It's Not Happy People Who Are Thankful, It's Thankful People Who Are Happy!

Owen, Harper, Kinsley, Brooklyn, Addison, Luke at ICE

Our Mansfield Thiots
Last Sunday while Ricky's family was in church, some one came and took an ice pick and punctured Ricky's AC unit and ruined it.  The repairman when he came said it's kind of a common thing.  People are Huffing the freon to get some kind of a "high" and it ruins the unit.  I was shocked and sad.  I can not believe the things some people do.  Where is their mom to teach them that is WRONG and BAD.  uggggg.  Other than that, I think the Mansfield Thiots are doing well.  They loved having Nana in town and had  an extra fun trip to the zoo with her.  There were very few people there and the girls LOVED feeding the giraffes for as long as they wanted.  We had a fun Friday night with the little girls this week.  Ricky asked if we could tend while he took Becky for a date night.  We were thrilled and got to join Ben and Rebecca 's family at an amazing ICE display at the Gay-lord Texan Resort. What a LOT of people were there, but what a LOT of fun we had. Thank you Christensen's!

Penny wearing her helmet face timing with Uncle Sky

Our Charlottesville Granges
Tatia had a busy week and was glad when Friday arrived with the weekend.  Some weeks are just like that Tatia.  I'm guessing her body was exhausted from the Marathon run last weekend and everything seemed harder than usual. I  hope this week is much improved.  On Saturday, Jake built a space ship for Penny out of a large box that their jogging stroller was shipped in. It is AMAZING and she loves it.  Tatia made her a helmet out of a box and let me tell you, she looks like the cutest astronaut ever.  My favorite part of the control panel is the auto pilot that can take you to any of 12 destinations.  I was DELIGHTED to see that DALLAS was one of the choices and that Penny knew right how to push that button.  I'm awaiting her arrival as we type.

Keelie and her doll at Lani's house

Our Carmichael Thiots
Saturday morning I got a text from Charlie with a photo of Keelie standing in front of my sister Lani's fireplace and the caption, "Grammy, guess where I am?"  I had no idea they had driven to Utah for the weekend to visit family and friends there.  My Mom was THRILLED to have the surprise guests join them for lunch on Saturday.  She just went on and on about what nice, cute, sweet children they are.  I agree.  I told Lani if they couldn't be at my house, I was glad they were at her house. She is the funnest hostess. When she found out they were coming, she ran to Walmart and filled her fridge with all their favorite treats.  You are the best Lani!

cute little feet little Lady

Our L.A. Thiots
I got to face time with my little Lady, Adelaide on Saturday afternoon. There are not many things that can  make me that happy.  They sent me a new photo this week with her bare feet.  There is something about her feet that say Pierce to me. That tiny little girl has her daddy's feet.  He has cute feet and I'm glad she got them too. She has grown to 11 pounds as she turned five months old this past week.  That is almost 4 times her birth wait.  Not many five month old can bost about that.  Grow Adelaide Grow!!! I had fun on Saturday making a little Christmas quilt for her.  I've made one for each of the families and it's so fun to think about that little one while I do it.

Skyler helping Rocky take a ride on Clip Clop

Our San Fran Thiots
Both of our San Fran Thiots are far from home this week.  Kara left early Saturday morning for a week in Hawaii with the family she works for.  Even though it's a working vacation for Kara, she is enjoying herself. Her hotel room opens right out to the lazy river, which when you home in, takes  you down to the swimming pool and then with a mere 100 steps, you are on the beach.  Oh my goodness, that sounds like heaven alright.  After church today, Dick took me to the airport for a little drive and who should be waiting on the curb?  SKYLER!  He is here until Friday while Kara is away.  A man in his ward offered him a buddy pass on Virgin Airways and he took a chance on coming to Dallas.  He went to the airport last night to get his name on the list and slept a little while he waited to board the plane at 7:30 this morning.  It's great to have him here.

