Sibling Christmas Gift Exchange

Purchase a $40 Christmas Gift Card for the siblings you have.

Paul & Rachelle have Crystal & Darren

Kent has Ginger & Sam

Kelly & Kevin have Cami & Juan

Heather & Tyler have Paul & Rachelle

Crystal & Darren have Kent

Ginger & Sam have Kelly & Kevin

Cami & Juan have Heather & Tyler

Cousin Christmas Presents 2014

Purchase a $10 for the cousin that you have.  Merry Christmas!

Lottie has Carley

Bennett has Judson

Oscar has Chris

Maya has Zack

Amelia has Griff

Ruby has Benja

Judson has Amelia

Griff has Oscar

Sami has Caleb

Carley has Spencer

Zack has Barrett

Natalie has Josh

Barrett has Bennett

Maddie has Natalie

Chris has Maya

Benja has Ruby

Caleb has Sami

Spencer has Maddie

Josh has Lottie

Olsen Family says Happy Thanksgiving

We have started having the kids give each other a 30 second hug not starting the time until both arms are touching the other and they cannot release until 30 seconds or the clock starts over when there are disputes. It seems to be working great. I think we are having less fights (or Kevin and I are not hearing about them) and they are making up really fast. It is amazing how you cannot stay mad at each other after a hug.  :)

Today we had our first snow storm of the year and had a great time just staying home not having to go anywhere.

The kids made turkeys for our place settings.

We cooked the turkey in the crockpot and the potatoes and stuffing on the stove top and everything else in the toaster oven...stuffed mushrooms, green bean casserole, rolls, then stuffing. It was funny because we had to cook one thing at a time and it was not all hot at once but it turned out okay. 

We had a family from our ward over for pie (frozen from Marie Calendars). Thank goodness I decided to buy the pie at the last minute. We were going to make the pumpkin yellow cake but ended up not being able to because we lost power.

It was a nice day, but we were very sad we could not be with all of you. We hope you had a special day as well. This will for sure be a memorable one. We played Clue for the first time with the kids and they really liked it. I remember living the play Clue all the time.

Happy Thanksgiving!

cousin picks

Are you all planning on picking names for cousins? I'd like to know before black Friday. Also I loved gift cards last year for the sibling pick, who's with me?! And I need to know which sibling I have.

Farrs visit the Cowgills

We made a quick trip over the weekend to Fruitland. We were able to hang with Ginger, Sam and family. Their home is great! They had a room that was just perfect for guests. Ruby even got her own room in with the Washer and Dryer. Lucky girl!
We had fun watching Bennett sing the ABC's and Let it Go. He also loved to chase Judson around the house. He would come to Ruby and pat her on the head every now and then. Judson also got to build a snowman with Bennett, Sam and Darren. Bennett loves the snow now and Ginger is thinking she'll have to go out and play with him in it instead of just reminding him how cold it is. Lottie was a little nervous with Me and Darren so we tried to not look at her. She did come by Ruby a few times to see what was going on there. Lottie is very mobile and will even stand up in the middle of the room for a couple of seconds at a time.
We just visited mostly. We did take the full driving tour of Fruitland and Ontario. It took about 15 minutes.   :)   We then got lunch from Burger West in Ontario. Saturday night we went over the Bernt's house to have pizza and play cards. It was fun to meet Bernt, Jill and their family. Judson was so excited to play Lego Star Wars 3 on the Wii all night.
The drive was great. I love that it's all freeway! It took us a while both ways, and Ruby was sick of her car seat by the end, but we survived.
Thanks Ginger and Sam for letting us come!!!

I didn't get any pictures. Sorry...

Grandma Tolman's Graham Cracker Salad

Grandma Tolman's Graham Cracker Salad

1 can evaporated milk (13 oz)  very cold
1  3 oz package lime jello
1 cup sugar
1  20 oz can crushed pineapple (cold and drained--set aside the drained part)
1  8 oz package cream cheese (cold)
1  cup boiling (pineapple juice & water to equal 1 cup)
Mix jello with 1 cup juice and water. Let set until a little set--jiggly.
Whip milk until it peaks--maybe put bowl of milk in a bigger bowl of ice
so it's really cold, then whip.
Add cream cheese and whip. Add sugar and whip. Add jello and whip.
Add the pineapple.  Pour into a lined 9 X 13 pan of crushed graham crackers
(10 oblong ones)  Put in fridge. Sprinkle graham crackers (5 oblong ones)
over the top.                          

