Dad's Sage Advice

Each of the seven Oscarson children has heard their father say the following at least a thousand times growing up:

BE GOOD AND DO GOOD, BUT IF YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE, BE GOOD!

An interesting conversation the other night has prompted a question. Just what do YOU think he meant by saying that? I would really love it if each of you would make a comment telling how you interpreted his sage advice. This could be very interesting if the above mentioned conversation with Spencer is any indication. Don't be shy, tell us what you think.

Now I understand...

People, I finally understand why our beloved Mother has an affinity for "collecting" so many pens and pencils. I have started locking the door to the office because my "supplies" keep mysteriously disappearing at the little hands of my offspring. So often I open my desk drawer to retrieve a writing utensil and there is nary a pen or pencil to be found. So several times a year I purchase entire packages of pens and pencils to replenish my supply. Perhaps I should think about adding a small family of scorpions to the drawer to deter any further break-ins...Abby, wanna hook me up with some tiny poisonous friends from NV?
So that's it...our Mother is simply compensating for the lack of writing utensil respect that we, her children inflicted upon her for oh, so many years.
Collect on Mo, collect on.
I think that maybe we need to see some pictures of your pens and pencils, organized by brand and color/pattern. It would make me very happy.

Need a laugh?

Sorry, I don't mean to overshadow the Giles' new digs (which are very cool looking, apple trees and goats included!) but I came across this while organizing some files the other day and I was laughing so hard I cried...maybe it was a slow day around the Scharman house.
Here's to carefree days in Hawaii...enjoy.
Isn't our family funny?

Then Mo gets in on the fun...

What? We're Moving?

Yes, yes we are. We hope to have our house rented to a nice, clean family and have us moved into our new digs around Christmas. (Fun, huh? Who wants to come to Oregon for Christmas!?) Some of you have requested pictures of our soon-to-be new dwelling. We refer to it affectionately as "the cottage". Here ya go:

My Fabulous Fall Favorite

This has been my favorite part of autumn this year:

There used to just be a plain old sidewalk where I would run...

But fall has provided a soft, plush red carpet to quiet my footfalls.
Oh, it is lovely. And it makes me feel like a queen.

Falling for Fall

I think it's time to jumpstart the family blog again. Here is a challenge. Everyone loves Fall and since we all live in different parts of the country...okay, some of you do...post your best picture of what Fall looks like in your neighborhood. Here in Salt Lake City I am finally seeing the leaves change color. It has taken forever but this is what I saw on Tuesday on my walk in Memory Grove. Come one folks, we have some great photographers in the family (yes,I'm talking to you Svenska & Sheaux)so let's see what you've got.

Are These People Related to the Scharmans?

After reading a recent post by Emily and assuming those nerdy-looking people were a one-of-a-kind breed, you can imagine my shock to see this picture which appeared in the Deseret News recently. Em? Do you have relatives in the Salt Lake area of whom you are not aware?

Family Reunion Pics Are Up...

Well, they may not be great, but that are affordable!! Click the above link and look for the set called "Family Portraits". Maybe I'll just hotlink the name for you so you can click right to it. I feel like I rushed some of the processing because I really wanted to get some of these up while they are fresh in your memory. Please feel free to email or call me with requests for changes. It will give the best results, if you want to change something, if you have me go back on the RAW file to edit and resave than it would for you to edit a JPEG file (which all of these are now).

If you have a flickr screenname (its a yahoo account name and it's free), at the top of the picture (if you are going through them one at a time), you will see a button which says "All Sizes". If you click that you can see the picture in its largest 'original' size. You can then right click and 'Save As...'. Typically you would want permission from the person to do this, but I am giving you permissin AND they are pictures of you, so why would I care?

I hope you enjoy. We really had fun taking them and I really learned a lot from the experience!

My baby can do that too!

Wait for us, Hazel! We're just learning to smile now, and we can't wait to get these girls together for an expectorating contest...or would it be a regergetation contest? I don't know for sure...

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Just something new...

We got us a sucker...the first one. It's fun 'cause it's novel for us.

And this is Hazel just being Hazel...note the wet chest...she spits up and drools so much you can pretty much count on her ALWAYS being wet with something (you just won't know what it is until you get a whiff.) Now how can we get Stella and Hazel together to play and compare notes?

Boy Oh Boy...It's a Girl!!!

