Extra Extra Read all about it....

Our Mansfield Thiots
Ricky has been working an extra job as of late to save up for a replacement air conditioner after some mean person destroyed theirs.  His job sounds kind of fun.  He attends either TCU basketball games or the Dallas Maverick Basketball games and sells subscription orders to the Wall Street Journal Newspaper.  When you sign up, you get this nifty hoodie or t-shirt and they have been quite popular as of late.  Go Ricky!  It's kind of fun thinking of you as a Newsie! Saturday night we were blessed to tend our Mansfield Granddaughters.  It was so much fun.  Ricky and Becky had a sushi date with Ricky's high school buddy turned millionair Brian.  They had a great time talking about all 10 of Brians cars, none of which have over 1,000 miles on them.  What a fun kid:)  Thanks for sharing your girls with us.

Our Charlottesville Granges
Tatia truly hit the ground running when she got home last weekend. Jakes parents and youngest sister arrived on Tuesday to spend 10 days with them.  Oh what a great time they are having.  Saturday morning Tatia, Jake, and Tootie woke up early bird style and headed to Washington DC to attend the first session of the day.  I bet the Temple was delighted to have them come.  They had a lovely time and on the way home stopped in Manassas at a Cafe Rio for lunch.  Only one of Tatia's favorite places on the planet to eat. Tatia has perfected the recipe and can make it as good, but oh how it tastes good in their aluminum cake pans with someone else doing all the work.  When they returned they had two happy kids to see them.  Gigi and Bumpa are great tenders and I'm sure are loving being there.  I love sharing my grandkids with them.

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie's Jeep registration was due in February and he needed some help getting it registered.  I love getting to help him and love when I get phone calls for help. There is something about being needed that is important to mom's when their kids have grown up and moved far away from home.  Thanks for letting me Help Charlie Jay!  We had a fun visit about my youngest brother Jeffrey Mike too.  It was his 50th birthday on Friday and we made a list of all the things we love about it.  With the help of his nieces, nephews, parents and siblings, we had 81 things in no time at all.  I loved getting to hear all the things everyone loves about Uncle Jeff.  He has truly won his way into everyone's hearts.  Mine too!

Our L.A. Thiots
Pierce and Stacy's beard blog continues to find it's way into more and more peoples computers.  This week they got word that the infamous Pee Wee Herman had put a link to it on his.  Pierce, you are truly arrived getting a shout out from Pee Wee himself.  I had a delightful face time with my little Adelaide this weekend. She is the smiliest little lady and makes the cutest noises.  I wonder if she will grow up thinking her Grammy lives in a cell phone.  I love you little lady and can't wait to see you next.

Our San Fran Thiots
It's been a fun week. Kara went to Park City with her boss and family from Thursday to Saturday Afternoon.  When she got back in town Sky and Kara went on a fun date to the Oakland Temple and then to a fun place called Cream. Cream specializes in cookie ice cream sandwiches.They were having a special and so we got ours for FREE$$  They look Delicous! Kara, I think that is the same flavor I would have picked, Mint Chocolate Chippers, YUMMY!

We Empty Nesters
Dick leaves at 6:22 in the am for a week in Salt Lake.  I wish I could hide in his suit case and go along. For some strange reason, airfare to SLC is sky high as of late.  Dick's new commitment to SLC had him spending a week a month there.  I'm hoping the fares will come down and I can go along on one of these trips soon.

