America: Round Two, Part one

We really did have such a fabulous time back in the States.  We were there for a little over two months, and it all went by so FAST.  I mean, I have no idea where the time went, but I know that it was time well spent.  Like last year, we stayed at my parents' house and just soaked up every minute of family, friends, mass-consumerism, holiday traditions, modern conveniences, and good ole fashion fun. 

Among other activities, Christos continued to add to his list of firsts, including:

His first real American Halloween....

Yes, the man does everything with this much intensity.

But it pays off.  How happy is that pumpkin?  I was so pleased!  I want happy over scary any day!

His first time bowling, complete with and (in)appropriately ridiculous amount of trash-talking with the ever-competitive Brandi....

He also flew a kite for the first time.

His kite-flying came with lessons from the master kite-flyer, my Poppa, who literally owns dozens of fun and fancy kites which he loves to take down to the beach and fly.  We were given two (very elaborate) kites of our own for Christmas, which we cannot wait to take down to our beach once the weather warms.  

In case you cannot recognize the sugar-sand beaches, this was on the gulf coast of Alabama.  Right down the beach a large operation was in place with all sorts of big yellow trucks and equipment continuing the cleanup from the oil spill.  They dug it up, carted it away, burned the oil off, and then dumped it back and spread it out.  They had it all down to an art, and it was fascinating to watch.  That sugar-white sand we were playing in also still had "stains" of oil splotched all around (the clean-up crew sectioned off one area at a time, and we were on the side they had not made it to yet.)

We also both, along with the entire state of Alabama, experienced our first ever White Christmas!!!!

This is just a taste of how went spent our days Stateside.  More to come later!!!!  Though not specially featured in this post, baby Vasilaki also had an amazing time in Alabama and greatly enjoyed being around all her real as well as honorary American family.  She already loves to travel and loves being back in Alabama!  She cannot wait to go back next fall!!!!