Apples, Apples, Apples!!

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to go Apple-Picking.

Today was the day!

We got up at 5:30am, skipped out on church...shhh...don't tell anyone!...and headed up to Apple Hill in Placer County.

I did my research this past week...mapped out the different orchards, found out who had "You Pick," lunch, etc... I also read that it can be very busy on the weekends, so we got an early start.

First Stop:

Sun Mountain Farm

This place was AWESOME! No gitz, no glamour...just a small stand, friendly owners, and lots of great apples ripe for the pickin'. In fact when we drove up at 9:30, they looked closed. But we continued on, pleasantly surprised that they were open...just quiet...being as it was still early.

We picked Cameo's, Fujis's, and lots of Granny Smith's...so I can perfect my pie-making techniques!

Something about the apple orchards makes for such great pictures!

I've mentioned before that it is so difficult for us, with such a variety of ages in our family, to find things to do together that everyone enjoys...this is one of them! I think we started a new family tradition this year!

Emma Kate couldn't wait to taste test.

She wanted Mommy to see how delicious they were.

Connor loved searching for the perfect apples.

Daddy being silly.

It didn't take very long to fill up our bag...over 10lbs...less that $10!

Next Stop:

Rainbow Orchard...Famous for their Apple Cider donuts!

This place smelled amazing!

They had so many different apples, pies, cider, jellies, jams...

  

The best part was this little gem...!

There was lots of room outside for the kids to run around and enjoy the beautiful day.

Dominic could have sat all day and enjoyed the donuts!

Stop Number 3:

Larsen Apple Barn

They had an old historical musem as well.

So many great photo ops!

Here we enjoyed some apple pie.

We may or may not have purchased one for home as well:)

We also got some fresh apple cider and pears.

Connor is at this wonderful age in which he loves to help. Please Lord, don't let this stage ever go away!

Last stop of our Apple Hill Adventure:

Apple Ridge Farms

This place had everything.

Small-ish pumpkin patch...

No Emmy, we're not quite ready for pumpkins...that's another trip;)

We had so much fun with the kids...

They even had...

which of course the kids had to feed...!

One of my favorite pictures...

Just when Dad had had his fill of all things "Apple," we decided to grab a little lunch while we were here.

(This is his fake smile that really says, "Honey, I am starving and we have a lot more to do today!")

Connor is thanking God for food...and water!

We left Apple Hill with bellies full of Apple Donuts, Apple Pie, and a little lunch.

A car full of Apples, Apple Pie, Apple Cider, Apple Butter, a few extra Apple donuts, tired children, oh... and some very dirty feet!

And a camera full of fun priceless pictures of the family I am so grateful for.

As we got in the car, I prayed for 2 things:

That Dominic would drive us safely through the windy roads and get us to our next destination.

That our other children would get enough rest in the car before heading to my aunt's house in Rancho Cordova for dinner!

Yup! This was only half of our day.

A little crazy. We are.

But I am seriously tired...so that part of the day will have to wait till later...