Apple Picking 2013

We braved the rainy weather today and took a drive about 30 minutes north of us to an orchard called (Harvest Moon Farm and Orchard).  I did a bit of research and thought this orchard met everything on my checklist of what I thought an orchard should have and then some. So after a healthy breakfast (we anticipated eating donuts once we got there) we hopped in the car and away we went.

It had an orchard of course full of apple trees and pear trees (not in season) also, a hay ride, pumpkin patch, face painting, air brush tattoos, a bounce house and inflatable slide, live music, pony rides, a farm with animals, a cute little country store, and lots of yummy food vendors like - a pumpkin cheesecake guy, kettle corn, turkey legs, a BBQ pit, brick oven pizzas, hot/spicy jellied jams, and apple cider donuts.

The rain set in as we were driving up and hoped that it would subside once we got there.  We arrived about 9am and stayed until almost 1.  I'm glad we went when we did because the line of cars to get into the place was about a mile long (maybe longer) when we left.  It certainly filled in while we were there.

It was the kids first orchard picking experience.  We had a great time and can't wait to pick strawberries, blueberries and raspberries/blackberries in the summer.

Lots of gourds and hand made crafts to welcome us.

Checking out all the goodies at the store.

You could pick your own apples or buy apples already picked for you.

A 300 lb. pumpkin.

Katie and Scott enjoying some apple cider donuts.

Mikey wanted a picture taken of him eating his donut too!

Yum.

On our way to pick some apples.

Lots and Lots of apple trees.

Still raining a bit and there is my little girl trying to keep up with the boys.

So pretty seeing the apples in the trees.

His first apple of the day! So proud.
 Lots of apple carnage on the ground.

Pulling one off the tree. We had to teach her not to pick them right off the ground.

She is proud too!

With the assist from Mommy.

Love her smile.  She loves apples!

Now for an assist from Daddy.

Identifying which apple to go for next.

The apple picking poles came in handy!

Climbing to the top of the hill to enjoy the view.

Snuggles from Daddy.

She's eating her second apple of the day.

It's been a while since we've had a family pic.  This one turned out pretty good and everyone is smiling, which never happens!

Slowing filling up our half bushel bag.  The bag holds 20 + lbs of apples.  We picked about 5 different varieties but of course once they went in the bag, I couldn't tell one from another.

One of the last trees we picked apples from.  The branches were so loaded with apples they hung to the ground.  Perfect height for little munchkins to pick from!

Tug, Tug, Tug.

Carefully making her selection.

The pumpkin patch.

Scott and Mikey last in line waiting to ride on the hay ride. 

While they enjoyed the hay ride, we checked out the pumpkins.

This is officially called a galeux d'eysines but Katie calls it a "scary pumpkin" 

Saying hi to the chickens!

Standing on a mound of dirt says cheese with as much emphasis as anyone ever has.

The boys are back.  

Scott said Mikey was smiling the entire time.  He loved it and was asking to go for a ride once he saw it go past us in the orchard.  

Enjoyin some lunch.  A super flavorful pulled pork sandwich.  

We listened and danced to some live music.

We have so many apples, I lost count when I got to 40.  So we promptly got out my apple peeler, corer and slicer machine and went to work.  A day later and we've made apple pie, apple chips, we juiced apples for some fresh apple juice and used the pulp left from the juice machine to make apple muffins and some apple spice waffles and we still have tons left for eating.