We had the best Plano Stake Conference this weekend.  Elder Stanley Ellis from the quorum of the 70's came and spoke.  What a gifted speaker he is.  He told us he had 3 messages to give us.  After all, that is what the 70's are called to be, Messengers. He told us first that God knows each one of us by name and that he LOVES each of us.  He taught us that when Heavenly Father wants to tell us something, he uses the Holy Ghost to deliver that message.  We need to learn to LISTEN to that voice and DO what we are told and he told us that Satan is real and is a miserable lier and wants us to be as miserable as he is.  It was a wonderful talk.  He committed each of us to pick something that we can do and Take the Next Step in the Right Direction.  He told us if we don't, this weekend will just be a pleasant memory and will not change our life for the better.  I LOVED being there and sitting next to my sweet husband.  Dick was asked to Usher at the beginning of the meeting.  That must be one of every man's dream jobs.  You get to wear this nifty USHER button and help everyone find a seat and ask people to quit saving seats.  I was feeling pretty guilty as I was trying to save a seat for him and another brother in our ward who came with us.  I was relieved when they were released from Usher duty and sat down with me, in the soft seats.  Yahoo.  I hope you have had a good week.  Happy Birthday Jeffrey Mike!  SLY Robynn

Let's Go Find our Cousins!

Love is in the air...

Our Mansfield Thiots
Valentines Day is such a fun holiday for preschool and 1st grade.  It's fun to sign all your valentine cards and then to deliver them and then a party to boot.  Brooklyn and Addison loved the whole event.  Becky has their home decorated so fun for Valentines Day.  She is the perfect Mommy for three little ladies who LOVE Pink!  Ricky' a great sport to love it all too.  

Our Charlottesville Granges
Saturday morning started early at our house.  Tatia and Penny and Max were all up and getting ready at 5:00 am.  We left for the airport and were greeted with a HUGE crowd of people all wanting to go HOME.  It took way longer than we had hoped to check in at US airways, (we are not fans any more) and they barely made it onto the flight heading to Philadelphia.  They arrived there late and missed their connection to Charlottesville.  While Tatia and the kids waited in yet another HUGE line there, Dick was able to contact them via the telephone and reroute her home through Richmond.  Jake was a great sport and drove to Richmond (one hour away) and picked up a tired little family who was way happy to see their daddy.  Interestingly enough, Tatia's bags made the connecting flight in Phili and went to Charlottesville so Jake took a trip to the Charlottesville airport to retrieve them, not an easy process either.  To make a long day short, they are HOME and it's mighty quiet at Grammy's house. Those two weeks went by way to fast for this Grammy.  Thanks for coming Tatia, Penny and Maxwell.  We miss you already!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie's family took an adventure this weekend to the Redwood Forest in northern California.  What a beautiful part of this world.  The weather was a little misty, but remember the special fast for rain, we can not complain.  It only made everything seem a bit more magical in the mist and rain.  I was so happy when Mackenzie sent me some great photos of them exploring.  Keelie had another wonderful moment with the loss of her second tooth this week.  The tooth fairy actually got this tooth as it was not swallowed.  Hooray for Keelie!  Keelie loved Valentines Day at Kindergarten and Callum liked spending Valentines with his favorite Valentine, his Mommy.

Our L.A. Thiots
Pierce and Stacy have kind of turned world famous this week with their Beard blog jetting all over the world. It's been a fun week to be related to them and its been fun to hear all the people that love Pierce comment.  I loved that his 2nd grade teacher commented that she always knew he's be famous one day.  We loved Miss Pieper.  Pierce told me a few weeks ago that he and Stacy had been working on a little bearded project.  It was fun to see the results.  You LA Thiots make me smile! Pierce and Stacy and Adelaide took a tour at the Space Shuttle museum and Stacy noticed the similarity in Pierce's name on the flight crew pictured above. Pierce wanted to be as astronaut for many years while growing up.  I loved seeing this man 3rd from the left.  Pretty cool PJ!

Our San Fran Thiots
I was hoping to report that Sky got the job he interviewed for but I am learning that things don't happen that fast.  With 95 applicants, it takes a while to make those kind of decisions.  I wish they would just call me, I would tell them, he is the best man for the job.  I have to tell you,  it was really fun to have Sky here for a few days and what perfect timing that he got to see Tatia and her children who adore him.  The timing was perfect for his visit.  We will keep our fingers crossed, although it's hard typing with crossed fingers.  The watiing game is not an easy one to play.  We love you Sky and we missed you Kara!

