Two years ago Blake and I took the three youngest to Ferguson’s Apple Orchard on a Sunday afternoon.

Eliza has photos of that day in her scrapbook, and shows Tate those photos all the time!

They were both asking to go back there this year.

We thought it was a great idea!

Sunday we took all the kiddos and headed there after church.

Sunday was GORGEROUS!

Perfect weather, perfect temperature, perfect sunshine, perfect blue skies!

Which made the orchard VERY crowded!

But it was still worth being there.

Tate and Eliza were SO excited!

SO patient in the long lines, and very kind!

And having the time of their lives!

There was a petting zoo,

and a John Deere tractor to climb in.

There were pedal tractors to ride!

And a corn maze to go through, and try to find Charlie in!

We split up in teams to see who would get there first!

We found him!!

Where is our other team?!?

There were all kinds of fun things for a Mama who brought her big camera!

And also a playground and spinning apple ride that I did not get photos of!

We took a wagon ride up the hill to pick apples!

The smell of diesel from the tractor was strong, the sun was bright, and there was a lot of dust flying at us – but our sweet baby was still smiling!

You have no idea how much that means to us!

Where the views were AMAZING!

There were big kid pedal tractors too!

Several hours later, we were on our way back home, much to Eliza’s dismay, with a promise that we would go back again next year, Lord willing!

We thought the beautiful day would have us fighting the bees – but, honestly, we did not see even one! Instead, though, we were fighting these tiny little flea like knats, and a few of us were getting bit and bit and bit. We changed, bathed and showered right after we got home from the orchard, but yesterday morning Tate and I especially were covered in welts. My poor boy! The bugs just love his sweet skin so much!

Bugs or no bugs, our afternoon at the orchard was blessed. Tate kept saying, “MOM!! I never this done before!” “MOM! My first time done this!”

Oh my heart! Another first. What joy it is for us to have firsts with our little ones. We missed way too many – and I am SO, so thankful that we are not missing them anymore. So glad you loved the apple orchard, Tate Owen!