Contributed by Grandma Ann Stokes. If you have any questions, ask Heather.
She makes it for us on Thanksgiving Day.

Macias Fam

We are doing good over here in Texas. We are getting ready to host Thanksgiving in just one week and we've already decorated for Christmas! We are having 5 couples come over, and most have kids. There will be 12 adults and 9 kids. My friend Kasee is decorating the tables for me, Juan is doing the turkey, and then everyone else is bringing all the sides. I think I'll make grandma's green jello graham cracker dish and that's it. Which I need the recipe! Does someone want to post it on here for me? We are lucky this year to have our dearest friends over for Thanksgiving. In the past we've just kind of invited over the couples in the apartments. But this year we have our best group of friends mostly all staying in town, so it will feel like family. We will miss our real families too, but I am so grateful for our thoughtful and generous friends we have made here.

Juan has recently started a second job working for Intuit- which is the company behind Turbo Tax and Quickbooks. He works entirely from home for them, so that is such a blessing to have him here, even when he is working long days. He has 15 minute breaks here and there and the girls are on a strawberry shortcake kick and whenever he comes out for a break, they beg him to play strawberry shortcake with them! They just give him one of the dolls and he has to come up with an adventurous storyline. It is pretty cute.

I had a rough start to the day today, I officially dried my first crayon in the dryer and got orange crayon all over everything. I have pulled up ways to get it out on some blogs, but I am afraid to even try because it just has to come out, right?! And then I found out I overdrafted in my budget checking account and boo, I just wanted the day to be done. But then I got a call from a friend and got to meet her at Target with just Maya as Oscar napped at home while Juan worked and Amelia was at preschool. Then Maya and I went to the park alone. And then we did lunch and went and got flu shots and the day seems much better now. Tonight I have book club and I am meeting a couple friends for ice cream beforehand so I have a fun evening to look forward to!

Oscar is so close to walking. He has taken 3 or 4 steps a couple times now and he often will pull to a stand and then let go to practice balancing. He can walk easily if we hold one hand. He is getting to be so big! Maya is our sassy one right now, just last night she declared that she does not like Oscar, that "he is not my buddy boy!" and she hit him. And she says some pretty mean things to Amelia too. She needs an attitude adjustment. Amelia is an angel and really has been for the past 3 months. Something just clicked for her when she started preschool. She loves it so much and that little time away from us just really has helped her come home and be kind and patient and obedient. I really rely on her a lot and I'm so grateful that she is mostly happy and willing to help.

It was our 9 year anniversary yesterday! We got some Chuy's mexican food to-go and had a little date at home after the kids were put to bed at 7:30. We're going out on a date on Saturday to Texas Roadhouse and to see the new Hunger Games movie. We had a busy year and it was the first year where we would be so exhausted after the kids were put to bed that we could barely speak let alone work on our relationship. But we made priorities and try to put phones and computers away and do what we can to make each other feel special. Juan came downstairs during a 15 min break during lunch yesterday and picked up Oscar's oatmeal and went straight to feeding him and I told him that was the best anniversary gift I could receive. With Juan working so much I do all the meals by myself and my big girls often make me feed them their bites if it's not something they love and oh man, I could sure use a break from that every now and then.

Super update from us.

Happy Thanksgiving

Ann Stokes:
Grandpa and I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! This is our "off" year. We won't have the usual here to eat--some go to their spouse's family dinner.  But we decided if anyone wanted to eat 2 Thanksgiving dinners, we are eating around 5:00 pm  I think Heather and Tyler and family will do that. Also, it is Paul's birthday on that day, Nov 27th, so his family will come at least for dessert--and maybe more turkey or ham if they want.
Then, because Ginger and Sam and kids will be here and we ALL want to get together, we are having a "steak" night on Saturday. I think more people were excited about that than turkey! Anyway, Kelly and Kevin and family and also Cami and Juan and family are invited, too. Too bad we don't all have a private plane and can just fly anywhere or anytime.  But I know you will have wonderful Thanksgiving dinners, too. Let us know what you cook and what you do.
Then it's on to the month of Christmas!  Won't be long. Good luck on finding time to decorate.

