Great find!!

Over the past couple of years, I've been searching for the perfect apple orchard to add to our fall "must do" list, but haven't had much luck, especially with the one south of town closing a few years ago. As fate would have it, my neighbor, Carolyn, mentioned an apple orchard about 30 minutes outside of town that she recently visited. She said it was wonderful, and had so much for the kids to do. Not only that, but it met one of my main criterias for any good orchard.... we could actually go out in the orchard and pick our own apples off the tree.



Katherine didn't have school today for a teacher in-service, so we decided to make the trip this morning, and the orchard certainly didn't disappoint. It was every bit as good as she told me it was and then some. We all had so much fun.



Here's some pictures from today.



The orchard has a time warp tunnel where you can go back in time 100 years. It's pretty cool. The kids actually crawl through this tunnel and when they emerge they're in the early 1900's.



Located in this area is an old school house. Katherine had a blast sitting on the stool, and "teaching" the kids the Greek alphabet. All Caleb was concerned with was how far he could jump off the chairs and how many desks he could climb on top of before I tackled him. LOL.





Here is Katherine in back of the schoolhouse.








I just realized that these pictures are out of order, and since I'm to lazy to reload them, just bear with me....





Here's a picture of Caleb playing on the haystack outside of the main gate where you can pick your own pumpkins. This orchard also has a pumpkin patch and tractor ride, but since we spent most of the time picking apples and playing in the 100 year old village, we skipped it.








Katherine and Caleb taking a break from climbing on the haystack. They loved sitting on the pumpkins!

Back to the time warp village....

They had this super cute outhouse that the kids LOVED going in and hiding from the mommies!


Professor Hanson teaching the Greek alphabet...


They also had toy tractors that Caleb LOVED!! Since he couldn't reach the pedals, I had to push him around the track! Don't you love the bug in the background???

In the time warp village, they also have the story of the three little pigs, complete with the straw, stick and brick houses. The kids loved running into each of them and playing house. Allison (Carolyn's little girl) is sitting next to Katherine. We were so glad that they wanted to go back to the orchard with us!!

The kids and I....

It's apple pickin' time! The orchard gives you these long claw type things with a basket attached so that you can get the higher apples without bruising them. I decided to get crazy and climb the tree and hand pick ours. I can't remember the last time I climbed a tree!! Oh, to be young again! LOL.

I'm not sure if the kids like picking or eating the apples more... They were perfect... crisp and juicy!! We had so much fun!

Katherine and Allison walking through the orchard, trying to find the perfect tree. We're already looking forward to next year!!

Julie's husband (another one of our neighbors) got box seats to the Iowa Stars game tonight. I think I might have gone to a hockey game in high school, but not even 100% sure..... In any event, tonight will be my first hockey game in years, and the kids' first game ever. Unfortunately I don't know any of the rules, but still looking forward to the game. We're going with Julie (and family) and Andrea (and family) so it should be a good time.... and the kids can run around in the box all night!