Last Saturday the kids and I went with my parents out to their farm near Padua.  It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny and not very windy.  Exactly the kind of day where I'd like to be outside.  I'm pretty much a fair-weather outdoorswoman.  One who prefers to be outdoors for maybe an hour.  Like for a walk.  On a paved path.  Despite the lack of paved paths, my dad did provide mowed paths and a Ranger in which to ride.  It was perfect.

For about ten years mom and dad have been planting tiny evergreens out at their farm.  This year there are quite a few that are good Christmas tree contenders.  We cut down some of the scrappy looking trees and those that had been plowed over by deer. 


Martin was a good helper and mostly stayed out of trouble.  Sophie was a bit more like her momma, and preferred to be carried instead of walking through the tall grasses.


After we filled the back of my car with branches for my mom and me to use to decorate our homes, we dropped mom off and returned to our house.  Marty was there with steak ready to go on the grill and a glass of wine for me.  The kids had a tea party on the floor while we snacked and made dinner.  The kids were well-behaved and went to bed in record time.


It was one of the nicest days I've had in a long time.