Easter Break 2018: Candy, Snow, and More Snow!

Easter break 2018 was filled with lots of candy, snow, and more snow thanks to an unusual snow storm that hit Michigan in April. Find out how my crew survived the cold this break!

They might look happy. But let me assure you this is before the snowstorm hit!

I had planned on sharing our Easter dinner recap last Monday [the day after Easter] but since three little people were home with me every. day. last week, I was lacking the energy post-bedtime, which is when I get most of my writing done. And because I’m guessing many of you were on break and putting email and blog posts on the back burner, I hope I’m catching you well rested and enjoying a hot cup of coffee while those kiddos are back at school today!

Easter might just be the first family picture we have in 2018. Or I should say the most decent family picture we have thus far. For some reason, my kids love undressing or de-panting when the camera comes out. They do NOT get that from Mom!

Easter 2018. Or Easter break, specifically. From Good Friday until today, we’ve been changing into pajamas at 2 pm, eating more jelly beans and peanut butter eggs than I thought humanly possible, and oh yeah, we’ve traded our Marvel obsession for Star Wars. Thanks to Dad! While I could give you a play-by-play of each day during Easter break, there are few things or events worth highlighting beyond our candy consumption.

VISIT WITH OLD FRIENDS

One of my favorite parts of any holiday is when family and friends come back to town to visit. And this Easter Lily and I had a special girls tea time with probably my oldest friend, Christie, who was in town from Colorado for Easter weekend. Christie and I are the friends that were in each other’s weddings, first dance recitals, first car ride when we got our driver’s license, you name it. She just so happens to be pregnant with a sweet baby girl so it was great getting some 1:1 time talking all things baby and giving her a taste of life with Ms. Lily.

Not only does Lily love undressing and changing multiple times a day [I told you it’s hard to get a decent family picture] [oh and HI CHRISTIE!]

She loves reading books, books, and more books!

MOM AND DAD TAG-TEAM EASTER DINNER

Beyond celebrating Easter Sunday mass at our church, one of my favorite parts of Easter is hosting dinner for my family. This year’s menu was SO simple and really easy to prep ahead. Be prepared for a picture overload of the food and family fun! And also stay tuned, because I plan on sharing the famous grilled lamb chop recipe soon!

Ze lamb chops pre-marinade. Stay tuned because I’ll be sharing the full recipe soon! Oh and you bet we had leftovers.

Mom and Nana putting the marinade and/or rub on the pre-grilled chops! It was a labor of love folks.

Dad finishing off the chops. Such a team effort!

The finished product: grilled lamb, strawberry spinach salad, and lemon orzo asparagus salad.

Hungry for the recipes? I’m currently working on a post for the lamb chops. I’ve already shared the recipe for the lemon orzo with asparagus salad [SUCH a family favorite]. And the salad, well, it’s as easy as it sounds: fresh spinach, fresh strawberries sliced, slivered almonds, feta cheese, and balsamic dressing. Voila!

Our favorite part: dessert. Georgetown cupcakes delivered straight from the bakery in D.C.

NANA AND GRANDPA’S COTTAGE OPENS FOR THE SEASON

A few days after Easter the kids and I headed north to Traverse City, Michigan. My parents have had a cottage on Old Mission Peninsula since I was a little girl, and now I get to share some of my favorite childhood memories on the beach and Lake Michigan with our children. Which didn’t happen to be the case this time around. Snow. That’s all I can say. SNOW IN APRIL. I’m not fooling ya!

NO YOU didn’t plan on a snowstorm in April over Easter break.

Ok well I did somewhat plan. I packed snow gear, which came in handy when we spent 5 minutes outside.

They really, really wanted to get in that water [cue naked Lily and the boys in their swimsuits].

But we all settled for a few indoor activities instead. Here’s the crew at the Great Lakes Children’s Museum in downtown Traverse City.

We also had fun doing arts and crafts with Nana!

And that’s curtain call folks! Our Easter break 2018. I certainly planned on the delicious food and family time. But you better believe I didn’t plan on the snow. Next year I will plan accordingly!