Call Family Life: January 2026

January kicked off pretty quietly with Evan working out in the shop and the boys playing downstairs. During Renee's nap time, I made a wild decision to head up to Powell by myself to see Bethany and hold babies for a few days, while I could do so without needing to find someone to watch/help with the kids (because Evan could do it over this weekend). I left first thing on Friday (the 2nd0, and was in Powell around 2. It was fun to help out, visit with Bethany, see my parents, who stopped by for a while on their way home from the temple on Saturday, play with Maggie, and enjoy some time to think and breathe on the drives. While I was gone, Evan took the kids to the rec center in Jackson on Saturday, bringing BethAnn along for the ride, and to a birthday party for Hayes on Sunday. I ended up getting home from Powell before everyone else returned from the Simpsons, and had time to shower and settle before helping with bedtime.

Monday, the 5th, we returned to our regular routines with music class after school. On Wednesday, Thomas was invited to go play at Easton's after school along with Liam and Weston. He got to eat pizza, play lots of games, and was bummed to be the first kid picked up. The next morning, he woke up with a fever and missed his first day of the year. He took it pretty hard because he was trying to get perfect attendance. Through tears, he told me he never should've gone to Easton's because it's full of germs there. Poor buddy! I explained that he couldn't have picked up something there that would show up so soon. He ended up being sick until Sunday morning.

Evan spent the weekend insulating, and we all stayed home from church on Sunday to watch the broadcast of Ethan's mission farewell address. He spoke with his mom and dad, which I thought was neat. While Thomas was better, James ended up spiking a fever that afternoon. He ended up being sick until Wednesday, with Renee getting sick on Tuesday through Thursday. Nine days of one or more sick kiddos made for a long week for momma, especially with Evan insulating for several of those weekdays as well. It was nice to get to the weekend!

On Saturday, the 17th, Evan took his dad and the boys to Bear Lake first thing in the morning. They didn't catch any fish, unfortunately, but had a good time and snagged some food in Montpelier on the way home. Jessica invited Thomas to come play at the church about 2 hours before he got home, and they ended up still being there that long after. He was thrilled to get to go play with Weston and a bunch of other kids whom Emily Isaacson and Celeste Draney brought up in the meantime.

Starting on Sunday, the 18th, the boys had a paid job watching Megan Rose's cats while her family went on a cruise. Each afternoon until the 24th, we drove over to give their cats a scoop of food, and the boys also checked for eggs in the coop (usually getting 2 a day). One afternoon, a chicken got out, and we chased it around and around until finally determining a better way. Thomas stood in the coop to keep the other chickens from getting out, while James and I herded the chicken to the run... she went right in! Another afternoon, we noticed there was a lot of dust and frozen water in the chicken's watering jug - despite the heat from the lamp, the water was frozen solid. I have no idea how long they were without water, but I'm glad we noticed that, since Megan only asked them to feed the kitties. We only forgot one time, but I ran over right after the boys left for school, and they got two feedings that day.

Renee ended up being sick again from the 21st through the 24th with a fever each day, but no other symptoms. Poor baby! Evan took the boys up to the rec center in Jackson again on Saturday (24th) afternoon. Justin and Tessa went up too, and the boys had a good time again.

Not sure on the dates, but at some point, I tried potty training Renee, but either I did so poorly at training, or Renee wasn't quite ready yet... needless to say, we stopped and till try again in a little while.

During the final week of the month, we kept very busy! Monday was LPM, and Evan insulated in Grover for about 4 hours that evening. On Tuesday, Thomas was sick again, but felt fine despite his temperature. He spent the day doing worksheets, reading on the kindle, and begging me to let him watch tv or play cards with him. He missed his first basketball practice. Evan insulated again in the evening. On Wednesday, Thomas's fever was gone, and he was able to go to school and be a part of his Honors Assembly. That evening was the first basketball game for Thomas and the Magic.

On Thursday, the 29th, James got to have his first friend birthday party. Layne Skinner, Beckham Simpson, Kydon Wright, Cutler Lym, Ed Burton, and Levi Call all rode the bus home with him. The party started with about 20 minutes of keepy-uppy, followed by pizza, veggies, and fruit, then we herded everyone downstairs. Once downstairs, the boys shot Nerf guns at balloons and dinosaurs, went through an obstacle course, did brain breaks in the gym, and played dodgeball. Upstairs again, James opened presents, and we had camo cupcakes and ice cream, then the boys free-played downstairs for another 15-20 minutes until parents arrived. I think it's safe to say James had an amazing time and felt pretty special.

The next day, Evan took the boys and his dad to Bear Lake again, this time having more success than the prior trip. On Sunday, James turned 6! We had a fish fry dinner with the family to celebrate. Here is his birthday interview: