Vintage sleds on a vintage farm

We headed out to the farm on Sunday and got there around 4 p.m. It was lightly snowing and we had about 6 inches on the ground. The boys couldn't wait to get the old Artic Cats runnin'! As I tended to the chickens and our one majestic Roo, the boys got the sleds out and started them right up. After being stored since last winter, it was pretty impressive. Dylan, our 10 year old, and Evan, our 8 year old were the first ones out. After a few minutes I ran and grabbed the camcorder so that I could capture it on video. For my husband, Roger, this was a personal dream come true. He has had a love for vintage snowmobiles since he was a little boy, and he has been collecting old Artic Cats for the last 8 years or so. So, naturally our boys have developed the same passion and it is so amazing to finally have a place of our own to ride them. The intertwinded dreams of Roger and I of owning a place where we can blend all of our interests has truly come to fruition. The very old farmhouse filled with character and charm, the acreage it sits on, the surrounding horse country, the sturdy old barn and all of the vintage toys, all make for a heavenly retreat! It's funny because Rog often comments on moments that he knows he will remember for years, but this particular evening must have left a huge impact. He mentioned more than once on how happy it made him to see all of us ripping around on the sleds, laughing and having so much fun. And I have to agree that it was one for the memory books. Even Kelsey, our 6 year old daughter, and I, had a blast riding around the pasture. It was good old family fun. I think it's the simplicity of it that makes me feel like a kid again. The sheer joy of the wind in my face, the smell of the winter air, and the sound of laughter and happiness. These are exactly the reasons why we wanted a place like Hentennial. We want our children to enjoy the same things that we did as kids. Being outdoors, loving nature, being unplugged, and being together. We live in a fast paced society. All technical, constant stimulation, not enough talking, not enough family connection. But there are ways to combat the bad habits of today. Get outside. Get unplugged. Do something active. Do things as a family. Building special memories is important for our children, but it is just as important for ourselves. We want to look back on our lives and smile at how we lived them. We want to be grateful for the simpler times. The times where everything seemed to just slow down.

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Holiday Spirit

This year we decided to do something more memorable than going to the local Home Depot to buy our tree. Although, when the kids were younger, they did believe that the employees at the Depot were actually Santa's helpers, and we did always choose a nice tree. But this year we found a wonderful family owned tree farm in Metamora where we took the kids to cut down a tree. It was such a gorgeous day on Saturday too. Sunny and cold, but not snowy, and we remembered to dress really warm. The farm is situated on 400 plus rolling acres, and they have a tractor that will give you a ride down into the hilly spots to go search for the perfect tree. Then, after you cut it down, they haul it out for you and shake and wrap it. All of the trees are the same price, regardless of size. They also have warm chestnuts and hot cocoa for sale. The kids loved it, and so did we! We all decided that this will be our new tradition and we plan to go to the same farm every year. We chose a 9 foot Blue Spruce, mostly for it's pretty blue color, and because it's a change from all the Frasier Furs in the past. It's perfect.
So Saturday was my idea of getting into the holiday spirit. In the morning we went to a warehouse where we wrapped all the gifts we bought for our "adopted" family. It's such a wonderful charitable organization and it makes us feel so good to be giving back to the community by providing those who have nothing with a little Christmas cheer. Also, I think it's important for my children to learn about giving back, and helping others in need. Especially around the holidays when so much focus has shifted to consumerism and not what it should be about, giving back. When we were done at "Santa's Workshop", we headed out to the country to get our tree. It was a fun filled day with the family. Then we spent all day Sunday in our p.j.'s decorating the tree and the house. The snow was piling up outside which made it all the more majical, and Rog even took the kids sledding in the Village. This was a memory-making weekend: Giving back, tree cutting, snow falling and fireside snuggling all weekend long!!!
The farm is called Nicklas Tree Farm, 3847 W. Brocker Rd. Metamora, MI
email: connienicklas@hotmail.com