An Apple a Day

                                                            "An apple a day,
                                                   the chance to see friends and play
                                                          makes for a great day!"

This past Friday, we had the chance to meet some of our friends from Richmond at Carter Mountain Orchard near Charlottesville. My friend Kari kept Rachel on days that I worked in the summer before we moved to the mountains. Rachel always had a great time there and learned alot and always made the cutest crafts with Kari and her girls. We had tried a few times to get together since we moved but it had not worked out until this visit.
Kari homeschools her girls, Hannah Grace and Faith Ann. They were coming to Carter Mountain as part of  a school field trip and invited us to join them. We actually got to be a part of the field trip so we were able to do several neat things. First, we went on a hay ride and were able to see some of these beautiful apples we were looking forward to picking.

Then we headed to "Apple School." Yes, we learned about an apple tree in all seasons, how apple trees grown and how to use our five senses to learn about apples

Hannah and Rachel trying out the apple wheel

Our smallest student

Next we headed out to actually pick apples. The week we were there they had Stayman and Fuji apples ready to pick and both were quite a hike to get to.

Hiking along to find our apples

Kari, Hannah, Faith Ann and Rachel picking apples

The various stages of picking apples: search, twist and pull, stuff into bag, smile for Mommy to take a picture of you picking apples

Rachel had a ball seeing her friends again. Rebekah had a good time too. She enjoyed the hayride, riding in the wagon and was especially happy when we gave her an apple to gnaw on. She ate about 1/2 an apple by herself!

Hannah and Rachel using team work to carry the long pole used to reach apples high up in the trees. I wonder if there is a technical name for this thing?

Finally getting to eat an apple!

Rachel was so glad to see both Hannah Grace and Faith Ann. Rebekah had fun spending time here with Hannah too. I love this picture of Rachel and Faith Ann in the background too. I don't know what they are talking about but they sure look like they were having fun.

Our smallest apple picker

The girls running back down toward the barn for apple cider and doughnuts. This is the town of Charlottesville that can be seen in the background

This a picture of the girls capturing lady bugs. We found the picnic tables to enjoy our cider and apple cider doughnuts (which are totally awesome, by the way, if you haven't had a chance to try them yet). While Brent and I visited with Kari, the girls found ladybugs everywhere around the picnic area (maybe they like the leftover doughnuts) and spent quite a while playing with them.

We had a great time at Carter Mountain with Kari, Hannah and Faith Ann. Thanks for inviting us to join you all for an apple adventure. We look forward to getting together with you all again soon!

October 19, 2012

                                                              "A word fitly spoken
                                              is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."
                                                                 Proverbs 25:11