Geo-Treasure Hunt

A couple of weeks ago Daniel and I made some time to go on a date. We didn't have a whole lot of time and we didn't want to spend a lot of money. We really didn't want to go to yet another movie so Daniel came up with the brilliant idea to go "Geocaching". I had never heard about it but after he sent me a link and I watched some videos I loved the idea of spending some time looking for "treasures" with him.  The purpose is to hide and seek containers called "caches" or "geocaches". I guess the most common one is the small waterproof container that has a logbook where you are supposed to write the date and your name when you find it. Some other larger containers may have inexpensive toys or trinkets for trading.


This could be something fun to do with the kids. They even have some items called "travel bugs" that you are supposed to take to another cache for another person to find and help take it to its ultimate destination. There are also "puzzle caches" that require information or solving a puzzle to find the cache.

Caches are located in cities, parks, trails and even people's front yards. This is a great way get out of the house and spend time with the family. Bring the dog along if you have one!


The first one we picked was close to our home but we failed at finding it :P It didn't help that we had no idea what we were looking for and the size of the cache. After driving around for a while and people looking at us suspiciously we headed south to explore another place. These "caches" are located EVERYWHERE and all you need is your cellphone with GPS, a pen and tennis shoes because you'll be doing some walking.

So, on our next attempt, we explored a trail and followed the clues. After much searching BINGO! Daniel found the cache right on the gas pipeline sign and boy did we feel like we had found a real treasure!! WOO HOO!

We walked about 500 yards north and we found another one! Holy cow! was this fun?!

So anyway, after walking and driving for a while we ended up our fun evening with some yummy Mexican food. I think these are the little moments in life I treasure the most :)


** Yesterday we decided to take Darren to find his first cache. He loved it! I can't wait to go and do it again! :)

Reyes Magos

Today, in honor of my mexican heritage,we're celebrating at home the "Dia de Reyes" which means "The day of the kings". In Mexico this is a special holiday that emorates the three wise men who traveled from afar, bearing gifts for the infant baby Jesus.
The children in particular look forward to this holiday as traditionally, it is the three wise men who are the bearers of gifts, who leave presents in or near the shoes of small children.

At home we mainly celebrate this day with the traditional "Rosca de Reyes" (King's Cake) and baked inside is a small plastic figurine representing the baby Jesus. The truth is we just love to eat sweet mexican bread and delay any attempts to diet.

"Buen Provecho"!

 

Dia De Reyes

After New Year's Day the Mexican holiday season is not quite over. On January 6 most of the Hispanic world celebrates El Dia De Los Reyes Magos or the The Day of the Three Wise Men. This holiday remembers the day when the Three Wise Men followed the star to Bethlehem and gave treasured gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for Baby Jesus. In the past this was the traditional gift giving holiday but as the years have gone by and the influence from the United States has gotten stronger Christmas has become more and more the popular holiday for gift giving.
On January 5 we went to the Mexican bakery (located in Ogden of course) and purchased the traditional Dia De Reyes dessert, Rosca de Reyes, it is an oval sweetbread, decorated with candied fruit. When we arrived home Darren was very impressed stating, "UUUUh, That is a BIG donut!" Carmen and I couldn't stop laughing.
Inside each Rosca is a figurine of Baby Jesus and a lot of symbolism. Further explained below:

"Hidden inside [each] delicious Rosca, a plastic figurine of the Baby Jesus. The Baby is hidden because it symbolizes the need to find a secure place where Jesus could be born, a place where King Herod would not find Him.
Each person cuts a slice of the Rosca . The knife symbolizes the danger in which the Baby Jesus was in.

One by one the guests carefully inspect their slice, hopping they didn't get the figurine.

Whoever gets the baby figurine shall be the host, and invite everyone present to a new celebration on February 2."
Reference here

That night we enjoyed our really "big donut" or Rosca de Reyes with a traditional hot flavored milk called Atole. There are many different flavors of Atole but we enjoyed Strawberry.
Then Darren placed his shoes by the Christmas tree (also a tradition) for the Reyes to leave his present in. Then he ran off to bed. The next day he discovered The Reyes had left him a book and a wrist watch.
The fact that we were celebrating part of Carmen's culture clearly made all of us very happy and we had wonderful time.