Last Visit With the Kids

I'm writing this early - the kids have left and I have some time before Mick and Lynda get here.  Once they are here I'll not get another chance today to post anything.

Pam and Kinsey are still a bit under the weather, but they came out for a short visit and to collect all the camping stuff Andy had left with us.  (He had been bringing a little out each time he came.)  The good news is that he didn't have to put away wet camping gear this morning since they were unable to camp.  It was all still nicely stowed under the RV.    It has been raining off and on all day.

We had a quick lunch, they packed their car, and we went out to the ice cream place and had a treat.  Afterward they headed home, as did we.   We won't see them again before we leave. It's been wonderful seeing them and we really appreciate their major efforts to spend as much time with us as possible over the last 20 days.   It's horrible having to cram three year's worth of visits into such a short period of time - it makes it tiring for everyone.  Hopefully they will be able to come to our house next summer for a week.  Three years is way too long to go between visits.  

I managed to get Andy's pie built this morning.  Our original intention was to cook it in a dutch oven on the fire but that didn't work out.  So, I put it together and sent it home for him to bake in his oven.  Our boy does love his mom's apple pie. We always try to treat him with one when we see him.  His soaked beans that he had set outside for some chili he was going to make on the open fire was another thing that didn't happen. So, yesterday I put them in the crockpot with the rest of the stuff he left and let them simmer all day.  I set the crockpot outside on the table.   Rog and I had chili last night, Andy had some for lunch, I sent some home with him, and we have scads left for dinner tonight when company comes.  His recipe made a whole lot of chili!  Tasted pretty good last night and, as always, will taste better the second night.  

We've got an hour or so to catch our breath before the final visitors arrive!