After a day filled with gloomy skies and rain, the sun broke through yesterday and brought with it blue skies and crisp autumn air. I declared to the kids after lunch that we were going to drive to the arboretum. The boys grabbed a football, we picked up Jim along the way, and enjoyed hiking the grounds.

This has always been a family favorite–a respite from the hubbub of the Chicago suburbs.

The boys ran around, making up games along the way,

while this little one (pausing here to pose by a tree) went on a squirrel hunt.

She was quite successful, as squirrels were running and snacking and climbing at every turn.

A great way to seize the day!