The Hunt

The girls, my in-laws, and I went to Downtown Orlando for some roast pork and Asian groceries. I dropped the in-laws off and left Lydia with them while Sophie and I went to the mall. I lucked out and entered the mall the entrance closest to Gymboree and White House Black Market, so we were in and out in no time. The rest of the afternoon, I helped paint the game room a lovely shade of burgandy.

Yummy lunch of roast and barbeque pork

The investment property across the street. The garbage can next door got knocked over and attracted about a dozen vultures. Wouldn't you rather stay at our house? :)

Lydia was awfully quiet after waking up from her cat nap...here is what she was up to.

Kids and Kissimmee

Saturday night, while waiting in line for the 11:45 PM showing of Avatar in 3D IMAX, we received news that our niece Fiona was born. Yay, we can't wait to meet her when we return to Austin!

Princess Fiona

DAY 7

After a very late night/early morning of watching Avatar, we handed the kids off to the in-laws and slept in. When we finally got up, we had breakfast of biscuits and gravy at Toan's house. YUM! Then back to Ma and Ba's house to pack and eat again. Finally we were off to Orlando (Kissimmee, to be exact) to check out and improve the investment property we purchased with Trung's siblings a few months back.

The girls having a mini pajama party

Blankets (be be) are a must! Lydia loves sleeping in the "bumpy" bed.

DAY 8I found the community playground, only two blocks from the house. Too bad we went right around sunset and had to head back for dinner.

This style of sliding has resulted in numerous collisions.

Lydia has become quite adventurous

After dinner, we had the first Flordia strawberries of the season.

DAY 9

"Unc" An succeeded in getting Sophie's love and affection. What an achievement! :)

Lowry Park Zoo

First thing in the morning, we went to Lowry Park Zoo, which Parenting Magazine ranked as the number one best zoo. After interacting with giraffes, riding a camel, and seeing animals I had never seen before, I would have to agree that it is indeed the best zoo that I have ever visited.

White tigers at play

Underwater tapirs

Rhino and baby

A shoulder with a view

The zoo had tons of babies...they were so cute!

The girls had no fear of the deadly Komodo Dragon...

even the real one.

The girls always want to ride on every carousel that they see.

Sister search

Here's looking at you, kid.

Licked! Apparently I didn't taste very good.

Lydia and Sophie were traumatized after the giraffe encounters, but they lightened up real fast when they got fruit snacks.

Lydia didn't seem to think the camels were scary; little does she know that they spit.

The Funniest Home Video EVER

After the collision, we made Lydia happy again with another ride on the scary panda on the carousel. Sophie did not appreciate watching from the bench.

Oh the misery!

We feel your pain, Orangutan

Ly Family Christmas

We went to Toan's house bright and early to open Christmas presents. The girls got lots of fun learning toys and red envelopes

Lydia assisting Sophie in opening her present

Presents for everyone! Check out Lydia's facial expression.

The local Wal-mart had the very popular zhu zhu pets. I now understand their popularity because they are so darn cute and the girls LOVE them!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

First days of Florida

DAY 2

Tuesday morning we slept in and took it easy. After lunch, we went to the local mall and hung out all afternoon, shopping and entertaining the kids. We passed on the double push cars when we saw the huge carousel, but ended up finding one later...those things are lifesavers. After dinner, Trung's oldest brother Toan dropped by with his family and they got to meet Sophie for the first time.

Trung (and Sophie) taking a snooze in the hammock in the kitchen.

Lydia enjoying Ma's sweet bun for breakfast

Everyone on for game of peek-a-boo

Having fun on the huge carousel in the mall

DAY 3

We hit International Plaza right after breakfast to beat the crowds. After a quick run to my shops while the kids played in the Looney Tunes corner, we ate lunch and were off to Westshore Plaza Mall. Yes, lots of shopping...what can I say, I have to check out the Gymboree stores when I'm out of town. :)

She's tiny...

she's toony, they're both a little loony.

Lydia learning to play tag with a new friend

DAY 4

My niece Amanda accompanied me to the mall, Office Depot, and Wal-mart to purchase some last minute presents. After lunch and the kids' naps, we headed over to Toan's house to chill and have steak for dinner.

The girls love their cousin Amanda, mainly because she gives them snacks.


The girls are scared of dogs, but are slowly adjusting to Toan's dog Sanibel.

Florida Bound

We left for Florida Monday afternoon with a layover in Houston. We were hoping that the kids would nap on the second flight, but they stayed awake the entire time and did not do too bad. After landing around 10:30 PM, getting our car rental, and driving about 30 minutes to the in-laws' house, Trung and I finally went to bed around 1 AM E.S.T. (the kids went to sleep in the rental and were transferred into their beds) We had a long evening, but were glad to make it to cool, sunny Florida.

Lydia and Sophie fought for the rights to push the stroller/car seat around; they loved it so much!

We got smart after awhile and lowered the handle to the kids' level.

Taking a flight...the carseat was for Lydia, but Sophie liked sitting in it whenever she could.

Search for Santa

Mike came to visit this weekend, so as always, it was a jam-packed weekend. Friday night we had a mini pre-Christmas party. Saturday we had lunch with four another families at Asia Cafe and late met them up at Round Rock Outlet to take pictures with the Strolling Santa. Unfortunately, everyone left lunch a little late, hence, late naps for the kids, so by the time everyone got to the outlet, Santa was already gone. Oh well, the girls are scared of him anyways.

Trung with Amy and Sophie

Group picture at the outlet


Kids' shot...Sophie wouldn't stay in the stroller

The family


Uncle Mike and the girls

Lydia's Christmas performance

I had a clip of Lydia's Christmas performance, but it had a Blair Witch Trial effect since Sophie was squirmy and Trung couldn't hold the camera still. Plus, it was too big for blogger to upload. Basically, no singing is involved on Lydia's part, just a bunch of finger sucking. Thank goodness for the boy behind her picking his nose or else she'd have more unwanted attention.

Lydia's favorite time of the day...snack time!


Lydia getting arm deep into her dish washing

Sophie playing nice with Lydia's classmate

Santa at Pablito's

Apparently Santa likes breakfast tacos too.

Sophie wasn't too happy about having a stranger hold her

Holding her pumpkin empanada seemed to do the trick

The last warm day of the year

The day was unusually warm for December, so we took advantage and met Isabelle and her clan at Brushy Creek park. The girls, as always, had a blast swinging and sliding.

Yes, they are actually wearing short sleeves in the winter...gotta love Texas.

My little Phie phie

My big girl Ya ya

They would swing all day if you let them!

I couldn't do a single pull-up...embarassing, I know.