Here are some highlights from the last week of March:
On Monday, March 27th, I had a Primary Activity w/ the girls. We made Resurrections Rolls and learned of their symbolism to our Savior. We discussed the importance of Easter and meaning in our every day lives.
The girls making and enjoying the rolls.
The recipe and details on the symbolism:
Easter Resurrection Rolls
The ingredients and process uses symbolism to teach and celebrate the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Prep Time10minutes
Cook Time15minutes
Total Time25minutes
Servings8
AuthorLiving on Lemon Lane
Ingredients
18oz or 12oz packageCrescent Roll Dough
1/2cupMelted Butter
1tbspCinnamon
1/4cupSugar
8MarshmallowsStandard Size, not mini
Instructions
Preheat oven at 375 degrees, melt butter, and combine cinnamon and sugar prior to activity.
Explain you are going to make special easter rolls. Open the dough and divide into eight triangles.
Give each participant a marshmallow and explain the marshmallow represents Jesus Christ. Notice the marshmallow is pure and white and perfect, just like our savior. Describe that when Jesus died for us those that loved him took special measures to make sure he was treated and buried as a king would be.
Nicodemus brought oils and spices that were only used on the rich and used these to embalm Christ's body. The butter represents the oil and the sugar and cinnamon represent the spices. Carefully dip the marshmallow in the butter, then coat it in the sugar and cinnamon mix.
Christ's body was then carefully wrapped in clean linens. Wrap the marshmallow in the crescent dough, sealing off all of the edges.
After Christ's body was prepared he was placed in a tomb that Joseph of Arimathea, one of Christ's disciples had given Him. Because of the approaching Sabbath, the tomb was sealed and guards were sent to keep watch.
Place the rolls on a greased pan, and place in the oven. Explain the oven represents the tomb, and closing the oven door represents the sealing of the tomb. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 - 15 minutes until the rolls are golden brown.
Once done, pull the rolls out and allow them to cool slightly. Encourage everyone to taste their roll, notice the marshmallow is gone. Testify that Christ lives, that he is risen. Explain that after the Sabbath Day the devoted Mary Magdalene and other faithful women set out for the tomb, to further care for Christ's body. At the tomb they saw an angel, and were afraid; but he told them to not be afraid, and that "He is not here: for he is risen..."
Steve went to Scheels w/ Hudson to pick something up. Hudson had fun playing.
A Crocus in bloom. Cute Hudson asleep :)
Playing outside after dinner. Steve drew their names on our retaining wall.
Steve took Hudson to Thanksgiving Point and went to the farm area. Hudson loved it.
Another Crocus.
And then we got more snow!
Steve petting Piper's belly. Nyles' class made "Monas de Pascua" which is a typical recipe for Holy Week and Easter in many Spanish regions. A nice note from a neighbor who does the music in Primary.
Ezra came over Friday afternoon. It was his Spring Break this week.
The boys wanted to play on the trampoline and throw balls at each other.
We ordered a belt display rack for Nyles and Carter for their hard work earning their belts.
Steve fit their belts in and hung up their display racks. Awesome work boys!
We got some HUGE strawberries for crepes.
Cute Hudson sleeping. The crazy amounts of snow we've been receiving this winter. We definitely need it. We are just praying it won't melt too quickly and cause flooding. All of our prayers have been answered getting the rain/snow which we desperately need, that's for sure!
Hudson playing in the ball pit talking to Grandma.
We made Resurrection Rolls for breakfast w/ Ezra and talked about their symbolism as well.
Cute Hudson. Pretty Crocus in bloom. Steve cut all the boys' hair. Good work!
It was General Conference weekend, which we love. Hudson wanted to play w/ his bubble blower, so we let him. Nyles and Carter made Perler Beads which we put magnets on the back.
Sunday evening we had dinner at Jeff/Kim's for our monthly family dinner.
Afterwards we had an Easter Egg Hunt on the lawn.
Finding their "color" of eggs. Each kid has 12 eggs of the same color so it's fair.
So much fun!
Finding their golden egg and looking at what they got.
Hudson eating some spaghetti noodles for dinner. The girls trading candy after finding their eggs. Hudson took Joann's phone and took some pictures too :)
Monday, March 20th was the 1st official day of Spring! The ironic part is that we have had snow every day this week. The weather has been colder than normal as well. Carter has been confused all week. He heard it was "Spring" so he has been getting out his shorts and t-shirts, though it's snowy and cold outside. We tried to explain to him that even though the calendar says it's "Spring" doesn't necessarily mean the weather will agree. Like on Sunday, our high was 38 degrees. Our average temperature this time of year is 58 degrees. And last year, 2022, we hit 78 degrees! Talk about crazy weather!
Here are some other highlights:
Hudson smelling the flowers at Costco. He knows I love flowers so he makes sure we stop and admire them, including smelling them before leaving (so cute). We got more snow.
On Tuesday, we decided it was finally time to take Hudson's binkies away. So after he got up in the morning, I told him he couldn't have it unless it was bedtime. Steve slept in a little, then got up to take the kids to school. I told him I wouldn't let Hudson have his binky until it was naptime, but then he said we should just go 100% cold turkey, no binkies at all. So we both agreed and went for it. I went and gathered up his binkies from around the house and hid them.
