Some fun with corn on our last day {Part 5}

Well, we were truly sad to see our vacation come to an end.  We had such a wonderful time in Connecticut with our wonderful hosts, Michele, John, and Lydia.  John had to work that day.  So he had to miss out on the festivities.  After waking up, we headed to church and then out to brunch.  We had been hoping to take the kids through a corn maze that day, and that we did, despite the cold and drizzle.

Patrick and I had never actually gone through a corn maze yet ourselves. So we were certainly game.  Michele and Lydia were such troopers to indulge us, despite the lack of cooperation from the weather, as they could go again any time.  This farm happens to be right near John and Michele's home.

We had to walk through the Christmas trees to get to the maze.

The kids were on a mission to find 6 colored tickets so that they would earn a prize.

Madeline spent the majority of her time hanging out in Baba's arms.

But occasionally she would go running with Caleb and Lydia.

We were so impressed with their determination to find all 6 colored tickets, despite the fact that so many of the twists and turns seemed the same.

And the grand total?
Four tickets each!  I honestly didn't know if we'd even find one.  We were so proud of them.

The prizes for each kid was their own gourd.  (Sorry I didn't photograph them.)  After claiming their prizes, they went to pick out some pumpkins for painting.

Well, it was truly an amazing time with family.  Two wonderful celebrations and a whole lotta hanging out with great peeps.   Thanks again, Michele and John.  We're looking forward to seeing you again real soon!!!

Roy's surprise birthday party {Part 4}

Yes, if you can believe it, I still have more photos to share from our trip to Connecticut.  Remember back in Part 1 when I shared that we helped two special people celebrate their birthdays?  First up was our niece, Lydia.  Second up was Patrick's Uncle Roy.  He turned 80 years old and his wife, Betty, threw him a surprise birthday party.  Over 50 people came out for the big event.  

Betty and Roy spend part of the year in Connecticut and the other part in Florida.  When they are in Connecticut, they stay at this lovely little cottage in Wallingford.  This place is gorgeous!  What a setting!  Betty took Roy to Mystic the day before (surprisingly, we did not run into them!) while Karen, their daughter, and sons, Rick, Allen, and Chris prepared for the big shin dig.  They all made amazing food, and others did also, including Ron, Betsy, and Michele.

The cottage is situated at the top of a hill.  It's so idyllic, a perfect location to snap a few photos.  The family photo below just makes me laugh.  I totally did not coordinate our clothes, yet somehow this is what we ended up wearing that day. lol.  Too bad Madeline is also sporting those grouchy furrowed eyebrows.  And well, the top half of Patrick's head blends in with the blown out sky.  Um, not quite the wall hanging family photo.  Oh well.

We did manage a few others.

Here's Patrick with his sister, Michele.

Down at the bottom of the hill is a little pond.  So very pretty.

Madeline was fascinated with all the leaves on the ground, and Lydia's red sparkle shoes.

This day could not have been scripted any better.  It was such a New England fall day- a coolness in the air, leaves changing, listening to football on our phones while the kids tossed the football around on the hill.

Madeline broke out in an impromptu rendition of her ballet number from her spring recital.

And she ran away from my camera every chance she got.

Either that or she just did her own thing, like trying to take her shirt off.  Nice.  First the pants, now the shirt.

Football is well loved and played in this family.  All three of Betty and Roy's boys, Rick, Allen, and Chris, played college ball. And now Allen's son, Eric, is playing too.  The littles had so much fun chasing after him and the ball.  Eric was so great with them.

Well, as you can see I spent most of my time behind the camera capturing images of the kids.  Lydia doesn't get to see her cousins too often.  So I really wanted to capture the fun they were having together that day.  Such wonderful memories were made.  Thanks Betty, Karen, Rick, Allen, and Chris for putting together an amazing party.  It's one day we will never forget.