Our State Fair is a Gr-8 State Fair, Don't Miss it, Don't even be Late!

Our Mansfield Thiots
I have a feeling that this has been one of the best weeks in Mansfield.  Becky's awesome mom, also known as Nana, has been in town and the girls have loved having her at their house.  They have truly packed in a lot of fun times including a fair in Mansfield where the girls loved having their faces painted and loved playing on the giant slides.  Then they headed to the biggest state fair in America, The State Fair of Texas.  They loved getting to say HOWDY to Big TEX and everything else they saw and ate.  I loved seeing the pictures.  Well done Mansfield Thiots!  So glad you are here Nana Diane!

Our Charlottesville Granges
I'm not sure if I am going to get into trouble for sharing this bit of exciting news, but I just can't wait any longer.  Please forgive me Tatia and Jake, but there is a new little baby on it's way in Charlottesville, Virginia.  Number Nine grandchild for Dick and me.  We are just about as excited as can be.  Baby Grange number 3 is due to arrive Spring of 2015.  Horray!  Miss Penny is sure that it is going to be a baby Sister.  Tatia's doctor told her that many times when sibling predict the sex of the new baby, they are right.  As a matter of fact it's about 50% chance they are correct:)  Tatia has been feeling crummy which makes me wish we were still neighbors and I could go swipe her two kidos and let her have a rest.  We are excited for you Charlottesville Granges!

Our Carmichael Thiots
It's been a good week in Carmichael California this week too.  Keelie was able to play in the Goalie position in her game on Saturday and did a super job.  Go Keelie!  I loved getting to face time with them on Sunday afternoon.  Keelie taught me how to  make a halloween mask out of a tortilla.  Only one regret, I didn't get a photo of her wearing her mask.  Here is what you do if you need a little something fun to do on a sunday afternoon.  Take one flour tortilla.  Fold it in half and carefully bite out an eyeball.  Then nibble out a mouth and unfold it and hole it up to your face.  WOWSERS!  It's totally awesome and the best news is, after you have frightened your family, you can gobble it right up.  So fun Keelie and Callum.  Their daddy's birthday is coming up this Thursday.  We are all getting excited.

Our L.A. Thiots
Pierce graduated in the class of 2004 at Plano Senior High School and the Class 10 year reunion has been in the planning stages for a while.  The Senior Class Pres is now living in New York City and didn't have time to plan anything so he delegated responsibility.  They sold tickets, but not enough to pay for the fancy venue they chose, so they refunded tickets.  Ugg,  Pierce was planning on coming and many others too so they planned a mini reunion and much more causal.  Pierce had a great time catching up with class mates and was glad he came.  I was DELIGHTED that he came as we got to see him for about 20 hours of his weekend.  I almost wanted to set a chair up in his room and just watch him sleep.  Pierce is a very fun part of our family and we miss him and his family a lot.  It seemed so good to have him at the dinner table, get to make him cinnamon rolls and have him come to church with us.  On Sunday evening, he surprised the Mansfield Girls by stopping by for a visit and sharing some of his cinnamon rolls with them.  They loved it.  While Pierce has been in Dallas, Stacy, her mom and our sweet Adelaide in Seattle, Washington visiting Stacy's sister Katie and her husband who recently  moved up there.  Adelaide got to visit the Famous Gum Wall and has been a great traveling partner for Stacy.  Have fun girls!

Our Dallas Thiots
Skyler, Dick and Ricky attended a Ranger Baseball game on Friday night together. They were wishing Pierce could have come, but he had plans he couldn't change.  They had a good time even though the score was not in favor of the Rangers.  Sky and Kara left early Saturday morning for a weekend get away to Salt Lake.  A friend of theirs had a new baby and was blessing the baby in church and had invited them to come.  They booked a room at Grandpa's house and have been having a good time.  They will be back in town tomorrow.  I can't wait to hear all about their adventures.  I know Grandpa enjoyed having them at his house.  Last spring he planted some potatoes in a bucket and harvested them this week.  Above is a photo of his harvest.  Thirteen interesting spuds.  Go Dad!

