Derek -
In your pic at post #1 - those are spots on the leaves - not bugs, right?? If they're spots, it may be a fungus problem, which might require spraying with a fungicide like Captan. Some organic growers recommend neem oil sprays for insects and fungal problems.
Dry there?? From our local radar here in SE Pa., it looks like your area has been getting fairly regular rain / thunderstorms ........ did they miss you??
I don't know how much effect the grass and weeds around that tree are having - but on all our newer trees at camp, I sprayed glyphosate (Roundup) around them for the first couple years so the roots didn't have to compete for nutrients with grass & weeds. Also - did you put down any lime around them?? I was told by a Penn State prof that lime is the "key" that unlocks nutrients in the soil so they are available for plants to take up. Check your pH level around your trees. With a sub-par pH reading, your trees will have a hard time trying to take up whatever fertilizer you put down, or any native soil nutrients that are already there. Apple trees like a pH above 6.0 - and better at 6.3 / 6.4
Keep us posted.