Christmas Week Was Wonderful!

Our Mansfield Thiots
We were invited for a "sleepover" on Christmas Eve at the Mansfield Thiots along with Skyler and Kara. We had the Christmas Pageant with Kara as Mary, Sky as Joseph, Addison as an angel and Brooklyn and Harper as wonderful shepherds.  Becky was our inn keeper, Ricky was our narrator and Dick was the lead Shepherd.  It was so fun to remember the first Christmas while singing and listening to the words from the scriptures.  Afterwards we enjoyed a delicious Lasagna Dinner.  We had a sparkling Cranberry drink that was extra yummy too.  For desert, we got to frost the sugar cookies Ricky had made and Brooklyn made sure we saved a few for Santa.  Then one of my favorite parts, sprinkling reindeer food on the front yard to give Santa's reindeer a litle snack so they would have enough energy to make it to the next house.  We all had reindeer sparkles in our hair and we all LOVED it.  Then it was off to bed for the little girls and the grown ups watched It's a Wonderful Life.  Yes Jimmy Stewart is still as wonderful as ever and Clarence the angel got his wings in the closing scene.  I love that movie.

 

Our Charlottesville Granges
Tatia and Jake invited the missionaries for dinner on Christmas Eve along with a cute family the elders are teaching who have two little children.  It was a special night to share the nativity story with them  Penny was the angel and their little guy was a fine shepherd.  Tatia's Taco Soup was delicious and it was a very fun time.  Christmas morning was such fun with two little ones who were happy to open presents and wanted to play with each one after they opened it.  What fun!  We loved getting to face time with them later in the day and loved seeing how happy and excited they all were!  They've had a fun week with Jake being off work all week.  They took a quick trip to Virginia Beach to see Jake's long time friend Keith.  They loved walking on the board walk and eating ice cream.  Good memories.  On Friday morning, Jakes cousins and his Auntie came for a gingerbread building party.  Oh what fun it was with two two year old to "help".  They enjoyed some yummy Cafe Rio Salads that Tatia made.  YUMMY!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie's family were at the Smiths on Christmas Eve and if you can believe it, Old Saint Nick paid them a visit prior to him leaving for his nightly rounds.  The children were so excited and finally fell asleep.  What fun it was for us to get to face time with Charlie's family on Christmas morning to see those darling kids and share their excitement.  What fun!  Friday afternoon, they headed south to San Francisco to attend the BYU Holiday Bowl Game.  Too bad the score board didn't reflect better news, but they still had a good time.  Mackenzie and the kids stayed at the hotel and watched on TV while the older folks attended the game.  Charlie loved bumping into cousin Jordan and his wife Jamie!  Lots of fun they had catching up.

Our L.A. Thiots
We loved getting to face time with Pierce and Stacy and our Little Lady on Christmas Day.  Pierce said Christmas eve was spent surfing.  They love living so near the beach and getting to enjoy the surfing life. They were having a real California Christmas with their very own family.  Their tree and home looked so pretty all decorated and Adelaide thought the gifts were very fun. She got  a swing that she loves to swing in on their patio.  It's not everyone who can get an outside swing for Christmas,  only California kids can pull that off.  She loved it.  We are looking forward to their visit later this week while they will be in town for Stacy's sister Katie's wedding Open House on the 4th of January.  We are getting excited to see them.   We get to have them sleep overnight here next Sunday before they go home on Monday.  We can hardly wait!

Our San Fran Thiots
Sky and Kara have had a fun week going back and forth to Arlington, Forth Worth and Plano.  Kara left the day after Christmas for a quick trip to Salt Lake for her former roommates wedding in the Salt Lake temple.  She got to stay at Aunt Lani's and enjoyed the pretty snow and cold weather and came right back on Saturday morning.  She said the wedding was beautiful but she was glad to be back to a bit warmer weather.  Please keep Sky and Kara in your prayers.  They are still trying to find a place to live and a job.  Prayers are appreciated.  We've loved having them here with us and they will be  here until Thursday.

We Empty Nesters
We started off the week with some sad news.  Dick's cousin James Franklin Jarrell II, cousin Jim, passed away on December 23, 2013.  He had been battling lung cancer for the past year and fought hard but lost and has returned home to his Heavenly Father.  We will miss him.
We have had a lovely Christmas Week and now New Years is right around the corner.  Twenty thirteen has been a great year and I'm sure twenty fourteen will have great blessings attached to it as well.  I hope you've had an extra nice week and that you are looking forward to a Happy New Year! SLY Robynn

Almost Time for Santa, I can hardly wait...

