A Quick Trip to Salt Lake

Wednesday August 26th
Left home at 3:15 to head to the airport and get my car parked in Park and Jet and get checked into the airport.  Caught the 6:00 am flight and headed to SLC.  Had a nice quiet flight and started to read a book that had been recommended by a friend, upon starting the book, the first chapter was about an airplane crash, so I tucked the book back inside my bag and decided to take a nap.  Arrived in Salt Lake and was picked up by Dick and my Dad.  Hooray!  We dropped Dick off down town at Garf and Dad and I went to visit with Aunt Marie for a little bit.  It was good to see her and good to meet Tyler who has been living with her for a while.  What an interesting young man.   Then we headed home to get the quilt put on the quilting frames.  After hunting for a while for mom's yellow quilting box, which holds all her important stuff, I gave up and went to Home Depot and purchased four large C-Clamps to secure the quilt frames together.  We are afraid that someone has swiped the yellow quilt box.  ugggg.   I was glad I had followed the impression I had to bring thumb tacks with me.  Dad helped me get the frames down from the rafters and tacked onto them. With the new c-clamps we were able to get the frames on the stands just as Laurie got home from school and came to help.  We got started and called Lani to pick up another skein of yarn in case we ran out.  When she arrived, I started threading the yarn needles and Laurie and Lani started tieing like a coupld of gang busters.  The are fast and I could barely keep up the threading of the needles.  We were a great three some.  Dad stayed down stairs and visited with us while we worked.  It wasn't long until we completed the quilt and trimmed up the threads and we were all happy with how it had turned out.  Hooray!  I ran to pick up Dick at the train station and we stopped by Taco Time for some Crispy Bean Burritos for dinner.  They did not disappoint.  Yummy!
After dinner, I was looking at Dad's arms which were very red and blotchy.  Laurie was afraid it might be shingles.  We were able to call Jake on the face time phone and he looked and didn't think it looked like shingles to him. whew, we were relieved and dad refused to see a doctor.  He said it would get better. Krista's sweet husband Matt and Dick gave Dad a Priesthood blessing.  I'm glad to report, that after two week it is improving.  He did go to the dermatologist on the 8th of Sept and he asked about a change in laundry soap.  Sure enough dad had been using BIZ which I had left in June at his house.   Ugggg, it's a stain remover and obviously a skin remover too.  Not good for laundry soap.
Thursday August 27th
Dick took the train to work and took his suitcase with him as he would head right to the airport from work. Dad had his weekly appointment at the Wound Care Center in Murray with Doctor Korky.  He was able to remove the bandages and work on his sore ankles and re dress the wounds. I drove and dad was the navigator.  I noticed that I really needed the navigator as I have been away from Salt Lake for too long.  It was good to have his help.  I noticed that he would just point when it was time to turn, not giving a lot of notice.  We laughed about that a lot.

We got to take a snooze in the afternoon and then we cooked spaghetti for dinner.  It turned out tasty and we tried to talk Uncle Mike into joining us but he was assigned to clean his ward building and had to leave.  After dinner we checked the movie schedule and went to see The Cokeville Miracle at the dollar theatre.  It was even better than I had expected.  I loved it and was so glad that we had gone.  I think Dad liked it too and Lani had already seen it but enjoyed it again. We stopped by the Dairy Queen on the way home for a blizzard.  YUMMY!
While Dad was out and about, I borrowed his car and went to Macys and bought a pound of chocolate covered cinnimon bears and took them to the post office and mailed them to Tatia for her birthday.  Yummy!

Friday August 28th
We woke up early and headed down town to the Salt Lake Temple for the morning.  Lani took the day off from work and came with Dad and I.  She dropped dad and I off at the temple gate and went and parked the car.  We had a nice time and called aunt marie on the way to the temple to see if she and Michelle would like to join us at the Discovery Center after the temple.  It was fun to learn all the things we did there. My favorite was the interview video Aunt Marie and Dad did together.  They were awesome.  We enjoyed getting to try on costumes via video and what fun.
On the way home we stopped at the Quilted Bear.  It has moved from Midvale to Draper and is smaller but still lots of fun.  I bought a scripture tote for our Keelie for her upcoming baptism and a BYU bunting to hang on dad's mantel.  Tatia helped us order some photos of Dad and Carissa and one of just Dad for his mantel.  We did a make over for his birthday month of September.  It turned out great.

