Happy Happy Happy Happy Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary, Mo and Papa! Here's to 37 years!
What's been the best part? Favorite anniversary date?
What words of wisdom have ye to impart after 37 years with the same mate?
Tell us your story!
Show us your pictures!

What the heck...she's family!

Happy 28 Birthday to Sarah McCoy! Go give her blog a shout-out!

Nah-ten gortoonga fyet, y'all!

Happy Santa Lucia Day! Can you believe, Cubby didn't dress up in the stable boy frock, and Hubby didn't even mention Lucia--not once. Needless to say, I got no sweet rolls in bed this morning. Nobody appreciates my heritage around here!

Happy Boo-Day!

Think of Aunt Boo on December 6--it's her birthday. Thanks to Mo for the picture. Wouldn't you love to chat with her right now? I would love to hear her description of Heaven, and even with all the droves of people who would want to see her, she would make time for me and be interested in what's going on in my life--a lot like Mema. They're both up there shaking their heads and thinking, "If those poor saps only knew how great it was here!" (Can you imagine Mema calling someone a poor sap? I digress...) As I try to think of a specific favorite memory of Aunt Boo, I am flooded with bits and pieces of conversations throughout the years. That was how she worked her magic--she was interested. She cared and told me I was special, and she was so funny. What a gift!

Happy Birthday, Amy and Grandpa!

I love this picture.














Full birthday wishes may be found here.

IN LOVING MEMORY

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dog Solveig. She passed peacefully from this mortal existence on Saturday, November 18 in her veterinarian's office with her former master by her side. She would have been fifteen years old this December. She has been lovingly cared for by Carrie Ann and Todd for the past four years and will be missed by her adopted sister Fiona. Her former masters will be eternally grateful for the care and love Solveig received in their care. Solveig gave us great joy as a family pet and companion and was always happy, easy-going, and gentle. True, she could be a stinker--remember the time she helped herself to the Sunday dinner we had left out on the table. We found her on the dining room table with one foot in the mashed potatoes while wolfing down the remains of the pot roast. She also once ate an entire platter of lemon bars left too close to the edge of the counter and has consumed several plates of brownies and chocolate chip cookies in her lifetime. She loved to sneak a leisurely little paddle around the pool when no one was watching and chew on the floating thermometer. Who can forget her most famous moment when she was heard by several family members to say (quite clearly, I might add) "I wanna go ou-shide!"? We will always remember the good times and loyalty of our sweet friend Solveig. She was preceeded in death by her other adopted sister Hannah and I can picture her today as they met again in doggy heaven and greeted one another with leaps and bounds, unhampered by blindness, deafness, or aching joints. They are probably running together through a green field looking for squirrels. I invite all family members to share their favorite Solveig thoughts and memories. Farewell, loyal and sweet friend. We look forward to seeing you again some day.

This is easier... I hope

http://ld-anime.faireal.net/guide/ogm-en#what

Deer in Target...yeah, that's what I said.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2080707367207726751&q=deer+in+target&hl=en

Just so we don't have to keep staring at my baby's privates...

Here is the most unflattering picture of myself that I can find on my computer. It will remain here until someone comes up with something more interesting to blog about. Enjoy!

It's a...

Boy or Girl?

Your last chance to guess!

He's accredited, folks!

Oh I could make so many good jokes about what he's accredited with (or for?) but I have to say CONGRATS to my Jimmy for being awesome. He took the first of many accredidation exams this past weekend, and passed with flying colors! (The first in an eventually long line-up of letters following his name as a professional.) I'll spare the details that aren't really details so much as they are me bragging about how smart he is. Hooray for Jimmy! ("Jerry got it open!" --Seinfeld)
Go here and click on News (at the top) to see his name "in lights"!

Halloween?

... Or April Fools?

(Cute clothes, huh?) 

Fa La La La La, La La La La

Here's the Christmas Breakdown for 2006. Correct me if this is off...but I think this is how it goes.
Carrs give to Oscarsons (the Sho kind)
Oscarsons (the French persuasion) give to Carrs
Rhodes give to Oscarsons (again, the mostly French ones)
Giles give to Rhodes
Scharmans give to Giles (did you want the $2 million or $3 million house in Malibu?)
McCoys give to Scharmans (had better be good)
Oscarsons of DC give to McCoys

I need feedback to see if this is right...its never to early to start thinking creatively!
Happy Holidays! (and by that I mean Halloween and maybe Thanksgiving.)

Emma, the Organizational Elf

Happy Birthday, Mo!