After dropping off the boys at school, Steve had a Dr appt. Joann met him there and then took Hudson back to their place to play. When Steve got home it was time for Hudson's nap. He fought it w/out his binky though and didn't end up taking a nap. He was really tired for bedtime though, so after a little while, he finally fell asleep.
Great quote. Hudson being silly playing w/ Grandma Joann.
Hudson exhausted, finally asleep after his first day without his binky.
Cute Hudson wearing Carter's shoes on backwards.
Then taking a ride on my back during my lunch break.
We invited Dave/Joann over for dinner since Dave needed his shot. Joann wasn't able to make it, but Dave came. Steve made Orange Chicken and Fried Rice for dinner. Thanks Steve! Then Dave brought Mickey bars for dessert. The boys loved it of course!
More snow.
The sun came out for a while, so we took the opportunity to take a walk around the neighborhood even though it was still quite cold.
Hudson fought his nap the 2nd day as well, but thankfully fell asleep at night w/out his binky.
The 3rd day he finally took a nap w/out his binky. Yeah!
Friday we got more snow. After school Carter went over w/ his friend Colin to the Aquarium.
Nyles had his friend Lincoln over while Carter was playing. We decided to go to the hill to go sledding.
I went down w/ Hudson a couple times, but it wasn't working so well for us, so we went back to the house to play in snow in the yard. Nyles and Lincoln stayed at the park to sled.
Our Crocus trying to still bloom in the snow. So much wet heavy snow on the bush. A Daffodil peaking through the snow as well. Hudson making a snow angel.
Saturday morning the boys had a marital arts graduation. This time it was at Corner Canyon High School in Draper. Dave and Joann were able to come as well.
Carter showing us his "moves" that he's learned. Hudson watching a show while waiting.
Claire and Phill doing thumb-wars. Stacie got a strike, right handed (though she writes left handed). Phill got the highest score.
Hudson fell asleep on the way home since he fought his nap again and didn't end up taking one.
Conor ended up coming over that night. He then went to church w/ us the next morning. We got some more snow. The boys played after church. Hudson taking a Sunday nap all twisted up; silly kid!
Sunday evening we went to visit our old neighbors from the condos, Dave and Melissa Thomas, who live in West Bountiful, so only 5 minutes from Stacie/Phill. We took Conor home, then went over to their place for dinner. Dave smoked some chicken for dinner. Then I made sugar cookies for the kids to decorate their own fruit pizzas for dessert. They all liked them!
It was a great week! We're so thankful for the rain/snow we've been getting. We hope we don't have flooding issues when the snow does start to melt. We passed the record of the most snow we've received this year and broke the record back in 1983 (40 years ago). We'd like to have warmer temps, but also know the melting can happen faster, so slower is better. We are blessed. I know the Lord knows us, our needs and loves us more than we know.
On Saturday, March 4th, we had left our rooms, then had breakfast at Cabanas one more time. We then waited our turn to get off the ship (once Tinkerbell was called).
Waiting to disembark the ship.
We then took a shuttle to the airport. We had lunch while we waited, then boarded the plane. Hudson fell asleep while we waited.
Flying home. Dave and Joann then brought our car to the airport and picked up Diane. We had a great trip but were pretty tired. The last picture sums it up: Carter is wore out, Nyles is ready to go home, and Hudson is still a busybody looking for an adventure! Until next time....
On Friday, March 3rd, we had our last day on the ship, and last day at sea. Here are some highlights.
We had to change time zones as we went south, then turned around and started going north again and had to change them back. It was a little tricky, especially since Hudson didn't know what time it was. So he woke up early, especially the last night. Steve was pretty tired, so I got up w/ him and closed the drapes so Steve could sleep a little more. I turned on Moana quietly, and we played some games for a while until Steve got up.
Hudson showing me his magnetic fish he caught. Thanks Diane for the fun game!
The boys by the Little Mermaid statue outside Tritons Restaurant. And a cool mural outside the restaurant. Then Carter playing shuffle board w/ me again.
We got pictures and hugs with Stitch! So fun!
Then we played in the kids' club again. The boys did more drawing/tracing. We got a picture w/ our room attendant, Jose, who was from Peru. He would speak to Nyles in Spanish which was awesome. We also got our luggage tags for debarking the next day (so sad), but they were Tinkerbells, so we had to show Grandma Joann.
They have an automatic handwashing station in the kids' club. You just put your hands in and it washes your hands for you. Super awesome! Once Hudson got over being afraid of it, he didn't want to stop using it. He kept putting his hands back in. He thought it was pretty fun!
It was kinda cool outside and windy again, but Nyles and Carter still wanted to swim.
I got in the hot tub instead since it was much warmer.
Nyles, Carter and I went to a towel making class, which was fun!
Hudson took a nap; cute boy! Then we had dinner at Animator's Palate on our last night. Our waitress Wann helped Steve cut up his chicken since Hudson was getting tired again, and was laying on Steve's arm so he couldn't do it.
We got to draw a character for the animator's show.
Nyles and Carter w/ Ivan who was from Spain. He would speak to Nyles in Spanish as well.
Nyles' teacher at school is from Spain as well. Hudson took some pictures at dinner of us.
We had some yummy dessert, then they played the animator's show.
It was hard to believe our weeklong cruise was coming to and end. It always goes so fast! As they say, "time flies when you're having fun!" It's always sad to have to pack up your stuff and put your suitcases out the last night (anything you don't need that night or in the morning). We had a wonderful time as usual and made many memories together which we were always cherish!
