Apple Picking

The family went apple picking!  Michael was so excited to spend the afternoon outside among the trees and grass and his family.  This time we went to Chapin Farm.

Michael looked into the big vat of Apples and picked out a bag.  We were not there for already picked apples, today we were going right to the trees.

                                          Andy and Justin came with us and soon went off in search of
                                        the elusive Wooden Apple hidden somewhere in the orchard
                                         and if found you win an ipod.  Justin won it several years ago.
                                           No luck this year.

                                          Michael skipped down the path with bag in hand,
                                            sheer joy to be out and exploring among the trees.

                                           
                                             With Dad in tow, we followed the happy pair.

               
                                          Tammy, Lyndsie, and Grandma came along as well.

                                          There weren't many apples on the trees, and some were
                                          very high of the ones we found.  Jim showed Michael
                                           how to take an apple down with the picker.

                                          Michael liked to pull the apples from the picker and
                                           drop them into his bag.

                                              Then he was off to find a tree with apples on it.
                                            He lugged the bag until it was about half full and then
                                             he let his Dad carry it for him.

                                             I was so happy to be out in the sunshine, listening
                                           to other happy pickers, and being there to watch
                                           as Michael experienced apple picking with all his
                                           senses.

                                                  He loves his Lyndsie so!

                                                  With bags filled we made our way back up
                                                to the hayride to take us back to the barn
                                                and the animals and tractor.
                                                  Michael walked up with Lyndsie.

                                           

                                             Red apples on the tree, such a wonderful fall
                                                   picture.

                                             Sense of taste:  Juicy Apples!!

                                            Sense of wonder:  look at those eyes!

                                             Sense of sight:  pumpkin patches, vines, and trees,
                                              hillsides alive with scenery.

                                            Back at the barn Michael observed a working
                                           honey hive.  He watched them fly down to the
                                            hole that let them go in and out.

                                   











     Apples look so tempting when all together,
                                                         I love this picture!

Michael was so excited to peek into the bin
and just look at all those apples.

                                 
                                         
                                          Tammy went to the edge of the barn and sat down,
                                            looking out to the orchards, the fields, the children
                                            racing about with smiles and squeals.  I wondered
                                            what she felt.

Then she took Michael's hand and together the two

of them went over to the animals to see

the bunny and the chickens.

                                          One of the highlights of the trip for Michael was to
                                            climb up the tractor all by himself and sit in the
                                           driver's seat.

                                               He oohed and aahed at the pumpkins...another
                                              trip for them.

                                             Tammy and Justin took a breather

                                               while Lyndsie and Michael went back to the tractor
                                               and pretended to drive together.

                                           
                                         Look at the way they are staring at each other with
                                          such complete joy....breathless beauty.

What a beautiful time spent with family.  I love these experiences.  I love sharing simple moments of joy that
we can share with all we love.  I am amazed at how much love pours forth from Michael to all about him.
He is so special and I hope to continue to make moments special so his love for life and all will continue
to grow and spread.  I'm counting on it.