After a nap, we had a clean out the fridge dinner and then went over to Lani's to put the finishing touches on the Bridal Shower Party Favors.  Tatia had cut some darling sunflowers and made cute tags to put on the purse sized lotion.  So cute.  Thanks Lani and Tatia!  Lani drove Dad and I home and we drove by Jeff and Jenn's for a fun visit.  We loved getting to see them and some of their cats who were strolling across their yard.  We were getting excited for the Bridal Shower in the morning.

Saturday August 29th Bridal Shower Day!
We stopped by einstein bagels to get bagels to take to the shower and when we arrived, Laurie had everything set up so fun.  Her home was filled with Sunflowers which tied in perfectly with out invites.  Laurie had made Cinnamon rolls, Kathy brought chocolate zucchini bread, there were muffins and yummy juices to enjoy.  It was so fun to get to Shower Lauren with lots of love and she really loved the quilt and acted so tickled that we had made it for her.  We were all three glad we had done it.  All of Laurie's girls, and granddaughters were there to celebrate with us.  I loved it.

After the shower we went by the cemetery and took some flowers to mom's grave.  It was nice to be there and spend some time there.  We stopped at Walmart to pick up our pictures we ordered on the way home and went on home.
We decided to meet up with Uncle Mike at Cafe Rio at 5:30 and we all enjoyed that.  Thanks Lani and Dad for humoring me.  I love that place.  On the way home we stopped by Jeff's again and drove around until we saw the most spectacular Moon rising I have ever seen. It was really something for me to see the full moon come up over the mountain.  I LOVED it.  We got to face time with Pierce for a few minutes and even showed him the moon too. It was great.
We went home and went to bed.

Sunday August 30th
I had an early flight Sunday morning, the sun was peaking up over the mountain just like I had seen the moon the night before.  Lani and Dad dropped me off and I got right to the gate. It was so good to be there and I am so glad that Lani had invited me to come to the shower and made it possible for me to come.  The days went by really fast, but I did enjoy every minute.

Last week of Summer before Back to School...

Our Mansfield Thiots
Last week, on our way home from Rapunzel, Brooklyn and Kinsley were planning a sleepover.  After they got their parents approval, I made plans to meet up with Kinsley and take her to Mansfield and swap for Addison.  Becky had a little more school shopping to complete so I got to stay with the girls while she ran a few errands all by herself.  She said it was kind of nice.  The girls and I had a fun idea of playing school while she was gone.  They each had their dolls and we quickly made a school schedule of classes.  1st Period would be Reading.  Brooklyn was our reading teacher and read us the first chapter of The Princess in Black.  Guess what?  We loved it.  2nd Period was Art and Kinsely was our Art Teacher and gave us each a piece of paper and a colored marker.  Our assignment was to draw 10 things that were that color.  Brooklyn had red, Addison had green, Kinsley had orange and I had Yellow.  Oh it was fun.  Then it was time for PE.  Addison was our PE Coach and after doing some exercises, we played an indoor verson of dodge ball.  Not too wild, just fun.  Then it was lunch and Kinsley had drawn on napkins our lunch, sooooooooooooo cute.  After lunch was recess and then a very fun Math and Science class.  I LOVED getting to go to school with these cute girls.

Our Charlottesville Granges
Saturday morning, the Charlottesville Granges woke up early, had a quick bite of breakfast and loaded up in the Movie Van and headed to the nations capital, Washington DC.  No they were not going to see the president, but someone even more interesting and fun.  Uncle Pierce was in town for a photo shoot/ commercial for Gatorade of a famous and wonderful base ball player who plays for the Washington Nationals.  His name is Bryce Aron Max Harper is an American professional baseball right fielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. Harper was chosen by the Nationals with the first overall pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft.  Pierce invited Tatia and her family to come spend the morning with him in DC.  They were most excited to do so.  Penny had become interested in Mummy's this week when she and Jake were talking about them, and knew that the Smithsonian had some great ones, so it was a doubly good trip to see Pierce and Mummy's. They had a great time in the Nations Captial and loved seeing Uncle Pierce! Penny loved the Mummy's Most, Max loved the rocks and Oscar loved practicing his tricks with Uncle Pierce.   

