me at home.
I'm glad I'm your Grandma when we ride in the car, or when it's dark and we see a bright star
I'm glad I'm your grandma when you give me a squeeze, or ask for a favor, and polietly say "please."
I'm glad I'm your Grandma when we go to the park and we play in the swing, until it gets dark
I'm glad I'm your Grandma when you kiss me goodnight or ask for a hug when things aren't quite right.
I'm glad I'm your Grandma when we take time to play, and when talking to God you have plenty to say.
I'm glad I'm your Grandma when we share something sweet or I tuck you in tight, and then sing you to sleep.
But most of all, I'm Glad I'm your Grandma just because you are you.
You're God's wonderful gift to me.

Happy Birthday Mom, you are a Wonderful Mother, a Fantastic Grandmother and a Marvelous Great Grandmother. I hope you have an extra special day.
SLY
Robynn

It SNOWED!!! BIG TIME!

What a beautiful site the snow is. The Plano Schools are Closed and all the kids in town are HAPPY! Jake's school did not close and Tatia and Dick both had to go to work. I'm secretly hoping the temple might be closed and that I can stay home and light a fire in the fireplace and read a good book.

SOUPER Bowl Sunday Edition

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Becky’s parents went back to Redding, California on Tuesday morning and they have been missed. What fun grandparents and the little girls enjoyed having them there so much. With our crazy changing weather, you never know if it’s chilly or COLD both little girls have caught colds. Keep the tissues close by with those funny noses. They are fun little girls even though they aren’t feeling their very best.
Our Cobre Valle Granges
Tomorrow is Jake’s birthday, so we have done some fun celebrating this weekend. Tatia hosted a very fun and tasty birthday party on Saturday afternoon. Jake made his famous cheese steak sandwiches that were WONDERFUL and Tatia served Chocolate molten cake for desert. WOWSERS! Ben & Rebecca and Kinsley Kate were there along with our Mansfield Thiot’s and Dick and me. The favorite birthday gift was the green Toyota pick up truck that the Christensen’s’ were selling. Jake has been wishing for it since we heard they might be selling it a while ago. He is one happy birthday man.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
We found out a week or so ago, that Charlie’s family is planning to be in Utah for General Conference the first week in April. It’s also the same weekend as my nephew Chase and his bride to be Morgan and getting married and Keelie’s number 2 birthday. They asked if we were planning to come. Dick’s been checking on air fares and trying to figure out a way we could come. What fun that would be to have a Quatruble Great Weekend by seeing Chase and Morgan married, Getting to Celebrate Keelie’s birthday with her, seeing Pierce and Stacy and getting to enjoy General Conference. I’m crossing all 10 fingers that it will work out.
Our Orem Thiot’s
Stacy’s parents are in Orem this week as Stacy’s Grandmother, her Dad’s Mother, Billie Brinkerhoff, is in failing health. She turned 90 years old this past summer and has been ready to go “home” for some time now. The doctors have said her time is coming close. Pierce and Stacy have loved living so close to her and have been able to spend time visiting and serving her with their loving hands. You are in our thoughts and prayers Brinkerhoff family.
Our New York Elder Thiot
Hey! Wow, what an exciting week I have had here in Jamaica this week. We had some amazing miracles and I got some exciting news from Bensonhurst. I will start with some of the amazing things that happened. On Friday night we went to meet with one of our Haitian investigators, Smith. He hobbled into the lesson and told us that at work that day a large piece of machinery had fallen on his foot. As he shared the story, I was shocked he was sitting right in front of us. He said that when the machinery fell on him, he didn’t feel the full force of the hit, like something was lifting it up. Even though his foot was injured, from the size of the thing that fell on him, it could have easily led to much worse damage, and even amputation. But thankfully the Lord has guardian angels following these sweet people here in Jamaica.
We Plano Thiot’s
Friday night, Tatia and Jake hosted 9 of the newlywed couples that have moved into our ward family. They played The Newlywed Game and asked Dick and I to help with the questions and the game. Dick dressed up as Bob Eubank did a fabulous job and we all had a very fun time. The questions are found in an earlier blog entry. For desert, they served “Jakes Crepes”. Oh my they are DELICIOUS! Tatia had set up a Crepe Bar with ice cream, strawberries, bananas, chocolate sauce, carmel sauce, strawberry sauce, etc. It was beautiful. They had such a fun time. It was certainly party weekend at the Granges home. Saturday night, they were invited to a Ground Hog party with some of their friends from medical school. I’m sure they had a fun time too. Dick was invited to be a server at the Reunion for his Wood badge Training group he was on staff for. He was delighted to do so and spend a good part of Saturday afternoon and all evening at Camp Wisdom helping. He loves those kind of events and I’m glad he was feeling well enough to go and have a nice time. I hope you’ve all had a good week and that you are looking forward to this new week. Enjoy the super bowl! SLY, Robynn