Our Mansfield Thiots

 

In case you are wondering, the "real" Santa this year is at the Bass Pro Shop in Grapevine, Texas.  He is so kind and so pretty.  The Mansfield Girls Loved getting to meet him and whisper their Christmas wishes into his ear.  What a fun night Tuesday was.  They had a great time during the one hour wait to sit on his lap.  There was a merry-go-round with reindeer on it instead of horses.  They loved riding on reindeer.  Even little  Harper who was accompanied by her mommy loved it.
Ricky and Becky celebrated nine years of marriage this week.  They took a 24 hour get away and I got to be the lucky one to stay with the girls while they went.  I loved every minute of my 24 hours.  I'd never had a sleep over at their house and it was extra special.  Thanks for inviting me Ricky!

 Our Charlottesville Granges

After a very busy week in Charlottesville, Tatia got all her packages shipped off at the post office with a promise that they would be delivered in time for Christmas.  Then as a reward for all her hard work, Jake promised her a trip to the Temple.  After a couple of failed attempts to find a baby sitter, they made a new plan to take the children and take turns going to the temple.  Tatia said she hadn't been so excited to go to the temple for a long time.  The Washington DC temple is soooooooooooo pretty and amazing.  Tatia got to go first and while she went, Jake took the littles to the DC Zoo which was delightful for all 3 of them.  Penny especially loved the meercats.  She just watched them and watched them. Perhaps they reminded her of her Brandson kitty back home.  They found a fun hotel and Jake attended the 8:00 session at the temple while Tatia put the kids to bed.  What a magical weekender.  Sunday morning they woke up and went to the visitors center at the temple and Penny LOVED seeing the statue of Christ and all the beautiful paintings and the TEMPLE.  I'm glad to report they made it home safely and are already looking forward to another adventure to Washington DC

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie just called and was wondering if there is a substitute for brown sugar.  He and the kids were in the mood to make some chocolate chip cookies and they were out of brown sugar.  I hope they turned out alright by doubling up the white sugar Charlie.  I think I can smell them cooking.  Good luck! This Charlie horse is on our Christmas tree on Charlie's side of the tree.  I love to look at it and remember the first Christmas we had Charlie.  Dick's talented cousin Jennifer painted this cute horse for Charlie and I always think about her when I put it on the tree.  She has been gone for six Christmas and we miss her. Charlie was Skyler and Kara's hero this weekend. He came on Saturday and helped them move all their earthly belongings to a storage unit.  While they are here for Christmas, the owners of their apartment return from their time in London and so they needed to be moved out.  Thank you Charlie for your good heart and helpful hands.

Our L.A. Thiots

Stacy sent me this darling photo of our little Lady this week and said she had had the funnest photo shoot with her in her Christmas PJ's.  Oh little Lady you look sooooooooooooooo cute!  I can almost hear you giggling in this picture. She had her six month old checker upper this week and is doing great!  She gets to start eating real food and her first thing to try was avacado.  She quite liked it. Pierce had a great opportunity to make a commercial that aired today after the Denver Broncos Football game today.  Peyton Manning broke the record of 50 touch downs and through his 51st.  Pierce made an awesome commercial about it.  GO take a peek. Peyton Manning - 51 And Counting  Go PIERCE!

Our San Fran Thiots
I haven't heard for sure, but the rumor on the street is that Sky and Kara arrived at DFW at 1:00 this afternoon.  They were heading to Kara's family first to see Mr. Branson and then coming to our house for a sleep over.  We are getting excited to have them for the week of Christmas.  Horray for family! I got this fun photo on my phone this week as they were at Panda Express enjoying their gift card they earned.  So fun, thanks San Fran Thiots.  I can hardly wait to see you and hug you in person!

We Empty Nesters
Dick had to work on Saturday morning but called and invited me to go see "Saving Mr. Banks"  a new movie that just came out this weekend.  It has Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks, two of my favorites.  It was different than I expected it to be but quite wonderful.  I have always loved the movie Mary Poppins and it was really interesting to find out how that movie came to be.  I loved getting to spend the afternoon with Dick.  We had a great time.  Thanks Dick for a jolly holly afternooner.
It's almost time for Santa
I can hardly wait
Off to bed and snuggle in
I hope he won't be late
When Tatia was in Preschool, she learned that little poem for her part on the program. Oh my goodness I can almost hear her Penny saying it now.  Christmas is just around the corner.  We had our Choir Program for Sacrament Meeting.  It was wonderful. We still miss Bishop Richmond singing Oh Holy Night!  He could send shivers down my spine every time.  It was great and I am really looking forward to Christmas 2013.  I hope you are too.  SLY Robynn

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4lDgYMdhAhI&feature=c4-feed-u

On the Tenth Day of Christmas

note to self, don't talk during pictures.