 

Our Carmichael Thiots
Friday night was an extra fun night for Miss Keelie.  She was invited by her Grandma Smith to go to a friends wedding reception.  Oh what a beautiful bride.  Keelie loved it and then if that wasn't fun enough, they went to play mini golf afterwards.  Keelie has really improved since the last time she played.  She hit THREE hole in ONES!  I think she has some of her Mom-Mom's sweet golf skills in her.  I am so glad she got to have such a fun time with Grandma.  Charlie and Callum had a guys night out and they headed to In-n-out burger.  Callum loves that place like Charlie does, and Keelie not so much, so it was a fun excuse to get to go for dinner when Keelie wouldn't be available to go.  On Saturday they got to go school shoes shopping and they each picked out a very snazzy pair of tennis shoes.  I know Mom-Mom was smiling down from heaven above.  She always LOVED taking Charlie shopping for new shoes.  Charlie's feet grew fast when he was a little guy and she was always checking to see if he had out grown his shoes.  Thanks for the photo and the darling video you guys.  LOVED it!

Our Los Angeles Thiots
Pierce didn't have much notice on his trip across the country.  Fortunately he is flexible and Stacy and Adelaide were supportive. I was wishing they could have gone with him too.  Pierce sent me earlier this week a video of Lady on her scooter in the cultural hall at church.  I've never seen anything so cute.  She is great on that machine.  I loved it.  Adelaide got her school shoes this week too.  Mom-Mom would LOVE yours Lady, they are gold and quite fancy.  So cute!  Pierce bought Stacy a matching pair for their anniversary.  Lady loves being matchy matchy with her Mommy.   Yipee!

Our Dallas Thiots
Skyler had a nice surprise on Friday.  The office closed down for the day after lunch.  How sweet is that?  Now the really fun part was that I was planning to have lunch with Sky after the temple and I got to take him home after lunch.  I'm not very brave about driving down town, so Sky drove and I just had to drive home.  I made it just fine with Sky's good directions. I loved having lunch in the shadow of the big 7-11 National Headquarters building and enjoying a big gulp too.  Thanks Skyler.  Kara and Sky are planning a Labor Day Getaway.  This time not quite as far away as China, this time to Boston and Connecticut.  They have friends there and are looking forward to a long weekend getaway.  What fun! I want to be as fun as Sky and Kara when I grown up.

We Plano Thiots
While playing school on Tuesday, the girls decided a field trip would be really fun with their dolls.  So we made plans for a trip to the Dallas World Aquarium.  We have sure enjoyed our Grandparents Pass we got this year.  Dick was able to break away from the office for a couple of hours and join us. The girls adore graypa and they LOVED it!  I LOVED having him drive us down town.  Thanks Dick! It was so fun to go with the "school group". We loved seeing all the fish, the snakes, the monkeys, the penguins, the birds and the flamingos.  The Panther or Jaguar or what ever he is, was not available for viewing which was a little disappointing, but we will go again.  No worries. It was so fun to have Addison for a sleep over on Tuesday night.  She read me her favorite book, There is a Witch under the stairs.   Oh my goodness, we haven't read that in a long time.  Thanks for finding it Addison.
Dick had a hectic week at work, but on Saturday afternoon, he and a cute young man in our ward who is wanting to learn to play golf went golfing.  Brother Bailey came along too which made it lots of fun too.  Dick told me that if he went, I could have his whole morning to do what ever I needed him too.  We scrubbed up the head board we bought at a garage sale last weekend and got it ready to paint, then ran to costco and Sams for Price checks on my dinner for 120 in two weeks and went to lunch.  Lots of fun, thank you Dick! Saturday afternoon, Ricky and Becky brought the girls over so they could have a date night.  Before the sushi place opened, we went for a swim over at the Bailey's. They sure are kind to share their lovely pool with us.  We loved it.  Monday morning it's back to school in Texas.  Brooklyn and Addison are sure excited and what lucky teachers to have them in their classes. Keelie is an old pro with her first weeks under her belt.  I hope you have a great week!  SLY Robynn

