A highlight of this sabbatical included a short trip from two of our kids. Zeb and Bri few in from Utah for a visit east before our grandson is born.

The night was beautiful and had the nicest warm wind. We didn’t realize the renovations at the Albany airport had come so far, and we were led directly in from the highway. Super sweet, and it put us there well ahead of time so we had time to see other planes take off and land. It was fun watching their plane fly overhead.

Although we have had our place in Massachusetts for a few years, none of our kids have seen it. Usually we are in NY when they visit. Zeb and Bri wanted to see it, and we were excited to show them our beautiful slopes.

The plan was to get to our place around 11 pm, enjoy a full day with them the next day then leave Sunday afternoon for a trip to New York so they could spend time with Mom Pollock before flying out to visit Bri’s mom then heading back to their home.

Believe it or not, the entire week went as planned. When does that ever happen?!?!

We yakked until about two am and slept in until 9-ish the next morning. I made Norwegian pancakes (with almond milk instead of regular and with slightly reduced sugar) at their request. We topped the pancakes with the berries I had picked earlier this year, and we yakked a bunch more. Finally we ventured outdoors for a tour of our little ski village.

After the chair lift ride, we went to relax for a bit by and in the pool. It was very refreshing.

Since Bri is pregnant, she couldn’t have alcohol, but that didn’t stop us from whipping up virgin Bloody Mary’s. (same recipe — just no alcohol). The last time we had those together was at Zeb and Bri’s amazing desert wedding last year.

After an evening of even more conversation, we rested. Sunday morning found us driving to Balance Rock, which is very cool to see every time we drive there.

Both Zeb and Bri are huge animal lovers. I had told them about Charlie, the Burmese Mountain dog who is often at our Country Store. They got to meet the three-year-old pup, and all were happy about that!

We had a lovely lunch with Nancy and Dennis (my sister and brother-in-law). We were having so much fun, I sadly forgot to take a photo. Nancy made the most incredible edamame salad. I need to get the recipe sometime. After lunch we headed to New York and made it in time to see the sunset at our beloved Southwick State Park beach.

The beach has been greatly renovated, and this was the first time they got to see the new walk over the dunes.

That evening was spent with Mom — again, yakking until we couldn’t keep our eyes open anymore.

The entire visit was such a treat. Definitely a highlight of the last few months. I can’t wait to see them again in a month or so — when we head to Utah to meet our grandson. <3