Our Spring Break Staycation

This year for Spring Break I really wanted my kids to myself.  Our lives have been so hectic lately that I just urgently felt that we needed to be together.  So I planned a week of local activities that provided us with opportunities to have fun together without too much stress.

We began our week in Hooper, Utah for Alyssa's first Arsenal season soccer game.  The location was in the middle of nowhere up North.  It was a bit chilly for a game but all things considered it went okay for our first game with no subs.  Alyssa was just so thrilled to be playing.

Since we were already up North,  I decided to get us a hotel in Ogden so that we could have a little play time.  That night we used our Baskin Robbins gift certificates to have a yummy sundae treat.  We followed that up with swimming in the hotel pool and lounging in the hot tub.  We ended the evening with watching movies and a pillow fight before bed.

The next morning we took advantage once again of the pool and then headed to the Hill Air Force Base Museum.  Ryan especially enjoyed it and tried to explain to us girls about the "coolness" of each plane.

We sent this picture to Dad since he couldn't be there with us.

Ryan showing off the big guns.

After the museum we headed over to Roy's Burger Barn which was featured on the Food Network's Diners Drive-Ins and Dives.  The food was typical Drive-In fare but was cheap and delicious.

We then headed back home for soccer practice,  and Young Mens and Young Womens.

The next day, we decided to go up to Salt Lake City so that Alyssa and Ryan could do baptisms for the dead.  I thought it was so neat that they went together and they enjoyed the Salt Lake Temple.

Brianna and I had the opportunity to explore Temple Square and the Joseph Smith Building.  We had so much fun interacting with the different exhibits.  I  came to understand a little bit better the depth of Brianna's understanding of the Gospel and her testimony.  The grounds were beautiful and there was no place I would have rather been with my children on that day.

I never knew that there was a "secret" door that you entered to do Baptisms.  Kind of neat.

After we walked around the Temple Grounds and City Creek for awhile I decided to have a little splurge.  We decided to have a late lunch at the Cheesecake Factory.  This is one of my favorite restaurants but kind of pricey so we don't eat there very often.  Only Alyssa has been there as well.  So this was a real treat.  We ordered the corn tamale cakes (my most favorite food item there, including the cheesecake).  The kids have tasted them before thanks to Dad making a copy cat recipe at home.  He is so sweet that he has made them for me before even though they are quite labor intensive (true love I say).    Anyway, we enjoyed those as well as different entrees and of course cheesecake to end meal.  We enjoyed ourselves way to much and it was a perfect day.

The next day we decided to include some friends and cousins in our plans.  We decided to hike to the Y on the mountain in Provo.  We have grown up with seeing the Y for BYU almost every day and this was our first adventure to actually hike to it.

We started out the hike with searching for some Geocaches along the way.

We made it to the top no more worse for the wear.  It was unseasonably warm that day as evidenced by our red faces.  But it made the whole day beautiful and the kids truly had fun together.

We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch at the top of the Y.

After our hike, we needed a "small" treat.  So we went to Krispy Cream Donuts which rewards students for getting good grades.  They give a donut for each A up to 6.  Between all of us, we had 42 donuts and that didn't even account for the fact that not all of us had our report cards with us.  We have some smart children and this time it immediately paid off.  The kids ate donuts until their bellies were content.

On Thursday I was just exhausted from all the fun and declared a stay at home and have fun day.  We watched movies and played X-box games together.  It was a much needed change in pace.

The next day Roger and Ryan went to a Utah Jazz Basketball game and the girls and I met up with the cousins again.  We used our Pass of all Passes to go Ice Skating.

The weekend of Spring Break was General Conference and it was perfect timing for it.  I have come to love Conference weekend with my family.  There is something special about gathering together to hear inspired words from the Lord's chosen servants.  The kids do really well listening to the talks and even the special shows that are on in between sessions.  Of course this weekend also includes cooking yummy food that we all enjoy.  For breakfast we had Cinnastack pancakes which are to die for (recipe included).  And then for dinner we had prime rib, potatoes, biscuits and oreo cheesecake for dessert.  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect ending to our week of Staycation.

IHOP cinnastacks

Rate It Yuck! Not for me. Liked It. Mmm. Good. Incredible!

prep time:

20 minutes

total time:

1 hour

Serves 4

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INGREDIENTS

CINNAMON SAUCE

• 1/4 cup butter (salted)
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons half and half
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon flour

CREAM CHEESE ICING

• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Garnish whipped cream

DIRECTIONS

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, 2 tablespoons half and half, cinnamon, salt and cloves and cook while stirring constantly until mixture comes to a simmer. Immediately remove from heat, add remaining half and half and stir in the flour.

Combine ingredients for cream cheese icing in a medium bowl. Beat on low speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spoon icing into a squirt bottle.

To assemble your dish, spread about a tablespoon of cinnamon sauce on top of each pancake, or French toast as you stack them. Drizzle cream cheese icing over the top, and finish off your stack with a dollop of whipped cream.

Source: Top Secret Recipes