Our Mansfield Thiots
Our sweet Addison had her preschool program at her preschool on Tuesday evening.  It was at the tail end of our ice storm and after spending 2 hours and 32 minutes on the road, we arrived in time for the closing song, Silent Night and a visit from Santa Claus.  I was so sad we missed her part, don't tell her, I think she thought we were there the whole time.  She is a darling pre K girl who I adore.  We got to go home with them and listen to Brooklyn read her reading books and see their beautiful Christmas tree.  They have a tricky elf who is always hiding in fun places.  He even colored a picture for them the day we were there.  We loved it!

Here is Penny modeling Wyatt's Pirate Apron

Our Charlottesville Granges
Saturday was Jake's cousin Nan son Wyatt's Birthday.  They live in Richmond, Virginia which takes a bit over an hour to get to.  Penny had been excited all week to see Wyatt and had "helped" Tatia make a darling birthday apron for Wyatt.  It turned out way cute and I'm sure he will enjoy wearing it to help his mom bake cookies, help his daddy on the grill and other important tasks.  They had a good time and got an added surprise of having Jake's Mothers sister Linda, Wyatt's Grandmother, in town for the party from Hawaii.  It was lots of fun for Penny and Maxwell to get to see Aunt Linda too. Maxwell has been working on growing teeth.  He's got one bottom one in and the promise of many more to come.  He also learned to stand up in his crib.  Ooops,  not such a good trick to learn. he he he he he

Keelie with her LONG straight hair!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Keelie had a special day of school this week, where they got to dress up and didn't have to wear their school uniforms.  Keelie looked beautiful in her white knit Christmas dress and her mom did a super amazing trick to her hair.  As you know, Keelie was blessed with her great grandpa's curls.  I LOVE her curly hair but Mackenzie, for a special treat staightened Keelie's hair on Thursday.  Oh my goodness, I didn't know how long her hair was.  It's nearly to her fanny, like Brooklyn's is.   She looked just beautiful.  What fun to know you can have your hair both ways Keelie, your mommy is awesome!

Our L.A. Thiots
Stacy, Pierce and Little Lady returned home safely on Monday after having a snow delay on Sunday.  They had a wonderful time at Katie and Lile's wedding as you can see in the photo.  i love little Lady in her wedding dress and darling fur hat to keep warm.  What a good looking family and a beautiful bride! Congratulations Brinkerhoffs!

Our San Fran Thiots
When I found this recipe for these Christmas Cookies, I thought of Kara.  She loves to make yummy treats and these cookies surely qualify.  If you want to make a plate ful of your very own.  check out http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2013/12/easy-chocolate-marshmallow-holiday-cookie-plus-a-gluten-free-version.html  I've made three recipes of them this week to take to different parties and they have been a hit each time.  They are yummy!  Sky and Kara are still living in limbo waiting for a job offer to come in over the wires.  We are keeping our fingers crossed and spending time on our knees in prayer.  Good Luck you two!

We Empty Nesters
Saturday about 11:00 my phone rang and it was Rebecca.  She had some exciting news that Kinsley wanted to share and they wanted to stop by in 10 minutes.  That was a wonderful call and I cleaned like crazy for the whole 10  minutes.  When they arrived Kinsley told me about a contest she had entered around Halloween to design a book marker.  She had just gotten word that her design won 2nd Place and her book marker was going to be distributed at the Plano Libraries for the next  year.  How exciting is that?  We were all thrilled with her good news.  She gave me a book marker and I hung it right on my Christmas tree.  I love it and I love you Kinsley  Kate!  It was fun to have them over to play for a while.

I hope you've had a great week and that you are counting the days down to Christmas with a giant smile on your face like we are.  Sure love y'all, Robynn

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful, But the Ice is so Delightful!