We Plan-O Thiots
Dick has had a crazy busy week.  He hasn't come home before eight all week and has left bright and early every day.  I'm glad to report he did get to squeeze in a game of golf one afternoon.  He was asked by a new Eagle Scout in our Troop to be the one to give the Eagle Charge at his Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday night.  Oh how we love Boy Scouts in our family and especially when they work hard enough to become Eagles. It was great to be there to see Nicholas Jones be awarded his Eagle Scout Rank.

I had an extra nice surprise on Saturday while working at the temple.  Our dear friend Kevin Roeser and his bride Hiba came to the temple to be sealed for Time and All eternity on Saturday afternoon. She was such a beautiful bride and I felt so blessed to be subbing for Kara on Saturday and getting to see them there.  Thanks Kara!
My writing class was fun last week.  We had to write about our a treasure we have and I loved writing about finding the cassette tape with my sweet parents reporting their mission.  The class asked me if my voice sounded like my mom's.  She was just my age 23 years ago and I've been thinking about that all week.  Have a great week everyone!  SLY Robynn

A Special Time In Nampa, ID

I wanted to preface this blog entry that Dick wrote with a giant sized Thank You!  When Dad mentioned to me that he really wanted to go to Nampa for his High School Reunion, I knew what my mom would say.  "Oh Jay, please don't drive by yourself, it's too far"  My first thought was maybe I could fly up to Salt Lake and go with Dad and after talking to Dick, he had a great idea.  He was working in Salt Lake that week and could swap his travel plans to stay over the weekend and return on Monday and he could go with with dad.  Dick is a much better driver than I am, and has a much louder voice than I do and gets along great with Dad.  It all worked out even better than we had thought.  Dad enjoyed his get away,  Dick loved spending time with Dad and learned a lot from the stories Dad shared along the way.  Thank you Dick for taking photos and writing up your weekend.  It truly was a special time in Nampa, Idaho!  I love you Dick, I love you Dad! 

The weekend of Sept 12th-14th really started on Sept 11th when I got to attend the BYU game against the University of Houston Cougars with Grandpa.  There was a 9/11 remembrance that was very nice and BYU jumped out to a big lead and was able to hang on.

On Friday afternoon, we hopped into Grandpa's Buick Park Avenue and headed to Nampa, ID where he had graduated from high school in 1946.  The drive was about 5 hours and we stopped at the Wendy's in Burley, ID on our way for some dinner.  There were two sets of missionaries in line behind us so I told the cashier that I wanted to buy their dinner.  Grandpa has insisted on buying mine!  We got to Nampa (right next to Boise and also the 2nd largest city in Idaho) about 8pm and we went to Robynn's first cousin's (Wanda and John McGuire) house.  Grandpa has asked if we could stay at their house and they were very hospitable towards us.  It was also fun getting to know them much better.  We chatted for a little while then headed to bed.  On Saturday morning we had a kind of lazy time and Wanda fixed us an absolute feast for breakfast.

The purpose of the trip was for Grandpa to go to his 70th high school reunion.  The class had decided to hold it 3 years early.  We went to the restaurant at the Shilo Inn and met with about 30 members of his high school class.  I learned that there were about 220 graduates from Nampa High School in 1946 and about 100 are still living.  That is some kind of clean living if that high a percentage are still alive at 85 years old.  Grandpa met one friend, Fred Gunter that he said people often mistook them for each other because they were about the same build and both had dark, curly hair.  Grandpa did a better job of keeping is curly locks.  It was very awe inspiring to be in a room with that many 85 year old individuals, most of whom were as mobile as Grandpa.  Everyone did have a chance to introduce themselves and we had some lunch.  Grandpa and I both ordered a salad since we were still full from breakfast and our meals were the last ones out.  Maybe they don't get a lot of salad orders in Nampa.

