Happy Halloween!

Our Mansfield Thiot's

We had a bonus this week of having Addison and Brooklyn come for a quick sleepover and get away day. Ricky was traveling for work and Becky was not feeling well. I'm sorry Becky was sick but was grateful we could help with the girls. They were so much fun. Tatia and Penny came over to play with them while I took Dick for his Upper and Lower GI Testing. So much fun for him. He did great and when we got back, Tatia and Penny treated us to an afternoon at the Dallas Arboretum. We saw 100's of pumpkins and oh what beautiful flowers. Brooklyn got to see her favorites, Red Roses and was so happy. Brooklyn had fun at the Pre-school Halloween party last Thursday and she was the cutest Zoo Keeper I have ever seen.
Our Lovers Lane Granges

Jake started his rotation at Children's Hospital on the radiology and oncology floors. He said it is pretty sad seeing little children that are suffering with such hard things to cure. I'm sure his cheerful smile brings a ray of sunshine to their rooms while he is with them. Tatia worked on Halloween costumes this week in between her other busyness. Miss Penny was the cutest little bunny rabbit and Jake was the magician who could pull a rabbit out of his hat (Penny) and Tatia was the Darling Magician's assistant. Tatia sewed Penny's little hat with bunny ears from some white fur that was left over from Tatia's bunny Halloween costume when she was a tiny little girl. Tatia is amazing. Together we sewed a snappy cape for Jake and she found a darling skirt at the goodwill which we tried to dye hot pink. We learned that Polyester fabric does NOT take dye very well, ok, not at all, it all but a slight pink washed right out. No worries, slight pink was just the look Tatia loved. Whew, Mission accomplished!

Our Carmichael Thiot's

It was kind of a sad week with the Texas Rangers baseball season ending on Friday night. The Thiot boys tried their best to have positive attitudes and cheer them on, but the Rangers kind of lost it and now they are finished. Dick was so hoping that this was going to be their time to be the champs. Maybe next year. I'm sure Keelie is excited for Halloween and I'm thinking that she is going to be a witch! She and Addie will both be darling witches. I'm wondering what Callum is going to be. My old brain can not remember. I'm hoping for some pictures, hint hint.

Our LA Thiot's

Stacy's had a busy and fun week doing several photo shoots. I love seeing the photos she takes on her photography blog. She is really good at capturing fun moments. Pierce has been growing this silly beard for the past six months in preparation for Halloween and now here it is, Halloween and I am hoping to get a picture of how wonderful he looks in his costume. And then I can hardly wait to see a picture of the un-bearded Pierce. That will be a GREAT look too.

Our BYU Thiot

Skyler's BIG news of the week is that he go a phone call from BYU telling him of his acceptance into the Advertising Program that will begin in January! Horray for Skyler! BYU had made an error in sending out letters the week before telling him that regretfully, he was not accepted. What an awful week that was for him, so the fun call apologizing for their mistake was a very welcome one. I'm so excited for him and know the advertising department is so lucky to have another Thiot. Kara has been busy working on addressing wedding invitations. That can be one big job. She's amazing!

We Plano Thiot's

This was a quick week which means it was a busy and full one. The Doctor said Dick looks great inside and out, still no real solution for the uncomfortable chest pains that gave us such a scare. He is feeling better and knowing what great shape his body is in is very comforting to him and me too.

Our Primary had the Primary sacrament Meeting Program on Sunday and guess what, it's true what they say about crazy practices, they make for WONDERFUL Programs. We did it, and it's done! Hooray!

On Sunday night, Halloween Eve, we had a fun evening. We had some dear family over for a Halloween Family Night and it was so much fun. Everybody dressed us and we ate Mummy Dogs for dinner then rolled out Aunt Jerry's famous Spudnuts and while they were raising, we build haunted houses out of chocolate graham crackers with LOTS of candy on them. Then we got out our flashlights and took a flashlight hike around the neighborhood and looked for spookie things. Then we came back home and read our favorite Halloween stories. Cousin Pammy is a WONDERFUL story teller and we loved listening to her. Then we finished up with eating some very tasty donuts and apple cider. It was a fun night and now I can hardly wait for the tricker treating at the church. Have a bootiful week! SLY Robynn

Happy FALL Ya'll!

