I Speak "Boy": Apple Hill

Pick A Pumpkin

Yesterday we went, on what is becoming (much to Aaron's chagrin) our annual Apple Hill trip with the Taylor's and Wills'.
Apple Hill is an approx. 5 mile radius of Apple (among other fruits) orchards. Each fall they open their orchards to the public, each having their own and somewhat unique activities- from hayrides, to mazes, to face painting, crafts fairs, pony rides, nature walks, you pick-em apples, and much, much more.
There are two or three orchards that we usually go to. The first is Boa Vista- it has a great pumpkin patch (see the picture of Elijah, Emma and Jackson picking out their pumpkins) and a really great producery (?) and bakery. It also has a little craft fair full of stuff we always look at and never buy. HAHA.
The next place we usually head to is Jack Russel Farm & Brewery - a much needed reprieve for the gentlemen in our brood. They have a great pumpkin ale (no, I didn't partake this year :( ), awful mead wine (gross- have you ever tasted that stuff?!) and hard ciders (again, I didn't partake this year- can't wait for next year!).
Then it is on to Kids, Inc. This is the Taylor's favorite place. Here we did our nature walk (pictures below) which is a great wrap up for a busy, bustling day. We looked at the farm animals (the goats wanted to eat Elijah's giraffe haha) and finished off with a "walking pie"- a "personal" (though three of us ate it and would never dare to eat a whole one ourselves) domed hot apple pie and a last stop at the store to get 4 frozen walking pie's, 1 jug of fresh apple cider & a box of apples for Bridget so that she can make her wonderful applesauce!
It really was a wonderful day, though stressful at times with the kids running every direction. It's definitely a nice drive (2 hours- just outside Placerville) and helps with the great company!