For years I’ve seen pictures, advertisements and promotions for this springtime event at the Krishna temple–and every year I’ve missed it for some lame reason or another. Well we finally made it. And, yes,  it was everything I was hoping it would be, in case you’re wondering.

If you want to learn more about the history and origin of Holi, read this cop-out Wikipedia entry. Otherwise, understand that it boils down to a friendly Woodstock-like atmosphere where it’s socially acceptable (in fact strongly encouraged) to toss brightly colored chalk at complete strangers. Especially after a climactic countdown that follows the burning of a witch effigy (and chanting “hare krishna” a million times).

We actually would have blown it again had it not been for Leah and Jonny, who kindly invited us the night before. Luckily for us, Jonny was a seasoned veteran, who not only knew the back roads to avoid the ridiculous traffic, but also knew where to buy chalk at a fraction of the price they charge at the event.

Within minutes of arriving my white shirt became a multi-colored canvas. We settled into the crowd, took pictures and participated in some “hare krishna” chanting along with the crowd, MC and band. I can tell you now I’ve never been so grateful for nose hair and eyelashes. For all the chalk that was thrown around, however, it was remarkably bearable. We ran into a bunch of old friends and enjoyed ourselves immensely…it’s easy to see why the event gets steadily bigger every year.

[before]

[after]

After the two sessions on Saturday, Krisite and Sherri headed over to hang out with Sarah Vest and her husband Wade. It was the first time I’d met them–they’re awesome, it’s too bad we don’t live closer. Apparently Kristie and Sarah were absolutely inseparable growing up…right up until childhood tragedy struck and Kristie’s family had to move out of state. When Kristie and I first started dating she went out on a limb and showed me a spectacular lip-synched music home video that these two girls choreographed and produced. If I can dig it up, I’ll convert it to a digital format and post it on the blog…it’s hilarious.

Saturday night we drove back home and then spent Sunday watching the morning session in Provo and the afternoon session at grandma Hiller’s with a bunch of the cousins. Next Monday is grandma’s 80th, so she invited us to a birthday dinner in in her honor. She’s amazing…I can’t even imagine the scope of things she’s witnessed having lived since 1929. Celebrate we will!

Kristie and I decided to pick up a couple of $4 lawn seats to watch our local minor league baseball team, the Orem Owlz duke it out with the something-or-other Voyagers. It was really fun and made me nostalgic for the “America’s Favorite Pastime” that I feel like I never knew.

I gotta hand it to these organizations, there isn’t a thing they won’t do to entertain fans and lure new ones. Tonight, for example, they let fans down onto the field after the game and projected a movie for all to watch. Besides the fact that they picked the laughable “National Treasure 2,” it was a blast.

We got 9 innings, plus two hours of solid entertainement…for $4 each!

Well–until you factor in parking ($2…seriously?), hotdogs (c’mon it’s a ballgame!), drinks (half price with stolen bases), dessert (who can resist Dippin’ Dots?) and kettle corn for the film (think: theatre prices).

Ah well, I’m proud to support the local club.

Anyways, when the girls (Kristie’s mom and aunts) all got together for a reunion, Kristie and I decided to take a trip up to (great) grandma Hiller’s to join in the festivities. Hanging out was a blast, all the sisters are so cool and all so much fun.

In other exciting news, we got to meet President Monson (!) when he just happened to be presiding over Grandma Hiller’s Stake Conference on Sunday. Grandma introduced us one by one as we got to shake his hand. He is truly an amazing man.

Here are a couple of pictures of the weekend, a shot with Grandma and Grandpa and then one of Kristie and mom.

While there, I watched UNC and UCLA get steamrolled, which blew my chances of winning either my work or Ivy House bracket. Stupid. But besides that we had a terrific time. Tammy and Kyle and their family came down from Washington and Nathan and Kendra came up from Provo. I really, really enjoyed the sessions of conference. And it was fun to chill around the farm. While crusing by on a four-wheeler, Nathan captured a photo of us on a walk in our particularly awesome hand-me-down outfits. Note my awesome hat and Kristie’s to-die-for umbrella:

The post got us talking. Where should Easter eggs and the Easter bunny fit in the whole scheme of things? I mean, the kid in us loves that stuff, don’t get me wrong, but does it detract from the weightier matters? I’m sure we’ll be especially mindful of this in years to come. I certainly am grateful for our Savior and the hope that the Easter message brings me.

This year we did take a little time to do the kid stuff, however. Kristie woke me up with an easter basket full of chocolate (yay!) before church:

and we had a do-it-yourself egg coloring hour ’cause the grocery store had sold out of those cheap-o little kits the night before. It worked out great, thanks to a little help from eHow.