After the get together I asked Grandpa if he would show me around Nampa.  He showed me where their first house was.  That area is now part of a project by the Nampa Housing Authority and there were a bunch of small, new homes there now.  Next we went to where Grandpa and Grandma Birks (Grandpa's mom) lived after the kids were grown.  It is across from a set of railroad tracks.  That house is also gone now and I think the lot is now zoned commercial.  I sent Robynn a picture of the railroad tracks and she remembered the hill up to the tracks was much taller.  Maybe she was much smaller then.

We made a short pass around Nampa and then decided to drive out to Melba, ID.  Melba was about 20 minutes away.  It is where Grandpa grew up until 8th grade.  Pulling into Melba the first thing we saw where their "little green house" had been.  They rented it from C.C. Todd who founded and owned most of Melba.  Grandpa said that Grandpa Birks used to do side jobs for Mr. Todd to help pay the rent.  One of those side jobs was digging graves out at the Melba cemetery.  Grandpa also told me about how the house was originally across the street but Grandpa Birks managed to put the house on skids and drag it across the street.  The reason for doing this was that the other side of the street had city services like water and sewer.  I didn't now you could do that!

We also drove through downtown and saw the current LDS church which is a very nice building.  It is quite interesting because it is two-stories.  When we left there we wend down a street and Grandpa pointed to a white building and said that it was where they used to meet for church.  I pulled up to the building and there was a sign that said that it was a Melba Museum.  We decided to go in.  Once inside I pointed to a picture and Grandpa said that it was a picture of his 1st grade teacher, Ms. McKammy.  The couple that was there as the docents turned out to be LDS with 12 kids.  Grandpa enjoyed looking around and talking to them.  They stayed late to let Grandpa keep looking at stuff that reminded him of his childhood.  Once we left there we drove down the main street in downtown Melba.  Grandpa pointed out a little building that he said that he helped build.  It was a drugstore back then but now it is a Mexican restaurant.  I don't know how they have enough business to survive.  Now it was time to head back to Nampa.  We had a nice BBQ (hamburgers, chips, potato salad, etc) at the McGuirre's house.  Another niece, Donna joined us before she had to go to work.  After dinner Wanda took Grandpa to visit more family.  I stayed at the house with John as I needed to spend some time working on the Plano Stake 2015 Youth Trek website.

On Sunday morning, after another great breakfast it was time to hit the road.  I had loaded the April 2014 General Conference talks on the iPad.  We listed to those on the drive home.  Grandpa put my portable speaker up to his hear so that he could here them.  The batter for the speaker ran out just before we stopped for gas in Burley.  As we were getting close to being back into civilization I saw a road sign that we were coming to the exit for the Golden Spike National Park.  I had always wanted to see it and had never been.  I made the spontaneous decision while Grandpa was talking to Robynn on the phone that we were going to make a side trip.  It took us about 20-30 minutes to get to the "National Park".  The timing was perfect because the train from the east was just pulling in.  We enjoyed learning about the first transcontinental railroad.  Back on the road we were able to continue into Brigham City without having to backtrack the way we came.  From there is was about an hour until we got home.

For me the trip was amazing.  I enjoyed the time with Grandpa and getting to know some of the Idaho family.  I hope that Grandpa had as much fun as I did.

It's Been Quite a Week

A

Brooklyn's sweet message

Addison's Card

Harper's Card

Brooklyn's Card

 Our Mansfield Thiots
I got to spend Wednesday afternoon in Mansfield this week.  I love getting to pick up the big girls at school.  The smiles on their faces when they see me is priceless.  I wish I could bottle that feeling that it gives to me.  We had a project to do that afternoon.  My sweet Aunt Deanne took a fall three weeks ago today and broke her femur bone.  She had to have a plate and screws put in to put it back and hold it in place.  She has been struggling in rehab and we decided to make some cards to cheer her up.  Tatia helped in Charlottesville and designed them and I printed them and took some fall colored paints and q-tips and we painted some beautiful fall trees with the words, "I hope your Autumn is better than your Fall"  Tatia and Penny had made one for Gram last fall when she was in rehab and it really cheered her up.  I hope these will cheer up Aunt Deanne too.