Our Mansfield Thiot's
Becky and the girls returned home on Wednesday night after a WONDERFUL week in California. When Becky was telling me all the things they did, I thought they must have been gone for a month. They had such a fun fall getaway and I'm sure those little girls will have memories to last a lifetime. They had hot fudge sundaes at Ghirdelli square in San Fransisco, watch Salmon swim upstream, went camping, went to a pumpkin patch, a naturalist nature preserve, and much more. Brooklyn got home just in time for letter P day at Preschool. They were invited to wear their Pajamas and have Pizza for lunch. She had a fun time and learned some good lessons too.
Our Lovers Lane Granges
Jake, Tatia and Penny arrived back in Plano on Sunday night about 7:00. It was so fun to have a quick view of their fun photos they took on their Arkansas get away and it was so very fun to see Miss Penny. She was a wonderful baby on the road trip and will definitely be invited along on the next one. She was enchanted with the autumn leaves and couldn't take her eyes off of them as they hiked through the beautiful mountains and hills. Penny is sure a happy outdoor baby. I'm so glad they had a good time. Jake starts his pediatric rotation today and is looking forward to being around children instead of violent crime victims. Good Luck Jake!
Our Carmichael Thiot's
Mackenzie, her Mom, Keelie and Callum have also been on a Fall Road Trip. They drove up to Idaho Falls to visit with Mackenzie's Grandparents. Her Grandpa's health is not doing too super and they wanted to go visit with him. I'm so glad they were able to do that. Charlie had a lonesome weekend home alone but found it fun to watch the Ranger Games with Dick, Ricky, Pierce and Sky. There is some app on the I-phone where you can all be on a test message thing and chat with each other. They loved it and I just smiled watching Dick respond to all the messaging going on. It was a bit sad, and Pierce even admitted to not being fond of St. Louis any more. I'm so glad Sunday nights game had better results. Go Rangers!!!!
Our LA Thiot's
Stacy and Pierce put their new surf boards to use on Saturday morning and had the most amazing thing happen while they were trying to catch a wave. Out of no where came six dolphins swimming by. What a thrill that was to see them so very close up. They both LOVED it. I was wishing they would have come by last Saturday when I was there, but I was so glad Pierce and Stacy got to see them. Way, Way COOL! Thanks again and again for being such fun hosts and letting us come for a visit.
Our BYU Thiot
I had a fun visit with Sky before the game on Saturday night. He said that he had had a good and busy week. He and Kara were able to go to the Mt. Timp Temple on Friday and did some baptisms. They love getting to go to the temple together and are counting the weeks until December 30 when they will be married in the Dallas Temple. I'm counting down too. Kara's car broke down this week and they had an interesting experience getting it to the dealership to be repaired. Car's can be such a wonderful thing or can make for some crazy days as well. Kara gave Sky a sweet hair cut and Sky put color on Kara's hair. What a good team they make!
We Plan-ol Thiot's
Dick had his Wood Badge Course again this week and left on Wednesday afternoon and returned home on Saturday night. He had a good time and felt like the training went very well. It's a lot to pack into six days of training, I think he is relieved and a little sad it's over. He loves scouting and everything that goes along with helping to grow boys into responsible and wonderful men.

While Dick was away, the Primary Activity day girls came by to rake up acorns and plant pansies at my house. It is sure fun to be the little old lady in the ward that needs some help. I LOVE it! We made some pumpkin rolls and witch hat cookies after they worked so hard and we had a wonderful time together. I also had the chance to attend the 11 year old Scout Camp out the Stake Primary Sponsors each fall. The Primary Presidents were invited to come perform Uniform inspection and Camp Inspection. We have two 11 year old scouts, only one of them came but it was sure wonderful to be there with them. Our 11 year old scout leader is AWESOME! He is wood badge trained and a wonderful Scouter. He even brought two big pumpkins to be act as greeters at the entrance to our patrol' camp site. I LOVED that! Sunday, our Primary practiced for our upcoming Primary Program. The kids did really well and we served a little picnic lunch to them after we practiced for a bit. The Elder's helped me make Mummy hot dogs and they turned out so cute and so yummy. They were quite a hit and not a single one left over. YUMMY! After Primary, our cute gal who plays the piano asked if I would like to come to their home for dinner that night. I didn't even have to think twice. YES! I said, She told me I could bring the Bishop too if I would like to. Dick even skipped out of a stake fireside to attend. It was was fun and delicious. What a cute young couple to think of us. We loved it.
Today is my Grandpa Browns birthday. He would have been 105 years old today if he were still alive. I love thinking about him on his Birthday. He was a wonderful man and I have many memories that I hold dear in my heart. Happy Birthday Grandpa! I hope you have had a fun fall week. Our weather is just perfect. I hope it lasts for a LONG time! Sure love ya'll, Robynn

