Apple Pickin'

We decided to head back to our go-to orchard, Lynd's, to pick apples this year.  They had the Honeycrisp variety available for one day only, and it was a Friday, so Brian took off of work early and we headed on over to pick us some apples!

It was exceptionally warm, like, hot even, which kind of didn't make it feel so fall-ish, but we got us a good bag of delicious honeycrisp apples and even left some at Mary & Tom's house.  (We did a quick stop by so Brian could take a call and we could wait out a passing storm.  Kate, Maya and I played downstairs too!)

Kate was not into smiling this trip, she just wanted to eat apples.  Granted, we went smack dab in the middle of when she'd normally be napping, so perhaps that was it.  Or maybe it was just our nearly three year old practicing her independence.  I vote the latter.

If we could pick honeycrisp every time we go apple picking, I'd be a happy camper.  They are the BEST.APPLES.EVER!

Happy Girl Everyday.  Her shirt says it all!

I love this little clip.  Apple PICKIN'!

Our little apple eater!

She loved being able to eat apples!

Would you like one?!

There's something about this photo that I really like.

And this one makes me smile!

Daddy looking for an apple...

Be still my heart.

Me and my girls - part 1.

Me and my girls - part 2.

Our best family photo.  We're working on that.

Lynd's Fruit Farm

We have had many encounters with Lynd's Fruit Farm and this place continues to impress!  We had our engagement photos shot here and we went apple picking with our pup in 2010!  When we went apple picking last year, we were helping out for a charity at the Wexner orchard.  (High class, people!)  This year, we decided to pick and pursue our fall apple picking adventure back at Lynd's!

The day was overcast with the sun peeking out at various moments.  It was chilly and really windy!  Kate loved being able to pick apples and eat them right off of the tree!  It was the cutest thing watching her.  She has grown so much in the last year and each and every day continues to amaze me.

We decided to pick Honeycrisp apples this year since they are undoubtedly the BEST apples EVER and we were not disappointed!  It was busy, but we've got our fill of apples and had a wonderful fall day doing it!

BEST.APPLES.EVER.
Hands down!

Our little apple eater!  She LOVED being able
to pick apples and eat them!

Family photo!  Kate was too busy eyeing the next apple she was
planning on picking to look at the camera!

This might be my favorite photo ever!

And this one cracks me up!  It was SOOO windy so Kate is bracing
herself/giggling in the wind gust and I am attempting to maintain
my composure which I am failing miserably at.

This was the epitome of our overcast, chilly, fall day!
(Plus huge wind gusts...)

A stop at the Lynd's market and a photo op on this
humongo red chair!

Add Mommy for fun!

And an apple for the road!
Girlfriend was in heaven!

Making traditions like this for our family is one thing that I love to do.  Whether or not we pick at Lynd's each year, I hope to continue to make this a fall must do that we all look forward to!

Happy Fall, y'all!

Apple Picking on a Buckeye Saturday

Today we joined several coworkers of mine and helped pick apples at a nearby orchard for charity.  All of the apples that we picked, except for the one bag that we were allowed to bring home with us, are going to be distributed to local food banks throughout Ohio.  It feels great knowing that we were able to donate our time and labor and help those that are less fortunate and we were extremely impressed when we saw how many apples we were all able to pick together!  Those local food banks are definitely going to get a good stock of healthy, crisp apples!

The morning was cool and definitely felt like fall, so in addition to doing a good deed, we also checked off one of the quintessential fall activities: apple picking!  Kate thoroughly enjoyed eating a whole perfectly Kate-sized apple!  And I can assure you that we are going to enjoy eating our bag of apples!

Our first apple pickin' adventure as a family!

Brian dons the apple bag and starts filling!

While Kate and I get situated with a pint-sized apple!

Apple pickers!

Kate goes in for the pick of her very first apple!

Brian starts to pick this plethora of apples!

There were so many apples to pick from!

The Hendu's at the apple orchard!

The whole crew!

In addition to our apple picking, we also had the pleasure of attending a very special backyard tailgate for the Ohio State game where Brutus himself and several Ohio State cheerleaders came and cheered on the Buckeyes!  It was like a mini pep-rally in one of Brian's friend's backyards!  The kids absolutely loved seeing Brutus and this was Kate's first legitimate meeting!  We know her future holds many more Brutus photos but there is something so very special about the first one!

Kate, meet Brutus.  Brutus, meet Kate.
You can tell by her expression that she is
just thrilled to be in his arms...

The Hendu's with Brutus.

Brutus enjoys some free play before the game!

Go Bucks!

SO, apple picking?  Check.  A win for the Buckeyes?  Check.  Starting the autumn off right?  Check, Check, CHECK!  Fall is most definitely upon us!

A Fall Must-Do

The crisp Fall air is certainly much cooler now than it has been in the last few months. The leaves are beginning to crunch beneath our feet, making us well aware that they are no longer hanging on the branches above us. The colors of the season are making their appearances. Sweaters are being brought out from storage, Halloween costumes adorn the racks in all the stores, mums are a common sight on neighbors' porches, and pumpkins and gourds are used to decorate many a table setting. The harvest moon has made its appearance, and we are all becoming aware of the changing seasons. Autumn has arrived, and with that, so have many of our favorite fall activities. One in particular being apple picking!

Yesterday, Brian and I took Jack to Lynd's Fruit Farm and met Brian's parents, Mary and Tom, for a stroll through the apple orchards. Brian and I hadn't been back to Lynd's since we were there last October with our photographers for our engagement photo shoot, but we were excited to go back. (Side note #1: the craziest thing happened while we were at Lynd's this go round. Kim and Eric (our AMAZING photographers) had never been to Lynd's before our engagement session. Neither had I, to be quite honest. Well, neither of us had been back to Lynd's since then. However, yesterday, we ran into Kim who was at the orchard with her daughter and daughter's friend to pick some apples! It was crazy, but so awesome to see her. We were both thinking of each other because it was the first and last time we had both been to Lynd's, but not in a million years would we have thought we'd see her there on the same exact day that we went back. I mean, this is like a one day a year occurrence and to pick the same day as the other person that reminds you of a certain place is very unusual. We were both shocked to see each other, but like I said, it was really nice to run into her!) (Side note #2: if you need photographers for anything, book with Picture the Love. They are absolutely fantastic!)

Mary, Tom, Brian, and I each picked some delicious apples, enjoyed each other's company, and savored the last few days of 'not having to wear a jacket' temperatures. (I could've easily worn a jacket...) There was a chill in the air, enough to be thankful for the long sleeves that we were wearing, and reminded us all of the rapidly approaching cold temperatures that I'm sure are right around the corner. Jack experienced a sensory overload for the first fifteen or so minutes, but soon calmed down (a little) and became slightly more manageable. Once he realized that he could pick up the apples (aka 'balls' in Jack's world) that had fallen from the tree, he was game. He would drop the apple when he saw you pick another, sit, and wait for you to throw it. (FYI - for safety reasons, we didn't start chucking apples all around the orchard for Jack to chase after, but we may have encouraged one or two slight rolls.) Once Jack realized he could eat the apples, there was no more grabbing his attention. Fortunately, apple picking (at least in our world) didn't take too long so once we all filled our bags we headed out to the tent to peruse the displays of homemade jellies, jams, apple butters, and cider. (Jack had to wait in the car for that part.)

It really was a lovely day. It was delightful to embrace the Fall season, it was fantastic to run into Kim, and it was wonderful to spend some Q.T. with Mary and Tom. Recently, we've both had hectic schedules and it's been hard to find the time to hang with the people who make you smile.

Enjoy the love below!