Our Charlottesville Granges
It's been a fun week in Charlottesville.  Jake was on call and had to work some this weekend but they have packed a bunch of fun in anyway.  Tatia took the kids to the park for a run on Saturday morning and was able to visit with Grandpa on the phone while they jogged along.  The kids took their bikes and got some practice in and loved it.  When Jake got home they went on a hike and to Five Guys Burgers for dinner.  Yummy!  Today Jake's cousin Nan was having her new baby boy Porter Taylor blessed in church. Jake had to work so Tatia, Penny and Max went to Richmond for the blessing.  Maybe the most exciting part of the day was Max going to the Nursery for his first time in his life and Miss Penny attending class with cousin Wyatt.  She loved that and Max was perfectly happy joining the nursery, not even his own ward.  Go Maxwell!

Our Carmichael Thiots
It was Pirate Day at the Gym this week and Charlie's family enjoyed dressing up like Pirates and having a great time. Last Sunday it was the Primary Program in Charlie's ward.  Charlie was able to tape the program and send it to us so we could hear it.  I LOVED hearing the primary children sing and Keelie give her talk.  She did a terrific job.  Her class sang a song all by themselves and I could hear her sweet voice singing.  Thank you Charlie!  Then today, Charlie sent me an e-mail with another talk she gave in Primary today.  She talked about how living the gospel helps us to have happy families.  Keelie taught when we live the gospel Heavenly Father will bless us to choose the right and then we can be happy.  I loved when she told the story of Nephi and his family building as ship that brought them to the promised land.  Thanks Keelie!

Our L.A. Thiots
Dick told me on Saturday night that there were Thiot's at the Ranger Baseball game on Saturday night.  I was guessing it must be Ricky's family but he said nope, the Rangers were in Southern California so then I guessed Pierce's family and I was right. Unfortunately, the Rangers lost after a seven game winning streak.  I'm glad there were some Thiot's there to cheer for them even if they lost. Thanks Pierce and Stacy and Ladie!

Our Dallas Thiots
Last Sunday morning before church I got a message from Sky inviting me to Sunday dinner at their home.  It was my first time to drive myself downstown to their apartment.  It took all my courage and Sky's good directions.  When I got off the freeway and onto the tricky part of the directions, I saw this cute man on a bike who was my escort to their apartment.  Thank you Sky!  Thank you Kara and Sky for a yummy steak dinner cooked on the grills by the pool.  What a wonderful dinner with great compay. Saturday was the 13th Birthday of Kara's darling nephews, They were able to attend the party in Fort Worth and had a great time.

We Plano Thiots
Dick taught week two of the Communication Merit Badge College that the Plano 7th Ward hosted. He had two very different classes and really enjoyed spending Saturday morning with those great boy scouts.  He has had a busy week since getting back into town on monday night.  He did get to play golf on Thursday morning and enjoyed that a lot.
Tuesday evening I had something happen that I will not ever forget.  My friend Vivian who serves in the Family History Library with me went to the Dallas Temple to be sealed to her sweet parents who have been gone since the early 1990's.  It was such a tender and sweet evening to be in the house of the Lord with such a dear friend.  I'm so glad Dick was able to go with me and that we could be there together with Vivian.  Oh how I love the Temple.  My favorite place to be next to my own home.
My 2nd Writing class was good on Wednesday.  I got to read my first story I wrote titled It Must be Spring.  My mom  had told me about a family of Robins who had built a nest in her back yard and raised three little robins.  I loved writing the story and getting to share it with my Dad.  I must admit it made me cry as I read it to him.  I did much better reading it in class without tears. I've started on next weeks assignment and I'm excited for it too.