Time Limited...Love One Another

Once I leave the house I do not usually return until 6:30 each day. I have made the habit to get up each morning and ride my spinning bike for 45-60 min. every day. It is nice because I am able to do my scripture study for institute AND get my workout in. This week for institute we are studying in Mosiah and reading about Alma and all the good he did to change his life around from the teachings of Abinadi and convert so many to the gospel. When these prophets were commanded to keep their record they were commanded to write the things that would help us in our day. It is so great to read hardships and trials in the Book of Mormon and know how they got through things.  It all comes down to relying on the Lord and having faith in Him. It is interesting how much the Book of Mormon repeats that we should help those in need. Alma teaches many important things to these people before they are baptized and one of the important things is,  "Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life--"
Mosiah 18:9
He goes on to teach, "And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given."
Mosiah 18:27
This is what the gospel of Jesus Christ is ALL about. We can take care of each other no matter our circumstances. Everyone can give something...even if it be just your time. This is what helps us become more like our Savior and love everyone. Elder Holland put it so bluntly in our last general conference. King Benjamin teaches in Mosiah 4:19, "Are we not all beggars?” Don’t we all cry out for help and hope and answers to prayers? Don’t we all beg for forgiveness for mistakes we have made and troubles we have caused? Don’t we all implore that grace will compensate for our weaknesses, that mercy will triumph over justice at least in our case? Little wonder that King Benjamin says we obtain a remission of our sins by pleading to God, who compassionately responds, but we retain a remission of our sins by compassionately responding to the poor who plead to us.

Mormon says, “poor as to things of the world; and also … poor in heart”--two conditions that almost always go together. Missionary companions Alma and Amulek counter that reprehensible rejection of the shabbily dressed by telling them that whatever privileges others may deny them, they can always pray--in their fields and in their houses, in their families and in their hearts.

But then, to this very group who had themselves been turned away, Amulek says, “After [you] have [prayed], if [you] turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if [you] have [it], to those who stand in need--I say unto you, … your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and [you] are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.” What a stunning reminder that rich or poor, we are to “do what we can” when others are in need.

Are We Not All Beggars?
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/are-we-not-all-beggars?lang=eng

Let us all take time especially at this time of year to think of others and look on to their circumstances and consider our own and "do what we can" to help share the love that Christ has for them. It can be as small as a phone call or card to let them know we care. No matter our circumstances we can learn to love as Christ did all of our brothers and sisters. I am grateful for this constant reminder throughout the Book of Mormon and especially at this time of year. We are taught the second great commandment is to love one another, by doing this we will really learn what it means to love God.

What is your favorite passage from the Book of Mormon that you have read recently? How has it helped you in your life?

Slack Family November 2014 Update

This blog is a great idea cause I need something to get me motivated again.  I have always liked blogging but then you just get so far behind you stop.  So I'm glad to be blogging somewhere again cause I know these are memories I won't want to forget.  Last Saturday we took Sami and Griff to The Roof because we read the Book of Mormon this year.  Sami's not quite finished but we showed her some mercy and let her pay for part of her meal to be able to come with us still.  It was such a beautiful night to be right by the temple and enjoy delicious food.

Over UEA a few weeks ago we rented an RV and went to Escalante.  It was such a fun trip!  The kids got up and went fishing each morning and we hiked and explored in the days with our group of friends from high school.  The best part was being able to sleep in a warm bed each night instead of in a tent.  It will be hard to go back to regular camping for sure.

Tyler is still working in Orem as IT Director for Chrysalis and he's still working as a Chyron operator for the Jazz games and REAL games.  He loves his part time job.  He is also really involved in Sami's school as Community Council Chairman and Legislative VP for Griff's PTA.  Somehow he still finds time to serve in the Young Men's at church. 

I am the Primary Chorister and I love it!  It's really the best calling ever!  I am still going to Utah State University at the Salt Lake Campus.  I have loved my classes this semester now that I'm finally in the Elementary Education Teaching Program.  I will graduate in May of 2016.  It's getting closer! I did 5 weeks of student teaching this semester at Griff's school in a 2nd grade classroom.  I love working with the kids and it was nice to know that I'll be doing something I love each day.

Sami is doing great here in Eagle Mountain.  It's funny to me to think how she wrote us a mean letter the first week we moved here telling us what a big mistake we made moving away from Tooele.  She is doing really good figuring out what she likes to do.  She takes voice lessons and is in the choir at school.  She will start the school musical class next term so I'm excited to see her perform in that!  She loves to listen to her music and hang out with friends.

