Smurf This

Smurf scarcity is over! I have come across some treasure troves of Smurf nostalgia that take me back to 1982.

There is a great toystore at the Pike's Place Market called the Dragon's Toybox that sells the little blue figurines for $2.99. Quite a bargain, even by my cheap/frugal standards. I bought a few of them for Aja & Anna and they are smurfing over the moon about them.

Also, Netfilx & Youtube have full episodes for viewing. The cartoons stand the test of time...they are quite good. However, I have to say, the whole thing of using the word "smurf" as a substitute for verbs & adjectives sounds suspect at times. I suppose I have become less innocent than I was at age 9. Anyway, I hope adults and kids alike will enjoy these smurfs as much as I have. Smurf this youtube video.

"Carm, you're totally rockin' it!" - Aja, age 4

We've been flying kites on Friday nights for the past 3 weeks. It's been really fun. Last night when Carmen was at the controls Aja said, "Carm, you're totally rockin' it!" It's funny to hear your kids parrot back things you never knew you said.

Speaking of Carm, she is totally rockin' it as a mom. Happy Mother's day sweetie.

Here are some action shots of Aja, Carmen & Liv.

On our last poll, the #1 thing you're sick of is high gas prices. Although I must admit, I was surprised by all the pent-up angst about Thomas Kinkade. Funny stuff.

Anyway in response to your displeasure with the price of oil & gas, you get to vote for your favorite "gas-less" modes of transportation. Mine are Tevas and wagons. What are yours?

Inside The Dragon

I've really been enjoying the May issue of National Geographic. It's entirely dedicated to China...it's beauty, sheer size, diversity, and evolving culture. Amy Tan wrote a fascinating article entitled A Village on the Edge of Time about the Dong people. It's amazing to me to get a glimpse into the mindsets and traditions of this small ethnic group. Check it out.

The articles reminded me of my travels in China nearly 10 years ago. One of my favorite places was the Li River in the Guangxi Province. I will never forget the full-day river cruise through the beautiful limestone pinnacles.

Reading about the pressure to succeed that is often put on middle-class school children, made me appreciate my Chinese friends from business school and work. They have achieved so much. One good friend at The U of Chicago (I won't use his name) was one of the student leaders in the Tientiananmen Square protests in 1989. His stories are remarkable to say the least.

The magazine also has some pictures of the architecture for the Bejing Summer Olympics. The "Bird's Nest" stadium and the "Bubble Wrap" swimming venue are mod and super cool.

Tulip Fest

Now that our guests (my mom & sister Heidi) have left, the weather has become gorgeous. Nevertheless, we had a great time despite silly mother nature. Perhaps Ms. Nature had depleted her supply of mood stabilizing meds.

In fact, last week we turned around in-route because there was 3 inches of snow on the freeway. Aja bawled her eyes out. "I WANT tulips."

Today it was sunny and 70. We drove the 80 miles up to the Skagit Valley for the Tulip Fest. It's one of our favorite events of the year. As you can see in the pictures, it's reminiscent of Holland. Enjoy.

This one is a classic...totally un-staged

In Anna's mind, this is her most beautiful smile
Goofy Aja

Millions of tulips. Check out Anna sniffing them...

Cleo Ann Hears a Who!

My mom, Ann, and my sister Heidi are in town this week. It's really great to have them here. They are loving Aja, Anna & Liv. Since we only see our family from Utah once or twice a year, it's so cool to see the kids interact with their Grandma and Aunt. This picture was taken at the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle.

Cleo Ann Glauser Jensen is 71. She was the original health nut. She was one of the first to adopt the "jogging" craze back in the mid-1970's. When I was a kid, she regularly forced me to eat yucky health foods (natural, organic foods have become much more palatable over the past 30 years).

When I had to take the treat bucket to my 1st grade class--Ann filled it with whole-wheat-raisin-filled cookies. She fulfilled my special birthday party request for pizza with whole wheat pizza. Needless to say, my friends mocked me. I survived and I'm a better person for it. In fact, I have become a disciple of Ann's healthy eating and healthy attitudes.

I have also benefited from Ann's unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Over the years, I have seen her address life's problems with optimism, humility, faith, and action. She has a sure knowledge that life has a good purpose. Thank you mom for all you've done for me.

Numero Uno

Our sweet Liv celebrated her first birthday this past week. I told Carmen that I'd be blogging about it and she said,"I thought your blog was supposed to be different, more edgy."

Well, blogging about the Osmonds isn't exactly edgy. Regardless, I'm gonna write about things that are important and fun to me. My family, especially this sweet/juicy one year old IS really important to me. She had a great time digging into her own cake. As you can see below, we had to help her get going, but she figured it out.

Tribute to Stevie

As a special treat, we spent some time on youtube teaching the girls about Stevie Wonder. They loved him jamming to Superstition on Sesame Street. Before bed, I had them walking around the house with their eyes closed. Anna was bumping into walls. Blindness is such a new, crazy concept to them.

Anyway, on youtube, we came across this Osmonds & Cher medley of Stevie songs. Yes, the jumpsuits are outrageously funny...however, the performance seriously rocks the house! This arrangements, harmonies, and great dance moves blow me away. This is live TV and they totally nail it. Wow!