Happy Apple Farm

 Remember how I said we got to cram two Fall-ish things in to our last weekend? Well our second was something I've been wanting to do ever since I found out last year that we could, apple picking! One of the things I really miss about my hometown was our local apple orchard MacQueen's. Lush trees full of giant, juicy apples in every color. Going to their market to purchase the apples or fresh pies while filling up on warm apple cider and cinnamon donuts, you just can't beat it.

 Happy Apple Farm was located about an hour and a half away and was what I consider the red-headed stepchild as far as apple orchards are concerned. They had the trees (tiny trees) but because of the drought (or the fact that its Colorado) the apples were the size of Johanna's hand. Also the cider hadn't been pressed yet, bummer! But overall we had a fantastic time and I got to satisfy some of my apple orchard nostalgia.

 The kids loved it! 

 Not sure what the rule was for taste testing, I figured if they asked we could always tell them she picked it from the ground which in most cases was true. She made sure to try a bite from each apple and always had two in her hands at all time.

 JJ also loved picking the apples. Well, in reality he would get really mad at the apple when he couldn't pick it so he'd grab a handful of whatever he could get and pull and tug as hard as he could.

 Jeff took a bite from an apple so JJ could try and nibble on it, he really liked sucking on the juice. It turned out to be a great thing that the apples were so tiny, they were the perfect size for the kiddos.

 This was going to be a picture of Johanna with the scarecrow, but apparently scarecrows are right up there with cotton candy on Johanna's don't go near list.

 

 After filling up our 5lb bag with apples we headed over to the pumpkin patch to find our first pumpkin of the year. Right away Johanna spotted a grasshopper who looked just like Daisy's pet, Wilbur from her favorite show Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. She was very excited.

 

 Berry picking season is best in the month of August. We were too late for the blackberries and gooseberries but there were still some raspberries left for picking. We hadn't grabbed a pint container for berries so we let Johanna pick a few off the vine to taste. They weren't the ripest and had a little bit of a bitter taste. Johanna who eats lemons raw didn't seem to mind at all.

After sampling some berries and picking out our pumpkin we climbed aboard the hayride for a quick trip back to the entrance. A kind lady offered to take a picture of the four of us. She didn't know that it takes our family about ten practice shots before getting a good one so this is what we got. Peanut was hot, hungry and a little mad that we took her away from the rasberry bushes.

 She was much happier once we were moving and she could feel the nice breeze.

 

Peanut

 Pistachio

 

Overall, great trip! Worth the hour and a half drive? For the experience and to see what it was about, yes! Next time I will plan on going during berry picking season since that seemed to be Johanna's favorite. Although the apples were small they ended up being the perfect snack size for everyone. I've really enjoyed the convenience of grabbing one out of our bag to throw into Johanna's lunch bag for school or for a snack in the car. Happy almost Fall everyone!