March 4th will mark 61 years since we landed at Ellis Island and came to this wonderful country. Yiayia Katerina's sister, Yiayia Pauline Genlakos had to sponsor us so that we could come.

In 1947 times were tough in America but Yiayia Pauline's family share what little they had with us. Dick Titone (married to Dee Genlakos) drove from Massachussetts to New York to pick us up and take us to Lowell, Mass.

Well, Joy of Joys, Dick's daughters - my dear cousins, Annie, Donna and Paula, drove down from Largo and St. Petersburg to visit with us and see Yiayia Eleni. Needless to say, we had a great time.

Yiayia and her girls at Naples Pier. Bundle up Yiayia! Yes, it plummeted to 65 degrees. Brrrrr

Jodi and Aaron came directly from Ft. Myers airport to meet the cousins. Eric and Ted came later for the big dinner at Barbara's trapezzi of Pastitsio, lamb, baked ham, home-made yogurt, yalatobouriko, etc. The girls said all the food Yiayia and Pat and Katherine cooked reminded them of their Yiayia.

Paula, Annie and Donna (left to right) with Yiayia - that Greek/Italian mixture sure makes for beautiful women.

Here's a Group Hug even Aaron had to get into -he just wouldn't leave "Yiayia Pancake's" side.

Next we're going to take Yiayia up to Clearwater to see all of her dear friends - and the "group hugs" get furiouser and furiouser.