Happy Birthday to everyone's favorite Mo! We love you so much and hope you have a very happy day. We wish we could be there with you! Here is the card that I made with my own two hands, had the entire family sign at family night and then forgot to mail. (Someday I'll get all the pistons firing together...) Trust me - it is much cuter in real life! Hopefully I'll remember to send it tomorrow so it will arrive at least during the same week as your big day. I love you!

Heee's Baaack!

Just to let you know, Dad has not one, but two new blogs on his site. Yes folks, I said two, and one of them is the "stuck in the sand on Nantucket" story that was requested awhile back. Check 'em out while they're fresh!

* * * NEW MEMBER ALERT * * *

I am excited and very pleased to announce the presence of my sister-in-law, Sarah in cyberspace. Go check her out, and welcome her to the club!

Who knew?

Look what I did this week. Are you all as impressed as I am? Who knew I could sew? (Don't look too closely because you will see that I really can't sew.)
Look at how happy she is to have a girlish carseat cover that isn't literally coming apart at the seams.

And Mia, I know how grateful she is to be sitting on something other than hard plastic to enjoy her delicious and healthy meals, she just has a hard time articulating her feelings into audible words.

What can I say, I have a thing for gingham.
I even started by making a pattern out of parchment paper...Heidi Klum and Project Runway, here I come!...do they have a household products line?

Mo & Papa and my boy...

Melts my heart...


Now this one looks like Papa is stealing my baby, no?


Thanks for the beautiful Sunday stroll.../hike!

A request to our matriarch...

Mo, I was thinking about this story the other day and decided that I need you to write about it to entertain me and the masses. Will you tell us about when you and Dad were in Nantucket being artists and your car got stuck in the sand?

Pretty Daisy Leads the Way

This past Saturday we went to Oregon for our oldest Grandchild's baptism and it was wonderful. Pretty Daisy was baptiszed by her father and it was a lovely service and the Spirit was powerful. It was a payday weekend and we loved every minute of the time we got to be with family there. The baptism was the best part but the Tea party for the girls was also a memory to cherish. Thanks for the hospitality and good times. I wish the whole fam could have been there!

And the birthday's keep a'comin'...

And the birthday kids keep getting cuter and cuter!

Oscar enjoyed a picnic at a park with some cousins last night for his birthday celebration. He liked his chocolate-frosted, star-shaped cupcakes...

...a LOT!

He also loves his Superman and Lightning McQueen toys -

("Coooool!!")

("Lite-een McKeeeeen!"!)

Thanks Mo and Papa!

Not to crowd you out Abby but...

This was Mia, pre, during and post cake eating. At this point I am hoping that Mo's theory about "attacking the cake is to their approach in life" is faulty, or we're in a heap of trouble.

She reached in with both hands and annhialated the thing in less than five minutes.

Halleluja!

I replace a sad goodbye with a happy one when I say,

"ADIOS, Vincent! You should have been 'aufed' SOOO long ago and you were kept for the sake of ratings--you're good TV because you are absurd."

Wasn't he just so creepy, folks? And then he had to go on and on with the French designer, slobbering all over her like a crazy sick stalker...good riddance.

Here's the final three: Jeffrey, Michael, Ule

The judges know it, I know it, there you have it. The next few weeks are just a necessary evil, as the others are "aufed" one at a time. And as much as I will miss Laura's presence, it doesn't even matter what order they go, now that I am so positive of who will go. I'll break it down for you:

Michael is the new Daniel V. He's ridiculously talented and even keeled (he's very chill, very humble, and I dig it) but he's fresh and funky in all the areas where Daniel V. lacked fresh and funky.

Ule is the new Chloe, with the edge and steadiness that Chloe sometimes lacked. She's awesome, but may not be able to compete with the aggressive edginess that Jeffrey brings to the table.

Jeffrey, obviously the new Santino from the beginning, has the sense of propriety and refinement that Santino never had and couldn't quite grasp. His attitude sucks and his brain is clearly a bit fried, but he has the talent and the drive. His experience has given him an very good understanding of what he's doing, even if what he's doing is a little progressive for the mainstream.

I have spoken. Any other predictions? Thoughts? Am I a little worked up? Why do you ask?

BYE, CRIKEY.

Clark woke me up with the saddest of news this morning. Our much loved Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin was killed this morning off the coast of Australia near the Barrier Reef by a Sting Ray while filming a documentary (ironically titled, "The Ocean's Deadliest").

Clark and I feel a special connection with Mr. Irwin since we have watched him from the begining when he was just a an overly-enthusiastic nut from Australia. It feels as though we have lost a member of the family (but we know all of you better and, OK, it would be worse if it really were a member of the family but we are sad, OK?)
Anyway, our thoughts and prayers really are with his family, especially his wife and two little kids.
So take a moment and remember this Aussie Crazy Man, appreciate a crocodile and maybe wear khaki today.
We love you Steve!