The Newleyweds Game

Husband questions?

1. How long does it take your wife to get ready in the morning?
2. What is your favorite meal that your wife makes?
3. How many children would you like to have?
4. What was your wifes favorite subject in school?
5. What is your wife’s favorite scripture story?
6. Truck, Car or Motorcycle?
7. Where did you take your wife on your first date?
8. Who is your wife’s favorite musician?

BONUS: What would your favorite church calling be?

Wife Questions?
1. How would your husband order his steak?
2. What did your husband wear on your first date?
3. What is your favorite movie?
4. What sport does your husband most enjoy playing?
5. What is your favorite sport to watch?
6. What was the highest rank your husband earned in Boy Scouts?
7. What flavor of ice cream would your husband say is his favorite?
8. What piece of clothing does your husband wear that you would like to burn?
BONUS: What would your favorite church calling

Aunt Bonnie's Chocolate Coated Carmel Corn

6 quarts popped corn

1 cup 2 sticks of butter or margarine

1/2 cup light corn syrup

2 cups brown sugar

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 package chocolate almond bark-melted

Combine butter, corn syrup, salt, and brown sugar in a 2 quart saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, to soft ball stage (226 degrees) Remove from heat and add soda and stir until well mixed. Pour mixture over popped corn and stir until every piece is coated. Bake in 300 degree oven for 30 minutes, stir every 10 minutes, as it will burn. At the end of 30 minutes test to make sure it isn't sticky by allowing a couple of pieces to cool enough to eat them. (fun part) Turn out on to a clean surface to let cool enough to handle.

Take a generous amount of carmel corn (maybe 1/3 of recipe) and put into a bowl. Pour melted chocolate on top and gently stir, then pour onto a sheet of wax paper to cool and set up. Once everthing is cool, you can combine the two or when packaging add the chocolate to the top. YUMMY!

Fun Birthday Gifts

Gigi and Papa gave Brooklyn a darling Kittie named Miss SIlkee from Build a Bear. I was lucky enough to get to go and make her. I had the funnest time shopping with my mom on the phone. She chose the dress, the shoes, the purse and of course the pink bows for her ears. What fun. Brooklyn loved my Miss SIlkee and always looks for her when she comes over to play. THen she remembers and says, "Oh Miss Silkee is Dead." I'm so glad she has her very own Miss Silkee.

Tatia, Becky and I went to a baby shower last week for our dear friend Rebecca who is expecting twin baby boys soon, at the shower we met Rachel who is a very talented gal. She had made matching bibs and blankeys for the boys and embroidered on them. I coudn't wait to call her and have her do a shirt for Brooklyn for her birthday that said, I'm 3 years old. She did a practice one and I was able to put it onto a Library Book Bag for Brooklyn. I' LOVED how they turned out. Rachel, you are AMAZING! I want a machine just like yours! This is the book Keelie wanted Brooklyn to have. Keelie, I read it to her before we left the party and she LOVED it!!!!!!

Happy Ground Hog Day Ya'll!