Sister Ence, her companion and our future sister missionary Penny

We Empty Nesters
I got a text message from Tatia this morning about 10:15 saying, "Sister Ence is in my ward!!"  Let me explain.  When the darling Mackenzie Ence received her mission call last fall, she was called to the Virginia Richmond Mission which just so happens to be Tatia's mission.  We've been waiting, hoping, praying that she would get assigned to Tatia's ward.  Tatia used to babysit Mackenzie when she was a baby and we have LOVED the Ences forever.  They moved from Plano many years ago, but we have kept track of them from their move to Wisconsin and now back to Utah.  Tatia can hardly wait to sign up to have those cute sisters over for dinner.  I loved the photo Tatia took of Sister Ence and her companion and our little Penny.  FUN!
With Valentines Day being on Friday this  year, it was a pleasure to get to serve in the temple on such a special day.  I LOVED that Tatia and Penny  and Addison, and Pammy and Miles helped me bake cookies early in the week to take to my temple sisters.  They turned out cute and Tatia made me a darling bag topper to put on the bags with the cookies.  Having Tatia around, I can do anything.  She's awesome.
Dick has been enjoying the Winter Olympics in little bits of time.  He loves the Skiers and I've heard him cheering for not only Team USA but Team Finlandia as well!

Feeling Very Olympic?

Our Mansfield Thiots
Saturday afternoon was Addison's Daddy Daughter Date.  She and Ricky and chosen to go see the new Lego Movie but much to their disappointment, it was SOLD out.  Not a ticket to be had at the theatre in Mansfield.  They went right into Plan B which turned out to be lots of fun too.  Miss Addison had a manicure and a pedicure and was delighted.  Ricky said she was very quiet and was just taking it all in.  She told me she loved how it felt when they rubbed lotion on her legs and feet.  She has darling toes and fingernails with polka dots on them.  Sooooooo fun! I love your tradition of Daddy Daughter Dates with your girls Ricky.

Our Charlottesville Granges
We are enjoying our second week with Tatia, Penny and Maxwell.  We've packed as much fun in this week as we could with our fridgit temperatures and Tatia not feeling very well.  We were able to visit the Christensens on Tuesday, the Mansfield Thiots on Wednesday and The Royal Texans on Friday.  I loved watching Penny and Maxwell play with these dear friends and cousins.  Jake celebrated his 29th Birthday on Saturday.  It was fun to have some cupcakes delivered to him as a surprise and Tatia had hidden his birthday gift at home before she left and she gave him clues to find it.  Happy Birthday Jake!

Our Carmichael Thiots
This week Callum had a doctor check up and a hearing test.  I'm glad to report, that he passed with flying colors.  We are sooooooooo grateful to have Mister Callum in our family.  He is delightful.  I often wish I could grab him right though the phone and bring him to my house for a vacation.  Oh how we love you Callum.  Charlie sent a photo he took while out for a run on Saturday morning.  I'm happy to report it was pouring down rain.  He said the fasting has paid off and California has had rain rain rain.  Keep it coming!