We Empty Nesters
This week the temperatures dropped from high seventies, to freezing.  We are under a winter storm watch today and tonight with a chance of SNOW and ICE.  Oh my, I love Texas where the weather changes so fast. The fall colors have been gorgeous and now Snow.  I can hardly wait.  I'm glad we have no place to go and are praying the electricity stays steady
Monday night Dick and I had a fun Family Home Evening with the Single Adults in our stake.  We had 12 come and we had a good time Counting our Blessings and writing them down on stickers and putting them on Thankful trees.  I think we are going to enjoy our new calling of working with our Stake Singles.  Fun Times.  We made Donuts for refreshments and everyone including holes were gobbled up.  Yummy!
Thanksgiving is only a few days away.  I love this time of year and I LOVE being a Grammy that has little Pilgrims and Indians coming for our feast.  I'm hoping to get three little ones to come be my helpers the day before. That should be fun.  I'll let you know next week.  Have a wonderful week counting your many blessings!  I surely count you all as mine.  SLY Robynn

Gratitude Turns What You Have Into Enough

Our Mansfield Thiots
I got to go to Mansfield on Tuesday afternoon and pick up Addison at Pre-K and pick up Brooklyn at 1st Grade.  What a fun afternoon I had.  After we got Brooklyn, Becky had given us great instructions for going to the Library.  We were hoping to find some Thanksgiving Stories.  We came out with quite a pile of books, eleven all together and the only two Thanksgiving stories in the whole library. Yipee!  Then we thought it might be fun to stop for ice-cream on the way home.  We went to Burger King and ate ice-cream and the girls played on the play ground for an hour.  I LOVED watching them play and hearing them laugh and giggle. We even got to face time with Penny for a few minutes there.  We LOVED that too.
On Thursday afternoon, Nana flew into town for her birthday.  That was her birthday wish for this year to spend it with her girls.  Papa stayed home to tend the dogs and to work, but she will be here until Tuesday.  Every time I think about our Mansfield Thiots, I just smile.  Happy Birthday Nana!!!!!

Our Charlottesville Granges
Saturday morning at 5:30, Tatia's family headed to Richmond, Virginia.  Tatia signed up with Nan, Jake's cousin to run a half Marathon.  She has been training for the past several months and has enjoyed it a lot. Saturday was cold in Richmond but they may have made her run even faster.  She was really pleased with her time and I talked to her right after the race and she was feeling good.  She had taped general conference talks along with some of her favorite songs to energize her for the race.  What an amazing woman  you are Tatia!  Way to go.
Penny has had a fun week.  They have been blessed to tend some of Penny's friends this week.  Penny LOVES having friends over and is getting much better at sharing her toys with them.  That can be tricky and I'm glad she is learning.  Maxwell has turned into the "Swiffer" at their house.  Many of his cozy fall outfits are made of fleece and as he scoots along on the hardwood floors, he gathers everything on the floors.  Tatia said she sweeps every morning, but Maxwell does better than what the broom can find.  Go Maxwell!

Our Carmichael Thiots
When the General Conference Report arrived last week, the little guy on the cover looked sooo much like my Callum that I thought it was him.  It's not really but it's fun to know there is another little boy in the world nearly as cute as ours.
It must be kind of a downer to have spent the weekend in Disneyland and have to return to real life.  I'm so glad that Char's family loves Disneyland and lives close enough to go a few times a year.  I hope next time you go, Graypa and I can be there with you.  That would put a giant Smile on my Face!\
Dick had a delightful surprise on Wednesday morning when Keelie texted him from her i-something or another a picture of herself.  Dick LOVED it and can't wait until Callum learns to use it too.

Our L.A. Thiots
Pierce and Stacy were kind enough to face time with me several times this week.  Oh how I love to see and watch our little Lady.  She is growing and learning so many fun things.  I love her giggles and laughs.
Stacy had a photo shoot on the pier this weekend and Pierce and Adelaide went along as her assistants.  I bet Adelaide got the best smiles ever from that cute couple they photographed.  (fyi this photo was taken a few months ago at the pier.  Our Little Lady has grown bigger now.)

Our San Fran Thiots
Skyler loved getting to be a part of the Make a Wish Foundations Bat Kid Saves San Francisco Day on Friday.  What a wonderful thing to have so much publicity about some GOOD NEWS.  Thanks for sharing the photos Sky

We Empty Nesters
Dick has had a crazy week with computer problems, server problems, month end closings, etc.  He thinks he's got almost everything back up and running.  He went to the office Saturday morning to take care of one quick thing and 11 hours later he was still working on it and had added several other delimas to the mix.  uggggg.  I'm glad he has got the smarts and the staying power to see a nightmare through to fixed.  Speaking of nightmares, Dick has been having lots of strange dreams lately and many about them involve Finland where he served his mission.  I wish I were a dream interpreter and could know what all this means.
We enjoyed spending Friday night with the cute couple that was married last weekend.  We took their gifts home from the reception as they were heading off to the quick honeymoon and they came Friday and had dinner with us and opened gifts.  That was mighty fun to see the thoughtful gifts they received.  Dick and I told them about our wedding gifts and how we had gotten seven hibachi grills.  They only had duplicates on one or two items. It's been a good week and we are looking forward to this coming week.  I hope you are enjoying your month of November. I Loved this quote...