PhinisheD!

On friday August 18th Buffalo was in Berkeley eating good food and collecting the signatures required to officially be done with his PhD! We are so proud of him for all he did the past few years.

To dream the impossible...

Last night I dreamt about some of my old friends from Albertsons. You may need to go get your copy of The Albertsons Diaries as a reference to follow this post...
I was at a mutual activity, and somehow the program had been taken over by the old gang (a few select--and very choice--characters from the old days). They were up on the stage in the cultural hall. First Becky got up. (Big blonde fake nails Becky, sucking child support and Lortab from wherever possible). She was surprisingly happy to see me, although she always looked that way, even if she hated your guts. She said a few words and then it was Cindy's turn. (Las Vegas Cindy--x-cocktail waitress--almost had an affair when we were working in CA, smokes like a chimney even though both parents died as a result of said habit.) The most surprising speech came from Marcie-the-Mullet (who since my departure was fired after 20 years for stealing coughdrops...addiction to painkillers and feeling sorry for herself). She got up and while she still had an incredible mullet, pure eloquence poured from her lips, which actually opened as she spoke in my dream--no crustiness--just good stage presence. It was truly amazing. The came Jenny (my Albertsons soulmate, my bosom friend). She got up to speak and 20 minutes later I was uncomfortable because what had started as a program where we do a short bit on each YW had become Jenny going on and on and on about how wonderful I am. (What does that say, that subconsciously I love myself?) I could feel the irritation from the other YW leaders as they looked at their watches and realized we would have to skip their speeches.
Then I woke up with only 15 minutes to look presentable for the property manager, who was coming to follow up on some complaints. This kind of stressed me out, as I can't be taken seriously with horse-breath and bed-head!

Wavy Gravy's Baptism

Her 8th birthday is fast approaching and a few of you have expressed interest in coming for her baptism. I want to you know that nothing would thrill her (or me!) more than to have any and all of you here with us on that special occasion. We've had to re-think the date since Zook has new responsibilities at work that require him to travel. I want to throw out the date of Sept. 24. Yay or Nay? If you want to come and that wouldn't work for you, let me know. We have a comfy air mattress and a pull-out bed if there are any takers. Nate and Nicole have also offered their home. (They have a real, live guest room with a bed and everything! First come, first served. :)

I know not everyone can make it. But I want you to know you are welcome.

Happy Birthday, Dear Me------.....

my wonderful Sheaux and more than lovely sisters (and brothers in law) suprised me with a mini late night suprise b'day party last thursday when we arrived back from finding an apartment in DC. I was more than pleased and felt very loved. 25 is apparently the "Monkey" birthday. abby made an amazing monkey cake (and amazingly tastey) and we had a 5 foot monkey there to celebrate with us! i did make an attempt to open my presents with my feet but soon gave up. Thanks for making my two-bit birthday eve so fun!! 

Happy Anniversary to Amy and Chris!

Sell a House, Buy a House

It has been a momentous week for the parental units of the family. We received an offer on our Spring, Texas home which we accepted, and in the same weekend, we decided on a house to buy in Utah. Some of you may recognize the address and might even be familiar with the house itself. We have decided to buy G&G Green's house on South Fremont Drive and our offer was graciously accepted. We are very excited about the idea of making this beautiful home our own and hope that everyone will feel welcome and at home there--even all the cousins who have such great memories there. The comments in the Stubbs Family Blog gave us the extra push we needed to make this decision, so thank you, and be sure you come and visit often. We plan to keep the downstairs refrigerator stocked with IBC Root Beer and Cream soda, because it is such a great family tradition. The Teton Room, though decorated differently, will still be available for weary travelers seeking a soft and quiet respite from the world, complete with inspiring temple views. We have big shoes to fill but we hope we can continue with the fine tradition of hospitality, love, and warm memories which G&G began there. We look forward to your visits!

Happy Birthday, America.

So I was looking online for fun stuff to do for the fourth, and this random little ditty showed up in the listings...


"Taco Milagro
2555 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX Spend the Fourth of July on the patio at this gourmet Mexican eatery, teeming with successful, attractive singles."

What the--

A little German girl with a very Swedish name...

Hey everyone I recently forced Jenny (honorary member of the fam) to start a blog! It's called "Hej Hej" and the address is:
http://mcosthed.blogspot.com/
Go, comment, fellowship, encourage, blog my loves! Blog like the wind!
Abby

You take that diaper off your head, you put it back on your sister!