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
What a fun Birthday Week this was for the Mansfield Thiot’s. Becky’s Parents, Nana and Papa arrived on Wednesday night, right on her birthday. The weather has been cold and wet, not too fun for outside activities but they’ve had fun playing inside together. Brooklyn’s party was on Saturday morning. She had 10 little friends come to celebrate. Kinsley Kate brought her bounce house and it was a jumping success. The kids LOVED it. It was so fun right in the living room. Pizza, Presents and Delicious Cake made for a very fun party. Happy Birthday Brookie! http://picasaweb.google.com/Dick.Thiot/BrooklynSThirdBirthdayParty?authkey=Gv1sRgCNS5y6u5rd2g_QE# To view birthday photos and videos, click here.
Our Cobre Valle Thiot’s
Tatia and Jake had a busy week but survived. Tatia’s Young Women’s New Beginnings was a huge success. 12 year old girls, have a LOT of energy and can make any gathering a lot of fun. They did great on their song and Tatia did a beautiful job accompanying them on the piano. Go T! They are busy this week getting ready for a gathering of 10 young married couples they are hosting at their house on Friday night. What fun that will be I am sure.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Charlie and Mackenzie had a busy week. On Monday I spoke with Charlie and he asked me to do the funnest thing for him. I got to do his birthday shopping for Brooklyn. He knew just the book they wanted to get her and it was one I’ve been trying to find for her for over a year. I loved glueing a picture in the front of Brooklyn and Keelie reading a book together. So cute. Thanks for letting me be your super shopper Carmichael Thiot’s.
Our Orem Thiot’s
Our telephone rang last night about 9:00 and when Dick answered it, it was Pierce’s voice. He asked Dick if he knew where he was. It was very noisy in the background and Dick asked Pierce if he was at the Mavs vs Jazz basketball game. Sure enough, Dick was right. About 5 months ago, Pierce bought the tickets and he and Stacy have been excited ever since. Pierce was even brave and wore his Jason Kidd Jersey and didn’t get beat up. Unfortunatly, the Jazz were on a five game winning streak and spanked the Mavs pretty bad. At least Gram and Uncle Jeff were happy we thought when we heard the final score. Thanks for supporting the boys Pierce and Stacy.
Our New York Elder Thiot
This was a totally different week then last, and it has been incredible to live. Since most people here in nyc are starting to see that the end of winter is coming, there is a certain brightness in people’s faces. A bounce in the city’s step. And it was personified in Jean Laveaux of Port-Au-Prince Haiti. This is a man that 13 days ago lost a number of close loved ones and now has been baptized into the Lord’s living church. What an amazing transformation I have seen in this man’s life in the last 20 days.
He knew the church and the missionaries in Haiti but was never baptized and then when he moved in NY he just never found the church until a 5 weeks ago. He hasn’t missed a church meeting since then. And we were able to teach him all the lessons this week. We were at his house ever night. It was a great experience. The baptism was really nice as well, and the members came and supported him. He has done amazing at making friends with a lot of the members and has been able to become part of the ward.
We Plano Thiot’s
Happy Ground Hog Day Ya’ll! I can’t believe it’s Tuesday morning and I am just writing the Sunday Thiot Times. Our ward has 9:00 church on Sundays. For the past several years, we’ve had the afternoon church which makes for plenty of time on Sunday morning to write Our Thiot Times. I’m still not used to the new schedule and with a calling in Primary find Sunday morning time very precious. I will get it figured out one of these days. I’m happy to report that Dick is feeling better. He told me on Monday that he’s up to a 7 and from coming from a negative 4 earlier in the week, that is progress. He spoke at Ward Conference about the blessings that come from Serving Others. He shared that it’s a good thing if we can pray to be a blessing in somebodys life each day. It not only blesses someone else, but it helps us forget our hard times and helps cheer us up too. I so agree and look forward to being able to do a better job of that very thing this year. I hope each one of you have a Totally Terrific Tuesday! Sure love ya’ll, Robynn