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.”  Melody Beattie

Veterans Day Week

Our Mansfield Thiots
Ricky stopped by on Thursday morning to pick up a western shirt and Dick's cowboy hat and boots for a sales rep/ dental student event he was helping to host on Thursday night at White Rock Lake.  He was pretty excited as they had converted go carts to look like horses for some racing and roping and lots of fun.  He was able to go to the Baylor Dental School and pick up the 4th year dental students and load them on a bus and get them to the event and festivities.  He promised to send me a photo, hint hint.
Brooklyn had her last Soccer Game for the Fall season and really played well.  Afterwards the coaches gave out trophies and Brooklyn was voted "Most Improved Player" on the team.  Go Brooklyn.  She's not sure if she will sign up for Spring season but is thinking about it.  I'm sure proud of you Brooklyn!

Our Charlottesville Granges
Tatia's half marithon race is next Saturday. She had her 10 mile run on Saturday and totally enjoyed running while listening to general conference talks as she ran.  Jake had invited Miss Penny to go to the Symphany's Insturment Petting Zoo.  Unfortuanly, the hours they advertized were not correct but Penny had a great time at the film festival that was held in conjunction with it.  She LOVED having a date with just she and her daddy.  Tatia enjoyed a few hours at home while Maxwell napped and got some things done she'd been wanting too.

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie's family headed to south on Friday after work and school.  They had planned a weekend trip to Disneyland and a sleepover at Pierce, Stacy, and Adelaide's. Keelie and Callum both were smitten with Adelaide and couldn't get enough of her.  They departed about noon on Sunday and took a detour on the way home eastward to see the BIG Trees on their way home.  What a great Veterans Day weekend they are having.  Travel safely Carmichael Thiots.

Our L.A. Thiots
Miss Adelaide has found her voice this weekend.  Maybe having her cousins there talking to her helped, but it is the cutest thing to listen to her squill and talk.  So cute and she also is giggling right out loud,  She is one ticklish little Lady and loves it when her mommy or daddy tickle her.  She just giggles sooooooooooo cute.  I loved the video you sent me but even better was seeing her in person and face timing with her.  Thank you Thank you for your call.

San Fran Thiots
Skyler and Kara both had busy busy work weeks.  Kara logged in over 70 hours and Sky was close Our behind.  He is working at getting resume's out and about and looking to secure a full time position. We are keeping our fingers crossed and prayers going heavenward that the right company in the right location will see what a great asset he could be to them and snatch him up.  Good Luck you two!

We Empty Nesters
Our Temple has been closed for some cleaning and  maintenance for the past two weeks.  When it reopened on Tuesday night, Dick and I were able to attend a session.  It was lovely to be there and lovely to sit next to the new temple President, President Bruce Jones and our lovely new matron, Jerry Jones.  It's wonderful to have a Temple Presidency who we already  know and love.  It's going to be a real joy and pleasure to serve under their leadership.
We had a busy but wonderful Saturday.  We started out with a training meeting for our new calling serving with the Single Adults in our Stake.  What a great room filled with people we get to serve with.  I can already tell we are going to love this new calling.  Then we got to attend the marriage and Sealing of two of our Single Adults.  Les and Dalia Fletcher graduated from the Singles and joined the married group.  It was delightful to be there with them.  After a tasty lunch at la Madeleine and remembering Sky and Kara's lovely wedding day, we got to help set up and serve at their reception.  We even scooted out for a while to run to my friend Wynona's 89th Birthday Party.  It was so fun to see her surrounded by her children, grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and even a Great Great Grandbaby there.  What a neat and blessed woman she is.  Needless to say, when we fell into bed last night, it wasn't long before we were both sound asleep.  Lots of great things for a great week.  I hope you had a good one too.  SLY Robynn

It's Thankful November

Our Mansfield Thiots
What a delight it was to get to spend Halloween Night with two darling princesses and a strawberry cute enough to gobble up and of course their parents.  We loved having Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Dennis here with us for dinner along with Cousin Pammy's family here too. Her little boys came in trains.  Amazing! Halloween is fun when you have little ones here to celebrate with you.  We had such fun and I have but one regret, I was so enjoying every minute that my camera didn't get off my desk and come to the party.  I've just got a mind filled with fun memories.  Thanks for coming!
Ricky was lucky enough to be chosen as the dad to attend Brooklyn's field trip to the Fort Worth Zoo this week.  Ricky had Brooklyn and a little boy who lets say was more adventurous than any of us would like to accompany.  Including climbing into the Elephant fence.  Ricky said he is one FAST kid and kept him on his toes.  Brooklyn loved mapping out the adventures and choosing what animals to visit next.  It may be a while before Ricky volunteers to go on another field trip:)

