Elder Robison and Elder Clark came to say goodbye. They hadn't eaten yet, so I fed them homemade waffles and bacon until they were full. (It was PJ day at school...I don't normally go around wearing my jammies when I'm expecting missionaries. Haha!)
Ohhhh, Karcyn. Being silly doesn't mean putting your arms around the elders. (*cringe*) Poor Elder Clark.
Thurs. 2nd--We told JJ he could take Taekwondo lessons for his birthday. Fortunately, they allow two free lessons to see if you want to join before committing. Even though JJ's birthday was in August, I was more or less gone until the end of October and didn't want to add a new thing to our schedule until after I was done traveling. He's the only one wearing black in this picture...being instructed by one of the masters.
*The boys watching a preview for some movie or show. It's always fun to watch their reactions and interactions with each other.
*Rolo fast asleep.
Sun. 5th--Calvin had a choir concert downtown on the Square after church, so we drove down together as a family to listen. There were some Christmas decorations already set up.
Mon. 6th--I'm so grateful Trina sends me baby picture updates.
*JJ doesn't read on his own very often, so this is definitely picture worthy! Proof!!
Tues. 7th--Trina visited my parents' house. Their dog Kuky stayed close by to keep watch over Thomas.
*And there is a handsome boy after getting groomed. He smells so good, too!
*JJ decided to continue with TKD. Now he's got his official white belt and uniform. He's the one in the middle.
Wed. 8th--What a cuddle bunny. Wish he lived closer! Wait, maybe not. I'd never get anything done and he'd never learn to walk because I'd always be holding him. :)
*Accurate.
Thurs. 9th--JJ's in the middle. Not bad for a new kid.
JJ's still in the middle. Just behind the kid with a green belt on.
Getting ready to kick the prop.
Trying again, only higher this time.
*Jared found some SPICY ramen noodles at the store and challenged the boys to try them with him.
They were definitely warm.
Cooper concurs.
Now Calvin's turn.
The milk is right there, ready to go.
The noodles definitely had a kick to them.
Fri. 10th--Snyder ISD had school off today and it was a huge tender mercy because it allowed me to attend JJ's last Veteran's Day program at Ira School. He was even selected to carry the flag for the Navy, which was pretty perfect, because it's the branch of the military my dad served in. It was a sweet and touching program which moved me to tears multiple times, as it has in the past. We are so blessed to live in this great country that God has prepared for us and for those brave men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedoms.
JJ's friend, Jackson carrying the American Flag.
My great-nephew, Keith, sitting down on the front row in the light blue T-shirt is looking oh, so thrilled. Gotta love those kindergarteners.
"Anchors aweigh, my boys, an-chors aweigh!"
Love this picture where JJ is looking up at the flag.
Keith still looking thrilled. Haha!
JJ is in the second row from the top, second one from the left. 
Sun. 19th--JJ practicing his Backgammon skills to try and beat Grandpa Lee.
Yay!! They made it safe and sound! Aunt Karcyn meeting her nephew, Thomas, for the first time!
Bros doing bro things. Talking about weather most likely. ;)
Mon. 20th--Uncle Calvin and Thomas meeting each other.
Bros doing bro things...this time Magic the Gathering.
Grandpa and his grandson. ;)
Great Grandma Hough meeting Thomas for the first time.
Calvin and his furbaby.
Thomas content with Grandma Gigi.
Grandma Gigi content with Thomas
Rolo wondering what the heck is going on? And who are these new people?
Grandpa and Thomas.
Tues. 21st--Jared went with me to my 5 minute cardiology check-up in town. The cardiologist, Dr. Bradley, comes down from Lubbock one Tuesday a month to offer his specialty services in Snyder. We arrived 10-15 minutes before my scheduled time and waited TWO HOURS. Ugh. So glad I didn't have anywhere else I needed to be. Just needed to make our turkey brine.
We know why Jared is wearing a mask. Cooper wore a mask because he wasn't feeling well either, and wasn't sure yet if he had anything contagious.
The Snyder Family Christmas Gift...a puzzle the kids had to put together to reveal the surprise, which would be happening the following weekend, which is why they were working on it so early.
