Family day at Popham Beach!

spontaneous day trips

I woke up to a back rub and a question, "Do you have any plans today?" Then a "Let's go to Portland Head Light and take some pictures! C'mon, lets go!" How could I refuse?! So off we went!

We had a really good time too!

a great day!

My peaceful happy family

Family Fun Day!

Once again this year the land stewards of a land trust hosted a family fun day, an afternoon of skiing, snowshoeing, friends, neighbors, hot chocolate and good times. The kids and I had been looking forward to this since last year and were excited to see it posted in our local town newspaper. Once we saw it in there we marked it on the calendar and were thankful for the sunny day. It was not warm by any stretch of the imagination be we bundled up and headed out. In fact I'd raced into town to get a pair of snowshoes that I could comfortable walk in in order to go. This is such a nice parcel of land and lots of different trails to poke around with lots of history too. We spent a few hours outside in the fresh (and freezing cold) air and sunshine. Upon returning to the trail head we were offered hot chocolate and warmed ourselves by the bonfire, I chatted with some friends and our children played together. We were invited to their home after the family fun day was over and Andrew pleaded for me to go as he could help them with the evening barn chores and the milking. I obliged and made him very happy. It's a nice thing when helping a friend do the barn chores makes my son happy.

That is some might delicious hot chocolate!

to the lake!!

Another first for Faith and Andrew! Their grandfather took them tubing for the first time ever! They were a little freaked out but had SO much fun.

damn stupid tax!

If I were not paying "stupid tax" I'd be team penning in the weekends! There is a place right up the road from me where our local team penning group practices and I'd be there all the time if it weren't for the stupid tax we're working on, ugh! Until that time I guess I'll have to practice with the goats, they didn't mind too bad! Andrew and I then Faith and I took turns team penning the goats this glorious afternoon and what fun! It was also very motivational, it only made me want even more to get the "stupid tax" paid off so the kids and I can do this while Ron will be out on his 4-wheeler. I think I'll print off one of these pictures to remind me and keep me motivated.

*These pictures were taken by Faith.

Father Daughter Bonding

What a great day! I got together with my sisters and our father and fired off a number of rounds as target practice. Not a bad day of family bonding!



It turns out I'm not a bad shot! I've come a long way as far as my opinion of firearms and really enjoy shooting. I sincerely hope I never have to use this skill.

Family Fun Day!

Our local land trust stewards hosted a Family Fun Day today which the kids and I attended. We brought snow shoes, others brought skis and some brought sleds, it was only 21 degrees, (a heat wave compared to the past few days!) so they made a bonfire to warm up next to after you came back from one of the above mentioned activities. There was a table filled with brownies and cookies and another with hot chocolate, tea and coffee. It looked delish, but truthfully, I did not want to pry myself away from the fire, I was too cold! (Note to self, next time wear the long underwear!)

What a nice way to meet more of the locals and get some fresh air and exercise. I had an interesting conversation with a local farmer about GMO's, (don't even get me started!) herbicides, organics and dairy farming, these were my kind of people and though this is not every persons cup of tea, or hot chocolate as it were, I found it stimulating and enjoyable. What?! talking about the digestive bacteria in the rumen of a cow or goat is not part of your average conversation? I'm sorry.

Next to the trail on one of the walking loops is this "glacial erratica" I think that's what it is called. I was expecting something more, to me it looks like a large rock to others though it's a glacial erratica. You say tomato.... The kids saw an opportunity to see if they could conquer it. They did. We enjoyed our afternoon and all hope they do this again.