On the second day of year 2009, we packed our bags and headed towards Mount Monadnock for a 2 night stay at a farm in New Hampshire. The place is near the border of NH, so it is only a 1 hr 40 minutes drive there. Together with us was another SG family, Vv and Ad and their two beautiful daughters. It was great that we spent the time with another family as our kids played together and we helped each other in looking after one another kids. 
Ry stepping out our little cottage after we settled in and was exploring the texture of snow in his new snow boots.
K and I really loved the small cosy cottage that they assigned us which is a short walk from the main inn where the meals are served and other activities are carried out. The scenery around the farm is also very picturesque and charming especially with the fresh coat of snow after the two recent snow storms. Basically, for this trip, we just have to stay within the farm and there is a list of activities that is planned each day which we could participate according to the schedule. Meals are also included in our stay so we just have to plop ourselves at the dining table and fill ourselves up with all the delicious food they serve. This is the first time that I never complained about eating American food for six straight meals as the food is simply delicious and not salty or oily. They really have the home -cooked taste. Also, choices are plenty especially for the kids and we just have to order whatever we liked.
On our way to the main inn from our little cottage behind.
As we arrived at the farm around noon, we had our lunch there and spent quite a long time at the dining area catching up with Vv and Ad. Their two girls loved K and they liked to play with him, so K was busy entertaining the three kids throughout our whole stay. By the time we finished our meals, it was almost time for Ry's nap, so we decided to go back to our cottage and let Ry napped first. After that, K and Ry went swimming at the indoor heated pool around evening time followed by another sumptuous dinner. The activity that night was story telling by the Native Americans, complete with puppets, mask and soft toys.
The big dog that guards the barn. She was so big and flurry that we couldn't figure out wether it was a sheep or dog when it charged at us.
K trying out ice-skating in the naturally frozen ice skating rink.
Ry enjoying the usual swim that we'll definitely take if we are in places which offers indoor heated pool.
Warming their cold hands in the quaint little fireplaces that are found around the inn.
We woke up pretty early on Saturday as we wanted to go to the barn to pick the eggs that could be served for our breakfast. The coop was unlike those that we imagined with nicely segregated cubicles with chickens inside them and the eggs will roll down on one side of the aisle. In fact, it was just two small little cages with chickens in them and the chickens will lay eggs in any place they want. We had a hard time deciding whether to go into the cage to pick the eggs and almost decided to give up before a lady worker showed us where to find the eggs. In the end, we managed to pick 5 eggs and had them cooked as omelette and scrambled eggs for our breakfast. During breakfast, we felt a tinge of guilt when we heard other kids returning dejected as they could not find any eggs.
My snow angel! See how fat it is!
Snow fight!
Ry and daddy sledding down the slope!
In the afternoon, I decided to stay indoor with Ry and joined Vv and her two daughters for some activities while K and Ad went off for snowshoeing - some male bonding there. Snowshoeing is basically putting on a pair of snow shoes that looked like skis and go trekking in the forest that is now covered with snow. They spent at least 2 hr trekking through the forest while Ry and I were indoors making snowman with marshmallows and playing Uno with Em.
My lopsided marshmallow snowman!
The night activity that day was Contradance and all the kids had a great time dancing away. I pitied the two dads who had to dance with the kids. They were so tired after the first dance but had to continue because of the kids while I was busy laughing and taking pictures and videos of their awkward dance steps. After the dance ended, the kids were still enthusiastic and so the musicians stayed behind and played some more music for the kids to play and dance around. Ry had such a good time that he was the last one to leave the dance floor.
Abby and Ry dancing away with their daddies.
Father and son dance!
On Sunday, we did not take part in any more activities as we planned to leave in the morning after breakfast. Initially, we wanted to go gathering eggs again but decided to give other kids a chance so we gave it a miss. While on our way home, K commented that this was the best and most relaxing holiday we had so far and I fully agree. Probably, I will be looking at more trips like this in future.
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