Happy Birthday Mom-Mom

Hazel Elizabeth, James Franklin Jr. & Jetta Belle

On August 18, 1919, the second baby girl was born to Annie Belle Watkins and James Franklin Jarrell Sr.  Oh what a happy day that must have been.  Jetta Belle Jarrell was a beautiful little baby and grew to be such an amazing person who is loved by so many.  She has one older sister, Hazel Elizabeth Jarrell Woodall who she adored, and two younger brothers.  Pictured with the girls above is James Franklin Jarrell Jr, or Buddy as he was known his entire life. Melton joined the family later and interestingly enough, was the first to pass away.
In celebration of the 96 years since her birth, this year we did something extra fun.   Jetta loved shoes and was always concerned that her grandchildren had good fitting shoes.  She didn't want anyone to wear shoes that were too small for them.  So in honor of her birthday, and love of shoes, Graypa bought everyone a new pair of school shoes this week.   I know that is just what Mom Mom would have done if she was still here with us.  I hope these sweet little great grandchildren of hers, will think about her every time they put on their new shoes and will feel the love that she has for them and their love for her will grow stronger too.

Rapunzel, Play Dates,Back 2 School, Anniversaries and More...

 

Our Mansfield Thiots
Tuesday was a very fun day for three little Mansfield Thiot girls.  I got tickets to go see Rapunzel at the Artisan Theatre in Hurst Texas.  Same place we saw Cinderella last month and it did not disappoint.  Kinsley and Luke and Owen and their mommy joined Becky and the girls and I and we had a fun time. We got to sit on the third row, a little closer this time.  The show was a bit different than we had been expecting but was good.  Our little Harper came dressed as Rapunzel and she looked darling.  After the show, Brooklyn said goodbye to her family and road home with us for a sleepover.  It was so fun to have her.  We got a copy of the book The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale and she and I took turns reading it to each other.  We LOVED it and can hardly wait until October when the sequel comes out.  Thanks for coming Brooklyn!

Penny had two play dates, one with her park friend Julia and one with Princess Leah, Uncle Rod, Drew's dad holding Oscar with Drew looking on and the kids at the playground, so fun

Our Charlottesville Granges
Remember last week when I told you that Cousin Drew was staying with the Granges?  Well as luck would have it, Drew's stay was extended another week.  It was such a great second week that it was really hard for everyone to tell her goodbye last night when her dad came and picked her up and took her home.  Tatia and Drew made time for some great projects which included a Goals Chart and an inspirational poster to hang in Drew's room.  They made a daily schedule to help her in accomplishing her goals.  I think I need to go to Tatia's to learn to set goals and learn to accomplish them.  Penny and Max and Oscar are going to miss Drew, but hopefully they will see her again soon. Today in Primary, Miss Penny is giving her very first talk.  She gets to tell the story of the Daughter of Jarius.  I'm looking forward to her calling me this morning to practice.

Callum defying gravity

Can you see Charlie and the stars?

First Day of Second Grade

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie has had a different kind of weekend.  He went with a friend to Lake Tahoe to watch, encourage, & coach him while he participated in a Triathlon.  Charlie was originally going to participate, but his plans changed so he is watching it up close and personal for next time.  Running, Biking and Swimming sound exhausting but I'm glad Charlie loves that sort of thing and that his body is able to train and do that too.  I can't wait to hear all about it and what a beautiful venue for the race.  I hope you have had a good time Charlie Thiot!  Charlie took some photos of the night sky that are incredible.  I LOVE the stars when you are in the  mountains.  WOWSERS!  This week was our Keelie's first week of 2nd grade.  Keelie, you look like the cutest 2nd grader ever.  I LOVE You!