Griff is our comic relief.  He cracks us up daily.  He just got done with his soccer season.  He love playing defense and kicks the ball nice and hard to get it out of the way of the goal.  Griff goes twice a week to Knowledge Bowl practice.  He is learning all kinds of historical information and his team will compete in February.  He's a die hard MineCraft player and it's good cause I get him to do his chores, practice piano and study before he gets to play.

Keep the updates coming!  I'd love for us to do at least monthly updates then we'll get to hear more about the small stuff happening with everyone instead of big overviews.  I love reading about everyone!

Testing

I am just doing this post to let you all know I set it up so it will email each person whenever someone posts a post, and also whenever someone comments. If you don't want the emails, let me know and I'll take you off the list. And dad, is that your correct gmail address? Let me know if you got it.

Cowgill Halloween

We had a fun first Halloween here.  It was the first time that we have ever had trick or treaters.  We always have candy ready to hand out at our apartments but we never even got 1 kid that would come.  It was super sad so I was excited this year and Bennett thought it was the best thing ever to hand out the candy.  Here are a few pictures from Halloween week.

Bennett is super obsessed with Mickey Mouse so we had to do a Mickey Mouse pumpkin.  He loves to go out to the porch to say hello to them.

Lottie with her walker

Lottie has been on the move for a few months but she really likes this walker right now.  She can't figure out how to turn it when she runs into something so she usually just yells for us to help.  Yes, she usually yells.  She is feisty and yells and us and Bennett when she wants something.  Hopefully she will not continue that too long.  Right now it is funny but I can only imagine when she is Bennett's age.  Enjoy this little video.

Farr Family November 2014

I'm going to do a quick update since I haven't in a while.

Ruby is 4.5 months old TODAY. She is such a cutie. She smiles all the time. She talks a lot, especially when she is tired. She plays with her feet like they're toys. She has started rolling over from her back to her belly but doesn't love being on her belly. She is a fabulous night sleeper. She has slept 9 hours at night since she was about 6 weeks old. I keep waiting for her to not sleep, but that hasn't happened yet. Daylight Savings gave us a bit of an issue, but I just had to put her Binky in and she fell back to sleep. We just had her 4 month Dr's Appt and she's 16 lbs and 25.5 inches. We are all still so in love with this little baby. You'll find us most often all just staring at her, trying to get her attention and see her cute smile. We'll keep her.

Judson is 7. He is in second grade and loves it. He likes his teacher. He's made new friends in his class and is having fun. Judson likes to read, play Legos, watch movies and play the Wii. He is in an indoor soccer rec league right now. He had his first game last week and really liked it. Judson was Dracula for Halloween. He is missing his two front teeth right now just in time for Christmas. But I will tell you, his two front teeth are not all he wants for Christmas. He is telling me something to add to his Christmas list on a daily basis. At this rate I'll have Birthday's and Christmas covered until he's 20 if he still likes the same toys.  :)

Darren is working for Fidelity as a New Hire Coach. He had been doing this job for quite a while in American Fork but has just moved to SLC at the Gateway location this last week. He likes working with the new hires and helping them through training and licensing. He takes the Front Runner train into work and has enjoyed it the two days he's been downtown thus far. I'm excited for him to be downtown during Christmas. Maybe we'll make it to some events downtown this year. We'll see. 

We went to the BYU vs Utah State game. It was a sad game, but we had a fun time.

I'm still working for Roseman University in the Bursar's office. I work M-F; 9am-1pm. It's a pretty nice schedule. I'm able to get Judson to school and Ruby dropped off at Gr Farr or Stokes and to work by 9 (well actually more like 915ish). It works out quite well. After work we usually go walking or shopping with Grandma Stokes. Ruby loves being in the stroller or a shopping cart so this works out really well for all of us. 

That's us right now. We love you all!!!

State Runner-Up

This past week, my school volleyball team won the semi-final game and made it to the CHAMPIONSHIPS!! Sadly we didn't win the championships but it was a pretty incredible season especially ending it at the championships! The whole game was intense. Our teams marched in while Olympic music played, along with that, we were engulfed in cheers from the crowds. It was a memorable game to witness and be apart of! We were so close losing 25-22 the first game, 26-24 the second, and 25-21 the third. Luckily I still have next year to fight for the title of a champion!!

Amelia at Primary Program Practice

We had a practice for our primary program that is tomorrow, and I got Amelia on tape. I tried to talk to her right after this about still singing loud, but maybe a little more reverent, and then she didn't sing at all the next song. So I am just going to leave her how she is, I think she's pretty cute.