There's No Place Like Home

After another long flight, we made it home.  Both flights went rather smoothly, despite an almost 10 hour leg from Portland to Tokyo and a typhoon brewing off the west coast of Okinawa.

After getting some much needed sleep we headed out the next morning for errands: mail, commissary, etc.  and of course a drive by the house. It was painted with windows and wires....this was all we could really see from the outside.  Then today we met with the usual two guys at the house and I got a bunch more pictures.  The slideshow isn't working for some reason, so here is a link to my yomitan album.  In the album you can see where I've dated the first picture (Aug. 10) and then added several captions trying to explain what's what.  Overall Chris and I were very happy with the bottom floor and yard (minus the fact that there was no glass in front of the stove, like at our current apartment).  There was plenty of light and everything seemed plenty big despite our first reservations.  We weren't as happy with the top floor; mainly the master bedroom. It seemed a bit small and the closet was much too large.  We also were a bit apprehensive of the color when we saw it on Tuesday - it was base beige (ack - the color of EVERY house on all the bases here).  But in the light today it seemed whiter, which is what we were going for.  The timeline is more or less on track: the house should be finished the first week of September. However the base inspection won't be happening until the end of September, so its looking like we won't move in until the first week of October.

The picture is of Reina in what we think will be her room (we're not certain yet).  You can't tell from the picture, but it is MUCH hotter than any place we visited this summer. I don't care what the actual temperature reads, it is definitely hotter here! Oh, and the water was also nice - we went to the beach.

Travel's End

We're wrapping up our trip with my Dad and Romeni today. We fly home to Okinawa tomorrow (only one more trip and then we're done for the year).  It will feel nice to be home, but it is of course sad to say goodbye to family and summer vacation.

Reina has enjoyed spending time with her Grandad and Romeni. I got a few shots of Reina helping out, since she just likes to be doing whatever you're doing. And what does Grandad like to do, water the plants!  I think she'd help mow the lawn if we let her!  Other than enjoying some good restaurants, we've mainly hung out at home. Grandad and Romeni bought Reina her first pool, and between that, peaches, and bubbles she's been very happy.

Thanks everyone for taking such good care of us this summer. We can't wait to see you all next year (or you can of course come visit us, as we have a new house with a spare room)!

Oregon

We made it to Oregon. I'm not sure how, since we essentially travelled for four days straight!
Recap:

1. Saturday: 4 hour boat trip back to Athens
2. Sunday: 3.5 hour flight to London
3. Monday: LONG flight to Atlanta and then Seattle
4. Tuesday: 5 hour drive to Dad's house in Oregon

All things considered, Reina did amazing!  She slept on all legs of the trips and was pretty happy until the end of most of them (understandably).  We stayed overnight in Tacoma with Aunt Debbie and Uncle Jess (and also Grandpa Jeff).  The next day all of the Eastman's met at a VA cemetary to say a final goodbye to Grandpa Bob.  I'm not a very emotional person, but I was certainly touched by the gun salut and taps on the bugle.  It was nice and I know Grandpa Bob would have agreed.  He is missed.  I found a picture of him with his two great-grand daughters (Lucie and Reina) without them posing, as he prefers a more "natural" look!

Now that we're in Oregon we have lots of down time.  Although we did managed to squeeze in a quick golf game while Romeni watched Reina.  Tonight we plan on dinner out and hopefully a park for Reina to play at.  No plans for the rest of the week (which is OK for us!).  We head home on Sunday....1 more flight left!

I have uploaded a lot of the photos into a Greece only album (as July was pretty full).