Day 4....yup, more desert!

Hey, girls! This is what we saw on our drive from Tuscon, Arizona and San Diego. Yup...a lot more desert! But look how different every picture is. Mother nature sure is amazing! Miss you! Love, Mom and dad

Hey, girls! Here are some photos from today's trip through Texas and New Mexico. Lots and lots of mountains, plateaus, mesas, brush and cactus, but NO rattlesnakes, thank goodness!

Texas...it's what for breakfast!

Hey, Jenna and Haley! Look what we had for breakfast this morning! Had to make one for you girls! So, the raisin is Houston...you know all about that place. The papaya is Fort Stockton, TX, the middle-of-nowhere Texas, where we stayed last night. Just a few more bites, I mean hours, to go and we will be in New Mexico. Gotta go...before Dad eats it. :) Love you!

Talent Show

"...and that, boys and girls, is why your parents want you to take piano lessons!"

Jenna's First Communion

New Life! New Life! You came to bring us new life.
New Life! New Life! We find such joy in your abundant life.

This was such an special day for Jenna, as she recieved Holy Communion for the very first time. She looked beautiful in her white dress, but it was her smile that really made her shine! We were so blessed to be joined by family for the mass at St. Alphonsus and for a celebration afterwards.



Jenna on her First Communion day


Jenna with mom, dad, and sister


Jenna with Grandma and Pop-Pop


Jenna with Ba Noi


Jenna with Co Hi, her godmother


Jenna with her Nguyen cousins and Ba Noi


After church, we all headed to Phoenecia for a late breakfast, then continued the party back at our house. There was zip-lining and bubble-blowing for all, followed by yummy cake and punch.

From 2011 to 1699

It's time again to celebrate our town birthday, with parties, bands, fireworks, and of course, the reinactment of the 1699 Landing of D'Iberville. Our family again participated as Indians, with Henry acting as Chief of the village.


The Indian Chief and his family



Didn't you know the Indians wore Maui Jim's?



The Chief smokes a peace pipe with D'Iberville.



Happy Indian girls



The Indians of our village

The Royal Wedding

Some people watched the wedding of Prince William and Kate in their p.j.'s; we recorded it and viewed it while enjoying Afternoon Tea.


Some friends joined us for a spot o' tea...being a royal event, tiaras were required attire!

Easter Sunday

Haley with her basket from the Easter Bunny.


Jenna hunting for Easter eggs in the backyard.


The kids had a fun time at the egg hunt, and Ba Noi and a fun time watching them! Even more fun? Taking turns on the new zip-line! Even some grown-ups gave it a try!

Spring Break 2011

Spring break...a perfect opportunity to hit the beaches of Destin. We had gorgeous weather...80's and partly sunny with a nice breeze. The kids are really getting into boogie boarding, and mom and dad always enjoy the ocean view and sounds of the crashing waves.


Our first day at the beach was the cousins' last. We met up at Grayton beach for some fun in sand and surf, then all went out for dinner at P.F. Chang's.



Even Jenna loved boogie boarding...she complained when the yellow flag was flying that the waves were not big enough. She only likes red flag waves!


Haley really knows how to work it...and caught a lot of great rides.


So relaxed and happy at the beach!


A beach trip would not be complete without sand castles. The girls also built pools and a six-person hot tub. :)

Egg Hunt at the BYC

The Easter Bunny paid a visit to the Yatch Club, and hide A LOT of eggs. Haley and Jenna found about 50 each!

Zip-lining!

Spring in is the air...all the neighbors are out working in their yards. What is our idea of yard-work? How about building a zip-line! It took some engineering and a little tweaking to get it just right, but now the girls have a smooth, fast ride across the backyard!

Jackson or Bust!

Haley had a great time on the 4th grade field trip to Jackson, MS. It was a long day...5 am until 9 pm, but the kids never slowed down! We visited many sights in the state capital: the MS Agriculture Museum, The MS Sports Hall of Fame, the Museum of Natural History, and the Planetarium where we viewed an IMAX film. The final hightlight was the dinner-stop at a pizza buffet/arcade.


Haley and a classmate played chess on the porch of the General Store.


Flying like a butterfly!


Trading her sugary bus snacks for Slim Jims...she had plenty of takers!

MiniCity

The girls were learning about business and finances in their Connection classes. As a culmination, each grade hosted a MiniCity where students ran their own businesses. The students visited the other shops, spending money they earned during their studies, as well as the profits they made while running their businesses. Parents and visiting teachers recieved "stimulus money" to help keep the economy going!



Haley's store was called "Booklyn" and featured books she wrote herself. She also sold handmade bookmarks and stylish reading glasses.




Jenna's shop was called "Read-a-Craft." Patrons chose art materials and created their own books.

Regional Science Fair

Congratulations to Haley! She earned a third place medal at the Regional Science Fair for her project "Stop Pulling My Hair!"

Lundi Gras

What's better than calling for beads at a Mardi Gras parade? THROWING beads in a parade! The girls had a great time participating in the Children's Walking Parade. It was a beautiful, sunny day, and we had a great crowd lining the streets. The girls worked hard getting ready for the big day. They fit right in with the theme of "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." Jenna designed and build her own train float and Haley crafted herself a Hippie Bus to "drive" down the street. There was a free lunch on the town green and awards for best costumes and floats. What a happy surprise that Haley took home a trophy!


Walking along the parade route.


Jenna's "Train Today!" float carried a few of her stuffed animals.


Haley's "Hippie Bus" won 2nd place in the 9-12 year old's Custome Contest.

'Twas the Night Before (MS) Christmas

It's Christmas Eve in Mississippi. How do we know? Well, the reindeer food has been sprinkled on the lawn, the stocking are hung by the chimney with care, and cookies and milk await Santa. It's worked in the past; will it work again this year? Only time will tell...


A special family night out...dinner at the Beau Rivage.


Magic reindeer food sparkles on the lawn to shows the way.


Santa's favorites, and Haley and Jenna's, too...Aunt Eva's butter drop cookies with milk.

Polar Express and Holiday Tea

Haley and Jenna invited friends over for a girls-only Christmas party. They made the invitation and planned the activities. There were snacks, games, crafts, and even photos with "Santa."

Christmas on the Water

A lighted boat parade, fireworks, playing in the sand, and a bonfire with GIANT marshmallows...how can we not love Christmas on the Gulf?

Santa Claus is coming to town....but not tonight!

The girls were excited to go downtown to the town tree-lighting and meet with Santa. They were writing their Christmas letters when the fire truck arrived. A bearded man clad in red stepped off and made his way to the gazebo. My girls glanced up, flatly stated, "That's a bologna Santa," and went back to their letters. They can tell the real Santa (he usually makes it to this annual event) from a fake. The letters, they know, will get to the North Pole. As for the fake Santa, they had no interest in waiting in a long line to see him. They did enjoy the carols, cookies, and running around on the town green. And like I said, those letters will get to the big man, so they are not worried in the least.