Apple Pickers

Fall is here and so is the sickness that always seems to come with it. Lauren started coughing in the night on Saturday and I had a feeling it was going to get worse before it got better. She has a nasty little cough, running nose, high fever and just began saying, "My tummy hurts, mommy". It's always pretty easy to tell when she doesn't feel well as all she wants to do today is sit in my lap and cuddle. That's sign #1. I'm hoping it's just a 24 hour bug thing and that she'll be feeling better tomorrow. Until then, I'm enjoying some "cuddle time" with my non-cuddler. ;-)

This weekend Dad and Thomas came down for a visit. I had planned a day trip to a local orchard for us with a side trip to the Amanas and BOY did we have a great day!! Honey Creek Acres was purchased by a family a few years ago and they have done a ton of work to bring it back to what it once was.

When we got there we all went into the store to pick out our apple pickers and baskets. But as we were all looking what rows had the McIntosh apples Josh and Lauren found the bees!!



It really was pretty neat to see a working beehive. They kids even found the Queen bee. Josh is pretty scared of bees and he seemed thrilled to be able to see them close up from the safety of being behind glass.

Once we found a good tree we all went to work!









And while Miss Ella didn't get to pick any apples herself...she sure did try and get her hands on a few!




After we paid for all 28 pounds of apples (YOWZERS!) we headed over to the Ox Yoke Inn for a little (or big) lunch.

Lauren's face says it all. It was good. Very good.



After lunch we walked around a bit and scared the kids a bit with some stuffed animals.




Dad told Josh that if the moose head scared him, he should see what's on the other side of the wall. Josh was mortified and giddy at the thought.

No trip to the Amanas is complete without a stop at the Chocolate Haus. So while mommy bought caramel and button candy, Papa Adam and Ella enjoyed the beautiful day.



Once we got home we made four delicious apple pies and a TON of applesauce for Miss Ella. Good thing she likes it!!