Calvin doesn't like to work for his gifts.
Thomas cuddled up with his slothy.
The kids were smart and picked out the puzzle pieces with color and put those together first. It revealed Ryan Hamilton.
He is an LDS comedian that our family loves and he would be in Austin the next weekend, so we got tickets and made a weekend out of it for a family Christmas experience. Jared and I got the tickets in June! We were so excited and glad the cat was finally out of the bag! But I felt terrible when JJ, such a great sport, asked, "Who's Ryan Hamilton?" What? I told him he's the comedian from Happy Face on Netflix. Apparently, all the times that we watched it, he was never with us. So we did that with him as soon as we could. We laugh and laugh every.dang.time.
Sun. 26th--There were only 15 people at church. The Sunday after Thanksgiving tends to be a low attendance Sabbath. We've had to cancel our 2nd hour before while living in the Snyder Branch. This year was no different. There weren't enough people to teach or help with Primary, so our 2nd block was canceled and we all went home.
Getting ready for the blessing.
My gang! Cooper, Calvin, Rolo, Jake, Thomas, Karcyn, and JJ.
Eema and her baby!
Aunt Karcyn getting the lovin's while she can.
Olivia, Ayzlynn, and Calvin looking at our generations from 12 years ago. They were all babies.
Kevin, Karole, and Jared.
Olivia and her nephew, Archer.
Aunt Chris and her great-nephew, Thomas.
Tuckered out!!
JJ and Korbin putting more of the puzzle together.
Patricia, Ayzlynn, Chris, and baby Nadia.
Karcyn, Thomas, and Amaya.
Korbin and Thomas, his first cousin, once removed.
Our family.
Gotta get Karole in there, too.
The Hough generations.
*One last chance to love on his nephew before Jake and Train leave in the morning.
Calvin's turn.
Rolo just trying to survive without me trying to kill him with chocolate.
*Exactly.
Tues. 28th--
*I love this quote from Emily Belle Freeman in General Conference.
*Calvin helping JJ check his math homework. They really do love each other. 😉
One last goodbye!
Sat. 4th--Sweet baby Thomas pictures.
It was windy, but Calvin stepped right up as the page turner, more to keep it from blowing in all directions.
*Haha!! They have a point!
Calvin trying to pump himself up.
Kindergarten through 6th grade.
JJ with Karcyn and Calvin who had the day off from school.
It was SUPER sweet of our new missionary, Elder Solesbee, and Elder Clark to come and support JJ.
Sat. 11th--My parents just left the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah yesterday. They are commencing their SEVENTH mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am one incredibly proud daughter who has life goals to follow in my parents' footsteps as they have served God's children all over the world and represented our family and country in the best ways possible.
*Calvin scored an amazing 225 in one of his youth bowling league games. Awesome!!
Mon. 13th--Thomas time!
*Cooper loves Magic the Gathering and apparently so does Elder Solesbee and Elder Clark. So the elders started hanging out at our house on P-days in the afternoons so they could play and JJ wanted to learn.
Solesbee had a lot of patience with JJ.
*Wide-eyed Thomas!
*Jake and Trina with our dearest friends, Richard and Natassia Scoresby. Our neighbors from College Station. They just happened to run into them at the temple in Cedar City.
Wed. 15th--I noticed that there was an addition to our family November calendar that I had not written. Jake and Trina were coming out for Thanksgiving so we were going to do our Christmas with them on November 25th. JJ added his commentary under "Christmas." He said "early." Then in parentheses he added (very). Haha!
*This picture of fence quotes is just to memorialize the costs from the fall of 2023 and how they'll probably be a steal in only a year or two. I think they're ridiculous, personally. We went with Abilene Fence. And would go with them again in a heartbeat. Our neighbor, Janie, even offered to pay for half of the fence that we share between our houses, so we only paid less than that.