Our Los Angeles Thiots
Happy Anniversary to our LA Thiots today!  It's been seven years since that beautiful day in the Salt Lake Temple when Pierce married Stacy Elizabeth Brinkerhoff.  What a great day that was, and now we have that darling little granddaughter Adelaide who has joined them.  I hope you are going to have a wonderful day celebrating seven years.

my favorite Friday lunch date

Our Dallas Thiots
Have you ever tasted a What-a-burger A-1 Thick and Hardy burger?  When they came out a few years ago, Skyler was a fan.  I saw a commercial the other night and they have them back.  I knew where our lunch date would be on Friday.  Go What-a-burger!  Just to let you know, they have invented a new milkshake that is a Root beer Shake.  Oh my goodness, it was like a blended root beer float and the only thing we felt bad about is that we ordered a small instead of a LARGE.  My dad would LOVE it.  It was so fun on Saturday, which was the third Saturday to have two Sister Thiot's working in the Dallas Temple.  I LOVED it when Kara's mom came in to do a session.  I LOVED getting to see her and give her a hug too.  It was a busy day in the temple so I didn't get to see our Kara much but I loved being there with her.

Kinsley Kate with her darling glasses ready for 4th Grade

We Plano Thiots
On the way to the play on Tuesday, Kinsley told me she had a secret.  She told me she was getting glasses and was so very excited.  They told her it might take up to 3 weeks and she could hardly wait.What a great surprise when she came home from the play and had a phone call saying they were ready for pick-up.  She is darling in them and was so pleased that she didn't have to wait so long. Happy Day.
Dick traveled to Salt Lake and worked there all week.  He always likes getting to see my dad and my dad loves spoiling him by making him amazing breakfasts each day.  Thanks Dad!

This week in the  mail, came my first letter from my favorite Missionary.  Sister Carissa Birks, my darling niece is serving in the Kansas Wichita Mission.  I'm so proud of her and it was so fun to hear from her.  When my sweet mom was alive, every Monday she wrote to our family missionaries.  She would let me make her missionary stationary and sometimes when she wasn't feeling well or her computer was not cooperating, she would let me help type her letters.  I loved Missionary Mondays with my mom and have so missed them.  Well, with our sweet Carissa, it marks the last missionary for our family until the great grandchildren start going, and my dad and I have a new tradition.  He and I write to Sister Birks.  He talks and I type as fast as I can.  Dad hasn't discovered yet that I don't type as fast as he can talk.  We will work on it and get better at it I'm sure.  I've loved getting to carry on Mom's tradition with Dad.
It's gotten toasty and hot here in Texas, and the rain we complained about, went away, hence, the watering twice a week isn't keeping up too well.  Dick has been out checking on the sprinklers and assessing what can be done to make them more productive. He and Rocky had a great time playing in the sprinklers.  Thanks Dick!
I hope you have had a good week and that you know of my love for you. SLY Robynn

Oh what do you do in the Summertime?

Our Mansfield Thiots
Last August 2014, when school started, so did a reading challenge for the students at Martha Reid Elementary School.  Martha Reid is ALL about Reiding   Reading and the students were given a challenge with a Great Prize if achieved.  Each student was challenged to read for twenty minutes a night, Kindergarteners could be read to, but older students did the reading, and then if they achieved this for the 180 days of school, they would receive a FREE pass to Six Flags Over Texas.  Guess what?  Brooklyn and Addison BOTH took the challenge very seriously and they were both awarded their Six Flags Tickets.  CONGRATULATIONS you wonderful readers from Martha Reid.  Saturday was the day their family picked to go. It was one HOT August day and that proved to be a really good thing as most folks stayed away.  Becky said they didn't have to wait very long for any of the rides.  And they found a great way to cool off, by standing up on the bridge and when the log ride came down, getting completely SOAKED.  Oh so good and soo fun!  oops one more thing, Brooklyn lost her tooth this week.  She has a window smile going on.  I LOVE it!

Our Charlottesville Granges
On Tuesday, Tatia's phone rang and it was Aunt Linda on the other end of the line.  She asked Tatia is she would like a "Mother's Helper" for a few days.  Aunt Linda's daughter is between semesters at school and wanted to come spend a few days with Tatia and her littles.  Tatia was delighted but truly had no idea how much fun it would be to have Drew with them.  They have packed a lot of fun into these few days and it's going to be hard to tell her goodbye tomorrow.  They've baked and decorated sugar cookies,  played dress up, played play dough, gone to the park, gone to the mall to play, gone down town to see the historical things of Charlottesville and all the while, Miss Penny and Mister Max and little Mister Oscar have been SMILING and loving Drew.  Cousins are the BEST!!! Jake and Tatia were thrilled on Saturday night when Drew offered them a night OUT!  Yippee!

