Preparing for the Holi fun

Jason was ambushed before we even left home. See the next picture...

Leila and her friends were armed with squirt guns from Leila's room and they had the perfect point for getting people down below. Fortunately for us, they were not very good shots!

Surveying the scene from above.

The necessary tools for a good Holi. Water balloons, squirt guns, water balloon filler...

Gene & Jason getting prepped for the action.

After shots continued...

Even poor Taji got pelted by a few balloons and some tikka powder.

Jordana, Grant & Jason

Jordana, Grant & Darsi

More "after" photos

Mike

Leslie, Jordana, Israel and Marie finishing up

Mike at the finish

Mark, Amanda and Sheila finishing

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day today mostly just by wearing green (or Green Bay attire in Gene's case). Here, Leila has taken away my green beer at the Marine House happy hour.

Gene, Erica & Chris at the Marine House

Earlier in the day, Leila hung out with Aya & Aferebea...

...and Grandma & Granddaddy got to experience the three balls of energy in full force!

Leila & Taji. In this picture, the white on Taji's chest almost matches Leila's shamrock on her shirt!

A Visit to Famous Bhaktapur

The fam at the tallest temple in Nepal. I thought the statues at the base were more impressive however, hence the picture. The temple was 30 meters tall.

Another family out enjoying the weather as well, from their balcony.
Grandma June making sure Leila stays safe.
This dog was operating a very expensive looking jewelry store. Most places let you negotiate prices, but I hear the dog was very difficult to negotiate with.
Leila really liked this little puppy, and was mildly distraught she couldn't pet it.

More from Bhaktapur

A little girl just as cute as Leila.

Leila sharing a sticker with a boy.
Guard lions in front of the old palace.
Leila taking a snack break on top of an old dance platform.
And, enjoying the rocking horses at the wood carving shop. Bhaktapur is famous for its woodcarvings. Check out the windows and carvings in the picture above.

More Bhaktapur 2

Here is the tallest temple in Nepal from a distance.

A random, and somewhat rare Buddhist temple amidst the hindu temples.

Believe it or not, all these styles are right on top of each other like this picture.

Here's the statue of the wrestler and his colleagues, the Elephant, the Lion, the Garuda, and then someone else, each 10 times stronger than the one below it.

More wooden crafts for sale.
Leila and June posing at the temples.
These World Heritage markers were plopped randomly around Bhaktapur. Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world, supposedly.

Leila at her meeting

We were all hanging out in the living room on Sunday, when Leila announced that we should have a meeting like I did before (I had some work colleagues over to the house in that room for a meeting the week before.) She ran up stairs and came back with her books and a chair, so we could all sit in chairs and hold our meeting. She read to herself for about half an hour, while we also read and conducted our "meeting."

Story time

I hope Grandma has the words to this story memorized because I'm pretty sure she can't see without her glasses!

Gurkha Ball

Jason & I attended the British version of the Marine Ball on Friday night. Who doesn't love the chance to get dressed up in tuxedos and fancy dresses for a night of food, drink, music & dancing? The theme was "Bollywood Dreams" so there were Bollywood dancers and lots of people dressing up in saris and other interesting attire. Here I am trying out a hat from a friend's outfit. I think I'd make a good sultan (or sultaness??)!

All dressed up and ready for a party!

More Shivapuri pictures

Leila actually walked for more than an hour of our hike on Sunday. There was a bit of a drop off on the side of the trail so fortunately Leila was willing to hold hands.

Going up the steps.

On the trail.

At the entrance to the park. This dog was at the start of the trek and followed us for the entire hike!! We rewarded her with string cheese, graham crackers and fruit snacks. Mmmm.

The little trekker with her Daddy.

Celebrating Mommy's birthday

Leila helped Grandma frost and put candles on my cake. If you notice, this year I turn 323 years old and have an additional dozen colorful candles all bunched in the corner. I think she has a future in cake decorating.

Notice Taji hovering and keeping a close eye out for any dropped morsels.

Learning to lick frosting off the candles.

Say HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Hiking Shivapuri

On Sunday, we hiked to the top of Shivapuri, which is on the northern edge of the Kathmandu Valley. It ended up being a bit longer and more strenuous than we had remembered and we were all exhausted by the end. Here is a rare "clear" view of Kathmandu from halfway up the hike.

Jason & I alternated carrying Leila, who now weighs in around 35 pounds. I carried her more than 1.5 hours up and another hour down. She actually walked for almost 1.5 hours herself (a first for her!!), and Jason carried her the rest of the time.

Beautiful views of the Himalayas from the top made the trek (almost?) worthwhile.

Phil & Virginia's wedding

Jason & I went to a wedding of some friends last weekend. Don't we clean up nicely! Sorry, no good shots of the bride and groom on our camera, but the wedding was great and the venue beautiful. Fun times!!

Random shots from last week...

Here is Leila at school showing us the bunnies. They usually run free in the yard during the day. A few weeks back she told me "Me and Alexander got time-outs at school today because we were chasing the bunnies around the yard with bats." Great. At least they were reprimanded!!

Having dinner on our rooftop.

The cupcakes Leila took to school for her birthday. Complete with Star Wars cupcake designs.