I got to teach a class at Super Saturday in making a Count Down to Christmas Calendar with 25 pockets with a different activity to do each day before Christmas.  What fun ladies took the class.  It was a very fun morning and I can't wait to finish mine soon too. I hope you have had a good week too.  SLY Robynn

Happy Birthday Dad!

Lessons Learned from Grandpa Great

This street is named for Grandpa's uncle not far from Charlie's home.

Laurie-He taught me how to work hard and enjoy what I do.  I love him for the great example he has always been to me. Mike- Never to give up! Krista- He taught me how to serve other people. Matt- How to get food cheap! Hailey- He's really nice and I love him. Aida- He makes me good smoothies Josh-he taught me that if it’s not broken, you probably don’t need a new one and if it is broken, you better fix it. Merijane-He welcomed me to the family and has always made me feel like one of his own grandchildren Libbie-He's nice to let us come over and play, and he makes milkshakes for us Katie- I love to play on his tricky bars Jamie-He taught me that everyone is a future friend Emily- He has always been kind and made me feel at home Molly-he lets us stay at his condo and he's awesome. Abbie-he lets us pick up his pinecones Kelsi-he's nice Jordan-He taught me the meaning of 'use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" Jamie-He's always made me feel welcome Chandler: Things I love about grandpa, would be how we would go to the BYU games together and we would get the roasted almonds. And having to speak into his good ear has always been an adventure. I like talking to him about stories. Things like that have been special to me. Skyler & Kara- Grandpa has always been a great example, and more often the lessons I've learned from him come from watching him than anything he said. He polished my shoes on the morning of my wedding. He showed me how important it is to serve others. He also loves talking to everyone! Grandpa has never met someone he wasn't interested to get to know. Grandpa has always been interested in what's going on in our lives. Talking to grandpa on the phone is the best. He is genuinely interested in what's new, and what you're up to. Grandpa is an expert at fixing just about anything. His resourcefulness is a great example of how to become the best version of yourself. Addison- I loved going to Disneyland with Grandpa Gr-8! Harper- I loved your blue swimming socks, awesome! Brooklyn- He helps me not be afraid, he’s friendly, he’s kind and he’s is caring. Ricky- He taught me to have confidence in myself that I could do new things, installing dishwashers, fixing door locks on my car.  You are a gr-8 example Grandpa!Becky- I love how he lives life much younger than the years on the calendar say.  I want to be young at eighty six like Grandpa. He hasn’t let age slow him down at all. Robynn- Water will be fine, Waste not Want Not! Dick- You can be frugal without being cheap and how to be Christ like by serving anyone in need. Maxwell- I loved meeting him and spending time with him this summer. I love his curly white hair. Penny- I loved going to California with Grandpa Great and giving him hugs. Jacob- Grandpa never lets anything get him down. If he has to wear rubber boots to the beach, he does it! If he has a neighbor that needs help with plumbing, even if he's not feeling great, he still does it. He's a tough guy! Whenever you go over to his house, he always makes you something delicious to eat. His garbage plates are the best! Tatia- Grandpa always takes time for me. When I lived in Utah, he always made sure I had enough to eat and that my Jeep Wagoneer was working. He taught me how to fill up the oil and treat a car nicely. I think that’s why I never had troubles with the crazy car. Grandpa would do anything for his family and friends, and probably for a complete stranger. He's taught me to show love to everyone you come in contact with. Charlie, Kenzie, Keelie & Callum: Work hard. Get an education. Serve The Lord. Don't spend all your money in one place. Cars are awesome and can be fixed. If your car bumper is bent, tie a rope to it and a tree and drive and that will unbend said bumper. Have fun in what you do. Pierce, Stacy & Adelaide-Grandpa has never had trouble with making conversations with a stranger. His friendliness and ability to connect with people set an example for me of how I wanted to be with people on my mission. To this day, whenever I'm at church or work and see someone sitting by themselves, I think of Grandpa talking with them about anything. Grandpa is my hero when it comes to fixing stuff around the house. Which is a problem for me. I'm not as handy as he is (or my brother Charlie), and I think Stacy sometimes rolls her eyes when I try to fix stuff. I think that because Grandpa can fix stuff, I can unclog a drain easily. That usually leads to me making things worse and calling a plumber. Cierra- Grandpa has always been so willing to help out anybody who needs him.  He has always been a great example to me of service. Riley- You can tell he has always been a good worker by his hands Lucy- I LOVE Grandpa!!! Just ask him! Kathy- I love how he is always willing to help anyone, family, friend, or neighbor.  I love his work ethic and integrity.  Great example of how to live a worthwhile life.  Ric- Friendliest person I’ve ever met. Dad can talk to anyone. Chip, Elycia, Taylor, Devan, & Paige- He has taught us generosity, always willing to give out a loan when anyone is in need. Grandpa has taught us to never miss an opportunity to have a good conversation with someone, and when you tell him something, he asks questions and shows he's really listening. I love Grandpa's luscious locks, which give me hope that Chip will look that good when he's that old :) Chase- Hard work makes a Happy Life. Never stop serving others Morgan & Heidi- Grandpa is the cutest little old guy that I know. J He always makes sure to talk with you and always makes you feel special. Seriously anytime I think about grandpa I think about how cute, kind and sweet he is.  He truly is a special grandpa! We love him so much. Carissa- I love how he always tells me "keep smiling and working hard. Jeffrey- Dad has taught me to be a good neighbor, to take care of everybody. He taught me to shovel snow, mow lawns. He also taught me to bleed BLUE for BYU. Jenn- Papa B is always ready for free food even if it means dressing up like a cow. We spent some time putting duct tape spots on before going in to eat at Chick filet. Lauren- He was awesome at helping me load a dryer onto a trailer for me to have in my new home. Lani- Dad is my hero!  He is always there for me and I know he’ll do anything in the world for me   I’m thankful for his helpful hardworking hands.  I am grateful for his example to me throughout my life!  I am so thankful that he has always been responsible and has taught me so much..  I am grateful that he is one of a kind! Glenys- He always took such good care of me. I never ever answered the phone to have a bill collector on the other end.  He was wise with our money and always made sure there was money in the bank. I will love you forever Jay!