Thurs. 16th--Oh man. These texts are from a classmate of Calvin's who said that his Honors English teacher was talking about him behind his back to the girls in his class. She was playing favorites and said as much to this other student. (It all stemmed from an assignment she gave the class the week before. She said they'd have time to work on it on Monday, she never gave them the time. It was due the next day. Calvin was going to speak with her about it, but never could find the time--he's off campus for 8th period, so on Wednesday, he emailed his paper to her. She asked the girls if Calvin is always late at turning things in and said that he emailed his assignment late, expecting a grade. She said she wasn't grading it and would email his parents to let them know why. Except that, other students, who spoke with her after school, asking for extra time, were granted extra time and they could turn it in after that due date. What was even more troubling is that his 504 states that he gets at least an extra day to turn in work. And that would have been on Wednesday. So yeah, we had some big problems with how this all went down.) We were deeply concerned with the fact that Calvin's 504 plan wasn't being followed (that's federal law). Furthermore, if Calvin knew that his teacher didn't care about him and only thought the worst of him in a class with 6 girls and 2 boys and she couldn't find the time to support him the way he needed to be supported in class, then we felt he should be moved out of her class. Honors or not.
Our bowling coaches coming to congratulate him, super impressed.
Tues. 14th--JJ takes his TKD very seriously. As he should. He's very focused and doing really well for a beginner.
Fri. 17th: We had already had some issues with this teacher and Calvin back in September when I was in Utah. I gave her suggestions for how to help him. But this time, she is seriously lacking any teacher sense and professionalism. During my conference period, I ran over to the high school to speak with an administrator. Ms. Juarez, who handles all the 504s, was in a meeting. I had until school go out, so I told them I'd wait. She finally had a few minutes, so I sat down with her in her office. I gave her the cliff notes version, showed her the texts and message that Calvin sent about the assignment in question the day after it was due (when other students were allowed to turn it in). With the way she's been talking behind his back, Calvin has no desire to be in a class with a teacher who he is well aware does not care about him or his well-being as a student and we want him out of her class. Juarez told me that she doesn't have the power to just move him, it would have to be approved by Mr. Alaniz (who we already went the rounds with last year regarding the critical race theory counselor lesson). I started to realize that we're in the high school two times more than I have with other kids, meeting with administrators, with things that concern Calvin. But then it occurred to me that Calvin is smart. Like perceptive. He picks up on many things that other kids his age don't. It's like he has a built-in sham detector. He knows when something isn't right or fair. As his parents, we need to advocate for what is right. So there I was again, in the principal's office. I told Juarez that I understood she couldn't make that change (we'd fight it regardless) but I told her under these circumstances, he shouldn't be forced to go back to her class. With it being the end of Friday, before Thanksgiving, she said she would come back and start looking into this situation so she could gather as much information as she could. She told me to follow up with her the Tuesday after Thanksgiving if I hadn't heard from her by then. I thanked her for her time, and said I would.
Sat. 18th-- Thomas on his way to see his Eema! Jake originally said they would leave Monday, the 20th. I asked them what they had going the Saturday before. He said nothing. I asked them if there was a reason why they couldn't leave on Saturday and arrive on Sunday, just to give us a few extra days and to space out their driving. He said, nope! And didn't know why he didn't think of it sooner. ;)
*Jared and I went to the temple to do initiatories.
The one advantage to bottle feeding...lots of people to help!
All four of my boys in the same room together! Love!!
*Daddy doing his daddy duty...with doody. :)
He's ret to go.
Wed. 22nd--The Thanksgiving apple pie.
*Cooper organized a Smash Bros tournament with cousin James.
JJ making some killer moves. He beat Jake in the first round and Calvin in the second! :)
Thurs. 23rd--Playing some more Smash Bros and Super Mario Cart...
The smoked turkey was amazing. Too bad Jared couldn't join us.
The gang...minus Jared. JJ and Karcyn were in another room.
Fri. 24th--Still under the weather, Jared went to work as scheduled. It takes a lot to keep him home from work. However, the girls at the clinic had other ideas and made him take a home covid test. And for only the second time in three years, he was positive for covid. Of course. So he quarantined himself in the bedroom. I had been having Thomas sleep in our room at night to help Trina get some rest (Jake can't wake up in the middle of the night due to his meds). But since learning that Jared had covid, we moved Thomas's crib back in with Jake and Trina. Which I felt bad about. But we didn't want him getting sick. Especially being so young--just barely two months old.