Our L.A. Thiots
Stacy sent me this photo of this week of Adelaide.  We've always thought she was a great combination of Pierce and Stacy, but this photo definitely favors Pierce.  Don't you agree?  She is still beautiful even with that furry beard on.  he he he.  Pierce with Stacy's help has been working on a fun beard project this last few weeks.  He's put a Lot of interesting things in his beard.  You'll have to take a peek here.
Our San Fran Thiots
Skyler is asleep upstairs.  Yes you read that right.  He flew in on Sunday morning and has a job interview on Tuesday at an advertising agency in Plano.  YEAH!!!! We are keeping our fingers crossed. How fun would that be to have him and Kara live back in our part of the world again.  We would LOVE it.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.  He goes back home on Wednesday and we are planning to enjoy him a lot.
We Not So Empty Nesters
We have seven people under our roof this morning as I type.  We were able to have Addison have a sleep over as she doesn't have school on Monday, so we are loving it.  She and Penny are darling playmates and I'm sure they are going to have a very fun day today together.  We will take her back home this afternoon/evening hoping the freezing rain lets that happen, or we may get to keep her again :)  We'd love that too.
We had Ricky's family come for dinner on Sunday and with Tatia and Sky here, we had 60% of our family here. It was wonderful.  We had an Olympic parade.  The kids made Olympic Flags and the girls dressed up in their princess dresses and paraded around the house. Then we pushed back the kitchen table and had an Olympic Dance.  It was wonderful to see those little ones dancing and giggling together.  Maybe my favorite part was the Tea Party in the Bubble Bath.  They were sooooooooo cute.  Mister Maxwell did not participate but Brooklyn, Addison, Penny and Harper all had a lot of fun and may or may not have drunk some bum punch.  They are fun little ladies and I adore them.  We read my favorite Valentine Stories all cozied up on the couch.  What fun!
I hope you've had a good week, We sure have.  Sure love you, Robynn

Happy Ground Hog Day!

Our Mansfield Thiots
When Becky's parents arrived and said they were staying for 10 days, that sounded like a long stay.  Today is day 10 and I'm sure there are many sad girls in Mansfield today.  Time with people we love goes by way to quickly.  Becky's parents got to take a little side trip in the middle of their stay to Austin and San Antonio. The weather wasn't too cooperative and they headed back to Mansfield.  Happy Day! There was a big Dental Convention this weekend at the Convention Center and Ricky got to work some extra hours at his company's booth there.  What a great salesman you are Ricky Thiot!
Our Charlottesville Granges
Saturday morning, very early, Tatia woke up her two littles and dressed and fed them and they were off to the airport to catch a 6:45 flight to Dallas.  They stopped on the way in Charlotte, North Carolina and then took the second leg on the Dallas.  We couldn't be more delighted.  THey have all had colds and so the flight was rough on ears, but they are settling in nicely. We love having them here.  Penny loved going to Nursery in Primary today and was thrilled that the same toys were there as when she moved away last June.  Happy Day!
Our Carmichael Thiots
We are having a very cold and rainy weekend.  Charlie's ward in California has been fasting for rain this weekend.  I'm hoping, crossing my fingers and adding my prayers to theirs that they might be getting some of this rain too.  I think California's drought is worst than ours.  If only all this weather could balance itself out and give us all just what we need.
Our L.A. Thiots
Pierce sent us two videos of Miss Adelaide this week. One she was talking, yes you read that right, Pierce would say something and she would repeat it, soooooooooo cute and the other she was out on her patio swinging in her swing and was singing.  What joyful and wonderful sounds that little angel makes.  So fun! Thanks for sharing your little one with us across the miles.
Our San Fran Thiots
Sky and Kara are still living a bit in limbo and are trying hard to stay positive and ready  for the right opportunity to come around the corner.  I'm fasting that it might come sooner than later San Fran Thiots.  We love you a lot and know this wait is going to be really worth it.
We NOT so Empty Nesters
Our household grew from 2 to 5 and we couldn't be happier.  Rocky, our funny little grandpup keeps looking at me with eyes like, "How long do they get to stay?"  He is LOVING having to little ones who may or may not drop a few crumbs from their seats. He is more than happy to help in the clean it up department.  Little Maxwell fell asleep in my arms at the very last few minutes of church. Nothing in the world feels better to me than holding a sleeping little baby especially one of my very own grandbabies.  I loved hearing Miss Penny's voice this morning calling out to me, (at 5:45) "Where are you Grammy?"  I loved getting to snuggle her in bed with Graypa and me and watching an episode of Sophia the First and a Doc McStuffin we had taped.  Dick, Rocky, Penny and Grammy all in bed together.  We loved it.  I hope you've had a good week and have an even better one just around the corner.  Sure love you, Robynn