In case you haven't heard the news yet, Abby and James' baby was born today. Except there was a little change of plans. You know that boy they were expecting? Well, it isn't a boy....IT'S A GIRL!!!! It was a grand surpirse for all of us, most of all for Abby and James. All that aside, they are thrilled, shocked, and grinning from ear to ear. She weighes 8 pounds 1 ounce, is 18 3/4 inches long, and was born at 12:24 PM this afternoon. She has a little bit of dark hair and big chubby cheeks. I think she looks a lot like Abby did but don't hold me to that, as babies seem to morph regularly for the first year. Abby was a super trooper and did great. Caleb is very sweet with his little sister and James has fallen in love. She has no name as yet but they will decide on one as soon as the shock wears off. So here are her first portraits.




Welcome to the family little Miss McCoy!!! We love you already!!!

Cubby Oscarson?

I just can't figure out who this kid looks like...Hello! Has anyone seen my husband's DNA? Cubby seems to have misplaced it.

Abby Times Two

It's that time of year again when both of our Abbys turn another year older. All of our love and best wishes to the two greatest Abbys in the world! We hope you both have very HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!

Do you think these two might be related?

Hazel Christina Scharman & Her Family

The Scharman girls had the chance to meet their new sister this morning and as you can see, they make quite an impressive group. Can you believe the cuteness factor in this family? Clark had better find a big stick to start beating off the boys in a few years!
We now have an official name--at least the last time I talked to the happy parents, so it may be subject to change. Her name is Hazel Christina Scharman. Both mom and baby are doing well.

Welcome to the World Baby Scharman

After one failed attempt last week and lots and lots of work, little baby girl Scharman finally made her appearance on Saturday, April 5, at 9:22 pm. It also happens to be Alice Giles birthday so she has an immediate "birthday buddy!" Happy First Birthday to Alice, BTW!!! The newest Scharman weighed in at 8 pounds and is 21 inches long. It was a very long and hard day for Emily but she was magnificent and worked just about as hard as I have ever seen anybody work! No name yet, but they were interviewing the new one to see what she preferred so that will be announced soon. Congratulations to Emily, Clark, Haley, Abby, and Mia!!! We are all so happy for you.

Happy Retirement, Dad!

Today is the big day! I don't know about everyone else, but for me it is really hard to imagine our dad not putting on a dark suit, white shirt, a tie, and shiny black shoes every day! I know he has been looking forward to this day for a very long time, and I am so happy for you, Dad. I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of these trademark relaxation clothes from now on, and I'm so glad! When Dad is in his crisp non-work-day outfit you just know a good time will be had by all! I look forward with you to this next (fun and hopefully relaxing) phase of your life. You - more than anyone I have ever known - deserve a wonderful retirement! You have dedicated your life to supporting your family, and you have done it honorably and well. You have been a loved and respected boss, employee and co-worker for so many years. You have been so talented at what you do. You have been loyal and devoted to your company through good times and bad. And when was the last time you really got to enjoy Christmas? I imagine the Powers That Be where you are leaving are wiping away tears today. I'm sure they know what a gem they are waving a fond farewell to. You have been so loyal and good and true. You have set an example of how to work and provide for a family for all of your children to see. I hope you can sit back, relax a little and enjoy the fruits of your many years of labor... for many years to come.

I wish I could be there with you this weekend, Dad. I hope there is a big family party in the works, because this is something to really celebrate! I can't wait to see what you accomplish now that your time will be your own. We love you, Dad. Thank you for being the best Dad and best example any children could hope for. We love you so much!

Rumblings of Spring

Spring is coming and it reminds us how beautiful it is to live in a place with seasons. I thought I would share. I took these on campus on the way to class today. These are apple blossoms, I think.

Any Oscarsons Recognize This Song?

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In case you need a little help:

Two little boys had two little toys,
Each was a wooden horse.
Gaily they played each summer's day,
Bold soldiers, of course.
One little lad had a mishap,
Broke off his horse's head.
Cried for his toy 'till the other sweetly said,
"Did you think I would leave you crying,
When there's room on my horse for two?
Come on, Jack, we'll soon be riding.
Off with the boys in blue.
When we grow up we will both be soldiers,
And our horses no longer toys,
And I wonder if we'll remember
When we were two little boys."
The long years had passed, the war came at last.
Boldly they rode away.
Cannons roared loud 'midst the mad crowd,
Wounded and dying Bill lay.
A horse galloped by, and a voice rang loud and clear.
"Did you think I would leave you dying,
When there's room on my horse for you?
Come on, Bill, we'll soon be riding.
Off with the boys in blue.
Now we've grown up and we've both been soldiers,
And our horses no longer toys.
And I know now that we remember
When we were two little boys."

Sarah's Instruction on Videos

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