Our LA Getaway

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Ricky was traveling all week and got off to a rough start when he had another tire fall apart. Thankfully, he recognized the symptoms and was able to get stopped and change the tire prior to it totally destroying itself and his car. Quite a tender mercy of the Lord, Thank Heaven! Things did improve after a crummy beginning. It actually improved so much that his buddy Brian invited him to the Rangers last game to be played on Saturday night. He was only TOO HAPPY to say, YES, I am AVAILABLE! What a great night as the Rangers WON and are on their way to the WORLD SERIES! This year they promise better results. Becky and the girls are having a ball at her parents home. They’ve been camping in a REAL tent, they had a REAL fire, they cooked REAL marshmallows, with REAL CHOCOLATE. Can you think of anything more fun for two little girls? They are loving it and should be home later this week. We can hardly wait!
Our Lovers Lane Granges
Tatia had a fun experience on Saturday while she and Penny were out running. A cute gal passed her on a bike and then came chasing after her. “Tatia” she yelled. Tatia stopped and discovered it was a friend from high school. What fun that was. She lives just a little ways away from Tatia and Jake and came over on Sunday night for brownies and ice-cream, yummy and so fun to catch up with her. Wednesday is Jakes last day of his surgical rotation schedule. His test will be on Friday and then right afterwards, they are packing up with their friends the Monson’s and heading to Arkansas for a Fall Break. They are so excited for this fun adventure. I’m excited for them too.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
It was sure fun to be in the same time zone as the Carmichael Thiot’s. It was fun to get to face time with them at Pierces and see our little Callum perform his “army crawl” He’s got a sweet technique and looks so proud of himself for his new skills. It was his nine month old birthday on Saturday. Happy Belated 9 month Callum. As a birthday gift, he got a new car seat and he is so much happier in it. It has room to spread out and he loves it! Char and Kenz were thrilled to find a good deal on a clearance model. We all LOVE a good sale!
Our LA Thiot’s
It was so fun to spent the weekend with our LA Thiot’s. They planned such a fun adventure for Dick and me. We had fun from the second they picked us up at the LAX airport until they dropped us off 61 hours later. We didn’t stop smiling all weekend long. We took a tour of Pierce’s office, loved it, went surfing at Venice Beach, okay, Dick, Pierce and Stacy went surfing, I was reading my book and watching. We were able to attend the Los Angeles Temple and LOVED that, we had dinner with our friends the Martins who are mission presidents in the California San Fernando Mission. Sunday was wonderful to get to attend church with Pierce and Stacy. Stacy taught Relief Society with about 3 minutes of notice and did an amazing job and then Pierce and Stacy spoke in Sacrament Meeting about Getting Started on your Family History. Pierce challenged everyone in the ward to fill out their 4 generation sheet with as much info as they KNOW and then helped them learn where they can find the rest of the missing info. It was great. We went home and he completed his. After church we had Manicotti which is one of Pierce’s favorites. I loved making it for him and it tasted yummy. Sunday afternoon we went to the Visitors Center at the Temple and loved that and then drove through Beverley Hills. WOWSERS! Then we headed up the mountain to the Griffith Observatory. What an amazing site that was to see all the lights down below and all the stars up above. We got to look through telescopes and it was such a wonderful site. I loved it. We went home and some of us stayed awake to watch the Rocketeer that part of it was filmed at the Griffith Observatory. Way cool. Thanks LA Thiot’s for the wonderful weekend. It went too fast as I was afraid it would. I loved every second!
Our BYU Thiot
Skyler and Kara got their wedding announcements printed this week and Sky said they look amazing. How fun that they designed their own and made them look just like they were hoping. I’m excited to see them. Sky was most delighted as were all the Thiot men about the score of the baseball game on Saturday night. Way to go Rangers. He is wishing he could go to St. Louis to cheer them on for their first world Series game this week. I think you had better stay in school and at work, Sky, but fun idea.
We Plain’Ol Empty Nesters
It was great to go to California and it’s good to be back home. It’s always so surprising to my brain how fast you can get to the other side of the country and then be back again. It always feels like it was a dream that I was gone at all. Thanks Dick for letting us go have such a fun getaway! SLY Robynn