Back to School Take Two

Our Mansfield Thiots
This was Miss Harpers second week of Preschool.  She goes on Tuesday mornings and she loves it. She loves it so much that this week when Becky went to pick her up, she didn't want to come home. That says a lot about what a fun preschool she goes to.  She is really growing up right before our very eyes.  I love getting to spend time with her on Tuesday afternoons when I get to go pick up the big girls at school.  This week she wasn't napping and got to go with me.  There is something so special about having one little person with you.  I loved getting to visit with her and hold her hand as we crossed the street going the the elementary school to get our big girls.  Thanks Harper!

Our Charlottesville Granges
This was Miss Penny's first week of Preschool and like Harper she loved it, but unlike Harper, when it was time to go home, she was Home so she didn't have to leave. Miss Peny, Miss Leah, and Miss Charlotte (Tatia said there are LOTS of little girls named Charlotte in Charlottesville) all had a wonderful time talking about the Letter A. They made apple trees using little red pompoms for the apples in the tree.  Penny put some on the ground to make them easier to pick up she said.  I loved it. Max was a good boy during preschool too.  Penny woke up on friday and wanted to do Preschool again.  The friends didn't come on Friday, but Tatia and Penny and Max had fun having a Practice Preschool.  Four of Tatia's friends have started a Friday Night Babysitting Coop.  Here is how it works, I think.  You can bring your children to Tatia's house between 5-8 on Friday night.  Then go have a date night and then the next week another person hosts everyone's children and you get to go out.  What a fun idea.  I loved it.

