Small-land @ IKEA

Today is Anna's 3rd birthday! She has been looking forward to it for months. Not so much for the presents and the pink cake...at 3 she meets the minimum age requirement for "the Balls IKEA." For months she's been reminding us this is her ultimate birthday fantasy.

This morning we fulfilled her birthday wish. She had a ball (no pun intended). Here are some photos.

BTW - We topped of the visit with a plate of Swedish Meatballs and Lingenberry Sauce. Yum!

Blizzard Mahem

No, it's not a new flavor at the DQ.

We had a great day goofing in the snow up near Snoqualmie Pass on Saturday. It's about 25 minutes from our place. It's nice to live less than a 1/2 hour from either the Mountains or the Sea.

At one point, when I was unsuccessfully trying to throw snowballs at a sign Carmen said,"I had a feeling you weren't that good at throwing." I guess she didn't marry me because I'm a jock.

Here are some photo highlights. We couldn't resist snapping this first one of Anna. Click to enlarge.

Random Observations from the Past Week

Scottish Highland Dancing is fun for 4 year olds. Aja skipped ballet and when straight for prancing around in a kilt. She’s having a blast & I’m thrilled to have a ‘wee lassie’ in our clan.

Being sick is NOT fun. However, it instills much greater empathy for others who are ailing. I just can’t seem to kick this flu/sinus-infection bug I’ve had for 1.5 weeks.

Happiness is found in enjoying life’s simple pleasures. It was Anna’s week to pick the FHE treat; she picked cough drops (Lemon Ricola to be exact).

Getting older can be fun. Birthdays are an opportunity to celebrate life and friendships. We had a house full of 25+ people to eat Carmen's amazing German Chocolate Cake and celebrate my 35^th (which is actually tomorrow).

Brazilian Jazz makes for the best party music. Put on some Walter Wanderley or some Antonio Carlos Jobim and you’re good to go.

What goes around comes around. Yes, I may have been a nightmare student to my Seminary teachers while growing up…so, now I’ve been called to be an Early Morning Seminary Teacher. Actually, the kids are much more mature that I was at their age. So far I’m loving every moment of it (except for the 5AM alarm of course).

Being a sportsfan is nothing but a heartache. Championships are rare, so most seasons end with a loss. The Seahawks flamed out in the playoffs again, but it was actually fun to watch that crazy Brett Favre work his magic.

Goals are good. I finally got mine for 2008 on paper. Watch out, it’s going to be a great year for me.

(Here are some random pictures of the girls this week for your viewing pleasure.)

Vote for your favorite Muppet

A friend of mine in high-school once mused: "Is it okay to talk like a Muppet on the first date?"

I'm not going to answer that question, but for the next two weeks I'm giving you the opportunity to vote for your favorite Muppets. I decided to limit the voting to old-school muppets. Yep, no Zoe or Elmo. This was hard for me---yet despite Elmo's great attitude and my 2 yr old Anna's pleading---I have to stick to my principles.

In case you're wondering, I voted for Dr. Teeth. This guy is the quintessential, 70's cool-guy rocker. (see the video below)

(Editors Note on 2/9: Grover dominated the voting w/ 50%+ votes. Animal and Kermit were tied for a distant second. Chicks dig Grover!)

PS - By the way, the last poll revealed that Pork (55% of votes) is actually the reigning champion of white meats. Not only did you overwhelmingly select it over chicken (20%), but beef (15%) and fish (10%) as well.

2007 Superlatives

Here are my "Greatest Hits" of 2007. What a great year!

Best Art - Jenny's 36 sq ft oil painting that makes our house hip and never fails to brighten my day.


Best New Addition - Liv Loree Jensen (born on 4.5.07) is a joy and a delight. This pose totally reminded me of the classic Woody Allen photo!
Best Development - Jenny's marriage to Siba and their new baby Benu 11 months later!




Best Website - www.pandora.com. I was stuck in a rut and not discovering new music. Pandora acts like a DJ that predicts songs and artists you'll like based on your preferences. It's free.
Best Concert - Sondre Lerche solo show. I had a great chat with him during the warm-up about Burt Bacharach, my daughter Aja (he loves Steely Dan), and his fanbase in Utah (especially the Busks!).
Best New Album - Sonre Lerche "Phantom Punch" (2/2007). A bit harder-edged than previous works. Who said 24 year old Norwegians can't rock?












Best Newish Album - The Rebirth "The Journey In" (11/2005). This album is not only progressive, but it is also a throwback to the glory days of Earth, Wind, and Fire. I fell in love after one listen. Thanks for the introduction brother Jon.
Best Rediscovered Album - The Police "Synchronicity"(Miss Gradenko reminds me of my buddy Tosh Brown). Rediscovered in preparation for The Police reunion concert. I was on the front row, lower bowl, adjacent to the stage. Amazing.
Best Restaurant Discovery - Szechuan Chef 15015 Main St., Bellevue, WA. Fiery Green Beans are my fave! It's right by the Stake Center, giving me extra motivation to attend Priesthood training meetings.
Best Film - "On a Clear Day" it's Scottish, funny and inspirational (3 of my favorite adjectives).
Favorite Recipie - Lemon Budino. Tender, tangy, easy cake/custards. Yummy on a weeknight! (click for recipe)
Best Book - "Chief Customer Officer" - Jenne Bliss (work), "Harry Potter & The Deathly Hollows" - JK Rowling (what can I say...I despise Lord Voldomort).
Best Vacation Spot - Lake Chelan with our friends John & Haley (Christensen) Dame. Chelan is the "The French Alps of Washington" (I made that title up).








Best Tile Pattern - Ann Sachs "Pennies". We love it our newly remodeled bathrooms. (plus a bonus pict of Liv)









Hardest Labor - Flagstone walkway. Lifting literally tons of rock and sand made me glad I have a desk job.

Hot Tubbin with the Swiss

It has been 5 years since Carmen and I spent Christmas in Rome and New Year's in Venice. Since then we haven't traveled abroad, except for our annual trips to Vancouver. I suppose we've been busy raising some baby girls.

We've found the perfect spot for a future big trip---the Thermal Baths in Vals Switzerland (Grandpa Glauser would be proud). This place looks so dreamy. We stumbled upon it in an architecture documentary we tried on a whim from Netflix ("Architectures Disk #2).

The Vals thermal pool hewn out of local rock was created in 1996 and appears to offer the ultimate hot-tubbin experience in the midst of modern architecture. It is the first building in Switzerland to be placed on the list of protected Swiss Heritage Conservation sites after only two years.

It looks like the minimum age for kids is 5, so you can bet we'll be there in 2012 when Liv turns 5! Until then we'll stick with Vancouver.

Of course, all friends and family are invited to join us. So start saving up your Swiss Francs.

4 Yr Old Fashionista - New Glasses

Sweet Aja got her new glasses today. She looks so fabulous!

They are bifocals that will help correct her Refractive Esotropia. Essentially she has a difficult time focusing on things that are up close. This causes her to look a bit cross-eyed at times. Wearing the glasses will help her left eye get stronger and she is likely to grow out of them in her tweens (11-13 yrs old).

She is a super nice kid. We love her so much. It's fun to see her grow up!