An A+ Week

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
I want to say a few words about Grandparents Day at Brooklyn’s Preschool. IT WAS WONDERFUL! I think it may have been some of the best 45 minutes of my 54 years. I walked in and sat down at a table and saved a place for Brookie Cookie to come join me. When I saw Brooklyn walk in and our eyes met, even my heart was smiling. It was a Great Moment of my life. Her class along with 3 other classes came in and sang a darling Grandparnets version of You are My Sunshine, the words changed to You are My Grandma, You are My Grandpa… It was darling. They had cute actions and then they were excused to go sit with their Grandparents. Dick had so wanted to come, but had too many things that he couldn’t get out of. We had a funny lunch and totally enjoyed being together. I think I got about 25 hugs and I loved every one. I brought my favorite book, I’m Glad I’m your Grandma and we loved reading it together. It’s a rhyming book and Brookie can finish every line I start. I love reading it with her. Oops, I was only going to say a few words and I just said 212. Please forgive me, It was my best day! Ricky is leaving town on Monday to work all week away and Becky and the girls leave Tuesday morning to head to California to see Becky’s parents. I can truly feel how excited they must be to have these darling girls heading their way. I’m glad I get to take them to the airport. I will miss them a LOT.
Our Lovers Lane Granges
Jake and Tatia are planning a get away when Jake finishes his surgical rotation. They are going to take Penny on her first road trip to the Ozark Mountains. They are hoping to see the beautiful fall colors and enjoy some time away. I’m excited for them. Saturday Tatia and Jake went to see the FINAL, LAST, Harry Potter Movie. It made it’s way to the Dollar Theater and they both liked it. Now Jake is in the mood to read the series. I hope he has time some day to do that. Tatia had a fun sewing day with her friend Amber. They took a field trip to the Fabric Outlets on Harry Hines, some place I have never ever dared to drive to. I’m so glad Tatia is not afraid to drive like I am. She isn’t bothered by traffic at all. I’m glad Dick shared his genes with out kids in very good ways. She brought the apron to show me yesterday and it is soooooooooo cute, pin tucks, pleats, pockets, holy macro, she’s amazing. I loved getting to see Penny twice this week. She is leanring some new tricks and I just love being with her. She loves taking her bath in my big bath tub. She kicks and squeals with delight. I love it as she splashes me. Hurry back Penny!
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
My Sister Lani told me that she had the funnest visit with the Carmichael Thiot’s this week. She said she had some “face time” with Keelie for a few minutes, and then she was just too busy to visit and she got to visit with Callum Jay who is such a doll. She loved watching him sit up and listening to him make some fun noises. He will be nine months old next Saturday. It is interesting how the 9 months after giving birth go so much quicker than the 9 months waiting for a baby to come. He is a dear and I’m counting the days until I see him and Keelie again on the 29th of December!
Our LA Thiot’s
I found a message on my phone late Friday night, from Pierce and Stacy telling me it’s only 1 week until we are at their house. I am getting to excited to see them. I don’t know if you know this, but Pierce started growing a beard the day he graduated from BYU last spring. Needless to say, six months has grown quite a nest on his chin. When he was hear in June, it was a significant beard, but in recent photos, it’s HUGE. I asked him what it would take for him to shave it off and he said if I came for a visit to LA, he would shave it off. It didn’t take long for Dick to book us two seats on Virgin America and we are leaving on Friday. Now, as a side note, he asked if he could wait an additional 2 weeks until after Halloween as he is planning a great costume that will require that fine furry beard. Ok Pierce, I guess I can go for that!
Our BYU Thiot
All of our Thiot Boys are pretty thrilled about our Texas Rangers going to the next step on their way to the World Series. Skyler has great enthusiasm for sport and especially Texas teams. He called yesterday prior to the start of the game to tell me some exciting news about Adam Martin who received his mission call to Sao Paulo Brazil. Sky lives with Adam’s big brother Chris and they are so happy for him. Sky gets to have a unique opportunity this week. He gets to pick up from the airport and take Kevin Stanfill to the Missionary Training Center this week. I think he gets to practice being a parent. It always about ripped my heart out. I couldn’t even go with Pierce as I was afraid I would embarrass him to pieces by having to stay with him at the MTC. So Good Luck Sky. Kevin is going to be a great missionary and we are going to miss him in our ward but know the people of Idaho are in for a great missionary.
We Plain’Ol Empty Nesters
Dick spent his week with Scouters at Wood Badge Training up at beautiful Lake Texoma. He loved it and I missed him. Friday morning before I left for the temple, I was thinking about being home alone on Friday night and sent a quick e-mail to Ben and Rebecca to see if they would like a date night and if I could watch their darling kids for the evening. They were available for a date night and I LOVED getting to spend the evening with them. Kinsley and I read a book which may become one of my new favorites. It's called The Kissing Hand. It is about a racoon who is getting ready to start school. Every littler person before their first day of school needs to read this great story. It was so fun to spend time with them. I had a wonderful night and didn' t have to be home alone and lonesome, thank you Ben and Rebecca for sharing your family with me. I Hope you have had a good one and you know you are loved.

