Sounds like you had a good day! More than I got done, I assure you!
My first AG batch is going to be Ed's Haus Pale Ale as well. I'm building my MLT and HLT next weekend, and Ed has some Nottingham in the mail for me (thanks Ed!).
And as far as the apfelwein goes, I only used a new packet of yeast for the first batch. Whenever I bottled, I would always dump the new batch right onto the old yeast cake. I think I probably did this for 6 or 7 batches without any ill effects.
I just started a new batch the other day, but with new yeast because I've been on hiatus for several months. Time to start the cycle over again. Of everything I have ever brewed, the apfelwein is always the collective favorite.