Our Charlottesville Granges
The last week of October proved to be beautiful in Virginia.  Tatia has a forest of gorgeous autumn leaves in her back yard.  Even on Face Time it is lovely and she said its better in person.  Penny and Maxwell had fun at their wards trunk or treat.  Maybe their favorite part was the costume parade.  It was on Halloween's eve and Penny decided instead of wearing her witch costume, she was going to wear her Sophia the First dress and Maxwell wore her bunny ears and went as her friend the rabbit Clover.  They had a good time but on Halloween she was ready to dawn her witch costume and go with Maxwell the little black cat.  I love when kids get their own ideas.  What a nice mom Tatia is to let her pull it off.

Our Carmichael Thiots
Remember last week, when Callum was dressed as a wood cutter?  He was holding a big axe in his hand. I was praying it was made of plastic but fearing it was the real deal.  Well it turns out, they have had a tree in their front yard that was kind of dying.  Guess what, the tree is now gone.  I don't know if Callum took it down singlehandedly or it he had help.
Last night Dick picked  us up dinner at In and OUT burger and ordered his like Charlie has his these days.  It's called Protein Style.  In place of a bun, you get lettuce on either side o the hamburger patty and Dick said it was mighty tasty.  Yummy

Our L.A. Thiots
Pierce completed a life time dream on Saturday, It was his Century Ride.  He road his bike 105 miles and he was one tired guy but had a big smile on his face.  He's been training for this for month with much shorter bike rides and really enjoyed getting ready and the long ride.  Go Pierce Go!!!!
I got some darling pics this week of a trip they took to a pumpkin patch.  Miss Adelaide was laying in a wheel barrow filled with tiny pumpkins.  She truly looked right at home with them and was sporting a gorgeous smile.
Stacy's been working on a family organization project this week.  She's putting together a binder with all of their important information. She asked me a couple of months ago for copies of Pierce's important church records and anything I had.  I haven't done a lot of good record keeping in my life, but I have a yellow file folder that everything important has always gone right into.  It was wonderful to be able to pull that out and have almost everything Stacy was wishing for.  Yeah!

Our San Fran Thiots
Sky and Kara are taking a Family History Class during their Sunday School hour at church.  Nothing could make me happier.  Kara came home from church and kept searching and working and was able to find several, I think seven, family names that were in need of temple ordinances.  Then on Saturday, they packed up their car with their temple gear and of they went to the beautiful Oakland Temple for a day of serving ancestors there.  What a wonderful day.  I know you made some wonderful memories and have surely caught the genealogy bug!
The Enders Game movie came out this weekend.  Kara and Sky both give it two thumbs up.  Sky read that book in middle school and it truly turned him on to the world or reading.  He loved it.  Go Orson Scott Card!

We Empty Nesters
Our Stake Sponsored the "Great Family Search" conference this weekend.  I was blessed to be on the set up and take down and packet passing out committees as well as the Lunch Distribution committee.  I did get to attend the fabulous fireside by David Rencher on Friday night and a few classes on Saturday.  The chapel was filled with almost a magic in the air of so many good people who are involved in family history work.  I loved rubbing shoulders with them and getting to be a helper.  I did sleep well last night.  I was one tired gal but happy.
Dick's highlight of the week may have been attending the Centennial Celebration of the Boy Scouts of America in the Church.  It was broadcast at our Stake Center and Dick LOVED putting on his scout uniform to attend.  I stayed home and watched it on TV and was glad I had as Skyler called me on his way home from work and I got to "Watch" with him beside me. (kind of)  My favorite part was a song all these scouts sang about being an Eagle Scout and how their Mom's really earned the Eagle.  I am sure proud of my Eagle Scouts and I'm proud to say that THEY earned them, not me, yes I encouraged but they are all truly Eagles!  I'm so glad that Jakes mom was also encouraging him and that he too is in the Eagles Nest.  I can hardly wait to buy cub scout uniforms for Callum and Maxwell.  Scouting is a good thing and it was fun to watch the celebration and hear our prophet who has been such a great supporter speak too.