The Farm.

Tuesday, the kids and I made our way down to the farm where Randy and Dale were working hard on their food plots. The guys needed to pick up a fertilizer spreader, so I was awarded the task of towing the trailer with Ranger on it. Actually, I was feeling pretty cool that I was towing this huge trailer with this manly ATV ratcheted securely on board (like I did it!) cruising down the freeway.

Until I went the wrong way.

Three times.

Have you ever had to turn around while towing a trailer. Lots of prayer, folks, lots. of. it.

Coolness, aside, here are some shots of us enjoying what was left of the day by the time I arrived.

The kids were keeping a close eye on daddy turning the seed under:

Ashlynn, my new bookworm, and Addie walking down the trail:

We had to have the book (Ramona the Pest) with us at all times:

The boys trailing daddy as he spread clover seed:

The kids sticking on the trail, staying out of the tall grass (mom's orders, no ticks, please!):

Addie and I riding shotgun in the Ranger:

Time to head out....let's see how far we can run before mom calls us back!

The field.

The trail was long and rugged. Ditches, ruts, rocks and big tire tracks were scattered through the winding path. Daisies, Black Eyed Susans, Queen Anne's Lace and other varieties of wildflowers lined both sides. Our long pants were warm in the sun. The sound of cicadas, crickets and grasshoppers almost drown out the chirping wrens and children's laughter.

Once we arrived at our destination, we were greeted with the sound of engines working hard. In no time, it rose over the horizon, bobbing up and down over the mounds of dirt. The unlit headlights looked like friendly eyes, the exhaust stack puffed a steady stream of smoke, while blonde curls swayed from a little girl sitting on daddy's lap behind the wheel of a tractor.

Next came the green plow with a boy whose smile could not grow any wider. His waving hand was only interrupted when he grabbed a hold of grandpa as a giant dirt clump caused the machine to bounce.

Out of the corner of my eye I spotted a black snake slithering away from the noise and apparent disruption of his day. Just a few moments before, a groundhog had scampered by heading into the deep woods, no doubt looking for food and a cool place to spend the afternoon.

One look around and we could see there was a lot to be done before planting could begin. More water was poured to quench the thirst of hard work and I headed back to the trail with two kids who were giggling even more than before.

Sunshine. Laughter. Happiness. Family. Beauty. Not a bad way to spend the day. Not bad at all.