Our Mansfield Thiots

When the temperatures dropped Thursday afternoon and the rain started later that night, the school districts made a decision to call a snow day for Friday.  There are not many things funner than having school canceled when you are a student.  Oh, I don't know how many times our kids wished for that to happen only to be disappointed that school was in fact being held.  Brooklyn got her first snow day of the year and Rickys job also had a snow day.  The whole weekend has been iced in.  Even our churches are cancelled today as the roads are nothing but ice ice baby ice. (as Ricky would say)

Our Charlottesville Granges
Charlottesville did a bit better on the weather as they were able to attend their first ward Christmas Party in Charlottesville before the temperatures dropped and the precipitation stated.  They are snowed in this morning with their church being cancelled too.  Thankfully, evverybody has power so we are cozy and warm just stuck at home, which it can't be much better than that.  Penny had 4 friends over for a play and craft afternoon on Thursday.  They made the cutest jingle bell door knockers I've ever seen.  Penny loved having friends over and they made some of Grandma Elaines famous brownies and cut them into heart shapes which made them taste even better.  YUMMY

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie finished his first week at his new job and he said it was good. Their computer systems are different but he will get used to it in a jiffy if I know him.  His communte gives him time to give us a call which I enjoy.  The temps are cold in Sacramento but no ice days or snow days yet. They are enjoying getting ready for Christmas.  Keelie and Callum are couting the days for Aunt Kelzie and Uncle Ian to come home for the Holidays!!!

Our L.A. Thiots
Stacy's little sister Katie had a beautiful Salt Lake Temple Wedding on Saturday morning.  Burrrr it was cold for photos outside.  Friday afternoon they had time for a quick visit to Grams house.  Oh Gram LOVED seeing our little Adelaide and Adelaide loved seeing her Gigi.  Look at their eyes locked on eachother.  That picture just spells LOVE to me.  I'm so glad they could stop by.  They are heading home later today. Be so careful on your drive home. Even Sunny California is having some cooler weather.

Our San Fran Thiots
The temperature in Sky and Kara's neighborhood is 32 degrees this morning.  That is very rare for the San Fran area.  It seems like the whole country is getting into the Christmas spirit with the cooler temperatures.  It does make it feel a lot like Christmas.  I love it! Kara caught a cold on her way home from Hawaii and has spent the week trying to get feeling better.  I understand that Skyler has been most helpful in taking good care of her.  Kara and Sky were blessed to attend the Oakland Temple on Friday night and see the Magic of Chritmas with all the beautiful lights that light up the temple grounds there.  Oh I LOVE it!

We Frozen Inside Thiots
If I had to be frozen inside with someone, I'm glad it's Dick Thiot.  Its kind of fun as this is how our relationship started with an ice storm in Dallas.  This one is better as we haven't lost power, thank heaven. It's much more fun to enjoy ice storms when you can be cozy and warm inside.
Thursday I spent at the church decorating or our ward party which was cancelled after our ice storm shut down our town.  Maybe they can leave everything up for next weekend and we can try again with more cooperative weather.  Church is cancelled today as the parking lot is nothing but an ice skating rink.  Oh we need some sunshine and temps above freezing to melt things.
We spent Saturday all day enjoying the Count Down to Christmas on the Hallmark Channel. I told Dick it would be fun it they made one movie with snippets for all of them kind of interrelated to each other.  After seeing them multiple times, they tend to blur into each other.  I do love those movies and Dick humors me by watching with me.
Tonight is the Christmas Devotional on BYU TV.  I always love to watch the First Presidency share the Christmas Story with us.  I can hardly wait.  7:00 central time I beleive.  Have a great week.  Stay Warm!
SLY Robynn

Happy December

Addison, Skyler, Cindy, Aunt Betty and Brooklyn

Our Mansfield Thiots

This week started out with our little Harper sick sick and so Ricky delivered to me two big girls on Monday morning so Becky could watch over Harper.  We had a list of things to do to get ready for Aunt Betty and her daughter Cindy to come join us for lunch.  Monday was a  colder than a bear day in Plano, Texas and it was kind of fun to make a fire in our fireplace to cozy up our home.  Brooklyn prepared the entertainment for after lunch.  She and Rocky did a dog show.  Rocky performed his tricks and ate lots of treats as rewards for performing well.  Skyler was the show judge and Brooklyn had made him Score Cards to rank each of Rocky's tricks which included, sitting, shaking paws, bare back riding on Clip Clop our Wonder Horse and riding in the back of a pick up truck, not too successful on that one.  It was great to see Aunt Betty and fun to catch up with her and her daughter.  She has the most interesting life.  She is always busy learning, doing, going, and just staying super active and happy. Next year she will celebrate her 90th birthday.  She makes being 90 look mighty fun.

