apple picking (+ a video!)

We have a tradition of picking apples on Labor Day, and it's one of my favorite things to do with the kids! Every year they get into it more and more. (see photos from past Labor Day apple picking adventures here: 2014, 2015)

So even though this year we knew it would be about three thousand degrees, we braved the heat and went for it!!

And as always, I'm SO glad we did. It was such a great day!

We hopped on a little wagon to where a tractor pulled us to the orchard, and I'm pretty sure it was the kids' favorite part! They loved it.

Brighton was terrified of the loud tractor at first, but then he figured out that we were all fine and enjoyed the rest of the ride! Haha.

^ready for the tractor ride!^

Then it was time to do some PICKING!!!!!

The boys were a teeeeeeeny bit overzealous, and we ended up with roughly five thousand apples. Haha. But hey, they had a blast picking them!

^sweetest boy^

^love them so much.^

^"Hey, look! I can juggle!"^

After the boys had picked their weight in apples, we had an ice cream break and then played on the fun orchard toys! And can we just please talk about the apple cider donut ice cream sundae we had?? Because OH MY GOSH. It was soooooo good!

^YUM^

^ice cream is gooooooood^

We played on the giant slides and mini tractors for a while, and we seriously had a blast. We were all drenched with sweat from head to toe, but we raced those little tractors around and around--and just laughed our heads off. (Watch the video below for Holland's cutest giggles ever!)

It was awesome! Definitely my highlight of the day.

Then we were sweating our brains out.

So we hopped in the air conditioned car, and vowed never to leave it again. Haha! (But seriously)

We drove over to nearby Lexington, and went somewhere I've been dying to go to for years: SHAKE SHACK. And holy cow, it was so good!! It seriously hit the spot. Those crinkle fries and cheese sauce...drool. I can't wait to go back soon!

I think the boys liked the lawn games more than they cared about the food. Haha!

^so good!^

^french fry monster^

^make a wish!^

^crazy little dancers^

Before we headed home, we made a stop at our first Kentucky home...our little town home in Lexington where we lived for grad school.

This place will always hold a special place in my heart!

Then we hit the road.
My gosh, what a fun day!

Here is a little video I made of our apple picking adventures.
Enjoy!