Monday, October 17, 2011

Oak Glen

Yesterday we rode up to Oak Glen with Gennifer and Jake and the girls.  This has been a tradition in our family since our kids were little.  Nowadays, it is hard to get everyone available on the same day, but we still try to make it up there every Fall.
It was warm and sunny up there, despite our hopes for cool and crisp, as we hope for our Fall  trip to Oak Glen to be.  Never the less, we had a great day.
We picnicked on the lawn under the cool shade of the giant trees.
We snacked and enjoyed the shade.
Even making trades with nearby picnicking neighbors.   Homemade apple cupcakes for one large Honeycrisp Apple! 
Good trade!
We took a hay ride into the beautiful rolling hills.
I have no idea what was so funny here.  Gennifer was taking this picture with my camera.
I shouldn't post this picture!   I have more chins than a Chinese phone book!!!  But I still like it.  Something about the candid capturing of us just having a good time.  And, it is what it is people!!  Double chins and all!
Windblown crazy hat hair, sunglasses, double chins taboot, I like this picture too.
After the hay ride, we went on down the road to another place we like.
Where we immediately got in line for the unbelievably delicious homemade apple cider donuts!!
The line always wraps around the outside of the building, and is worth every second!!
 There are no pictures of these wonderful tasty confections because everyone's hands are so busy gobbling them up, that picture taking is impossible!  Just trust me on this, they are that good!
Gennifer bought something called apple beer, that had no alcohol whatsoever.  Hannah didn't like it one bit!
 The girls had a ball running around here.  This is our favorite place.  So many areas to sit under the shade of giant chestnut trees, and rest. Or just enjoy the views and listen to music. 


I LOVE these old wooden packing boxes!  I have always wanted some for our grove.  I asked one of the people at the first orchard we went to if we could buy some.  He said usually no, but to tell them that Don said we could.  So we bought two of them.
  
We went home tired, hot and stuffed with apple goodness!  But still managed to put away a couple of pizzas over at the kids house before coming  home.  It was a perfect day.  Hoping to go up with Noah and Erika  next weekend.

29 comments:

Debbie said...

One of our favorite places for sure...I love the apple dumplings and pie...yum. The pic of you and your hubby is darling...I can see why you like it!

Cheryl said...

Great pictures and looks like you had lots of fun!!!! BUT...you went right by our house. We live right off Oak Glen Road!!

byhooks4u said...

What a wonderful way to spend a weekend..how blessed you are!

Heather - The Good Life said...

Sounds like a great family outing. I love doing stuff like that. And, the candid shots are wonderful. :-)

Betsy said...

I so enjoyed seeing all these pictures. Looks like a happy family having a wonderful day together!

Nicolle said...

Looks like a beautiful place. How fun that you traded apples for some cupcakes! :) I am loving the honeycrisp apples right now! I bet that cider is delicious. I laughed b/c I saw a sign in one of your photos for Texas BBQ. :)

You look beautiful in your photos!

Bethany said...

I love your candid shots, no matter how many chins you have :)
Those are always the most real, doncha think?

Dawn said...

Beautiful photos, and looks like great family fun. I love apples, nothing says fall like good ole cider and doughnuts

Genn said...

You got some good shots!
Love that one of you and Dad where you are laughing! And the next one too. You cute couple you. Glad you guys came with. Thanks for making memories with us. :)

deb said...

we go up every year too, going up next week, I hope its COOL!!!!!
honey crisps are the BEST!!!!!
I love the petting zoo up there too, and I love to just lay on the grass and stare up at the sky!!!!!
looks like you had a great time and those pics are great!

Sunny Simple Life said...

I have not been there in about 15 year. My one daughter was just there Saturday with her boyfriend's family.

Jennifer said...

WOW - does that look like fun! I could definitely make that a family tradition!! if only I was a tad closer to the West Coast:)

I LOVE the picture of you and your sweetie - you look 100% happy!!

Kerri said...

What a great fall tradition. I love Genn's comment. What a blessing that your children have both parents still in love and together. Sad that in this day and age...that is rare.

The Tuscan Home said...

Your family is soooo cute! I always enjoy seeing all of you together. You can tell there is so much love, laughter, and fun amongst all of you. You and your hubby look like the perfect couple.

Really enjoyed your pictures! Thanks for sharing! XO ~Liz

Anonymous said...

That place looks like a little heaven on earth!!!

Holly said...

What a fun family day. Love those pics.

From the Kitchen said...

I love fall outings like this--and cute little girls in pig tails!!

Best,
Bonnie

Pammy Sue said...

Looks like a fun day for everyone. It looks beautiful there too!

Tammy said...

I love the picture of you two laughing. It's a keeper!!! =) What a fun day!

Janna said...

I have extra chins when I laugh too - totally normal, and no one but ourselves probably notice. THat looks like tons of fun. I never heard of Oak Glen, but now it's on my fall places to go list. :)

Pam said...

What a fantastic day - I love all the photos. I especially love the one of you laughing... you look so happy! We all have double chins when we laugh that hard!!

I wish I had one of the cider donuts with my coffee this morning.

To answer your question, I am doing great. A little overwhelmed with trying to pack my house, volunteer in both of my kids' classes, do the blog, keep the house together, etc. I just can't wait to move to our new house so I don't have to live with piles of boxes everywhere!!!

Unknown said...

What a fabulous day. I can't think of any better way to spend a beautiful sunny day than with family, friends in a orchard of juicy sweet Honeycrisp love. I think that picture is one of my all time favorites of you. It's a keeper. I love the candid shots. And by the way, I thought the little one was having a real beer there for a seconds. She does know how to swig out of a bottle. Someone is going to have their hands full one day.

Gloria Baker said...

Kris what lovely pictures !! look absolutely fan, love apples too, love the picture you are laughing with hubby!! gloria

Stacey said...

Oh my gosh, what a fun day :) I've never been, but it looks so pretty.. Is it far??? I want to take my nephews up there before I get too big, and I think they'd have fun.. Those honey crisp apples look yummy.. Honey Crisps are my favorite apple :)

annielizabeth said...

Beautiful pics of you and your family, Kris! Such a fun day, so many smiles. I've never been there, I'll have to go visit so probably next year I can make it happen. Thanks for sharing!

Linda said...

Love Oak Glen...Los Rios Rancho is my favorite...I can't wait for the Arkansas Blacks...those are my favorites! have you ever hiked around Los Rios Rancho...there's a nice trail that takes you by wild blackberry bushes...and a pond.

Teresa Kasner said...

Kris, I just loved getting to go "apple-ing" with your family! My favorite donut in the whole world is an applesauce one in the fall. Unfortunately I haven't had one in literally YEARS! Hubby has been too busy to make donuts in his "birthday present" donut maker. Wah! He's waiting for a day he can't work outside. :-)

I think you're gorgeous just the way you are - the best look is a big huge smile!

((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Kris, What an absolutely fun day! Loved the pics of you also. Who cares if everything isn't perfect, laughter is the best. I think you look just darlin, darlin! Everything apple sounds so yummy. The crates are really cool. Glad you were able to buy them.

corners of my life said...

Ahhh - Honeycrisp Apples - my new favorite this year.

. . . more chins than a Chinese phone book?? How funny. Those chins live in my mirror.