THE CONQUERING BIO GIRL

Sarah returned home safe, sound and thrilled with her AP Biology Camp experience. None of us, including Mom and Dad (opps!) really knew where the camp was until she returned home last night (see below). I wish you all could have been there to hear of her adventures. Hopefully there will be a post (or two) and descriptions of the fun, activities, people, sights, thrills... and a mention of the associated scrapes, bruises and blisters.

Célébrer

The Eiffel tower opened to the public ... riding their bicyles around it... 120 years ago today, marking the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution.

Showing our true colors at Holi: Festival of Colors

Yesterday, Rachel and I had the amazing privilege of going to the Krishna Temple to participate in the Holi Festival of Colors or the festival of good vs. evil. It is a Hindu spring festival that embodies all the festivity, liveliness and exuberance of the season. Fortunately it was a springish day. The exuberance is expressed by people throwing powder/flour substance dyed in bright colors. Thousands of people come. It is quite a sight.

We had to park far away. Cars were lining the highway.

There is the Krishna Temple.

This is the burning of the effigy Hollika who was killed by 

an evil God in her pursuits to do good.

Rachel Engulfed in Color!

Me Engulfed in Color!

Color Covered!

Hare Krishna!

The Gang: Me, Connect, Erika, Nate, Rachael, Rachel.

Connecticut, ready for war!

Walking back to the car.

Do I have something on my face?

Why are you looking at me like that?

Me like colors.

Do you like my make-up?

Does this color look good on me?

Our Saturday Morning

We had a nice visit with Stefanie this morning and their snowed in situation. We visited while I was fixing breakfast for me and dad. Sorry for the stark contrast - it is a beautiful day here in California. Sarah is off to a AP Bio field trip so dad and I enjoyed breakfast on the back porch. Now we're off to go to the temple.

We are LITERALLY Snowed in!

The worst part is we don't have milk!!! Now if worse comes to worse we have some powdered milk, but I think there are a couple members of this family that will trek on foot to the nearest gas station hoping they have milk before we go there. It has now snowed for many, many hours. The snow itself is only about a foot to a foot and a half deep. It's the drifts that have us stuck at home. The drifts around our house are at least 4 feet high. That would be some seriously digging if we wanted to get out of here. Most of the streets in our neighborhood are not driveable either. I assume our car wouldn't make it to a main road that has hopefully been plowed. It is supposed to keep snowing until this afternoon. I'm very glad I wasn't a pioneer. I'm very happy to be snug and warm in my house with my heater running. I have a great supply of cocoa, and we have power, so woohoo! I also have enough supplies to make chocolate suckers for 60 people (which I was going to take to all the primary children tomorrow... I think there won't be church though) So we can definitely have fun making some for ourselves!
Being snowed in shouldn't be too bad at all. If you ever wanted to call us, today would be the day that you know you wouldn't miss us... we'll be here... all day it looks like. Probably tomorrow also! :)

Severe Weather- Updated

I hope this doesn't kill our spring garden! Kansas has the craziest weather!

UPDATE: This picture was taken at lunch



Here we are 4 hours later. It is snowing like crazy! I'm afraid we may have to bid farewell to out tomatos. We have had such a mild winter I thought we would be safe putting them in early. I guess not!

What 336 is having tonight!!

We didn't pull out our garden from last year and this is the first yield from our plants. We are going to try Teriyaki and Pineapple Chicken. I'll post it on Creme Sue-ley if it is any good.

Thanks to all on my Birthday

Mom, Dad and Sarah Gave me some great gifts, most of all was the CD of the slides and we all (Marybeth, Rachel, and Jeff) had some good laughs and took a trip down memory lane.
Thank you to Jason Stefanie and especially Paisley's art work and homemade card and talking on the phone. Katie Dallin and Elizabeth for your fun card talking on the phone. And Janice thank you for your great card. Jeff and Rachel were so great to. Jeff surprised us all with a special lunch, I am hoping that Rachel posts the pictures, and Rachel treated us all to the Cannon Center. Everyone was so nice. And I am grateful for Marybeths Family for calling and singing as well It was very fun.
Marybeth gets the biggest kiss from me, she was so nice and gave me some really great things. I wasn't expecting so much clothes, but I am sure glad that they came my way.
Marybeth made this awesome cake. I didn't see it until right before I blew out some candles, But I new she was working on it, and I am sure glad she did it was SOOOO good.
Me making a wish and blowing out all the candles on my very own
It was a double layer Ice Cream cake. It make it even better the chocolate layer was Rocky Road which happens to be my favorite. It tasted so good, and looked even better.
We were able to bring out the Birthday banner, Thank you Mom for providing that for us it was great to have that hanging there.


We went to Tucanos on Tuesday night with a free meal from the Birthday Club. They had about 4 other birthdays near our table so we all had to stand up and dance while they sang to us. I was the only one who danced the entire time. It was pretty fun

TO ROBBIE:

We wish you the happiest of birthday's Robb with this slide show of the-best-of "slides" Dad converted from the family slide collection starring YOU.

= REALLY COOL "R" BUDDY BIRTHDAY WISHES!!!!

LOVE BEING YOUR BUDDY ROBB!

{and may i say - what an attractive equation this turned out to be!}

Tap Project

How many times have you gone to a restaurant and gotten water? It's great. Water is more healthy and it's free! What if they started charging you a dollar for water? Outrage! But...what if that dollar went to providing water for those who don't?

Please watch:

A revolutionary idea! Your one dollar can provide fresh, clean water for someone for 40 days!

Here is another Tap Project promotional video produced by BYU students:

I know that you are so excited to go get some water...right? Find a restaurant near you that participates!

Find more info on UNICEF's Tap Project.

Mike Larsen Visit

A couple of weeks ago the Mike Larsens came over to see the Todd Larsens for spring break. We had a great time visiting, had lunch, and then did some hymn singing in the front room. It was great. What a fantastic bunch.

Great Luncheon

Barb put on a great luncheon after the wedding. I had to document the food because she has such a beautiful way of displaying it.