APpLe OrChArD time!

                                  

Oh, I love fall.  Love it.  My absolute favorite time of year!  And we have been blessed thus far to a fantastically beautiful September of amazing temperatures.  Not too hot, not too cold. Chilly in the morning to make runs quite pleasant, yet warming up enough in the afternoon to play outside in shorts and a t-shirt.  I am making sure to take full advantage and the boys and I are enjoying being outside as much as possible.

Last weekend we headed out to Jonamac Apple Orchard with our good friends Jason and Betsy Davis and their two little ones.  Jason and I went to high school and youth group together, and about 5 years ago the moved up to Chicagoland where he pastors an Assembly of God church.  We didn't get together the first couple of years, but once I had Micah and Betsy had Jackson (less than a month later) we made it a point to meet and haven't looked back since.  It's great watching our boys hanging out and becoming friends, and Betsy and I have really clicked as well.  All that to say, we had a great time with them at the Orchard and think it should become a regular tradition.

Many, many pictures are posted below.  I just couldn't help myself, as I'm a fan of these shots and love my family.  Enjoy scrolling through, just know you've been warned on the length, haha.

First up was the petting zoo.  Jackson and Micah were off playing on hay bales and slides and duck races and corn boxes while the littles, Reid and Norah were enamored with the animals.  Behind the fence, of course.

Next up was the jumping pillow.  Reid enjoyed it at times, was not so sure at other times, but Micah thoroughly enjoyed it the entire time!  I love the air Jackson (in the jeans and red pullover) has in the first shot and Micah has in the last shot.  Impressive!

Once we finished the jumping pillow we headed out to the orchard to pick (and eat) our apples.  Yummy!!  All four kids loved picking the apples, and the older boys probably had 2-3 apples each in the midst of the picking.  Reid really took to the apple and carried one around with him the entire time, after nibbling on a couple and putting the down.  Really, great memories with the boys!

Best Buds.  

From babies (see below) to apple orchard buddies!

Just had to throw this one in here - this is when Micah and Jackson were babies!!  Literally taken in September of 2010, and the orchard was in September of 2013.  Fun memories :)  

And of course we had to get a couple of pictures with the infamous rocking chair.  Thanks for a good time, Jonamac!  See you next year!!