Our Carmichael Thiots
Charlie snapped this picture on Friday evening. I Loved these happy faces and I'm sure Charlie's face reflected in Keelie's snazzy sunglasses (Gigi must love those) was equally as happy.  Last Sunday night was on the list of one of my favorites as we got to face with them.  Not just sitting on the couch face timing, but watching Keelie roller skate and ride her bike with roller skates on, yes, you read that correctly and watch Callum do some four wheel driving in his blue jeep that matches his dads.  Dick and I both LOVED it and can't wait until we can see them in person again.  I LOVE this fancy swing  Charlie built in the back yard, oh the blessings of BIG TREES!

I LOVE these surf board cookies and want to make them for my LA Thiots

Our Los Angeles Thiots
One of Dick's favorite places on the earth, is the IN-N-OUT Burger place at the LAX airport.  Jet planes fly right over your head and it's amazing.  Last night our phone rang and it was Pierce and Adelaide at that very spot.  Lady was running around on the grass while Stacy was picking up their order.  Dick and I both LOVED getting to see them and just knowing where they were made it extra fun too.  Pierce said he knew it was one of Dad's favorite spots so he wanted to share the adventure with him.  Thank you Pierce and Stacy and Lady.  Adelaide is talking so cute these days.  I love how she says Grammy and Graypa and I LOVE YOU!  I LOVE you too my Little Lady!

Our Dallas Thiots
My Friday lunch date was extra fun this week.  Skyler LOVES Chipotle, a mexican restaurant with yummy food.  We try to go once a month if we can.  Well, this week, there is a game called Friend or Faux?  Skyler played it for me and guess what?  I won a BOGO.  WOWSERS, doesn't food taste best when it's FREE?  Thanks Skyler!  Sky was also a big help to me this week with a flyer project I'm working on.  It's so great to have such talented kids who can help me even when they are so busy. Thanks! Sister Williams works on the Friday morning shift at the Dallas temple and also on the Saturday morning shift.  She paid me the highest compliment on Friday when she said,  Sister Thiot, you are Almost, not quite, as fun as your spunky, darling daughter in law who I love on Saturday, the other Sister Thiot.  Oh my goodness, I don't know if she could have said anything to make me happier. Thanks for being so fun Kara.  Sister Williams loves you and so do I.

We Plano Thiots
Saturday was Harper Grace Day.  Talk about a fun day.  Harper isn't in school where she gets to earn a ticket to Six Flags, so she won a Day with Grammy and Graypa.  We couldn't have been happier. We enjoyed every minute we got to spend with her.  We met at the Bass Pro Shop and loved peeking at the big cat fish and Harper loved test driving the boats and riding the pink pony.  She even drove a little four wheeler called a Bad Boy.  She watched Frozen in the Tahoe on our way back to Plano where we stopped at the Dollar Theatre to watch HOME!  We LOVED it and Harper loved the popcorn.  We stopped by Taco Bueno for some muy bueno lunch on our way home.  When we got home Harper and Graypa filled up the swimming pool and let it warm up while Harper played toys. She first unloaded the toy box, dumped out the nest of animals as she calls it and then started shopping in the grocery store.  She brought me several bags filled with princess soup, strawberry pudding and a box of tapioca pudding. YUMMY!  Then when she hadn't brought her swimming suit, she got to wear the "MAGIC SWIMSUIT".  Every granddaughter has worn this swimming suit at one time or another.  It just seems to fit who ever needs a suit.  She loved it and I loved having a tea party in the pool with her.  Oh  my goodness, she can make delicious tea and the popsicles were yummy too.  Thank you Harper for having a day with your grandparents.  The fun thing was that she acted as Thrilled as the big girls did to go to Six Flags.  There is someone quite wonderful with having one on one time with little ones.  I asked Dick what his favorite part was of Harper Day and he said "HARPER"  I agree.  She is so dear to us both.