*Jared had the day off, which was nice, because he wasn’t feeling 100%.
In the end it was a head to head against James and Cooper. JJ came in 3rd, James 2nd, and Cooper 1st!
*Chillin' out.
*Jared got his turkey out and cut it up, but he still wasn't feeling well. So he went to go rest in the bedroom. But apparently, he passed out while in the bathroom and cut his head on the floor or wall, we're not sure. Fortunately, he was okay. But he was feeling nauseous and so he stayed in the room and didn't get to enjoy the Thanksgiving dinner that he looks forward to all year.
We invited Karole and the Elders to join us.
It was a good spread!
*Trina and Jake to the three kids up to Lubbock for the day. Trina treated Karcyn to a day at the spa getting her hair done and getting lunch. Jake and the boys went computer shopping. Jared rested and I set up the Christmas decorations.
Sat. 25th--Jake and Trina decided to go meet her family in a neutral location (restaurant) in Dallas, so they could have them meet Thomas. This meeting was the first time either of them have seen each other since they got married and almost the first time since they'd spoken to each other. I'm proud of the kids for making the first move to reach out and try to mend fences. I'm not sure I would have been as gracious. Her brother, Carter, had gotten home from his mission, though, and I know she really wanted to see him. He wasn't really a part of the conflict as he was serving his mission in South America. I'm sure he got an earful from his family, but she tried to keep him out of it. These are the pictures Trina shared from their visit. They pretty much ignored Jake. But he was SO much bigger than them and didn't let it affect him. He was there to support his wife.
*Just a moment I was able to capture between biggest brother Jake and littlest brother, JJ. They were talking about the scriptures.
*When the kids got back from Dallas, we were going to do our family Christmas gift exchange with Jake, Trina, and Thomas. We invited Karole over, too.
"All is calm, all is bright." Except in reality, we had 1 with covid, 1 not feeling great, 2-3 who were exhausted. What you DON'T see is the half-full share bag M&M's that I left on my bed unattended when I had to leave the room for a few minutes. Or our dog, Rolo, helping himself to an unknown amount of said chocolate candies. Or the chocolate tinted vomit that Rolo started spewing all.over the carpet, chairs, couches, and bed during our family Christmas. In between gift giving and pictures, I think I counted 14-16 different messes that I had to clean and scrub out of the carpet and furniture. I was kicking myself for not remembering that NOTHING IS SACRED on my bed or nightstand. Rolo will help himself to whatever he can. I was also kicking myself for clearly picking the wrong color carpet. *sigh*
*We played a SUPER fun white elephant gift exchange game. We were laughing and fighting over certain bags. A few of us were trying to get a couple of particular gifts--the Blues Clues "handy dandy notebook" for one. The one EVERYONE was trying to avoid were the paper snack cups. Haha! It was really fun.
Then we did the sibling gift exchange.
JJ's gift for Trina: a crochet kit.
Calvin's gift for Karcyn: toaster bags for her GF bread to eliminate cross-contamination.
Karcyn's gift to Jake: a Lego plane.
Cooper's gift to JJ: and IOU for Magic the Gathering cards.
Jake got Calvin a water jug for tennis and liquid IV packs.
Trina got him a Godzilla blanket. He looooooved it!! Well done, Trina!
We got Thomas a Warmie sloth. His nursery is full of sloths and this stuffie can be warmed in the microwave and smells like calming lavender.
Jake and Trina looking at the Highland Coo slippers I got for Thomas when I was in Scotland.
Despite the Rolo vomit and covid, I think everyone had a really fun night. We were grateful to be able to celebrate with Jake and Trina, even if it was a month early.
Kevin and Christina got home from their trip to Florida early Sunday morning. So we waited for them to be up and back among the land of the living before asking them to come over and help with Thomas's baby blessing.
It was really sweet to have it at the house.
Jared and Thomas next to cousin, Cole and his son, Archer.
Cooper, Jared, James, Jake, Kevin, and Cole. Brothers, dads, cousins. And a baby boy.