Grammy on the ipad helping with Family photos

Our Charlottesville Granges
After a wonderful Thankful week, and Friday spent decking their Halls for Christmas, the Granges loaded up into their car with some left over turkey sandwiches and headed to Shenandoah  for a family hike.  The word on the street was that there was some white fluffy stuff there.  Oh my goodness, Penny got to build her first snowman in Virginia and boy was she thrilled to do that.  I'm hoping for a photo to share with you, hint hint. Tatia has her house looking so festive.  I loved going on a face time tour and seeing every bit of cuteness.  Maxwell is enchanted with the Christmas tree.  So far so good.  He did learn a trick this week of pulling himself up.  Lets hope he doesn't practice that on the tree.  Keep your eyes on him Miss Penny!

Callum wearing his daddy's race number from last weekends race for the Phillipines

Our Carmichael Thiots
After a wonderful trip to Salt Lake, Charlie's family returned home on Tuesday.  The kids were great little travelers as always but they were all glad to be home and sleeping in their own beds again.  Lani was a wonderful hostess and they had such fun with Gram.  She loved their visits.  Grandpa made his famous waffles for breakfast before they left Tuesday morning.  Thanks for your kind ways.  Thanksgiving was a great feast and they enjoyed being with Mackenzie's family.   Now on Tuesday, Charlie starts his new job at a new bank in Lodi, California.  He will have a bit longer commute, but hopefully, it will be a good thing and he will grow and be happy there.

Adelaide's first Thanksgiving on the beach

Our L.A. Thiots
What fun it was to face time with Stacy, Pierce and Adelaide at their first Thanksgiving Feast at the BEACH.  Yes you read it correctly.  They packed up their feast and took it to the beach to be enjoyed on a blanket on the sand.  Little Miss Adelaide was snoozing during the feast and looked quite thrilled to be outside eating.  What a great life they are living.  I loved sharing their Thanksgiving if only for a few minutes. This next week is going to be an exciting one for them. Stacy and Adelaide fly to Utah for the wedding preparations, ie Bridal photos of Stacy's little sister and all the fun pre-wedding events and Pierce will drive in the a couple of days ahead for the actual wedding.  What fun!

Our San Fran Thiots
It was sure fun to have Skyler in town for Thanksgiving.  I loved getting to have Sky to go on a few adventures with me, just like in the old days.  Sky asked me a question while we were out if it was sad to have your kids grow up and move away.  He asked if I missed the days when every one was home.  It is sad to say goodbye to that part of life, but is so fun to say hello to the next part  To watch your children grow up and marry their sweet hearts and live happily ever after is delightful.  We missed having Kara and were glad she had a good time with the family she works for in Hawaii.  She and Sky both returned home on Friday night.  We miss you Sky!

We Empty Nesters
For the past four Thanksgivings we had Tatia and Jake and Penny with us.  Tatia was always great at bringing her camera and taking pictures of the table and everybody there.  We not only missed her apple pie this year, but now I miss the photos that were NOT taken.  Someday I hope I can remember to put my camera out and use it.  We had a nice day.  Sky and Dick attended the Turkey Bowl, football game, at the park and I got the table set and things planned out while they were gone.  When they returned we met Ricky's family and Ben and Rebecca's family at the movie theater in McKinney for the 12:40 showing of Frozen.  Harper and I went home to "take naps"   Harper took a good happy nappy and I got things ready for the feast.  While I was awaiting the rolls to raise, Tatia called and I got to assist them in taking their Christmas card photo.  I was on the i-pad making silly faces and noises trying to keep Penny and Maxwells attention.  I have to admit, I must have done a really good job because their Christmas card photo is way cute.  Thanks for letting me help.:) Before the "feast", the guys played football and raked up autumn leaves and the kids loved jumping in them.  Ben brought this Super LONG Skate board that was quite entertaining for the brave hearted too.  The kids went on our traditional treasure hunt for autumn objects around the neighborhood and had fun with that.  I still have seven sacks of treasure I need to redistribute to the neighbors yards.
After eating plenty of yummy food, we had a little dancing time and then the children opened up their Christmas PJ's and put them on and we said good night. I had to be at the temple early bird style Friday morning so it was Grammy off to bed early.  I loved Thanksgiving.  Mom, thanks for the pep talk to change my attitude.  It worked!
I hope you've had a great week, we enjoyed hosting the Elders this week while their room was being used for Grandchildren at the Martins.  They are two great missionaries and it was great to have that missionary spirit in our home.  Hope this week is wonderful. SLY Robynn