Easter--- HE IS RISEN!!

 Our sweet daughter Lisa invited LaVerl and I to spend Easter weekend with their family. Since we were already in Mesa, having flown in from our cruise on Friday and also because it was snowy, cold and windy at home in Eagar, we decided to stay. It's always better to spend the holidays with family, than to be by ourselves. 

Saturday morning started off by going to Landon's baseball game.

Then Bret's invited us to go to Dempsey's volleyball games.

Sunday- Easter morning!

Lilly, Lucy and Landon got amazing Easter baskets!!

Getting ready for church in their new Easter dresses. Lisa fixes their hair so cute.

Then we went over to Bret's for pictures!

Even the dogs poised!!

Kingston got a new (old) car. He wanted a stick shift! He loves it! It's a 2003 Volkswagon Gti (a sporty version of the VW Rabbit) 20th anniversary edition. Only 4000 of them made and he has #1680

Back over to Lisa's and we started cooking. We made deviled eggs  and a cute Easter (carrot) cheese ball. She had put 2 racks of ribs in the oven earlier that morning. 

While I was making rolls, Lucy wanted help putting together a toy puzzle she got in her basket. After much frustration, she (Lisa) got it!

Dinner was delicious! BBQ ribs, yummy potatoes, roasted carrots, rolls, green salad and fresh fruit. 

We had such a great Easter with our kids. It's such a wonderful time to remember ALL that our Lord and Savior did for us. He suffered in Gethsemane for our sins, He gave His life on the cross for us, and He rose on the 3rd day so we could all live again!!  

Here's some comments the kids posted--

Mark said-"I'm so grateful that I know that my Redeemer lives and because He lives, all of us will forever live."

Bret said- "Amen Brother!  I love you all and I love the examples of faith you all offer to me and my kids! They have experienced loss unlike the rest of us and today hits perhaps a little more real for them as we celebrate the resurrection. I know He is risen and I pray and hope my kids know that too. Happy Easter!"

LaVerl said- "This Easter means more to me because of my cancer!  I know whatever happens I will see and be with my family after this life!! This gives me so much comfort knowing this is all possible because of the great love of Heavenly Father and his Beloved Son Jesus Christ--Love you all so much!

CRUISIN' WITH THE COUGS!!

 For LaVerl's birthday back in March, our kids got him a cruise! Not just any cruise, but a BYU cruise! April 11-18th. The whole ship was only for BYU fans and it was all decked out! LaVerl was in BYU heaven and we had a great time. We flew out of PHX to LAX 

  DAY 1 Friday April 11

The ship was Navigator of the Seas by Royal Caribbean!

It was a beautiful ship, 2 water slides, several pools, lots of hot tubs, great food and awesome entertainment!

We met Gifford Neilson in the elevator!

The first night in the Royal theater was the Cougar Kick-off show!

DAY 2 Saturday April 12

Ensenada, Mexico

Rep the Y Night

We booked the La Bufadora tour to go see a blow hole. We got on a tour bus and drove through Ensenada. It was about a 4 hour tour.

Some people booked the kayak tour, but it was a chilly day, I was glad we didn't. 

We had to go down this street lined with vendors to get to the blow hole. We bought several things- a BYU backpack, an apron for Reed,  his birthday is April 19 and some tacos.

LaVerl had a steak or fish every night in the dining room.

At 7:00pm every evening we had something to go to in the Royal Theater. Tonight we saw David Osmond and Savannah Stevenson. She played Glinda in the London production of Wicked and lots of other roles. Their show was so good!

DAY 3 Sunday April 13

Day at Sea

Formal Dress Night

Our Sabbath Day started out with a devotional by Hilary Weeks. She sang and talked to us. We loved it.

After her devotional we wanted to go see Derwin and Vickie Gray, but it was so crowded, we couldn't get in. 

Later, while LaVerl was resting I went to see Dan Wilson, a painter who has painted many pictures for our temples and many images of Christ. He gave another great devotional.

Walking around the boat, we ran into Gary & Innette Crosby!! LaVerl's first cousin! We didn't even know they had booked the same cruise!!

At dinner, we met a really nice couple, Ryan and Diana Noyce. Turns out she has a sister in Eagar!! Small world!

The concert that night was the Truman Brothers. Really good!

DAY 4 Monday April 14

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Island Night

We had to 'tender' into Cabo. We didn't book anything to do in Cabo since we had already been here before and took a boat ride out to see the arch. When we went ashore, it was still a little cool, so I was in a long sleeve shirt and long pants. When it got hot, we headed back to the ship to get to the pool.

Heading to the pool!

At dinner, they gave everyone these blue leis. FUN!

Monday night's entertainment was "Rise and Laugh with Steve Soelberg".  He was really funny! Another great day on the cruise!

DAY 5  Tuesday April 15

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Jersey Day

Today we scheduled a tour to ride a bus and see 10 famous places all around Puerto Vallarta. 

We went to this park and everything was made of beautiful tile.

The 'Boardwalk' along the ocean was really nice.

 I didn't get one picture of LaVerl in his #32 jersey!

We had several fun things in the Royal Theater today. Celebrity Feud with former players and coaches was so fun to listen to.

Greg Wrubell & Mark Durrant interviewed- Lee Johnson, Chad Lewis, Coach Tom Holmoe, ?, Dennis Pitta, ?, Jamal Willis & Jason Buck

Spencer Linton and Jarom Jordon interviewed Max Hall, Brandon Doman, Jim McMahon & Gifford Nielsen

The Cougarettes and Cosmo also performed!! Another FUN day!

DAY 6 Wednesday April 16

Day at Sea

Decades Night

We both took several outfits to wear and forgot to put them on!!

In Studio B, which was also where the ice skating rink was, they had another panel of current football players, and head coach Kalani Sitake. 

Players- Pokaiaua Haunga, Siale Esera, Tanner Wall, Sione Moa, & Talon Alfrey?

The BYU Cheer Squad!!

 LaVerl spent some time resting and watching the non-stop BYU games on Channel 16! They only played the games we won!! And he had to watch them to the end!! Our room was nice. Today we saw dolphins swimming by the ship! 

The evening performance in the Royal theater was Rock the ROC "Patrick and the LVB!  They were good, but way too loud for us. We had to leave. 

DAY 7 April 17 Thursday

Day at Sea-- Last night!

Casual 

Today was our last day!! It went so fast!! In the morning we went to the Royal Theater again for a Tribute to LaVell Edwards, former BYU football coach. Then again at 1:00 we saw BYU Athletics "Now and What's Coming". At 2:00 we saw a beautiful Ice skating show. Then at 7pm- "Until we Sail Again!"

Blaine Fowler and Spencer were the hosts.

The BYU Cheer Squad had just won 1st Place at Nationals, then boarded the ship!

There were some great basketball legends too- TJ Haws, Jimmer Fredette, Coach Dave Rose, Eric Mika, Travis Hansen, Jake Toolson and Mark Durrant

The last sunset on the ocean!!

Later they had a big Balloon Drop on the Royal Promenade deck, but we were in our room packing up to leave early. We needed to get off the ship by 8am because we had a 10:30am flight. Everything went smoothly, we got a taxi, got to the airport in plenty of time and our flight left on time. We arrived in PHX at noon.

WHAT A GREAT TRIP!! WE HOPE TO GO AGAIN IN 2027!