Fall Treats

I could not resist making these Maple Pumpkin Cheesecake bars I saw on Pinterest.  Paired nicely with a Leap Year.

The boys loved the special treats … though I think they might have just wanted an excuse to eat candy corns.

Plano Balloon Festival

The boys have looked forward to this day ever since we went last year.  It's the first morning of the Fall, they get up when it's still dark and we head to the Plano Balloon Festival with our blankets, donuts, and coffee.

Waiting for them to decide what the balloons will do this morning.

And the little one starts dozing, thumb-in-mouth, hair-a-twirlin'.

They decided it was too windy and the wind was going in the wrong direction to launch, but that was ok because it just meant more balloons to go look at on the ground.

The Angry Bird balloon was the biggest hit with the kids.

After a tour of the kids play zone, bounce houses, and slides, the kids got a little souvenir and we headed back home (for another cup of coffee and hopefully a nap).

Western Day

The boys were sooo excited about Western Day at school!!!

Sam picked out the red, white, and blue American flag boots while Ben opted for the more traditional cowboy boots.

The Big 4-0

Chris turned 40!!!  What he wanted more than anything to celebrate was to go home and spend his birthday with his family.  The boys were so excited to get to go back to MS and see Yiayia and Papou!

On the shuttle to the airport

Big Benny on the plane.

Chris and Sam reading their magazines.

The first things the kids wanted to do was go pick blueberries.  Ah, their first lesson in seasons.

They got to pick grapes instead!

And pears.

Grilling souvlaki

Birthday dinner ... souvlaki, tzatziki, spanikopita, bamies (stewed okra, pronounced bah-mee-ahs), greens, hummus, pita, and cheese!

George made an awesome chocolate cake!  Xronia polla, Xristo (Many years, Christos)!

Happy Birthday to Daddy ... cha cha cha!!!

Daddy's little helpers.

Reading Bob books on his iPad at The Country Gentleman.

Playing Legos with Uncle Costas.

Octopus!!!

Clean it, boil it, cut it up, marinate it over night ...

then grill it.

Seriously, grilled-marinated octopus is delicious!!!  If you are in the Dallas area and want to try it for yourself, go to Platia in Frisco.  You can order the Oktopodi (pronounced octopothi) appetizer or the oktopodi plate with two sides (not on the menu, btw, but they will make it for you, $14).

Can I please eat here every day?  Fresh-from-the-boat fried gulf shrimp, octopus, tomato salad, greek potatoes, and spanikopita.  Do you prefer ouzo or tea with your lunch?  Do you prefer tzatziki, tartar, or Crystal sauce with your fried shrimp?  Nom, nom, nom!!!

Taking a ride on the hay baler ... round bales.

Yep, we wore him out ... okay, he did it to himself.

Caterpillars eating the azaleas.

Time to head back to DFW

So much fun!