SLY Robynn

General Confernce Edition

Our Mansfield Thiot’s
Brooklyn and Addison came over for a fun evening on Friday night. Ricky and Becky had a triple date with two other couples. Fortunately for us but Unfortunately for them, the restaurant they wanted to go to was way busy and so it was way late when they got done with dinner. Dick and I had a great time with the little girls. We went on a night hike with flashlights and let me tell you, if you are looking for something fun to do with tiny girls, night hikes with flash lights might be just what you are looking for. We hiked over to Wal-Mart and found some Halloween Coloring books for them to color in during General Conference. Dick and I tried on some Halloween masks which Addie liked and Brooklyn said to NOT wear those any more. A little too scary for her liking. Thanks Ricky and Becky for sharing them with us. We loved it. I can hardly wait for Tuesday when Brooklyn’s preschool is having Grandparents day. What fun to get to go have lunch with Brooklyn. See you Tuesday Brookie Cookie!
Our Lovers Lane Granges
Tatia and Jake and Penny just left a few minutes ago to go back home. They came on Saturday afternoon to watch General Conference with us. They don’t have cable tv which is a blessing for us. We loved having them here and I loved getting some nice snuggling time with Penny Elaine. Saturday night when the guys went to Priesthood meeting, we had a fun dinner with Kara and then some crafting time. We made some cute little tiny pumpkins and loved it. Kara is here for the weekend to have a fitting for her wedding dress. What exciting times. Today is Penny’s 5 month birthday. She is doing so well. She is eating rice cereal. I think we used to call it Pabulum. Somehow it sounds more delicious called Pabulum. She is crazy about it and ate a bowl full tonight.
Our Carmichael Thiot’s
Today is Charlie’s 29th Birthday. Happy Birthday Charlie. It was such a happy day the day that he was born and has been such a blessing to our family. Charlie has grown from a wonderful little boy into a terrific man, husband and daddy. I love seeing him with his kids and love how much they love him. He is so patient and kind with them. I had a fun ride to work with Charlie this week and he told me that Callum is now a four tooth model. Two toppers and Two bottom teeth and that he is quite a great rolling boy and has a most interesting talent of scooting on his back. I still need to see a live demo as it’s hard to picture. What a sweetie. We had some fun face time with Keelie and Brookie and Addie on Friday night. They loved seeing each other on the phone and visiting with each other. I loved it!
Our LA Thiot’s
Stacy and Pierce are doing well. Stacy’s been doing some decorating of their new place. She found some fun drapes and is enjoying making their new place their own. I can hardly wait to see it in person. Pierce and Dick had a fun night on Friday watching the BYU game together via the internet. It was almost like they were sitting there right next to each other cheering those Cougars on to a win! Go BYU!
Our BYU Thiot
Sky has been working on the wedding announcement this week and Kara gave us a sneak peek. It’s way awesome! Go Sky! Sky and his roommate went to the afternoon session of General Conference today. They didn’t have tickets but they did have faith and were hoping they could get in. Sure enough they did and they even ran into Elder Andrew Santiago who is serving in the Ogden Utah Mission from our home ward here. What fun to see each other. General Conference was wonderful as usual. It went by too quickly and I am so glad that I was able to tape it to listen again and again.
We Plain’Ol Empty Nesters
This was a fast week, I can’t believe how quickly it zipped by. Thank you for your added Prayers on Tuesday. The sewing night with the young women and Tatia was sure lots of fun. Those girls were great seamstresses and we had such a good time. Little Penny was most cooperative and went to bed right before they came and slept through all the noise.
Dick had a busy week with moving equipment to a new colo site. I think he got everything moved and settled in. He’s got a busy week coming up. He’s going to be staffing the next wood badge training that is starting next weekend. I so admire the time and commitment that goes into preparing for Wood badge training. It’s a lot more than I ever could imagine. It always surprises me how they chose the busiest people to do these crazy things. Dick loves it and I hope can find the time to get everything done that he needs to do to be prepared.
Saturday and Sunday was general conference. I loved it and just as I was afraid, it went past way to fast. I learned much and learned that it is the little things that make a difference in our lives. It’s not the big things, it’s those tiny things of doing your best each day. I hope you have a great week and know that I love you. SLY Robynn

Happy Birthday Charlie Jay

October 2nd marks the Birthday of one of the finest men on the planet. I am lucky enough to be his Mom. It's been a great blessing to have him in our family. Happy Happy Birthday Charlie Jay!