I keep telling them that if they don't brush every day their teeth will rot and fall right out of their head. Just ask M. She's been functioning with only two!
My favorite thing, or rather most frequent thing, that I tell my kids is
"I am not a trash can".
What is your favorite/most necessary parenting phrase?

My fridge could beat up your fridge.

I know it looks rather empty but this is generally how it is. The staples being the Calcium rich OJ, uncooked tortillas and Sugar free Jello (for Clark and unsuspecting children). On the other hand, we always have condiments to fall back on. Note the fresh cherry cheesecake from a friend (one who doesn't realize that we are resisting sugar at the moment...er, trying to resist.) and the lone lemon in the drawer (his fate is undecided).

Time for a new post...Here's a topic:

I call on Mo to explain this picture and the interesting story of why it is no longer an issue, kind of. Papa is welcome to participate too, except that he is busy at his conference thingy. Mo, on the other hand, has nothin' but time...let's see, right now she could be doing any number of things, like...
exploring the shark reef, soaking up sun on the beach[es], catching a concert at the House of Blues, getting who knows what kind of fancy spa treatment, shooting craps, counting cards, fine dining, clubbing...(you know Mo)...and she doesn't even have to leave her hotel! But hey, no worries, your secret is safe--it's only cyberspace, right? And besides, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Go crazy...just make sure you take a picture because you don't look very amused in this one.

Question of the Day:

What's in your fridge?

The Best Dad in the Whole Wide World!

I want to shout it from the rooftops! I have the best Dad in the whole wide world!
Today J and I spoke in church--the topic was fathers. I used a great amount of restraint, so as to not "rub it in" for those who are less fortunate or may have lost their father or husband. But I feel compelled on this day especially to say how blessed I am to have such an amazing and Christlike example for a father. He is loving, nurturing, conscientious, and just (not to mention smart for choosing the woman he did). If only all children could grow up in a home with a father like mine, in a home where they know they are loved and where gospel principles are taught daily--a home where good humor and shining examples of honesty, hard work, and integrity lead and guide them on their way. If only I could be half the parent, half the human being...

I love you, Dad!
(And you're welcome because I almost included a picture of groggy birthday dad in pj's--very undignified.)

The Die is Cast

So the descision has been made. Sho and i are off to DC, of the Washington variety, come this fall. I am enrolled, yea, i am already signed up for classes in the International Communications MA program. my emphasis will be in conflict resolution and i may just change over to that program come winter. we'll see. anyway, we'll be in texas trying to get sho's visa before we go and working until then... or until the house sells or mo and dad want us out. classes start Aug. 28. i was informed that i have not improved on my 'informing the family what i'm doing' skill since getting married. sory. i'll try to do better. anyway, just thought ya'll like to know! 

'The Boys of Baraka'

My wife found these 10 free movie rentals from hollywood video and we have been using them about twice a week. as soon as we watch one, we usually drive straight to the video store to return it and get the next. we usually watch a show or a movie while we eat dinner. its become a fun 'thing' to do together. we like to talk about the movie afterwards and desiminate it to peices... if its worth it. some movies just end up being stupid i can be picky sometimes.

This past trip we found a movie/documentary called 'The Boys of Baraka'. Basically it follws a group of inner-city boys from baltimore who, by society's standard, have already been written off as future thugs, drug dealers or prisoners (like most of their parents are). They are chosen to spend their last two years of middle school in a boarding school in Kenya, Africa. its a tiny compound type place 20 miles away from the nearest town: basically its a place where they can explore and be what they feel instead of constantly having to react to the pressures of thier enviornment. It follows their first year and return home for their first summer break whereupon, because of growing political tensions in the region, the school's shut down and they are forced to return to public schools. some of them rise above and some return right back to where they had been. my favorite kid, who had around a 50 for math on his last report card in Maryland, returns and after a year in public school scores highest in the state in math for his grade. a few of the others see Bakara schools' closing as just another disappointment in life.

