Apple Orchard Weekend

This week we celebrated the annual Smith Family Apple Orchard Weekend. I have been very anxious for this because I have not seen my dad since August. This is usually the longest stretch we have to go without seeing each other and I was definitely ready for it to end. Matt and Kelsey started the festivities a little early because they attended the Homecoming parade on Friday afternoon while we waited for Grandpa to arrive. Since I teach in a different district than Matt, I was not able to go :( They had fun though without me! The weather was a little out of season as they were able to wear shorts and t-shirts due to the temps rising to the upper 80s...in October!




When I got home from school, Kelsey and I patiently waited for Grandma and Grandpa to arrive. Kelsey gave them a grand entrance when they got here and ran to them yelling, "Hi Grandpa Larry and Grandma Chris!!!" Once we were all reaquainted, we dressed in blue and went to the Huskies game. It was a nail biter, but the Huskies pulled out a win! Again, how weird we were comfortable in t-shirts at the game. Not typical for a football game in October.
Saturday morning we were back at it bright and early as we went to cheer on Soren at his soccer game. The unseasonal weather continued and we all wore summer clothes.
Here is Soren's cheering squad:



Next up was the main event--the Apple Orchard! Last year it rained the entire time we were there so we never got to pick our own apples. We were sure this year would be different---however, mother nature thought she was funny by dropping a 20 minute rain storm on us when we arrived. Thankfully, we hung out in the shop and waited for it to pass. With the mini-storm did bring a cold front that made us have to put on our sweatshirts, but not for long :)

We have gone to the same apple orchard the past 2 years and decided to adopt trees for our kids this year with the idea that we will continue to use this orchard in the future. It is a free program where a tree is designated as your child's/children's tree. Then every year you go there the kids can pick a small bag of apples for free and you can see how big your tree is getting.



Kelsey did pretty well with picking apples. She was more worried about the frog she spotted and how she was going to stay away from it. Not a frog fan apparently. Grandpa helped out with filling her bag while she kept on the lookout ;)





We found a perfect spot to take pictures of the kids before we left. We are quite the spectical trying to get 7 kids ages 6 and under to smile and look at the camera. Here is what I came up with:


We made our way to our house for an afternoon of family time. First we had lunch which everyone devoured from all our hard work. Next, the girls went shopping (with all my coupons, right girls?!?) and the boys watched the Badger/Gopher game and hung out with the kids. When the ladies returned we were back to work and started the pie making process. I got this great apple peeler for a gift last year and was so excited to use it because it makes peeling and slicing apples so easy.....unless the handle breaks off :( How does that happen after barely ever using it? We did eventually rig up a way to make it work without the crank, although it took 5 adults worth of trying and many laughs.

Due to the great weather, the kids played outside quite a bit and the guys got in there to play a game of baseball with everyone.



We ordered pizzas to round out the night and ate apple pie for dessert. What a good combo :) No one went hungry, that's for sure.

What a wonderful way to spend our weekend. I am so thankful that everyone makes it work coming from different areas to be together. As everyone drove away I did shed a few tears because it was just so good to all be together. Can't wait to do it again next year.