Our annual trip to pick apples at Stone’s Apple Barn (right here in the Quad Cities — in East Moline, IL) is something I look forward to every year. It’s something fun to do outdoors. While it’s not necessarily stroller-friendly, (unless your stroller is seriously for off-roading) it is wagon-friendly and the parking lot is close to the orchard and the barn where they sell lots of yummy apple-themed goodies. So, when your kids are over it, it’s easy to get out of there. Lol.
Last year, I was super pregnant with Sloane and it was HOT. Then she was born and the weather immediately turned cold. We ended up skipping the orchard and I was so bummed, but I knew it was probably for the best. So I was extra excited to get back there this year. It’s something we started doing in 2016 (when I was pregnant with Ben!) and I REALLY love the few fall traditions we have built as our own little family. Since Sloane is turning one next week, I wanted to get some photos of her and some of the kids together and the orchard was the perfect place.
Sloane was really living her best life. She chomped on apples like it was her job. She sat/stood in the wagon and just had the best time. She even fell asleep in the sling with an apple in her hand.
Blaire picked the first apple. She bit into it and promptly declared it a “caramel apple” and said she wanted us to pick an entire bag of them. Lol! They were also excited to get some kettle corn and apple cider, across the street at the barn, when we were done picking apples… or “kittle corn” and “apple spider” as they called them. Seriously, it’s my favorite thing and I’m not correcting them.
2020 has definitely been a year of ups and downs, but I’m choosing to be happy about the extra time together as a family… and I’m so thankful for activities that make things feel even slightly normal. Next up… a pumpkin patch or two!
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