Brian's bday with the witches!

We picked up Tate from the train station in Hartford on Friday afternoon and all headed out on our adventure up to Massachusetts. I was delighted to sit in the way back- so I could take a nap!

First stop was dinner at a restaurant I waitressed at 25 years ago!

I was delighted to finally take the family to this iconic local family owned restaurant that hasn’t changed at all!

We got to Sue & Joe’s and it was so heartwarming to see our kids together finally!

Sue's girls had just got these little scooter thingies that they ride all around the house-

Of course Macy needed to give it a try. And then Tate and I actually raced each other around the kitchen too!

Just a few hostess gifts for our most gracious host and incredible itinerary planner!

Sue lives in the dreamy little north shore town of Rockport, just north of Salem. They can walk to the train station to easily get to Salem & Boston even. So Saturday morning we caught an 8am train into Salem!

Sue gave us lots of ideas about what to do in Salem. Because it was just 2 weekends before Halloween, she started planning our trip with me on August 16th as tickets needed to be purchased and reservations made well in advance. 

Tate has really always wanted to go to Salem for the Halloween fun, so we let him pick the activities we would do: Witch Dungeon Museum & Chambers of Terror. 

First up- Witch Dungeon Museum

It really was fantastic. A great way to kick off the day with a history lesson!

There was plenty of fun to see around town too! 

I was so happy that Salem was so family friendly. Even was there to have fun and be fun. It was such positive energy. 

We hopped on the Salem Trolley tour to take in a lot of the famous and historic sites. Then we met up with Sue and her girls, for a private walking tour with Ranger Sue! Salem is a US National Park, and Sue was a ranger with the Park Service for the last decade- so we were in good hands and her tour was priceless to us!

But first, some cider and donuts on the Salem Common-

This iconic skeleton stands in Salem at a private residence all year long, and has been there for years and years- long before the became popular to have as front yard decorations. Sue took this same picture of just Tate and Brian when they were there to tour Salem State last year.

The girls loved that Sue knew all the Hocus Pocus movie filming locations!

There’s a reason that Salem is a National Park! Salem’s history is so rich, especially the maritime history. The witch trials were actually only for 1 year, but that’s what everyone remembers about Salem…

I've only been to Salem twice before this weekend. Once with friends in college and another time when when I was a social worker in MA and had a very high profile case that took me to Salem. It was high profile because the child's grandmother was Laurie Cabot, the head witch of Salem. Yup, Salem has a head witch! When I visited her home (and toured her potion room/workshop/lab) in 2003, she lived in a secured building with locked doors because so many people want to have access to her even back then. At 92 years old, she is still the head witch and I was delighted to see a poster of her at her shop-

Tate took us to what is known as the most frightening haunted house in Salem and the girls & I were NOT happy about going. These were our brave faces before going in.

Bella got the girls matching Hocus Pocus sweatshirts-

These two can create special moments together even in a shoebox-

We came home to Sue’s Sat night and she surprised Brian with this awesome birthday cake on his birthday eve!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRIAN! Sunday morning Sue's dad, a retired Colonel in the Army, came over for coffee so the Colonel could meet the Colonel! It was so sweet listening to them talk about how the military has changed. 

It may be his birthday, but Brian was not going to miss a chance to use this new grill-

He & Sue made the most amazing homefries that I have had in a LONG time!

Next up, a walk around Rockport. Sue is so fortunate to be able to walk into town and the beach from her house! 

This red building behind us below is Motif #1- and it is claimed to be THE most painted building in the WORLD! (We took home a print as a souvenir ourselves actually!)

Built as a simple fishing shack in the 1840's, turned artist studio (Rockport is an artist's haven) in teh 1930's and is now a city owned monument. It even made an appearance in Finding Nemo!

Rockport is just goorgous everywhere to turn. And the weather was such a gift- the most amazing fall day for the birthday boy!

Downtown Rockport is only a few streets, full of shops and artist studios. The picture doesn't show how cute and historic it is-

This tiny seafood shack served fresh from the sea snacks- my choice was stuffed clams.

The locals know all the little short cuts around town-

Rockport has a population of less than 7,000 residents but is home to 52 commercial lobstermen landing 1,424,290 pounds of lobster annually. No wonder there are so many real lobster traps ready to go- 

So glad Brian captured the terrible tantrum in this selfie-

Man did we hate to leave- Sue's family and Rockport! It was such a wonderful treat to be able to visit the gorgeous north shore and spend time with Sue & Joe, getting to know her kids finally!

We decided to stop off in the North End of Boston for a italian dinner, then got cannoli's from Modern for dessert-

Oh yes, there was a line!

My kids have not been to Boston before, and neither had Bella. So fun showing them a tiny corner of the city I have so many precious memories of!

What a weekend! It was so well planned and impeccably executed. So many moving parts, so many new memories together! God is good. And Brian is another year older. HA.