Oppliger Fun! (Jen)

Today (Sunday), after a few chores, we are headed down to Tubbs Hill to take a little hike with the Oppligers. Sam is calling it a "nature walk" and is excited to teach the boys about the natural world. He has printed out a list of items that the boys have to find: a scavenger hunt of sorts. In addition, he has cleverly devised a treasure hunt. Two days ago he put pieces of a treasure map in the Oppliger home for Ian and Gregory to find and put together like a puzzle. Ian is especially excited about finding the buried treasure!

The "hike", a 2.2 mile walk around Tubbs, took 3 fabulous hours. We all had an absolutely wonderful time. I carried Addison in the front carried (the moby had been temporarily misplaced) all but the last 1/4 mile, and Lindsay carried Asher on her front most of the way. A couple of awesome mamas! Sam thoroughly entertained the boys and ever taught us grown ups a thing or two. The treasure hunt couldn't have gone better. Sam took us down to some "caves" down by the lake where the boys searched for the buried treasure. Ian couldn't have been more excited to find the cigar box full of coins, tokens, guitar pics and a note from the pirate, Samonsite the Indestructible, saying that he could keep the treasure. The note even included directions on how to find a rare blue stone (a polished cut of rock Sam had previously purchased) near the Dragons bed (the bluff behind our condo where the kids like to play). After they had found the treasure, everyone (except Addison and me) climbed up the rocks to check out the caves. On the way home, Ian was so excited for the rare blue rock and couldn't stop talking about the pirates.

The remainder of the evening was spent having a wonderful dinner of steak tacos provided by the very generous Oppligers. Thanks!!

What a great Sunday!