Long ago, we decided to make the most of being a military family.
Which means doing all we can to find every fun and free thing to do within reasonable driving distance of the place we currently call “home”.
Since we’ve moved up here to New England, finding fun things to keep us busy has been a piece of cake.
And right now, it’s apple picking season in our neck of the woods.
This year we visited a new apple farm.
One a bit further south.
The one we visited last year sadly had no apples this year due to a late spring freeze.
We were pleased with our decision to visit elsewhere.
So were the kids.
In addition to having apples and raspberries, this orchard also had a very large pumpkin patch.
And a corn maze. And a petting zoo.
While we didn’t actually bring home pumpkins this early, we did let the kids each pick a favorite.
We like to think of it as window shopping.
After visiting the pumpkin patch, we moved on to the petting zoo.
Isabelle was smitten.
No. She did not kiss the goat.
We did, however, manage to lock our lips on some apples.
Lots and lots of apples.
We paid $18 for a bag full of apples.
Which was worth every penny.
To see smiles this big.
Clearly, we are a family that is easily pleased.
This orchard had at least a dozen varieties of apples.
And we tried each and every one.
A few times over.
Then we moved on to the apple cider donuts.
Which were only slightly tastier (and much greasier) than the apples.
They’re pretty famous around these parts, and after trying them, we could see why.
We manage to eat our way through most places we go.
It was a perfect way to spend a beautiful fall day.
We are going all to really miss New England.
But we’ll have made some great memories.
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Happy Sunday, y’all!
Wonderful pics Stefanie!!!! It looks like a beautiful day. Are ya'll leaving already?
I went to our local orchard on Sat. too-it was a gorgeous, perfect day! Yes, cider donuts are a New England tradition (along w/ apple fritters!!)
You're leaving my neck of the woods?? π At least you got to experience it!!!
Great pictures as always. We are doing something similar in a few weeks and now I have some ideas on pictures. π Oh and since you had your name game, I can't get the name Maggie out of my head. I told my husband the other night and we are praying about if maybe God has a Maggie out there somewhere for us. Just wanted you to know that God may have used your name game to plant a seed for another adoption. We will see.
oh so fun! i've never been apple picking myself, but i would LOVE to go someday! especially with a gang as fun as yours. π
Love the post and love the family fun! I have missed out on the fact that you are leaving New England. What a great experience your family is having! Knowing the importance of family and yet being able to relocate- a sense of flexibility.
We have not developed that talent yet but who knows what God has in store for us! I'm loving his journey so far!! Thank you Jesus!!
I've been wondering how your family adapts to the moves and changes – being far from extended family, being in towns you may or may not like, being gypsies. My family is uprooting and moving across the country – a plane ride from grandparents, away from the home where I brought my babies home, far from my best friend and favorite places. I believe we are good at finding the best of the best in terms of (free and cheap!) family fun but still…how do you manage seeing your mom only a few times a year?!?
It's been a dozen years since we lived in New England, but I would move back in a second if ever given the chance. Autumn in New England is one of God's most beautiful creations!
Glad you had such a lovely, fun day! Are you all moving again soon?
All the best,
Nicole A. in LA (exploring our brand new part of the country, too!)
We are always on the look out for free fun stuff too!!!
My Isaiah would be apple crazy over there. He LOVES them!!!
Your kids are the cutest as always! Love all the pictures!
Have a great week! =)
It truly was a beautiful New England weekend! We picked pumpkins yesterday and then apples at a different farm today, but my photos don't look like yours π Yours are great!
Are you leaving NE already?
I never mentioned it before, but I dreamed I came to visit you at your current house. So, do you have immediate plans to move? Or just know that b/c of the military you will EVENTUALLY move?
I've never heard of apple cider donuts, but my mouth is watering just thinking about them!! We, too, are always on the lookout for "fun and free." Friends are always commenting that my girls get to see and do so much without ever leaving our city. One just has to be resourceful, right? π
Happy Fall!
As always, these are gorgeous shots.
Did I miss a post? Already time to change duty stations?
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
Wonderful pics – like that's news? We'll be at our version of that farm next Saturday for a combination of what you did with a Chusok celebration – glad ya'll had a good weekend!
hugs – aus and co.
So fun!! We're hoping to visit the orchard this week & then maybe Momma will make something yummy that makes the house smell yummy, too!
Great post! Wonderful pictures. So glad the family had so much fun! What's not to love about New England. . . Well, maybe all that snow!
Looks like lots of fun! I love fall! Didn't know you guys were moving. I'm sure it's somewhere exciting! And oh.. your poor dog… ugh.. couldn't get that face out of my mind last night! WOW!
Wait… are you leaving us so soon!?
We're terrible at that kind of outing – I always think it'll be so fun and then the calendar totally gets away from us and we miss whatever seasonal event we were trying to hit. Used to be good about it – but I can't seem to get back on track with it all since I started homeschooling again. Which I find slightly ironic.
Sooo, are you heading out of fair NE already? Nothing like the advent of packing to make you really purge and clean out the extras, huh? Maybe I should pretend we're moving . . . . π
I always get homesick for New England in the Fall…and it's been 10 years since we left! Exploring the new surroundings was always my favorite thing about the military…and the one I miss most about moving all the time!
You're leaving already?! We never got to meet at Children's. wah. Great pics, as usual!!
Love the pictures!
Oh Stefanie is it time already to move again?
Well, you ALWAYS have a GREAT attitude about moving…you need to write a book.
I love this quote: "When you're walking with the Lord, change is ALWAYS in your favor."
Love the applicious pics!
What a beautiful family outing!
Always such great pictures!!!!
Moving again?????
Blessings,
Robin
Oh no moving again…can't wait to see where…