As for the film itself, it fully served its puropse of moving me on the part of these children. it was extremly well directed, operated, edited etc. it was a good movie. better than most.

as for the program and the school, i like very much what it did for these kids. it operated 8 years before being forced to close and saw tremendous success. if i could be so bold as to evaluate it and give feedback, i would say they could do more to prepare these children for their lives POST bakara experience. im sure they do much more than is shown in the film, but i always feel that these type of programs dont do enough to help the child UNDERSTAND the whys and hows about their life and what their choices really are. im not talking about religeon, im talking about explaining to the child that they dont have to have a foundation and a program take them out of their home and to the other side of the world for them to escape and have such an experience. they need to be taught how to BE like that on their own.

the only program i have come accross that does this, and does it WELL, is the Anasazi Foundation. One of my good friends from my major at BYUH worked for them for years and i was most impressed with their ability to teach children how to teach and even heal themselves. this is what must happen for these 'problems' of society and the world to have a chance of subsiding, and eventually dissapear. unless you can afford to send every disadvantaged youth in the world to africa for a couple years... but then what would we do with all the children in africa?

anyway, i definatly recommend 'The Boys of Bakara' to anyone for a good movie night. its not a movie you watch for fun, but it was not depressing. just thought provoking. 

A Great Big Happy Birthday to Suzie!!!

Today is a very special day for a certain member of our family who is reaching a significant milestone in her life. HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY TO SUZIE PETUNIA! We are all so glad you are part of our eternal family and we love you and admire you for all that you do as a sister, daughter, wife, mother, and friend. You are an example and joy to us all and we love you! Have wonderful day and remember that life is just beginning at 30!

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Has anyone else had problems trying to view the family blog? This is my attempt to fix it.

Movie Review: The DaVinci Code

OK, so mother and I (together with the rest of western civilization) went to see Tom Hanks try to convince us that he knew the difference between the Fibonacci sequence and Meg Ryan's telephone number. I found it entertaining and an interesting challenge to try and keep track of all the inconsistencies, incongruities and impossibilities in 110 minutes of film (I think that's where Fibonacci got his start!) I mean, just walk up to the Madonna of the Rocks in the Louvre (not exactly the Springville Art Museum), lift it off the wall and out drops Grandpa's car keys? We used to just hide the spare in the garage!
I liked the girl. She was cute but after the $10,000 her parents (real ones, not the fake ones in the "out of nowhere" car crash...scared me off my seat!) she could have smiled more. Silas was spooky. I knew a guy like that once. He was on our track team. We could never figure out how he ran with that metal thing on his leg! I also really admire the man murdered in the beginning. Shot in the gut, he still had plenty of time to draw circles and traiangles and notes and numbers and a reminder to the milkman to leave 2% instead of whole.
But the best was Gandolph. I knew he was a good wizard, but transforming himself into a wacky, rich, well-connected (knew all the right people in the Vatican) "Teacher" was really cool. In moving Mary Magdalen to the other side of Jesus and trasforming her into John the Beloved, did Leonardo really invent "cut & paste"? I thought it was Bill Gates...or Steve Jobs...or my Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Hardy.
As I said, I liked the movie. It kept me entertained right up until the end. The end was really lame. Tom Hanks' last conversation with the woman he has been chased with, shot at, threatened, and figured a lot of neat stuff out with went something like, "Well, so you are a direct descendent of Jesus Christ. Uhmmm, well, have a nice day!"
One last little question: The people who are building our house will have to dig, level and pour concrete under our version of the Louvre pyramid. Are we to believe that the construction guys in Paris really did miss that big stone box with the lady in it? Immigrant labor!
Enjoy "The Code" but don't try to figure it out. Fibonacci already has that covered!

Come on, People!

Are your lives really that boring? Or too busy? I miss you all so...

P.S. Mo and Dad say they love me best. ;)

Happy Mothers' Day to Mo!

A Mothers' Day Haiku REVISED

I wish I had time
To write a pretty sonnet
Happy Mothers' Day

A Mothers' Day Limerick

There once was a mother called "Mo"
Who raised 7 children you know
She toiled for years
Through blood, sweat and tears
And now has 13 grandkids to show

A Mothers' Day Sonnet

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou are more lovely and more temperate
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May
And summer's lease hath all too short a date
... blah blah blah... more plagerism... blah blah...
blah blah blah... is this ten syllables yet?
How many lines is this supposed to take?
Let's say ten. Yah, ten sounds real good... real good.
And in conclusion I would like to say...
I love you so much - HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY!I love you, Mom!

P.S. Chip, do you have anything you would like to add?...

You Won't Believe This, But...

...our Pater Familias has joined the blogging world! Check out his blog at http://Oskarsbo.blogspot.com Will wonders never cease?

Marathon Mommy

Today Suzie Petunia made us all proud. She ran her first marathon and did a phenomenal job! She ran the Ogden Marathon in 3 hours and 57 minutes! Way to go Suzie! You can see that she had a lot of support and many fans to cheer her on. Pictured here are her fans, Suzie and her husband at the finish line, and the feet that pounded the pavement for 26.2 miles! She is doing well and feeling good. We are all so proud!