Our Carmichael Thiots
I got a phone call this week from Miss Keelie Christina.  I love it when I hear her voice on my phone. Oh Keelie, you sure know how to make your Grammy's day great.  I had found some nighties at the store and couldn't resist sending one to my little girls.  She said it was a perfect fit and she loved it. Happy Day!  Callum sent me a picture of himself in his new teenage mutant ninja turtle jammies. Charlie loved those silly turtles when he was a little boy and I knew Callum would too. Thanks for the picture Callum.

Our LA Thiots
Stacy was my hero again this week.  Stacy has a gift for photography and she was so wonderful at my mom's funeral.  She took lots of pictures of  that special day and this week sent them to me.  Not only did she send them to me, but she said the sweetest thing.  While she was working on editing them she said Adelaide was playing with her dolly that Gigi had sent her and with the sweet blanket she had crocheted her and Stacy said there was such a sweet spirit in the room.  She felt like Gigi was there playing with Adelaide so she could get the photos edited.  That really touched my heart and I think Stacy was just right.  There is not much Gigi likes better than playing with dolls and especially playing with her little doll Adelaide.  Stacy, thank you sooooooo much for doing those photos. You are such a blessing to our family.

Our Dallas Thiots
One of Skyler's friends was married in Logan, Utah a few weeks ago. His open house in Texas was on Friday night.  When we first moved to Texas, Jacob was in the nursery with Skyler.  He was not very nice to Sky and would be known to push him down, and even bite him.  Even though this friendship started out a little rocky, they became good friends.   Many scout campouts together and even hiking Philmont can bond a group of young men.  Sky and Kara were not able to go and I was glad I could go.  Jacob married Amanda from Idaho. Amanda's dad grew up in Nampa Idaho just like my dad did.  It was fun to meet him and visit about going to the Snake River Stampede Rodeo in Nampa.  We were both their when Fess Parker came to the Rodeo.  How amazing is that?
Earlier this week, Kara got to sing with her sister Lauren "For the First time in Forever" from Frozen. I LOVED seeing it on Youtube. You girls are AWESOME!

We Plano Thiots
Dick has had quite a week and it's not over yet.  He flew out on Monday morning at 6 am for a few days in Las Vegas at a Insurance Conference.  They were demonstrating their new soft ward to some customers there, then he flew to Salt Lake on Wednesday afternoon to do some work. He was treated to dinner at Matt and Krista's new house and loved getting to see family there.  He worked Thursday and went to the BYU vs Houston football game that night. He worked part of Friday and then he and dad headed to Nampa for my dad's 68th class reunion.  The planner was afraid he  might not make the 70th so they had a 68th and then may do it again for the 70th.  Dick enjoyed driving dad to Idaho.  They visited the whole way up.  They stayed over with my sweet cousin Wanda Jean and will be heading back to Salt Lake today after visiting with a few more family members there.  I can't wait to hear all about it.

I've been home alone all week except for Rocky the dog and on Friday we added another dog to the collection, Miss Jett is here until tomorrow.  Her mom took a weekend trip to Denver to visit her brother and Rocky and I were lucky enough to get Miss Jett.  She is a 10 year old black dachshund and has the nicest manners ever.  I keep hoping she will rub off on Rocky.  When she wants to go outside to do her business, she stands at the door and gives one Rufffff.  When she is ready to come back inside, she does the same thing.  She is a joy to take on a walk, she actually walks right beside you and doesn't pull and race ahead of you like a certain Rocky dog does.  Fun! I am looking forward to Dick coming home tomorrow night.  It's been a long week.  I did have a first this week.  I am taking a writing class at the Community College. I sure enjoyed the first week and I'm looking forward to five more weeks. Lets hope the Thiot Times are kicked up a notch or two from my class. he he he.  Have a great week ya'll, SLY Robynn