Carrying on a tradition started before we were a family

Apple Picking. It's a fun all tradition I've been doing for years. I didn't grow up doing it and only did it the 1st time in part as a joke as my friend Sarah and I were dressed as Pirates and because we didn't know how things went we stole our apples. I've even went and started friends into taking their own children.We even pay for them now! When I met my husband we talked about having traditions and how we wanted to make sure we had them for the kids when we had some. So that 1st year of dating we went apple picking and had a blast.  having  went together every year there after, this year we got to take little miss. I think she had a blast at it herself.

We went back and forth as to where we'd go. I grew up around many different farms that had u-pick but almost always went to Garwood's orchard. A little over an hour east of Chicago for those looking to go as they do have live music and it's in general a great time. But it's more then 3 hours away from us now, and we try to only do it when we've got trips planned to grandma's house. Here west of Chicago we've got Apple Holler (looks like lots for the kids but always super crazy busy), Harvest Time Orchards (heard about but also have never been), and one of the many more that are around here Elegant Farmer(which we went to). I'm not saying Elegant Farmer was less busy compared to other but we really went because of the pie.

just being cute

They make an Apple pie that's baked in a brown paper bag. Now I'm not new to baking in any way. I think my mom had me working with the oven at 5 if not sooner(no she didn't have me getting things in and out but watching stuff inside as well as making things that needed the oven). A few weeks ago I thought, I can do this! So I tried and failed. I had my 1st oven fire. I'll never again try that pie. I wanted one and I know there are some local stores that sell them but I wanted one from the Original seller. 

When we do this down in Indiana we also get our pumpkins and everything all at once. Not this year as I didn't like the sizes they had of pumpkins. I love my giant ones at a small price compared to what I would of got there. Now from what I've encountered here in Wisconsin, they had some good sizes but nothing like I would get from Indiana.

Being that we're in Wisconsin, the weather can go cold early. With Little Miss still being so little we wanted to try for a good weather day so we didn't need to have her in a snowsuit/bubble. We lucked out last yesterday. We bundled like it could be freezing cold but layered it if we got lucky. At points we even removed out sweatshirts and are the proud owners of sunburns. Safe to say we got lucky.

Bundled up with Chocolate daddy riding the wooden pony

The lay out is different then what I've done in the past. We've always gotten a bag and hayride out, then come back and pay per pound what you pick. Here you pay for the hayride (you can walk but options of different types are better if you take the hayride)get a peck,1/2 bushel or bushel basket then get in line to head out to the fields. We did a peck because I've already had over 20 pounds of apples to work with this season. For those not into country life or like Chocolate daddy a city person, a peck is like a picnic basket. It's a perfect size for a small family who doesn't need a lot of apples but want to have a good amount.You pay per basket type vs pound which could be good if you can stack the apples not good if you give up half way into picking.

Now when you get dropped off at any You Pick a thing remember is a camera and use the things around you to get some good pictures of the kids or as a family. Remember to ask some one to help with the photo of the family and offer to help others. It's always to better to have mom and dad in the picture vs some with mom some with dad and parents like to have just a picture of themselves at times. Little ones don't always take the best pictures. Play around with the pictures but always remember to be safe.

Little Miss and Chocolate Daddy being the cute daddy/daughter

monkeying around

Chocolate daddy getting the big yummy ones up top

We use everything in trying to get great pictures of Lotte while out and about. Sear and other portrait studios want a lot of money for sometimes crap pictures. We've got a nice camera from before we had her and both know our way around it. Chocolate daddy is better with it then me but I don't do so bad. One way to think about it whatever you spend while doing something like this is still cheaper then the money you'd spend to get the pictures from a studio so make it worth it.

 

just got off the hay ride, happy to pick

someone loves apples!

Super cute little miss still trying to eat with just her 2 teeth while we take a few pics

She really really wanted that granny smith!

Then she got it....

She kept trying to eat it.

She doesn't quit

Another tip don't do strollers unless you have too because you've got that many children as they are hard to move around and most of the time you want the kids trying to help you. Even with the little ones like Little Miss use a body carrier and try to do your research on them as they aren't all equal and some can put little ones in pain. Besides it's always cute to see daddies walking around with their little ones and still trying to be manly.

The Hangover helps make this more okay

even cuter when they fall asleep on daddy

 Best to not get too many apples because not only do you have to carry them but not all little ones will fall asleep while out and about and no sleep = crabby kids. She's wonderful little miss when we're out and ago she'll fall asleep anywhere. Her fun was just getting started with the apple picking as they had pony rides there too.

Getting so big Little Miss with Chocolate daddy

doing good on horse back... may need to buy one in a few years

Yippee ride 'em

Then we noticed there were others behind us

wondering what they were doing following her...

Across the street from all the fun and joy of the you pick apples area was the Smiley Barn and shop. They have a so much going on during this time of year from the make your own caramel apples to full bakery to deli with fresh grilled cheese sandwiches( we tried them and they were great!)and even some apples and pumpkins they don't offer for the U pick parties. We'd totally go again for some stuff. It makes for a great time with the whole family.

stole mommy's pickle

Smiling because Mommy got us a treat!

a frozen cider pop!

digging in to it!

All in all going to pick apples is a great family time to have fun and enjoy yourself. Lotte Kept trying to try different apples like Chocolate daddy did because it opens up that option for you. You never know when you'll find a new apple you like. Also shows kids where they come from and teaches them something new. so needless to say my next entry will be how to make something with apples. I think Chocolate daddy is wanting some apple crisp, I'm thinking of making a pork roast with apples we'll see who wins.