Quick Trip to Connecticut

Early in October, Kade and I hopped a flight to JFK to go visit Aunt Beverly in Connecticut over a long weekend. Brent treated us to first class. 

We stopped in White Plains to visit Katherin - so lucky we were able to fit in a quick lunch stop with her! 

On our way in to Connecticut, we stopped at Stew Leonard's - this time spending a little time visiting the petting zoo out front!

Treated Kade to a soft serve ice cream (and a ride in the cart), which made shopping a little easier. He still wanted to press all the buttons! Picked up our rainbow bagels too!

Their pumpkin and mum outside display was gorgeous - wish we could have shopped for a pumpkin for ourselves! 

Aunt Beverly wasn't quite up for visitors just yet, so we ended up eating at Outback - Kade was very curious to see what the hubbub was all about - apparently lots of Outback commercials on YouTube. 

Kade even offered his own review of the restaurant! 

The next day, we stopped for a few things before heading up to St. Michael's. Kade picked out a halloween-themed Hello Kitty stuffy and I think it was perfect to give his sister. 

Kade had asked me about the bear we brought here last year and I responded over-confidently there was NO way it was still there. Guess what was still there when we showed up. Definitely made me tear up. We brushed off the grass clippings and overall cleaned up the area. It's a sad thing as I'm reminded how much I miss all of them, but makes my soul happy that we visit when we are there. 

We had a bit more time so stopped in to visit my Great-Aunt Bessie in the mausoleum. 

Back on the Post Road in Fairfield, I treated Kade to a Starbucks chocolate chip cookie and a Fairfield University sweatshirt. We posed for a picture with Mark Twain!

After visiting with Aunt Beverly for awhile, she wanted to nap so we took a grand tour of Fairfield - driving by my old family home where we lived from 1989 to 1992. 

Chick-Fil-A JUST arrived in Fairfield December 2023 - the town approved the fast-food restaurant, but under the agreement there would NOT be a drive-thru! 

Finally we ended up at Gould Manor Park. 

I remember playing there and I remember my mother telling us stories about her playing there and ice skating on the pond! Kade settled right in and found a group of boys to play with. 

Alas, time to eat! Picked up the pizza at Pepe's pizza at 6:15 - we were a bit early which worked out well because we got to watch them make the pizzas and send them into the wood pizza oven! Incredible how many pizzas this place churns out! 

Kade got to spend a bit of time with his third cousin. 

It was a really nice, but quick visit. The past two times we've gone up to visit have been in the summer, so it felt welcoming to be there for Fall and see the leaves just starting to turn.