Johnny Angel

We had a great trip to Utah, thanks to Becky and Brent, for John and Katharine's wedding! We were lazy picture takers but here's what we have to share.
Here's the temple at night from the 9th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building where we had the wonderful and fun dinner the night before the wedding.

My only picture of John and Katharine leaving the temple doors.
Congratulations hug from Mom.

All smiles from Evan, Angie, Julie and John.
More smiles. Anyone's cheeks hurting yet?
With Andrew, Mom and Dad, or is it Grandma and Grandpa? I never know.

It was a wonderful time and we were so glad we could be there. John and Katharine looked so happy and we were happy to meet her and welcome her into the family. We saw Amanda too, and so many cousins and relatives. I think I talked to them each for about 3 minutes a piece, but I always love being reminded that I'm part of a bigger, stronger family and not just out here in the dreary world by myself. What a blessing it is to have such a loving family.

Congratulations John and Katharine!

Scarecrow Festival

Scarecrow Festival 2008

In mid-October we all volunteered at the Scarecrow Festival at Thanksgiving Point.  It ran for 4 days.  Evan was the main "fry guy"--we don't know how many fries and fry-bread tortillas he made, but he was good at it!  Brent took food orders and cashiered, Julie was in charge of sodas and Becky and Linda helped with the children's games and ticket gate.  John and Katharine helped in the food pavillion, too.  Over 40,000 visitors came.  We had a great time and enjoyed being together!

Utah or Bust

Good luck to Becky, Brent and Linda on your new adventure to Utah, Take 2. We love you and know you'll all do well there. We can't wait to check out the guest room soon!

Oscarson Family Reunion in Utah

Well Elmer Jones arose at dawn and put his huntin' britches on and looked up at his shot gun on the wall... No reunion would be complete without Elmer Jones! What a great time we had at the picnic with so many of our family members that we hadn't seen for way too long! It was so great to see everyone - it had been entirely too long, but it seemed like just yesterday - family's great that way! The kids have all grown, but somehow we've managed to stay the same - right?? Uncle Paul and Aunt Bonnie worked so hard to make this weekend happen and I am so grateful to them for it! Emily made a new and improved Birthday calendar and Amy put together Mema's history for us all. I have truly enjoyed reading all about Mema's life. I have been staying up way too late for too many nights (apparantly I'm a really slow reader!) really getting to know this remakable woman. I am so grateful to be a part of this amazing family and am so proud to be an Oscarson. I wish more of you could have been there, but I am looking forward to our own reunion soon.

THE TRIP!!!!

Kacey and I had the incredible opportunity to spend the weekend in Utah with our long lost Oscarson cousins! We had SUCH a great time! Kacey was a little nervous about the plane ride at first (it was a bit too loud!) but after a quick prayer for help to be brave, she was doin' just fine! She loved looking out the window at the changing landscape (including the Grand Canyon), but the best part was the 1 1/2 hour layover in Arizona where we got to ride the moving sidewalk about a million times.

Once we arrived, Mom and Dad picked us up and took us to Temple Square where we got to see all the sights and take a ton of pictures. I thought Kacey would get bored or have zero interest, but I was quite happily surprised. She loved it all - the Tabernacle, Visitors Center and of course the park on top of the Conference Center.

After that we got to spend the rest of our time with our cousins in Bountiful. What a fabulous time we all had! It was so great being able to catch up with all of my cousins that I grew up with. And to meet all of their adorable kids too! It was so funny, they all came running in and I had no clue who belonged to whom - they all look like they could be siblings! Kacey had a ball with them - and with all of the dress-up clothes. Her favorite though, had to be the treasure chest full of gems! My favorite thing had to be the fact that I could relax and sit with the grown-ups not worrying that anyone was breaking anything, hitting anyone or running away and falling off the side of the mountain! (Kacey is so grown-up and responsible now!!) I did miss my boys (and I think they may have missed me too), but I really REALLY had a great, relaxing, fun time!!

Swedish Travelers

Becky and Julie had a great time together in Sweden! We walked all over Stockholm and Uppsala, drove through Dalarna, went to Carl Larssons home, and even saw Dave's pen display at NK.  Julie loved her BYU study abroad experience this summer!  

Food, Folks, and Fun

We had so much fun with Linda last week! On Thursday night we got together with the Lowe's for dinner. Here's Linda helping Andrew saute some mushrooms. That's her new apron that she made while staying with us! She loved Andrew's Texas flag apron and can do a convincing Texas accent on demand.
Matt may be getting some good Italian food on his mission, but check out this Chicken Marsalla Andrew whipped up, with a little help from Linda. You should have smelled it. It was absolutely divine. Not shown are the buttermilk mashed potatoes with fresh chives from Debbie's garden, zucchini and yellow squash, and rolls. We were so full of Italian goodness.

Lydia helped too by keeping Sam and Michael busy "cooking" too. I'm not sure what they made but I'm sure it was delicious!

Jacob got home after dinner from working his last shift at McDonald's this summer before he starts his senior year next week. I think he'll gladly trade his Big Mac's for some of Andrew's cooking. Michael was brushing everyone's hair in just before this picture and Sam is wearing a bowl "hat."
We said goodbye and met up again the next day for lunch in Georgetown. Before we ate our actual lunch, we found the new cupcake store and indulged in dessert before lunch. Michael can't wait to get his bite! This is how he asks for food - leaning forward with an open mouth. So cute.
A woman in the cupcake store recommended this nearby sandwich shop. Josh came from work and had lunch with us.

Lydia ate about 1/4 of that hamburger and took the rest home with all of the leftover fries. No one tried the Beijing special, in honor of the Olympics. No risk takers!

Here's the cousins waiting for the elevator to the garage at the mall. I think they had a lot of fun together . We realized that after Jacob's mission, he and Linda will both be sophomores in college. If they're both at BYU Jacob has commissioned Linda to help re-integrate him into post-mission society by introducing him to her girlfriends when he returns to Provo. There's some forward thinking! It was a short visit, but we all had a lot of fun being together and are grateful for our fun family! For more on Linda's visit, see my blog.

Cousin Linda

Cousin Linda arrived today, much to Michael and Sam's delight. We look forward to gallivanting around the DC toddler scene during the next few days and having fun together at home. They put on a real show for Linda all afternoon doing all of their tricks and being totally hilarious. More to come . . .