Annual Apple Picking Trip

We ventured to BJ Reece Apple House for our fifth annual apple picking trip today. Schools were closed for a long weekend due to Columbus Day, so it was the perfect day to make the drive to North Georgia. It was a very big group this year, and I loved making memories with so many sweet friends. Kristen and I started the tradition when the girls were infants and the boys were only two years old. In total today we had six moms and thirteen kids ranging in age from six weeks to five years old!

It took a little longer than expected to hit the road with all the cars loaded, but it was an easy drive once we got started. As we nearing the orchards, it started to sprinkle, so all the moms were a little nervous with how the weather would affect the day, but it never developed into a real rain. We ate a quick picnic lunch and headed into the trees armed with bags to collect apples. 

The kids were so excited once we found the trees with apples low enough to pick themselves. Maggie and Tuttle were very proud to fill their bags as quickly as possible with frequent stops for biting into their favorite finds. I kept losing my babies under the trees as they ran from tree to tree. They loved the freedom of the wide open orchards to run around in.

Maggie loved spending the day with two of her sweet friends from her Kangaroo Class.

The orchard also has some animals to check out. We started with the milk cow and explored the small petting area next. I think the cow was a little overwhelmed with our herd. She kept moving to the opposite end of her area while our kids followed her. :)

The petting area was home to the cutest baby goats, cows, dogs, chickens, and pigs. My city babies soaked up all the country animals!

Finally we headed over to the other side of the orchard to enjoy the beautiful view of the North Georgia mountains. There are so many special activities to experience during the fall, and I am thrilled that we have kept up our apple picking tradition for so long. This year was especially memorable because my friends have such different schedules now that it is much more difficult to coordinate our schedules.

We wrapped up our adventure with apple doughnuts, apple bread, and the yummiest mini apple pies. I told Tuttle and Maggie that we were going to have to eat apples for breakfast, lunch, and dinner all week to finish off our collection. We cannot wait for next year!