Father's Day Geocache

Sunday morning the kids woke up bright and early to give Chris the gifts they had made for him. We had breakfast at Blueberry Hill and then did a Geocache at a park in Hinsdale. Zach finally got a hair cut and then we went swimming. After swimming we stopped by Geppetto's Toy Box in Oak Park so Zach could use some of his birthday money to pick out a present. He chose a spy gear watch. For dinner we picked up a Lou Malnati's Pizza and watched Return on the Jedi.

Geocaching with Friends

St. Cletus picked a perfect day for a day off! After dropping the car off for an oil change, Chris and the kids enjoyed the sunny 80 degree day by having a picnic in Harvester Park in Burr Ridge and then finding some geocaches with friends.

Before hunting for the treasure boxes everyone took a trip on the Zipline (even the parents). Then we hunted for two geoacaches: Near the Park cache and the Harvester. Zach enjoyed climbing into a pine tree to get the first one. The second cache took us along the wetlands at the park. Along the way we met a snake which got everyone's attention, but we pushed on and found the camouflaged jelly jar in some tall grass.

All the kids had a great time and we will be sure to do some group geocaching again over the summer.

Friday's Geocache

While the girls went shopping, Chris, Bobby, and the kids did a geocache at Happy Hollow Park.

Vacation Day 2

After saying goodbye to the Spanglers we went to Mass, found a geocache, and then spent time at Elberta Beach. Sunday night we made s'mores over the campfire and watched the sunset with Grandma Judy and Aunt Julie.

Geocaching in the Celery Bog

This weekend our adventures took us down to West Lafayette for the annual Blue Night Auction. While Grandma and Elizabeth got all dolled up for the big event Uncle Bobby and Chris took Meg and Zach to the Celery Bog for a little hiking and of course treasure hunting (aka geocaching).

It was a beautiful day to be outside and there was lots to see. A number of swan and geese had their babies with them and the ducks had nests along the shore so more baby fowls are sure to come. We found 2 geocaches, the Thomas Say's Purdue Entomology Cache and the Looking at Wally World. The later cache was one of the best hiding jobs I had ever seen, but Uncle Bobby would not be deterred and eventually found it.

Geocaching in the Savannah

 Today we introduce a couple of Meg and Zach's friends to geocaching. We were searching for the Raccoon Cache located in a savannah in Hodgkins. 

The kids had a great time exploring and I think we have two new treasure hunters on our hands!

Geocaching Again

This weeked we got back into geocaching. The kids and Chris found a small one before church Saturday night, then Sunday morning we all put on our gettin' muddy shoes and headed into Bemis Woods. While searching we saw a few deer and lots of animal tracks in the mud. There were a few spots with standing water so we had to climb on logs to get by. Once we got to the location of the cache, Meg and Zach searched around and finally found it under a pile of bark. We wrote our names in the log book and Zach exchanged his parachute guy for a slinky. Meg chose to keep the parachute guy.

In the end it was a very enjoyable walk in the woods and the kids (and Mom and Dad) had a great time outside on a beautiful day.

Geocaching, Bikes, Zoo and more

Monday Meg got her cast off. Unfortunately, she still has to wear a wrist brace to give it a little more time to heal.

Saturday Team McLean found 4 geocaches. We also spent some time in downtown Downers Grove where we had an ice cream reward for finding so many treasures. In the afternoon the kids practiced riding bikes. Then we went to Mass (where Elizabeth cantored) and had a Pizza/Movie night.

Sunday morning we went to the Zoo. We rode the MotorSafari for a change. After lunch the day turned really hot and humid. The kids enjoyed getting in the baby pool and playing in the sprinkler. I have to say that we had a great dinner. Chicken Cacciatore and Sangria. We also made a non-alcoholic sangria for the kids. It was a fun night.

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Welcome to Chicago

As hundreds of thousands of people make their way to Chicago for the Taste of Chicago, we've had some guests of our own. Last Thursday Josh came to visit. This weekend we were joined by Kendra, Uncle Bobby and Grandma.

Saturday after swim lessons we took Kendra and Uncle Bobby on a geocache adventure in Fullerton Woods by Graue Mill. It was a beautiful area to look for treasure. Saturday night Grandma met us for dinner at Flat Top Grill and then saw the newest Second City Show.

Sunday morning after Mass we headed over to the Morton Arboretum. The kids had a great time in the Children's Garden. Then we said goodbye to Bobby and Kendra. Grandma will be joining us for some fun this week.

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A Fathers Day of Treasure Hunts

We had a "geocaching" weekend. Geocaching is where you use a handheld GPSr to find specific sites where others have left a cache that may contain treasures or just a log of those who have found the geocache. Saturday we found 2. One in Beemis Woods and the other in front of the old train station. Sunday, after our breakfast of champions, we went on 2 hunts. We weren't able to find the one in downtown Brookfield, but we did find one called "Guarded Tree" in a forest preserve close by.

After naptime, we were planning to go to the Arboretum, but it was so hot that we decided to stay home and play in the sprinkler instead. Then we did a nice dinner with the neighbors.

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