January 13, 2013, Rachael's birthday.

It's Sunday evening.  Marlene is off partying with some of the senior couples while I languish at home nursing a cold and my tender feelings.  Just a short post tonight, because of my delicate condition and Bro. Thomsen's inability to look at more than 325 photos at one setting.

Marlene attended a mission conference on Friday, I think.  this Elder is playing the piano and leading the music with his (unseen) foot.

Here is the Mission President, Stephen Sorenson (a very good man), accompanying an Elder playing the tuba.

The large park behind our flat attracts many fun seekers.  These young girls are about to ski down a small hill for about 30 meters.

More cute children.

For winter every child has one of these things.  For summer every one carries a plastic shovel.

A week ago, Saturday, we felt cabin fever and decided to so to the Tsaritsyno's palace (that you have seen previously) but this time we came at it from the next Metro stop down the green line from our 'normal' approach.  This was much better.  You come at the palace through a forrest instead of a seedy part of town.  It was quite lovely and snowing lightly.

Here it is in winter.  Our visit was during the 10 day, start of January Russian holiday, so most of the museums (of which this is one) have no entrance charges.  We waited for about 45 minutes to get in an saved, probably, 800 rubles.

We neglected to buy the option of taking pictures so I guess you will just have to come and see the interior yourself.

On what would be the back lawn of the palace folks had built several snowpersons.  I think this was modeled after Connie Peterson.

Sister Johnson making friends.  Notice the 'hands' touching?

The man's hair was modeled after Elder Johnson.

The palace at dusk.

Cat on a cold, snow floor.

We saw three volleyball courts in use.  The temp was about 30 F, not bad.

Snow flakes flashing.

Creative use of a banana peel and orange rind.  Modeling after ... congress person Wasserman-Shultz.

Batches of old men playing chess in the dark and cold.

A statue in the park.  I have previously mentioned, (pay attention Dave) that the Russians like to think they have link to Rome.

A lovely bridge to nowhere.  It could be in Pleasant Grove.

Ice and winter does not stop some river cruisers.  (He turned around and retraced his route after about 50 more meters.) I guess his ice-breaking capabilities were limited.

The little red church, just near our flat.  We keep threatening to look inside (the doors are usually open, and they don't mind) but we have yet to do it.  Something to do before we come home.

We are looking for some statues that I have wanted to see since the summer time and our route took us past the Tretyakov Gallery.

Crossing the canal toward the statues.  There was a line of these 'trees' used for holding the locks of brides and grooms. The keys are thrown in the canal.

Proof that size matters.  The names are Igor and Olya.
Sept. 14, 2012  Not long ago.

Marlene and the Walker's are reading the explanation of the statues--which signify adults treating children badly.

Pretty striking.  Unfortunately the lighting was not good and my hands were freezing trying to get pictures before my fingers feel off.  Maybe another summer expedition.

The other half of the semi-circle.

We try to always get a picture of a bride whenever we go out.  The couple had just put their lock on a tree and had tossed the key onto the ice.
I could not get a good picture because the wedding party had about 20, or so, young men and women in it and they did not seem too excited about my taking pictures.   And while I am Mr. America I am not Captain America and did not think I could take them all.